Had My Rheumy Visit Today

[Guest guest]

Had my appointment with the Rheumy this afternoon. Things went pretty

much as I had expected except with one more little twist thrown in to

the mix. After checking me out and listening to the latest update

since it was a month since seeing her, she said that I'm one of the

blessed ones that in addition to having RA, also has Fibromyalgia!

Didn't see that coming. Wham! Not even sure I know how to spell it.

She said that if it wasn't for the positive blood results for RA and

the clinical symptoms of RA, she would have looked for Fibro earlier

but since RA was positive, it wasn't until now that she did the

pressure point test thingy and along with other things I'm telling her

she is certain I have both. She says it's pretty common to have both.

No hurry though to deal with the Fibro though until we get the RA

under control.

She did up my dosage of Methotrexate and we are going directly to the

self injectable needle route. I had to show her in the office I could

give myself the shot which went OK. I was blessed to have no fear of

needles so it was just figuring out where to do it. Going with

syringes versus the epi-pen. I understand from what I've read here and

elsewhere that it stings less since you can regulate the flow as

you're injecting.

As for the depression, she felt pretty certain the Pred. was screwing

around with my Thyroid hormone levels and my hypothyroidism. She

ordered a blood test and said before we go the anti-depressant route

which we may have to do also for the Fibro she wanted to make sure my

thyroid medication didn't need adjustment. That blood test won't be

for another 2-3 weeks so until then I may just need to keep a stiff

upper lip.

Also changed me over from Lunesta to Ambien CR to see if that helped

better with the insomnia.

I am exhausted but glad the visit is over. I am fortunate that I have

a good Rheumy she's proven to me so far that it's OK to put my faith

in her. She really seems to know her stuff and seems to have my best

interest in mind so what more can I ask?

Over all, quite a day.

Thanks all again to all of you for your support. It is very much

appreciated.

Bob