Disgusted | Arthritis Information

Well, I called PCP office today to see about getting the pneumonia vaccine and was told the Dr has to approve this and unfortunately my pcp is out of town on Vacation... until next week! !

That's odd, since when do you need an approval for a pneumonia vaccine? I have always gotten it before when they are offering it at local health fares or vaccine clinics with no approval needed. So I guess it's no vaccine, no answers and no Mtx until after next week. mom2threeinaz2008-07-18 11:57:07I am sorry! I hope you can last long enough until you get it and then the meds you need.

I am in the same boat as you, but with my RD.

much hugs to you!

[QUOTE=mom2threeinaz] Well, I called PCP office today to see about getting the pneumonia vaccine and was told the Dr has to approve this and unfortunately my pcp is out of town on Vacation... until next week! !

That's odd, since when do you need an approval for a pneumonia vaccine? I have always gotten it before when they are offering it at local health fares or vaccine clinics with no approval needed. So I guess it's no vaccine, no answers and no Mtx until after next week. [/QUOTE]

I'm guessing because it's still a prescription drug; the nurses are not authorized to dispense it without a prescription (aka dr's approval). Health clinics and health fairs have doctors (or in some states, nurse-practitioners or pharmacists) who do the "prescribing".Thanks Joonie. I suppose there are other worse fates. But right now I am getting fed up with Dr.s. I suppose they don't think this is important or urgent. Can't they call him where ever in the world he is and get a verbal ok. It's just a vaccine for pete's sake. ok enough. Just felt so good to vent a little. I was suppose to of gotten one of those vaccines, but... I chickened out and told RD, I was not taking it, she tried to tell me the risks of not taking it, but still did not work. I did do the TB test, other wise she would not have even started the remicade.

I was to go to the health department for both the TB & pneumonia.

When I got my first round of labs done, I got a message the next day saying they were abnormal and I needed to make an appointment with my Dr. When I called to make the appointment, I found out she was out of town for a month. So I was scared half to death waiting on the appointment, although I went in and the nurse did explain some things about the labs to me but I was still upset I had to wait so long. Yeah, what Jasmine Rain said. It'll be OK, pneumonia season is a way off yet. Still frustrating though.Thanks all for your comments and concern. I've calmed down now. It's great to have this place to be able to vent all of that frustration. I can't imagine what I would do with out ya'll. Isn't it great to be able to share these daily difficulties that pop over because of our disease? It consumes you. I have never had a flu or pneumonia vaccine, and don't plan to. I do not have fibrosis of the lungs, recently verified with a high intensity CT scan.

I hope Monday comes quick for you :) Cathy

Yeah I did question about getting the vaccine but since I have already had pneumonia about 12 years ago RD said to go ahead and get it just to be safe.

"no pneumonia vaccine, no answers and no Mtx until after next week"

Ok, you know a lot more then I do... I've been on Mtx for a year and had a pneumonia vaccine last year... is there a reason you can't take your Mtx without the vaccine?

I was on 2 high dose then a low dose antibiotic for 3 months without being told it couldn't be taken with Mtx... go figure why the bladder infection wouldn't go away... Learning more every day here...

Maybe you could talk to his nurse on Monday, she can look at your chart & see that you have had it in the past...

Peace to you mom...