What a Strange DR. Appoinment | Arthritis Information

 

Hmmm. I went to my RA doctor this morning. Oh course alot has happened to my joints, feet, hip, ankles etc., and I told him about all of them. He asked if I was on any arthritis medications and I said no. Then he said I need to be on some. I told him about hiring a disability group to file disability for me and asked if he would fill out the form. He did the exam it asked for, filled out the paper and said okay, we are done. I want to see you again in 3 months. I then asked him what I could take formy arthritis and to my surprize he said, Ibuprofin. So I left still in pain with no hope in site. I mean where would I get the medicine if not from him?

I'm also a little confused.  Why didn't you ask him questions and discuss medications prior to asking him to fill out the disability forms?  If you get on meds and have a decrease in your symptoms you may be able to work again.  Did you take a list of questions with you about your symptoms and what you've learned about the medications from the forum?  I don't understand the appointment at all.  What do your labs show?  Lindy 

Hi Lindy, Yes I took a list of what was going on. And he did not seemed concerned. He said I can't take MTX as prescibed before. but then said I need to be on arthritic medication. Then I asked him to fill out the paper. He was more concerned with my weight loss. They didn't take any labs. I'm still confused.

 

Did you question him about the ibuprofen only?No he seemed a little preoccupied. Room full of patients. He seemed as though he didn't know what to do.Is he a rheumatologist?Yes, bu about 70 years old.I think I'd feel like I wasted my time. hmm.. I am thinking he changed his feelings about you when you asked for disability papers to be completed...  then he thought you were there for the "ride" not for any DX or RX..   he misunderstood... or mistakenly thought you were looking for something else.. yes 25 miles away in Louisville, KY. I was hoping he could help me becaucause he is closer. When he found out I no longer had insuance, he lost intrest in my condition. So now I'm angry.ahhh.. it was the INSURANCE that made him change his tune... Babs, I love to work. I have worked all my life. This is not something I want to do. My body is telling me I can't and my RA doctor says the same. I can't lift anything over 10 pounds, my range of motion is gone, my hands, feet, ankles and knees are swollen..can't hardley walk anymore. I weight 81 lbs now. He said because of my weight and the fact that I could not take MTX because of ulcers, he was scared to give me anything until I gain some weight.I'm so sorry.. I wasn't insinuating you weren't justified.. just that your Dr. thought that was all you wanted... I hope you are drinking Ensure, you need to put some weight on, fast.  Take care, be very careful.  And lots of good, filtered water.  Keep us informed, please.  Huggles ~~ CathyThere are other meds(Arvara, Plaquenil, AP, Sufasalazine, etc.) besides MXT and you could try injectable MXT which bypasses the stomach.  You need to ask about the other dmards and a biologic like Enbrel, Humira, Remicade.  If you're down to 81 lbs., in so much pain that you can't work, and your toes are becoming deformed then I would think that your primary care would take more of an interest in your well being.  Call your primary and get an appt. for ASAP, start drinking Ensure, and look for another RD.  I don't think you'll get disability until you have a definite diagnosis, so it's important that you get diagnosed and started on treatment.  Lindy lostpoet when my disease was severe and very active I couldn't put on a pound no matter what I ate plus extra milkshakes.  What does your blood work say? Maybe the RA is very active and needs to be controlled with some kind of DMARD or you'll never gain weight, get strong, get better.This is a situation where medical marijuana might help - unfortunately our puritanical "leaders" are deathly afraid of a natural herb that has been used by humans for millenia. [QUOTE=lostpoet]He said because of my weight and the fact that I could not take MTX because of ulcers, he was scared to give me anything until I gain some weight.[/QUOTE]

Lostpoet, I'm so sorry you didn't get any help from this dr.   I think the others have given you some good advice, but I have another question/concern as well - ibuprofen is going to be really hard on ulcers, too!  My daughter had to take Prevacid with it, to protect her stomach.  Are you on anything for your stomach now?  And have they tested you for h. pylori, which causes ulcers?  They can treat/cure that, you will feel much much better!  It's a blood test.  Urgent Care sent me to a gastro for it, but maybe your GP could order it, too, if you haven't had one.

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