I saw my new rheumy yesterday, doctor #3 and a keeper. Humorous, had all the time in the world for me and my questions. He asked me about the time frame of a symptom, and it took me a minute to find it in my notes, and he simply sat there and waited for me.
WOW! Remember my previous doc that took my questions with his hand on the doorknob?
I asked to go off the 5 mg per day of prednisone, and he gave me a regimen to wean myself from it that will take a couple months. This is a very long, drawn out change even though I have only been on it for a little over a month and am taking a very small dosage. Quite cautious. I have read much about steroids on this site, with people who are taking huge doses, and as I understand it's the last little bit that you must be so careful with as you are going off the medication.
My liver tests were good, and he said I'm doing very well, and I don't have to go back for two months. As I drove the thirty miles to the office with white knuckles due to the icy debris on the roads, I was wishing we could just do this on the phone! Next time we'll be that much closer to spring.
Here's hoping that my progress isn't entirely due to the prednisone, and that the MTX will be working as I slowly go off the steroid. Other than a rash all over my stomach and back that I can live with, the MTX is not bothering me at all.Glad your visit went so well Sounds like this doc is definately a keeper. Isn't it great when you find an RD that is a good fit.
Shelly, my belly rash is itchy but not terribly. I have not lost any hair and was hoping to avoid it by going off pred before much time had elapsed. My liver test was fine, which I'd been a bit anxious about because I like my booze on the weekends. Slight anemia but he said that's normal with RA.
Bob, hang in there with dropping your prednisone dosages. I think slowly is the way to go.
I do feel lucky with this doctor, so many horror stories out there. As the patient you can be firm and stand up for yourself, but there's only so much you can do when you get a rude, condescending, jackass.SnowOwl, my doc said well, we can try something other than MTX and I said NO! If this is the worst thing I have to deal with, since it hasn't upset my stomach or caused me any other problems, I'll handle it for now and hope that the rash lessens with time. I'm a little concerned because he said the pred is probably helping with the rash, and I suppose as I go off it my itching might intensify. And at this point I am trying to get used to all the freakin' drugs I am on now, rather than add another one. As long as it stays on my belly and doesn't creep out all over the rest of me!
I admit I hesitated to post the positive news about my current treatment and my new doctor. So many folks on this site have such a hard time with their RA that I didn't want to sound like I was gloating. I know things won't always go this smoothly, but my life has been turned upside down since diagnosis last fall and it was the first time I felt something good had happened. Obviously all the kind comments from everyone who wrote me make it clear that people like to hear good news too. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement. Maybe take benedryl to help what the prednisone helps with the rash?
That reminds me of one other great thing that doc did, as long as I'm bragging. He asked me when the rash showed up and I started looking through my notebook to find the date. He sat there, waiting patiently, without doing anything, while I looked. Former doc would have been out the door and thirty feet down the hall if there had been that long a silence.
Joonie, what a tragedy about the weeners! Sounds like it's worth the pain though. I admire your persistence.
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