Hello! My name is Carrie and my mother has RA. She was recently diagnosed, but has it pretty severe. In August she had a bone spur removed from her neck because she didn't have any feeling in her hands, wrists or feet but when she got that removed she realized she was in pain and it was then that she was told she had RA but before the surgery, she just couldn't feel it as bad. I'm not 100% sure of the name of the drug she is on but I know that it's also used to help with cancer treatment. She is having horrible side effects with it. She has to take, I believe, six pills on Friday and for that entire weekend she has a horrible migraine and she can't function. She also developed a rash. She went to her Rheumatologist and told him about the rash but he told her to keep taking it. She asked for something else to try and he also refused until he saw her again, which will be in 4 months and he swears he has nothing earlier for her. She is STILL in pain, she doesn't want to be on anything narcartic b/c she still has a job to go to daily and doesn't want to be out of it all day, but she wants something to at least dull the pain and a RA medications that won't make her so sick.
My question is, should she go and find another doctor? Is this common for Rheumatologists to be this unconcerned for their patients? She lives in Tulsa Oklahoma and I'm hoping to help her find a better doctor. If anyone lives in or around that area and knows of a good one, please let me know. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I really want to help my mother but it's hard with me being married to someone in the Air Force and being away from home.
It is my personal opinion that your mom should find a new Dr. There are other meds out there for RA. She is probably taking Methotrexate which I tolerate well but know that many do not. As you can see I cannot help with finding her another Dr. but wanted you to know that I will be pulling for your mom.
I too searched out another Rheumatologist after my initial visit to one and I like her a lot, she is much more sympathetic. Some people tolerate MTHX very well whilst others do not. You can also try the injectable MTHX if you can't tolerate the pills. I take plaquinel and MTHX and have no significant side affects. However, MTHX does NOT kick in straightaway, it varies but generally it's 2/3 months before you see any benefits. Good luck
I'm sorry to hear your mother is having such a tough time. I also started with MTX and it took about 4 months for it to start working. Once it started, though, I felt much better. There are other effective meds. Doctors typically try MTX first since it is used very frequently and is often very effective. Some of the newer drugs are very expensive and the insurance companies won't authorize them until you've tried at least MTX for a while. It's good that you're being so supportive of your mother. I'm sure she appreciates it.
By the way, I grew up in the Tulsa area...went to high school in Broken Arrow. I live in California now, but my parents and my sister's family still live there. I was just visiting them two weeks ago.
Alan
lol! I graduated from Broken Arrow in 01, and my mother works there. And yes it was MTX I just couldn't remember the name. She's been on it since January and at first it worked really well and now it seems within the last month she's really stiff again and hurting like before. She told me today that she wouldn't mind the side effects so bad as long as the pain was diminished some, but she is getting extremely discouraged being in so much pain PLUS dealing with the side effects. I'm going to look around on the internet and see if I can find her another doctor. She is also going to ask around and see if she can find someone. Thank you all for your quick replies. I really appreciate itAren't you the best daughter. yes, it sounds like when someone is in pain and suffering from the drug's effects the doctor should respond. She could be taking Prednisone (that was a lifesaver for me, reduced the swelling and pain), until the medication for RA works for her. There are so many choices of drugs now, so she should not have to take anything that is that hard on her. Good luck looking for a different doctor, When you find one you will want to ask for the history/treatment to be sent over to the new doctor (you may get charged). It seems most areas have doctor recommendations some where??Does anyone know how to find new doctors?
sarah jane
Ouch...now I feel old...BAHS class of 72...GO TIGERS!Welcome to the board! If it was me, I would be searching for a new rheumatologist. Also, when you find one and even if you don't, maybe think about injecting mtx since it takes care of most of the nasty side effects, absorbs faster into the body, and more of the medication is absorbed. And no, it is not normal for a doctor to be uncaring about their patients. That makes me so mad!!
You are an awesome daughter!!! I hope my girls can follow in your footsteps when they and I get older.
As far as finding a new doc...you can jump on your local hospital website and they usually have a physician finder there. You can also jump on your insurance company website and look there too. I have a booklet on all sorts of helpful questions to ask when looking for a doc. I will write some of the real important ones up and post them.
I've already found 3 for her to call tomorrow. I told her to get a copy of her medical records before she changes docs. Dunno if they will let her do that, but I told her to get a new doc first, then ask for the medical records in case her current doctor just wants to fax them to the new one. I will definitely tell her about the injectable MTX.
Welcome my dear.
If your mom does not agree to go to a new doc and even if she is and they cant get her in right away..ask to be put on a cancellation list...and call every couple of days....I saw a doctor within a week of getting on this cancellation list...Good Luck and God Bless