Go ahead and start taking the plaquenil and see how it goes. Some people can do very well on it. Keep in mind that this is a slower acting medication so don't get too impatient Did he continue you on the pred? Status x'rays are generally done every 1-2 years unless you are seeing a problem in a specific joint or sometimes when you are commencing a new treatment protocal. And just out of morbid curiousity, I would call the office and double check what telephone number they have on record for you. It is possible that what was typed in on your paperwork is wrong. If the dr was gettig an anoymous voice mail recording he might not have known he had a wrong number
Lisa please get a 2nd opinion. Call your PCP back and let them know you are just not comfortable with this doctor and need another rheumy for a 2nd opinion. I do not agree with his we are not going to treat you aggressively because you are are sero-negative. I am sero negative and if I was not being treated aggressively I would be in a wheel chair by now. That is bullshark that because you are sero negative you shouldn't be treated as aggressively. That makes me upset. Can you tell lol. Start the Plaquenil and meloxicam (Mobic..an NSAID) anyways. It is better than nothing and it does help to slow down the progress of the disease somewhat. And yes, the new thinking with treatment is mainly treat aggressively. But that is also up to the individual doctor and patient. Buckeye is correct about when xrays are done. I am at every 6 months now due to so many problems. I am going to be my own nightlight if this keeps up! Try calling physician referal at your local hospital also to find a new rheumy in your area. Just don't forget to call the doc if they give you a name for your referal so ins. pays for everything. Hang in there hun!!! HI , do you have tht many choices? wow, we only have 1 doc in our area I'd go to.....It wouldn't hurt to start in on the plaq, and mex., then you could sort out other medications. It is hard to tell you (if the dr did try to return your calls???), did you feel comfortable with the dr, generally? My frist was a real nut-case the second I knew I really liked. He's treated me for 10 years, the kind of guy you'd like to have as a personal friend. Good luck though, I don't know what to say. Sarah
I went to my 2nd appt with RD. He said all blood work came back ok except CRP was still elevated. Said my x-rays show some possible erosion (sp?) in fingers and narrowing of joints in fingers and wrists.
Said he was going to treat me as sero-negative. And that he was not going to treat me very aggressively and will just use the older meds. Which everything I have read says that the medical field is now saying to treat RA aggressively from the onset. Said that he was going to prescribe me Plaquenil (200mg) and Meloxicam (7.5mg).
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