Hi , does anyone have a Rhumey who has an answering service, that has some one 'on call' in case they need help? My rhumey's machine says, call your GP, or call 911, but doesn't have anyone you can talk to? Is this the case everywhere? During the weekends and holidays you are lost without help sometimes! That is my #1 complaint about this Arthritis profession, is that you can't get a doctor in case you are in the middle of a serious 'flare' on the weekend or on a holiday. Please, let me know what your experience is....Sarah Lynda
Lyndia,
I guess I'm lucky, in that I'm fairly well controlled. I would make a plan with your RD for times when you are flaring and no one is available. It is better to have something in place than wait for the flare to take over.
Grammie might have some suggestions on what kind of plan to have in place for a flare on the weekends or holidays.
Good luck!
Phats
I have my RD's cell #. But on a weekend or holiday if I was that bad I would go to the emergency room. I just don't feel right about calling on Holidays or weekends.
But, that is just me.
Was sent to a very ? special RA in another town who asked that I make an app. with her coliegue Dr. R. so I went and found myself answering questions to a nurse practioner. Tests were done and I
was later told I had no arthritis. I never did see a Dr.. In the past I was told I had degenerative arthritis in my lower back arthritis on my feet and no cartlige on my knees. Plus 5 ruptured disks on my upper spine which will probably turn to arthritis. These test were all done with MRI's. Which I couldn't take with me because they had been purged at the hospital. Thanks to Dr.'s like that I will never go back again. May as well suffer in silence and espress myself on the forums. Good Luck to All With RA's ; ;
My RD and internist work closely together and they each have copies of my recent labs, xrays, etc. In 8 years of treatment I've never had to call my RD on the weekend or a holiday. I have pain meds/Pred to adjust accordingly. The one time I did go to the ER I ended up in ccu with a pulmonary clot. I was thankful that I went to the ER instead of having my RD or even my internist try and treat me over the phone. I'd be dead if I hadn't gone to the ER.
Like Crispy, I don't think I'd call my RD or internist on a weekend or holiday regarding a flare. I'd call the next working day. Lindy
your rheumatologist may not have anyone available to cover his calls. Ifhe was in a multi doctor practice then one of his partners would but if he is a single practitioner he may be SOL.
At the next appt talk to your dr about a contingency plan. I hate the stuff and never take it but I always have a script for a pred pack just in case. Realistically that is what a rheumatologist is going to prescribe anyway for an acute flare.
I am lucky that my office does have one on call for nights and weekends.