New Rheumatologist

I saw a new doctor today because I recently found out there are new ones in my area. I had to drive over an hour to get to the last one and it took up too much of the work day.

Anyway, she mentioned Benlysta as an option which really surprised me. However, she said she hasn't used it on any patients yet and needs to review the adverse reactions. I doubt I'll try it. She mentioned Methotrexate and I might try that. It might help me cut back on steroids and Vicodin which would be nice. I'm willing to try anything to help this constant muscle pain. I need to review the side effects again and make a decision.

Methotrexate sounds scary! I had a cousin take it for psoriasis, but she had to get off because it really decreased her wbc & rbc. She had a severe case where it looked like she had cradle cap, so she had to go on something strong. I don't know what she is on now, but I do know she has it under control. Good luck in your decision...I just hope it doesn't decrease your platelet count, but I know prednisone and constant use of vicodin isn't good either! I can't imagine having constant muscle pain! Muscle twitching is bad enough for me!

Did you like this rheumatologist? Is it worth moving closer to work? I live in a big city and have alot of choices for drs, but I'm so picky that I will drive further out to get someone I'm comfortable with. I had a nephrologist that was TERRIBLE (or I thought so) and got a new one, but have to drive almost an hour to get to her. A few weeks ago in our paper, there was a 3 page article about my former nephrologist, about her "scheming" and lying about many of her creditials! I knew I had some of the right instincts!!

Pauline:

My work, home and the new Rheumatologist are all within 10 minutes of each other. That works for me. In the past, I drove over an hour to see the Rheumatologist that I wanted, but it's getting too hard to get there. Plus, they keep rescheduling me and it ended up being a year since I've been seen. Not acceptable.

Yes, I like the new doctor. She talks really fast, but I was able to keep up. She also seems reasonable (meaning, she will consider what I want and comply). She wasn't overbearing in any way.

I will always fire any doctor and get a new one if I am not comfortable with them, so I'm not too worried about that right now. This one gets a chance. I considered yesterday an interview and she passed.

As for Methotrexate, I can always give it a try at the lowest possible dose and see how it goes. I'm aware I can end up with lower blood counts and that is a slight concern, but I'd rather live with lower platelets and less pain right now. The constant balancing act!

My rheumatologist, who I like but isn't exactly a dynamo, just refused to refill my plaquenil unless I came in (it's been maybe a year). So I called for an appointment and he's only in the office on Tuesdays! I travel all week and can only come in occasional Fridays. So I said well I guess I need a different doctor. They said to try to see if my general doctor will prescribe it so I got an appointment with that doctor and we'll see. He gave me #30 more for now which is only 15 days.
Erica

Erica:

I know how that is! My doctors are constantly making me come in or they won't refill my scripts. I'm surprised the Rheumatologists office kept refilling since it's been so long since I was there.

Most of my doctors are only in on certain days too. I can imagine how hard it would be for you to get in being away all the time. They have all of these doctors traveling to different offices all the time. Wouldn't it make more sense to keep the same ones at the same offices? I don't get how that is more convenient or beneficial for anyone.

I feel like all of our docs like to make us crazy.... my rhuematologist that I used to go to was right in the same area as my hematologist and then they stopped accepting my insurance so now I have to go in the opposite direction to see the rheumatologist... I think THEY are the reason we have our flares... TOO STRESSFUL!!!!