Appointment tomorrow

[LouLamb]

Got my hospital appointment with my consultant not looking forward to. Have not been taking my steroids since before Christmas. Have not been making methotraxte for 2 weeks now as going to ask for the injections. Hate having to go to the hospital. Seems like the hospital has become my 2nd home now.

[Mildredmuckyface]

Yes, it does seem like a second home at times, embrace it. Steroids will help with the inflammation and therefore could reduce the pain you may be feeling. I do hope you will speak to your consultant about this, and discuss any alternatives to steroids. You may find there is no alternative, so deep thought and discussion is essential for the pros and cons. Good luck.

[misty14]

Good luck loulamb. I'm sure it will go well. X

[tired18]

Hi

I swapped to the injection a few years back and find them much better. You can not get them from a normal pharmacy, only from the hospital. Where I am, you have to order the prescription a week before, then collect it from the Rheumatology department, take it to the Pharmacy and collect the injections (usually 6) and the Folic Acid.

[LouLamb in reply to tired18]

do the injections hurt as needles for me are a big no no

[tired18 in reply to LouLamb]

Hi,

The injections are in the form of an Epi-pen. You simply plnch a little fat on your stomach gently press the pen against it, and press the button on the top. The injection is very fast, you have to hold it in place for about 5 seconds but you don't really feel anything.

I do mine just before I go to bed

[LouLamb in reply to tired18]

Ok thank you

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi LouLamb,

Please ensure that you discuss the fact that you haven't been taking your treatment with your consultant because they need to be aware of this in order to make informed decisions about your healthcare. I would urge you not to stop taking medication without first discussing it with your consultant in the future because it can cause nasty side effects.

I hope that your appointment goes well. Please let us know how you get on.