2 more steroid injection and a change of meds......

[shirlthegirl]

Hi everyone, Well i had my 2nd appointment today to see the rheumatologist, to discuss my meds and the way forward, After explaining about my brother and my concerned about other drugs that never worked for him and the point that he was now in a wheel chair due to a delay in the anti tnf drug, she tried to reassure me that the meds are so much better these days than 15 years ago, But was really understanding to the way i felt and promised that she will arrange another appointment for me in 3 months to see how the new drugs are working, and we will go from there, My DAS was 3.69 so i wouldn't qualify at present, She said if i could give it to you Shirley i would but unfortunately i don't have the authorization, Why do we always get so upset when we sit down and start talking about this rotten disease, i really felt that i was in control :((((( Then we started to speak about the new drugs, she has decided to put me on 20mg of MTX injections once a week, i am to still carry on with the 400mg of hydroxy per day and she has also added Sulfasalazine which will be increased to two 500 mg tab in the morning and in the night in 4 weeks time, Again this can take up to another 12 weeks, Then when i thought the tears had stopped her advice was to give me another steroid injection in my knee and one in my elbow, The one in the elbow wasn't to bad, But the knee one again wasn't pleasant at all, my sister was there this time, i have never seen her jump of the chair so quick :)))), She said i'm really sorry i could of dumb it a bit but that she did not have any there, I apologized just in case i had frighten the other patients outside:)))))) she said not to worry your knee is swollen and it is to be expected, She never tried draining it this time thank Christ, So i am now waiting for a call from the nurse to arrange a appointment to show me how to inject, i'm not a lover of needles so i'm sure i will get plenty of advice from you all,i really hope this works for me Lots of love XXXXXX

[miss]

Hi Shirley really hope your new meds work for you. It is quite strange when any gp or any one medical asked how we are. For me it seems to start the tears.

Take care and you feel the relief very soon xx

[Neverwell]

Ah bless you it is hard when talking about this alfull thing that we have hope new meds help you a lot don't worry about needles I was the same but now I inject like a pro good luck love Karen x

[sylvi]

The easiest way to inject yourself is stick it in your tummy. I always end up crying when i see my rheumy.I am now had my assessment tfor anti-tnfs and when they get the initial lot into me i will be able to do them myself by injection. I hope you soon get something stronger to help you.xxx

[alibonura]

hi

really feel for u last time i was at the rumy department i had a proper melt down was sobbing for ages (its a wonder they didnt section me)

i hope any meds u taking r helping at least a little, i got my visit tomorrow morning (bluddy 9 oclock) am so worried altho dont know why has its not like im trying to claim benefit under false intentions !!!!

i hate this disease n hows its changed me as a person and affected everything i do,in my everyday life ranting again...... somebody ssssslap me lol ......... am sure u will be injecting like most of us do on here in no time, Humira Enbral n wotever the others are called, (fog brain today lol)

take care Ali xxx

[claireyj]

Ah Shirley honestly I promise injecting is fine and after what you've been thru today it will be a piece of cake :)) as you know I inject 20mg too and as everybody on here told me you really do get used to doing it and it doesn't hurt , the hosp will give you good advice too . It's ok to cry too better out than in eh lovely ...fingers crossed your new meds will work for you and the steroids will help you too ....lots of love x

[shirlthegirl]

Thank you all for the positive messages you have sent, they do mean a lot to me, unfortunately my brothers experience with this illness does get me down sometimes, and he can have a negative attitude to what i am being told, but as they always say we have to stay positive and not everyone is the same, even if they are a family member, Lots of hugs and XXX

[Hidden]

no two people with RA are the same and hopefully you wont be the same, this is what you ave to hold on to, I BELIEVE smokers have been proven to have worse disease progression? and pain? according to medics,?, I seem to remember that if you were smoking you were giving it up?.. hows that going? x