What next.

[Tee-Cee]

I saw my rheumatologist the other day, he said I was to stop Mtx, because it was not working (losing function in my hands quite quickly) . He gave me a steroid jab (ohh my poor bottom) , he also said I was to try high dose rose hip tablets and see him in six weeks. Is this a normal procedure ?

[dtech]

Steroid jab. Great, brings almost instant relief. Well it did me. But rose hip tablets? What the heck it that all about? Is he a homeopath or something? Never heard of that in general medicine ever!

[Ailsa-NRAS Partner NRAS]

This is the first time I have ever known a consultant rheumatologist to suggest this, especially given the fact that the MTX isn't working and your hands are deteriorating. Have you had other dmards apart from MTX? Did he do a DAS score? If you have failed on at least 2 dmards incl. MTX and your DAS is 5.1 or over, you meet the criteria to go onto a biologic or biosimilar and I would definitely ask about this.

To say this suggested course of action is unusual is putting it mildly!

Ailsa

[Tee-Cee in reply to Ailsa-NRAS]

He was running an hour late, I did wonder if it was a stop gap solution. I hope the steroids kick in soon.

[Ailsa-NRAS Partner NRAS]

I hope they do for your sake too, but do ask at your next appointment why you have been prescribed an alternative remedy when your understanding is that it is only dmards which can get the disease under control. If you haven't got an appt any time soon, and things don't improve in the short term I would definitely call the nurse helpline and ask the above question. You obviously don't want your hands to continue to get worse so don't sit on things for long Tee-Cee, you will need to be assertive with your team by the sound of it as this treatment is contrary to best practice, NICE Guideline CG79 - treatment for adults with RA.

Good luck

Ailsa

[Jacki08]

Before I was diagnosed I was taking rose hip tablets but was told to stop them x

[Hidden]

Rose hip tablets for RA??....are you sure your doctor has a degree?...Please get a second opinion.

I wish you well

Sue

[flow4]

There does appear to be one small study showing some effect: arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

But note it showed rose hip may improve *symptoms*, not that it has any disease modifying effect. Since you already have some loss of function, it seems important that you're on a med that *treats*, not just one that soothes. I don't think I'd be satisfied, in your situation.

[cathie]

It sounds as though you need a second opinion quickly. Try to find about the other doctors in the department and get GP to refer you,

[sylvi]

If it helps try it,i would take arsenic if i thought it would help me.xxxxxx

[Hidden]

My hands are now deformed and I can no longer make a fist it has not helped me when I have had to wait 6weeks to see the consultant and he's say he wants me on new tablet urgently and to see the nurse but then have another six weeks to wait I have been in limbo for six months next appointment end of June I am says this so you will not suffer this way too

[summer32A]

I take them as a "supplement!" I am awaiting yet another dmard,