Update on the struggle: So I emailed the rheumy nurse... - NRAS

NRAS

37,818 members46,795 posts

Update on the struggle

Someonesmother profile image
6 Replies

So I emailed the rheumy nurse and told her how I feel and how I need some help as I can;t keep working full time feeling like I do and falling asleep at work from the fatigue. She asked me if my GP had called rheumatology and asked for an emergency appt and I told her I don;t think that he knows he can. There is a very distinct line here about what GPs and what specialist do and GPs don't step over that line. Anyway after some discussion about how we the patients then get left, like I have been since April in pain and not coping much becasue if this stupid unwritten law, she agreed that she will get me an appt earlier. So instead of the 17th I now go on the 10th August. I said well what do I do until then and the answer was go back on pred. I said well unless I take at least 15mg a day it will be pointless. Apparently the drs don't like you on that dose for that length of time so I can take 15mg for a couple of days and cut back to 5mg a day. I may as well take nothing really at 5mg.

Written by
Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
6 Replies
allanah profile image
allanah

It's strange to me to hear all this. I get told to take much higher doses but obviously we have different medical histories etc.

I really would complain about this Situation to the Rheumy when you see him. The nurse should actually ask him what dose of meds to take until he sees you .

Thinking of you x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply toallanah

I have no idea they are adverse to people taking steroids here for some reason. I am going with the 15mg for a few days so I can at least get some relief. I may drop down to 10 but I want to stay on that at least until I see them. Then it will be a few months before I even get a new biologic by the time all the approvals etc are done. I can;t function working full time feeling like this.

Fennella02 profile image
Fennella02 in reply toSomeonesmother

People with chronic respiratory conditions tend to have Recue packs which consist of steroids and antibiotics so that they have the power to stop themselves getting worse. I tend to take what I have to take to stay well enough to look after my children. My husband is away a lot and no-one is going to look after them for me! My Rheumy is unquestioning when I tell him what I have taken but the Rheumy nurse is far more conservative if I ask her advice beforehand.

I hope you soon get things under control xx

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply toFennella02

yes I have that too so I now what you mean. I think the Drs here are conservative with steroids not sure why. I guess the nurses are more conservative as they are not Drs, who knows. It will be a while before things are under control as I will have to wait for a few months after my appt to find out what the next drug will be then wait for the approval process to go through. So I have a bit of a journey yet

moomie profile image
moomie

I do hope you can get sorted and some relief. My G.p upped my Preds to 15mg on the 14th of June for 4 weeks. Since had a nasty chest infection for 3 weeks so last week he upped it to 40mg for a week . Back on Thursday. I am lucky with my G.p looking after things. There is not much liason with Rheumatolgy though. Missed 3 weeks of Mtx which is telling now.

Fingers crossed for you x

Someonesmother profile image
Someonesmother in reply tomoomie

My GP is really good, but they won;t go against what the Rheumy has ordered here. I have taken very high doses when I get a asthma which I now get quite severely when I get a coughing cold or bronchitis. I am going to tell him next time I see him what the Rheumy nurse told me and leave him their contact number. But I live in hope that once I am on something new in a few months that it will last longer than 12 months

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Folic Acid ... what dose???

Well I thought I'd post about folic acid as there are such variations in the doses we all take it...
Rosie_rabbit profile image

Pred Tablets or Depo Injection?

I have had uncontrolled RA for nearly 3 years since switching to a biosimilar of enbrel. I've tried...
Maggsie profile image

1st video meet with with rheumy disapponting.

Hi all, yesterday I had my 1st consult with rheumy by video & I,m very disapponted. A dr & the...
Chrt profile image

UPDATE ON SHOULD I HAVE THE FLU JAB

Hi Everyone Well I was still undecided on whether to have the flu jab today and in the end decided...
Garnacha profile image

you got to see it to believe it

well go her t off me backside and went to daughters who i asked about alchol probs spent saturday...
pauluk60 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Nicola-NRAS profile image
Nicola-NRASAdministrator
Donagh-NRAS profile image
Donagh-NRASAdministrator
karenf-NRAS profile image
karenf-NRASAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.