I live in Herts and my GP via the local NHS CCG has called me up to speak on monday as want me to change meds. I ve seen the online record which states " discontinue for a cheaper effective option "
I didn't think a GP could override a Rheumatologist. I m on Methotrexate and one daily hydroxychloroquine. I cant imagine theres something better than Methotrexate.
Paul
How weird! They are standard RA drugs that are relatively inexpensive. Do you think it might just be a clerical error? It's not as if you were on biologics and could change to bio-similars.
I ll obviously moan about it..i ve taken a screenshot of the online patient record.
I wish they were ss proactive in other ways.. i ll be very upset as its taken.a year to become stable.
Can you get hold of your rheumy dept. Before the appointment for their thoughts?
Ali
I ll try. I ll email them.. as said earlier these are standard medications. I dont want to end up in pain again.
If possible ask for face to face appointment rather than a phone consultation and then take someone with you = they don’t need to say anything just be there. Also if GP makes suggestions your not sure of say “I’ll check that/ask at my next rheumatologist appointment and see what they want to do”.
A final option is switch GP if the practice has more than one doctor.
All the best
Ali
It's normal to have shared care between hospital and GP that the GP signs up to. If GP doesn't comply hosp can.
If a GP can get a cheaper type of drugs they will. But if you're Rheumatologist prescribed these drugs for you. then your GP really speaking has no right to change them. It takes a while for our bodies to get used to these drugs.. You don't want to be starting all over again..
Hope you can get things sorted out.
Thanks. This came as a bit of a shock. Taken a year to get stable and i could understand a review to see how its going.. but when i read that on the patient record i was wound up. I ll see them. Thanks for the support.
Paul
I wonder if it’s the hydroxy. Some of those are branded such as plaquenil. It could be a change of that one to the generic version.
This is strange because after four and a half years of having my RA dealt with by Rheumatology Dept at hospital, I have been told to make an appointment with my GP to discuss RA. I am also on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. I have spoken to the surgery but they do not know what this is about just that I should make an appointment after my next blood test in January. Six months ago I had my asthma inhaler changed to a cheaper generic alternative. Within a few hours I had a very severe asthma attack (the first in ten years) and, despite being changed back immediately to my old inhaler, I now wheeze and get very short of breath when walking up hill. I have been assured that this will improve given time but it has had six months. There is no way I shall willingly change RA drugs but at the end of the day they hold the purse strings. TheBoys, can you please keep us informed of what happens with your GP appointment? Thanks
Achyknitter, yours appears to be a REVIEW appointment: a normal practice in shared care. I have an annual GP review as I rarely see my GP and my RhA is currently ‘in remission’.
I was on hydroxy for years and had to come off them while I was having chemo. When it finished my Rheumy gave me a prescription to start it again. I got a call from my GP surgery to come in and see the doctor regarding my medication. I did wonder why as it was from my consultant. However what a waste of an appointment, she asked how I was on it, I told her I’d been on it for years, she then gave me my prescription, I keep getting the quinoric which is vile to take compared to the zentivia one. Going to pick up my medication today, hope it’s not the quinoric again, think it’s what the pharmacy has at the time.
GPs have more power than realised. Mainly for the good. I have had my GP in the past override cardiologists for example and Thyroid medcation changed.. Methotrexate is generic so you won't get a like for like like in Ventelin or Valium which was a brand changed generic..
The Boys
Hi, it's normal that the demalogist prescibes the medication but the surgery is held responsible for the cost of re-ordering. It's likely that the GP is trying to get you to on a cheaper drug to keep his/her costs down. Call them up to get the true picture,. they may even be reminding you to have plenty medication for the coming holiday period as chemists are closed for quite a few days. I've been moved off one drug to another by the GP, it's not that unusual.
IKeith
Hi, may be already mentioned, definitely refer to Nice guidelines. Also EU paper on RA on net and treatment.
Methrx is a gold standard as far as Nice guidelines state.
Good luck
Well, its been a morning and a half. But it was entirely a clerical error.
They dont know how it happened but it did and have apologised.
I was very wound up..and will now have a nice drink.
Thanks everyone. These things are sent to try us
🙄🙄🍻
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