How do I get medication (corticosteroids) prescribed before diagnosis?

[Sarah030609]

Hi there,

Over the past 2 months I've experienced a rapid shrinkage of seemingly cartilage (but perhaps bone) everywhere in my body.

The doctors at first thought I was making it up but now the signs are too much to ignore. A specialist agreed that there is an issue but he couldn't diagnose it at the time.

I no longer have the money to see a specialist and I've been referred on the NHS but my next appointment is over 2 months away and I am literally wasting away by the day.

It has affected my breathing and my general body stability.

I wake up throughout the night with intense pain in my skull and ribs.

If I lean forwards or back my throat feels occluded due to changes internally to my respiratory tract.

My head has felt unstable for some weeks and my partner noticed it was rocking so badly that it was hitting my chest and the back of my head when I was asleep in the passenger seat.

My jaw has literally wasted away which has meant the fat has collected at the bottom of my face giving my jowels.

The only 2 possible solutions that have been suggested are: relapsing polychondritis or rapidly progressing oesteoarthritis.

Both are treated with corticosteroids which prevent both diseases from progressing further.

How can I convince my doc to put me on them now before this ends up disabling me or worse?

Many thanks,

Sarah

[katie_huffman Administrator]

Dear Sarah030609, this sounds rough! Other than finding a doctor you can trust, which it seems like you are trying to do, I don't have additional advice for you. I just wanted to reach out and say that the group is thinking about you and wishing you well.

[deejames]

Hi Sarah. I wonder why you think cortocosteriods are the answer to these puzzling symptoms ? Have you had this problem before and was it relieved by steroid treatment.

Doctors prescribe steriods as little as possible due to the bad side effects both at the time of treatment and afterwards due to greatly increased risk of osteoporosis. I am not sure if your doctor has refused to prescribe steroids already. I have had one course of them which worked extremely well for my pain and inflammation but I would never take them again knowing the risks.

You could try to see another doctor in the practice or move to another surgery but that takes time. I don't really know what the proper answer is to your problem but as far as the prescribing goes I would say listen to the professionals.

Dee