Dr Dasgupta

[Juliey43]

Hi would it be worth seeing Dr. Dasgupta to help with a treatment plan? Is anyone currently being treated by him and would recommend him?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You could try, but I imagine he’s a very busy man....and unless your PMR is particularly troublesome he may not accept you.

[jinasc]

Like Dorset Lady, I would think he would not accept you as you are not having problems.

You do not say, where you live, and there maybe another Consultant who may accept you, but if you want to see them on NHS you need a GP referral, unless you are going privately.

BTW what sort of 'treatment plan' are you after? Are you having difficulty currently, if so, can you tell us what the difficulty is please.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not sure what you expect in terms of a "treatment plan", The treatment plan for PMR is moderate dose pred to start with and then taper the pred dose to to find the lowest dose that achieves the same result as the starting dose did. It was your guide.

Even Prof Dasgupta doesn't have a magic wand that provides a better approach than we talk about here. And even he doesn't always get it right.

[Maisiek]

Yes I’m lucky enough to be seeing Professor Dasgupta and would recommend him/ he’s at the forefront of research : when I saw him he had students from all over world learning from him . Also he was running trials before COVID and hopes to start them again when possible . When I complained that my GP had reduced my initial dose of 15mg to 12.5 after only 2 weeks, he said “well actually I wrote the guidelines” 😂

[Juliey43 in reply to Maisiek]

Thanks everyone for coming back to me! 😁

[Kendrew]

I see Prof dasgupta and asked to be referred from my original rheumatologist as he's a leading authority on PMR/GCA. He's extremely knowledgeable and in my experience, also relies on the patient to contribute to decisions made regarding steroid dosages. I'm fortunate enough to have private medical insurance through my husband's work so as a private patient, I can arrange a telephone consultation occassionally through his secretary, to discuss any issues. I'm aware I'm very fortunate to be able to do this but tend not to unless I'm particularly worried or concerned. I've found that he listens to my perception of whsts going on and together we work out the next course of action. For instance, we discussed my concerns about starting Alendronic acid for osteoporosis and whether symptoms were side effects of certain other medications I was on as well as steroids. A way forward needed to be mapped out as for me there were other considerations apart from what dose of steroid I needed to be on.

[Juliey43 in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks for coming back to me. He sounds great and good he listens to his patients and considers what they have to say before deciding on a course of action.

[Kendrew in reply to Juliey43]

I think you'd find him helpful, particularly if you have anxieties or other related health issues and medications involved, in which case discussing what you refer to as, a 'treatment plan' would give you the opportunity to consider different options, different combinations of medication and what regime would be best suited to you.......as you can see from looking through this forum, everyone is working towards the same objective .....ie. to get off the steroids asap but at a safe pace that minimises the risk of a re-emergence of symptoms, but we all seem to be working to different regimes and at different paces with different considerations to take into account. Like I've probably said before....one size doesn't fit all. I really hope you get the outcome you want and wish you all the best Juliey43

[Juliey43 in reply to Kendrew]

Thank you so much. I think I will try to get an appointment as my rheumatologist is set on giving me meth. which at this stage, I'm not keen on. I was so active and what I considered to be fit and flexible - yoga every morning - before pmr came on in March. I then quickly became quite immobile - unable to easily get out of the car, off the sofa, out of bed, walking slowly and in pain. The pred has made me feel normal again but yes I want to get off it asap as I am aware it is a very strong drug and not good for you on a lobg term basis.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Juliey43]

Methotrexate won't necessariy get you OFF pred, it does not replace pred in PMR, not even any guarantee it will get you to a lower dose either. I do agree it is sometimes worth trying, but not right at the start, find out where you are with pred first, nor if it creates too many problems. Some people are fine on it, others lose a day or two to "mtx flu" - and I lost the entire week except the day the next mtx was due because of overwhelming fatigue. Everyone is different.

[123-go in reply to Juliey43]

He is a wonderful, dedicated human being and is world renowned for his research into PMR/GCA.

[Kendrew]

I'm really pleased the prednisolone has been so effective for you. Unfortunately for me, it's sorted the polymyalgia but given me lots of other problems with all the side effects. They're gradually being sorted though and I'm returning to work in Sept. So not all bad!

I was very into my health and fitness, and a regular visitor to the gym before this condition hit..... and was still going before lockdown.....for very gentle exercise only of course, and nothing that was not within my capability. It definitely helped me both physically and mentally and although there have obviously been some days when it wasn't possible, I've always managed to do something....if only a short walk around the houses. Each of us are different though. Good luck.

[Telian]

I’d recommend him. Was my Rheumie for

6 1/2 years before we moved away recently. I was an NHS patient and saw him every visit during that time. He is very caring and will listen to you but don’t be afraid to make your point if need be.

He looked after me well. He’s so dedicated and always on the ball with his patients. I’ve known him delay a flight because a patient needed him.

I was given advice by one of his registrars in the early days and got a phone call from Professor D afterwards - he’d disagreed with their treatment plan for me. I have to say he was right. Don’t know how he does it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Telian]

Passion. That's how he does it ...

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

Exactly right!