appointments

[Shaza123]

hi everyone. I’ve had my rheumatologist appointment cancelled and as of yet had no information given me as to when I will get another. I have only seen my rheumatologist once and feel very deflated by the support I thought I would get. I’m trying to taper down my pred slowly and I’m now down to 12 mg from 50 mg this time last year. I do this with no support from the doctor. The moment I was put under the rheumatologist the dr seemed to be no longer interested and I felt let down by them. They use to send me for regular blood tests but that’s stopped. I’m on methotrexate injections prescribed by the rheumatologist and have monthly blood tests. I thought I would be seeing the rheumatologist regularly but I don’t. Is anyone else in this situation. I’m on antibiotics for a chest infection and have tried ringing my rheumatologist for advice as I know I have to stop the methotrexate whilst taking them but for how long I’ve know idea. Any advice please thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Usually you stop the MTX for as long as you are on the antibiotics and until you feel recovered from the infection.

Please you complete your profile as knowing a bit more about your history and medications does help us help you.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. I eventually got through to the rheumatologist and as you say I was advised to stop the methotrexate until I feel well again. I have added more history to my profile but struggled to reach 100%

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shaza123]

Oh I struggled to get to 100% - but we don't care, it's the info in your bio and what country you are in we care about to save us reading all your past posts!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Not sure it’s possible to reach 100% unless there are very obscure questions/replies I’m missing on mine!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Mine is!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

😏

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

👍

[piglette]

If you live in UK we have primary (the GP) and secondary (the NHS) health care. The GP is normally not part of the NHS, the GPs just get paid by the NHS as a supplier. Once you are handed over to secondary care the person you are seeing there is in charge although they can hand you back to primary care.

If you have a monthly blood test and have been given methotrexate and antibiotics I don’t think you can complain of lack of interest. Perhaps we should be told how much our treatment would have cost us if we had had to pay.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

"Perhaps we should be told how much our treatment would have cost us if we had had to pay."

Absolutely. It concentrates the mind no end!!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I believe that does happen in some places, is it Singapore? It may just be for medicines. I think it would be an excellent idea as we do tend to take free health for granted.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Never mind that far away. If you earn more than a certain amount in Germany you are able to choose your insurance company - under that it is the AOK, similar to the NHS where you just hand over your details to the cash office in the hospital. But when private you get an itemised bill which may be settled directly with the insurance company or you pay and get reimbursed. But you always know what it cost. Like the asthma inhaler that is treated as disposable by some in the UK because they don't pay for it but in fact even 10 years ago cost over £80.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I think Singapore just gives you a till receipt when you are given your free drugs, so you are aware. Very simple and a good idea in my oppinion.

[Shaza123 in reply to piglette]

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the care and cost of my treatment just wanted to rant

[Shaza123 in reply to Shaza123]

Just a update I’ve worked in the NHS for 16 years on a acute medical ward and have first hand experience of how the NHS works

[Shaza123 in reply to piglette]

Why do you make this comment

[piglette in reply to Shaza123]

What comment are you talking about?

[Shaza123 in reply to piglette]

Being told how much our treatment costs

[piglette in reply to Shaza123]

I think it is important to make people aware of how much the cost of their treatment is. If things are free one tends not to appreciate what you have been given.

[Shaza123 in reply to piglette]

Well two points to make here piglet the first is I’ve paid into the national health service since I was 15 years old. Secondly I don’t need to be told the cost of my treatment to appreciate it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shaza123]

YOU may not - a lot of people abuse it because it is "free".

[piglette in reply to Shaza123]

I am glad that you appreciate how much your treatments are costing. I just wish more people were aware. It does seem in general when people get things for free they do not realise the cost. I am sure if I stood outside a Pharmacy and asked people how much the actual cost of the drugs they had just picked were, very few would have any idea.