Differences in treatment in Australia vs the US

[iabarbosa]

I would like to compare differences medical treatments and care, information to patients and support.

[DJEUSA]

What information would like to compare - I'm in Eastern Pennsylvania, USA - about an 45 minutes North of Philadelphia and an hour West of New York City - I have Sjogrens, OA, RA, Raynauds, Fibromyalgia, Sun and Florescent light Sensitivity and on a Study Drug ( which is helping ) for long term safety and efficiency - plus 7 other meds. I have these problems since 1994 @ age 48 - 20 years ago. Diane

[iabarbosa]

As a follow up to the discussion...Some of the questions that I have:

1. Are doctors (especially GPs and Rheumatologists) well informed about the disease and treatment options?

2. Are treatment protocols different? What are the most utilized medications? Specifically, what is the thinking on the use of Plaquenil?

3. Are there any complimentary medicine protocols used such as herbal, homeopathy, etc. that have been researched?

just to start the conversation

[Spice]

Hi I live in New Plymouth New Zealand. Drs and most health people don't know much about SS. The stand treatment a GP would offer is basically antiinflamatories pain killers and eye drops with Rhuematolagists if you are under one offering more of the heavier drugs. I personally was lucky to have a Doctor that does both orthodox and natural remedies (rare here in NZ). I am on the Mannatec products of Ambatrose and Plus which help at the cellular level. I send to Australia for theses. I also take Vit b Cod Liver Oil and Flax seed oil and Vit d supplements. The difference now to how I used to be is dramatic. I have a productive life back. I don't get that crippling fatigue the same. I still get the odd flare but it is short lived and very cushioned down. I did not know how any of this was going to work and had to be patient taking these products. We expect quick results with medications but with this natural remedy (mannatec) it takes a while to bolster up your system. I slowly started to improve after about three months of taking it. I did wonder if I was wasting my time but was so pleased that I hung in there. I have been on this programme now for 6 years and am so grateful to of found it. I attend an SS seminar at the Auckland Hospital every year which is always helpful with different specialists giving us the latest information. I do find that we are way behind the USA and don't have a lot of the products that are mentioned.