Madder than a wet hen at my rheumatologist
I first got diagnosed with RA back in 2017. Started off on methotrexate and Plaquenil and I made it 8 months before I fired the rheumatologist and cut back on the meds until I was out. Fast forward to last year and my wife wanted me to try RA meds again. I told her that I would try and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Got in with the new rheumatologist in May of this year. Told the rheumatologist that I'm not going to be a guinea pig to see what meds might work. I was given a prescription for leflunomide and 4 samples of actemra. Made it 6 days on the leflunomide. I started the actemra a week after. After the 2nd shot, the rheumatologist office called me to see how the new prescription is going. I asked, what new prescription? They called in prograf the previous week. It would have been nice if I was made aware about it. Made it 3 days on the prograf. After the 3rd shot of the actemra, the fatigue was too much for me, so I stopped. It's been a little over a week since and I got a text message today from a pharmacy saying the prescription for orencia was being processed. I was thinking that it was a typo with my phone number. I was wrong. I called up the pharmacy to cancel the prescription. This would be the 2nd prescription they called in without my knowledge or input. To say I'm mad would be an understatement. I made my wishes known and calling in prescriptions without my knowledge is just wrong. My next appointment is mid July. I'm just going to get blood work done and fire the rheumatologist. I know I'm ranting, but I'm mad right now
Hi,
! It's okay to rant once in awhile. I know it's hard and frustrating when you feel like medical decisions are being made without your consent or approval. You have every right to choose which treatment option works best for you and if these meds aren't for you, well, that is your right to choose to not take them (of course, just double check before going cold turkey with any medication, just to be safe).
I hope you are feeling okay as the meds work their way out of your system.
Best, Erin, Team Member.just saw that my story was made into a post. I believe it was July when I made it. I had the next appointment done a few weeks after. They wanted blood work done, I said no. I let them do x-rays of my hands and knees. I know I have degenerative cysts in my right wrist/hand. Had surgery done for the same problem 5yrs ago. The surgeon said he had to clean up a lot of ra damage in the joint. The amount of strength and mobility I lost after it, I won't be going through that again. I'm suppose to have another appointment next January. Just did that so I could get out of there. I'll be canceling it next month.
As for how my body handled going off the meds, I didn't have many lingering side effects. Fatigue and nausea lasted for a few weeks., good grief! I am so sorry it took so long to get your story published! Not sure what happened there, but apologies for the delay.
I am glad coming off the medications wasn't too challenging and I hope you are doing okay overall.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
