Tests for which medication will work.
When I took the advice to take the shots for Covid after the first shot I started having more pain in my legs and hands. I took the booster shot and went into the worse pain and fatigue I have ever experienced. My Rheumatologist had tests run to see what was going on, turns out the medication I was taking was having no effect on my RA. Vectra test was 95 up from the 30’s. I was miserable she started me on a round of Prednisone and a new medication Orencia a shot a week. After three months I was back to where I had been before the Covid shots. Needless to say I never will take a booster of the Covid booster again.
The only meds I take now are vitamins and my Orencia shot. I tried the methotrexate but it makes me sick to my stomach. My complaint is when I do have a flare it takes a week for me to get a prescription for prednisone plus the time it takes for it to have an effect on my flare. Does anyone else have a problem getting a rheumatologist to give you a script for prednisone to have to take when a flare starts. This is the first flare I have had in over a year. I like my Rheumatologist but the office is 3 hours away and that makes it hard to deal with.
Hi
, thank you for posting and sharing your experience with us. You certainly have been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that when flaring you've been having trouble getting your rheumatologist to give you prednisone. Hopefully any of our community members can share their experiences with you. I did want to share an article with you that one of our advocates wrote about putting together a flare action plan, https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/flare-action-plan. It certainly wouldn't hurt, if you haven't already, to have a conversation with your doctor about plans moving forward for when you're flaring so that you don't have to wait as long before getting relief when a flare hits! Are you able to speak with your doctor either via an online portal or by phone so you don't have to make that three hour drive every time? Please know that this community is here for you. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) I can use the portal online to leave a message but I still get charged for an office visit if it is for getting a prescription that I do not a refill for. I do not think she likes prescribing prednisone unless it is extremely necessary. After all my Vectra tests have been on the low side since starting Orencia, but the flare has hit hard this time. I think some of it has been brought on by stress. My husband has had two major surgeries and his dad passed away two days after that. Trying to take care of myself and him has stretched me out. Thank you for you advice. oh I am so sorry to hear about the stress you're going through. Two major surgeries and the loss of your husband's father is a lot of stress to be managing. How is your husband doing?
You are definitely not alone in finding stress to be a trigger for RA flares. I hope that you're able to connect with your doctor about getting that prescription when you're there in January! And that, in the meantime, you feel some relief from the flare. I'm not sure if any of these ideas from our advocate would be helpful, but I wanted to share this article with you about some of her favorite pain relief therapies, https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-relief-therapies.
Sending you gentle hugs! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
, I'm familiar with having to wait for an RX of load/taper steroids when a flare hits. I mentioned the hardship to my rheumatologist. He said that rather than go through the regular request process to call the clinic operator and have him paged. He really is a compassionate man. He then decided to write an RX with refills so that I would always have it at home when a flare started. Perhaps your rheumatologist would allow that. Good luck! I will try asking her for a prescription when I go back in January. Hopefully she will agree to that.
My doc gives me a script for both 5mg and 1mg tablets that allows me to taper up and down easily. It can be tricky with insurance, because as my dose changes, sometimes I need a refill earlier than they expect. Jo
Same…I only 1s…and went on a crash taking 50 mgs….that’s when I got my doc to get me fives. lol
50 X 1 was rough. Lol
Jo I don’t usually mention my insurance because I did once somewhere and was put down about it. I am a Vietnam vet widow who has remarried 10 years ago. So I do not have a problem so far getting any medication I need. My issue is getting the Rheumatologist to let me have any prednisone until I am in the middle of a flare. She just is against giving me a standing script.
, I can't believe anyone would give you grief about your health insurance! You earned that coverage due to your marriage to a vet and that should be respected.
I know why some doctors are hesitant to have a standing prescription for prednisone, but, I think in your case, you know you body best and you know the risks of prolonged prednisone usage. I wish she would be more open to making an exception in your case.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
