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Was Just Diagnosed Yesterday What Can I Expect From My First Appointment With A Specialist?
I am not sure about any drugs or therapy that's offered ..what's the best what isnt...etc
Everyone is different so you may have to try several and see what works for you. I’m on my third change each one has different qualities. Hydroxyqhloroquine is good but for me not enough so first we added methotrexate, but it made me very sick and since I work 60 hrs a week I couldnt be sick and work so we tried humira, which helped some but not enough as I was still needing prednisone about every other month. So we last week switched to Rinvoq, we’ll see what the next few weeks hold. And I have changed positions at work so that may help also.
First the Dr. you choose has to do special blood tests to actually diagnose you, second ask questions and then your Dr. should know what treatments are best for you. As to Methotrexate, I have had R.A. For 16 years, on many infusions and self injections, I would bleed when a cut for a few days, talked to my Pharmacist, I was in the medical field and told me Methotrexate is the only medication I was taking that lowers blood platelets and it did, stoped taking it even though my Dr. didn’t want me to, I now do not bleed and have a normal platelet count. I am now taking
Rinvoq every day for my R.A. And have very little pain and do not take pain pills every day for the first time. Good luck to all
Here are some things you can expect and do to prepare for your first appointment with a specialist:
- Bring a list of current medications: Include the dose and frequency of each medication
- Review your medical chart: Be ready to communicate your medical history and the medications you have taken or are currently taking.
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They usually start you on the Methotrexate low dose . You can take the pills within 24 hours and do not have to take them all at once as you will feel nauseous. A friend told me about this and I confirmed it with the pharmacist. So you can take them with breakfast, lunch and dinner as long as all the pills are consumed within a 24 hour period. You take Methotrexate once a week so choose the day that works best for you. I had no issues at all with this medication but then it stopped working for me after 2 years and I'm pretty upset about that now and have to add Humira injectable to my list as of next week.
I was diagnosed 60 days ago. I was started on methotrexate during the first appointment. y PCP said that would happen. Due to ongoing fatigue, I was started on HuHumira after 30 days. Good luck
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