I am in so much pain today, it is not even funny. I had another appointment with my rheumy about 2 weeks ago, and AGAIN she insisted on trying to come off my methotrexate, because according to her, "nothing is going on" in my joints (isn't that what medication is supposed to accomplish???????), and it is not worth the "long term risks". (How about the long-term risks of untreated JRA????????)

She ALSO said this time that I am taking "too much Celebrex" and wants to decrease that too! I am on 200mg twice a day which is the RECOMMENDED dose for RA PER THE MEDICATION INSERT and every website that talks about Celebrex. 100mg is ONLY for osteoarthritis!!!! Does she even know anything about these meds?????

This is only the third or fourth time I have seen her, and I have tried twice already to lower my methotrexate with very poor results. She just doesn't seem to get that this is a CHRONIC, LIFE-LONG disease. Why would she want to change things when what I am doing is working???? She says she is afraid of me getting cancer from the meth. I am trying to understand it from her point of view, but she is not trying to understand it from mine.

I called the nurse today, and she took my information. She was actually very nice, and seemed like she understood and agreed with me and felt bad about me being in pain. I wonder if this is a common occurrance with this doctor? Now, I am waiting to hear back from them this afternoon. But if she keeps going this route, I will have to find another doctor. This is ridiculous. I have 2 small children, a husband and myself to care for. I can't even make it to the grocery store today and we have nothing to eat for supper. This stinks.

Well, my doctor didn't even bother to call me back today. I guess I am not high on her priority list. This certainly tells me alot.

I'm so sorry to hear you have a doc who doesnt understand....when I told my new rheumy today about wanting to get off mtx cause of the immunlueosuppression....he told me my immune system was worse without mtx...that RA itself lowers your immune system....treatment with mtx is actually helpful to it....he taught me a lot today. again, I am sorry to hear about your doc....sounds like if you are able to change docs you should.....keep us posted...take care :) Blue

Thanks, Blue. :)

Your doctor sounds a lot like my old rheumy. I think you have a keeper! ;) My old doctor was SO knowledgeable, and always set my fears to rest. He had patients which were on methotrexate for decades with no problems. He always tried to keep me at the lowest possible dose, but would NOT risk a flare up by pushing too much too fast. He always leaned on the side of protecting my joints. AND - he always called back when I called his office!! Always himself, and often after hours if necessary. I guess I was a little bit spoiled by him. But, if only more doctors were like that! They should be!

Aaargghh. I am feeling so discouraged. Thanks for responding, Blue.

-J.

The nurse FINALLY called me back TODAY (a full 48 hours after calling them in distress on Monday). And, of COURSE, it was as soon as I stopped waiting by the phone and left the house today. So I didn't get to put my 2 cents in. Maybe that's a good thing. ;P LOL.

Anyway, she just left a message that the doctor said to go back to my higher dose of methotrexate (7.5mg) and see if that makes me feel better.

I am thankful that they finally called and that she will change my dose of medicine. But I am really upset about the delay, and I worry that she will continue to force me to try to do this. Every time she does I suffer pain and loss of function and fear and panic unnecessarily. We will just have to have a really serious conversation about this when I see her next, to determine if she will be a doctor I can trust or not.

Anyway, thanks for reading my posts this week.

-J.

only 7.5? I take 15 mg weekly. I hope you will get some relief soon. I love your positive thinking. I too try to think positive instead of letting this get me down.....i do have my moments however :p lol !!!!! take care, Blue

Yes, I've been stable on 7.5 for a few years now. I know, it's not even a large dose at all, and I'm thankful that it's "held' me all this time! Actually, in my latest flare that started after my daughter was born (6 years ago now), I had to go up to 15 mg a week to get relief at that time. About 3 years ago, I tapered myself down to 7.5, then down to 5, and then I started having swelling again, so my old rheumy told me to go back to 7.5 and STAY THERE! LOL. He said it wasn't worth the risk unless I was wanting to have more children (I'm not).

Soooo, that's why it's all the more distressing that my new rheumy keeps wanting me to try to come down further. I wonder if she's even read my chart! :P

Just got onto this site. i know how you feel about pain but, I think you should rethink methotrexate. I was using it also and started having breathing problems and doctor told me a lot of it was do to metho. I now have to oxygen all the time. Lois