Re: Suggesting meds to doctors?

[Guest guest]

Sierra,......I would talk to your doctor about BRMs, just see what

his response is about them. If you feel your other meds aren't

working, you might try a change. Most that take the BRMs, also take

the MTX with them. Just remember you are the patient, and you have

choices, good luck, Tawny

>

> I am doing o.k. on my MTX/Plaquenil/Celebrex combo, but am

wondering

> if I would do better on a biologic. I have thought of raising the

> question with my rheumy, but feel sort of shy about it. Part of me

> feels undeserving of such an expensive med. When is the appropriate

> time to ask for such a med, and what would be the best way to do

so?

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

Sierra,......I would talk to your doctor about BRMs, just see what

his response is about them. If you feel your other meds aren't

working, you might try a change. Most that take the BRMs, also take

the MTX with them. Just remember you are the patient, and you have

choices, good luck, Tawny

>

> I am doing o.k. on my MTX/Plaquenil/Celebrex combo, but am

wondering

> if I would do better on a biologic. I have thought of raising the

> question with my rheumy, but feel sort of shy about it. Part of me

> feels undeserving of such an expensive med. When is the appropriate

> time to ask for such a med, and what would be the best way to do

so?

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

Failure for me with MTX and Arava (I had to fail at two others before

being allowed a biologic.) was having a too-low white blood cell count.

If your liver enzymes were too high, that could be a failure. If it

just wasn't effective at controlling your pain and inflammation, that

could be a failure. I'm sure that others will have some more ideas.

Sue

On Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at 10:32 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote:

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?

[Guest guest]

Failure for me with MTX and Arava (I had to fail at two others before

being allowed a biologic.) was having a too-low white blood cell count.

If your liver enzymes were too high, that could be a failure. If it

just wasn't effective at controlling your pain and inflammation, that

could be a failure. I'm sure that others will have some more ideas.

Sue

On Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at 10:32 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote:

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?

[Guest guest]

I had to stop taking MTX and then Arava because of very severe stomatitis that

made it almost imossible to eat.

M

Re: [ ] Suggesting meds to doctors?

Failure for me with MTX and Arava (I had to fail at two others before

being allowed a biologic.) was having a too-low white blood cell count.

If your liver enzymes were too high, that could be a failure. If it

just wasn't effective at controlling your pain and inflammation, that

could be a failure. I'm sure that others will have some more ideas.

Sue

On Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at 10:32 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote:

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?

[Guest guest]

I had to stop taking MTX and then Arava because of very severe stomatitis that

made it almost imossible to eat.

M

Re: [ ] Suggesting meds to doctors?

Failure for me with MTX and Arava (I had to fail at two others before

being allowed a biologic.) was having a too-low white blood cell count.

If your liver enzymes were too high, that could be a failure. If it

just wasn't effective at controlling your pain and inflammation, that

could be a failure. I'm sure that others will have some more ideas.

Sue

On Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at 10:32 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote:

>

> My doctor is not an ego maniac who would cringe at patient input. I

> suppose I could just say, " What are your thoughts about my trying a

> biologic medicine? " My insurance co. requires me to " fail " on MTX

> first. What constitutes failure?