Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I am really excited

Hi Gang!
I went to the VA hospital 3 weeks ago.To my surprise I had a new doctor.For you that don't know a lot about the VA.Often when you go you do not get the same dr. and they pass you from Rhuemy to Rheumy.At least that is the way it is in Little Rock.About a year and a half ago I asked this one doc ,who I really like to exclusively see him.He is a professor and has residents under him.THat was okay just as long as I got to see Him.So we wrote it up that way.Well 3 weeks ago this new dr.Told me he had been hired by the VA to be the only dr.To work with AS patients.I would be seeing him all the time.He gave me his credentials and said he was specializing in AS and and all of the related Spondys.WooHoo.He wanted me back in 3 weeks because he wanted to check my labs again after increasing MTX to 10 tabsI was to get a TB test at my local Health dept and then WE would talk about Enbrel.I got the TB test I went back yesterday.He said that my former dr. is going to work with him.My former dr.was influencial in getting this dr. there
But I will be seeing this dr.exclusively.HE is 33 years old.I really like him already.He is American born CHinese.(I don't know whether I have mentioned it or not, but my wife and I have 3 Korean boys we adopted25 years ago)This doc has the personality of our youngest son.( a real ham)Yesterdat we told him that.My wife laughed and told him that we were partial to orientals.My wife and I are both caucasions.He laughed and said that is the first time I have ever been told that.Anyway we feel comfortable about him.We told him about Kick AS.HE said he would have to check the site out.He was really impressed that my wife and I are so well informed.That is because of all of you wonderful
people.He said that I still will be on the MTX as well a the enbral.He said he is almost sure that it will work for me.he probably will reduce the MTX but I still have have to
be on it.My liver and everything is fine.In fact It has been fine for several months.I'm looking forward to getting started.I will go back in 30 days to get started.I have decided that I will stick with the young docs.No one over 40.I cant go to the VA on thursdays any more because the doctor who is in charge that day is real conservative and won't aprove the ENbral so DR. CHi said to come on Tuesdays when my former dr.Is in charge.He is around 40 and isn't afraid to try things Anyway I'm getting Started.I'm sorry I rambled.I'm just so excited
Jim

hi.

i'm glad you're getting the right care from now on. it must have been very frustrating to be passed from doctor to doctor. having an AS is frustrating enough. not getting the right care is just another thing to make you feel worse.

i have a question about methotrexate. i'm on 6 pills a week and feel terrible. it makes me nauseous and extremely tired. once i start feeling better again, it's time to take the next weekly dose. i tried stopping it, but uveitis came back immediately.

how are you doing on 10 pills a week? do you do anything to combat the nausea and fatigue?

thanks.

leslie

I am taking Rabeprazole for my stomache.I also have a Psyc dr. who gives me Prozac for depresssion.When I started the Prozac the MTX started working extremely well.I was at 5 tabs forever (it seemed)then after the prozac was started it seemed that everything started to jell.My dr. said they finally found the right combination for me.Of course meds work differently for different people.I am no longer as fatiguedI was fatigued awhile back and the psyc dr. increased the prozac from 1 pill to 2.It has made me feel better so I guess it is the prozac.I do Know that pain causes depression and depression causes pain .THats all I know.I am also taking Folic acid for side effects for the MTX.I was told to never take MTX unless I take Folic acid too
Jim

Hi Jim

This all sounds fantastic. I am very happy for you.
You sound as if you have just won the jackpot

Partial to Orientals - too cute

Maggie

Hi Leslie,

I was very sick and tired when I first began mtx as well. It should pass after awhile. Just make yourself eat healthfully in the meantime even when you don't feel like it. It can be tough (I lost 20 pounds), but you'll make it. How long have you been on it? I was up to nine tabs a week, then started adding new areas of inflammation, so my doc switched me to injections. I don't have the stomach troubles with the injections, but I would gladly go back to the pills if I could! Hang in there... hopefully you'll adjust soon and begin noticing some positive results.

Sharon

P.S. One thing that did ease my tummy discomfort was to slice some ginger root in a cup of boiling hot water, then sip it slowly when it cooled enough. You can add a little honey, too, if you like.

Hi Leslie

When Eric had to take mtx, I would give it to him before he went to bed on a Friday night. That way he slept off most of the negative effects, and had the weekend to get over the initial hump.

Worked for him....Good luck, and let is know how you do.

Lori

Hi JIm!! I'm always so glad to hear stories like this. Far too many of us (as you well know) have difficulty getting good care. I'm happy that you've found someone good, who's willing to work with you, instead of around you.

Hugs,

Kat