Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group my doctor ROCKS~!

I am so keeping this guy. Not only is he local (10 miles instead of 50 like most) and open-minded and nice, but HE CALLED MY RHEUMATOLOGIST AND CHEWED HIM OUT FOR ME.

How freakin cool is that? I told him about the issue with the rheumy turning me away (I was 12 minutes late for an appt I thought I was early for, and I drove my crippled butt 53 miles to get there, and at my last appt the doc was 1 hour 50 minutes late, which is his usual) and when he saw how bad I'm doing detoxing off the meds the rheumy gave me, he asked me for his phone number, called, got the actual doctor on the phone (not just a receptionist!) and chewed him out for putting me on difficult meds and then treating me like crap.

Did I mention he's a D.O., so he's a chiropractor too?

I'm still flaring super bad, and now I'm detoxing for the last week (well I tapered down at first, then I haven't had a pain pill since Monday, so I've been detoxing this whole week) and oh my god I'm so freaking miserable in this hellish piece of CRAP body that I have asked Cody to kill me. He's not willing to do it. That's probably a desirable trait in a husband, right?

I cried at the doctor's office today. Maybe that's why he called and chewed the rheumy out. But all I know is that I hate my body and I like this doctor and I can't pick up my baby and I absolutely despise percocet for putting me through this hellish detox. And I'm kinda undecided about the trigger-point injections, they make me feel like crap for a couple days but my legs work again(sortof) now . . . I'm sure that makes sense to each and every one of you.

And Molly and Tinkerbell need to check their emails!!

Sorry guys, I know that's a lot in one post, but the main thing is that my DO called and chewed out a rheumy for me and I'm so flippin happy that he stuck up for me . . . but I still feel like crap. you know.

hugs
love
Bridge

Hi Bridget,

I'm feeling so bad for you right now. I had to detox off percocet as well but my doctor was very supportive and I got great help from our alcohol and drug counsellors at work! LOL! The trick is to lower your dose really really slowly. I break the pills in half and then in quarters. That way your body adjusts and you avoid most of the withdrawal symptoms. My worst symptoms were insomnia and twitching - I got really bad restless leg syndrome all over me!

What are you doing for pain meds now? And how was your progress on prednisone. The last I remember you were trying to get some relief by doing a pred taper.

congrats on the awesome doctor!

sorry about the body and the detoxing, though hopefully the latter will just be a temporary situation.

Kool you needed someone in your court.
ETTE.
Darrel.

Bridge,

Im sorry your having such a rough time right now, hopefully this Dr. will be able to help.

Just wanted you to know we are here for support!

Hugs,

Lisa

Hello Bridget

Have missed you lately... had a feeling you must be flaring badly still. I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. Not being able to pick your gorgeous little baby up must be awful for you too. It's not fair is it

It's just the best when someone fights your corner and sticks up for you! But for a doctor to do it and for you to get a ring-side seat! Well! How good is THAT!


Hope the detoxing doesn't take too much longer and at least you can scrub that from your list of crap. It sounds like you are a right state, Bridget - as lame as it may be I can only say that you are in my thoughts and I wish so hard that you will turn a corner soon, hon.

Hi Bridget - yes, I owe you a pm (apologies, been dilatory in 'choosing' colours! Am getting there, promise 'smile'.)

Congrats on great doctor. What a find hon. Hope you can get through this flare - what a miserable time for you. Bestest of wishes and *many (((HUGS)))

la Moll

Oh Bridgette, it makes me feel so much "better/more normal"? to know someone else has asked their hubby to "off 'em." Mine said no, as well.

I'm so glad for your new Doc!! That is awesme!! Love it! I wish you the best!!!!!!

gentle hugs

-Donette

Sorry things are so rough for you at the moment, Bridgette, but that is great news on the new Doc - one thing less to worry about, huh?

[quote=Donette]Oh Bridgette, it makes me feel so much "better/more normal"? to know someone else has asked their hubby to "off 'em." Mine said no, as well.

Mine didn't so much say no as promise to give it careful consideration. *gulp*

Can you all tell me the reason you are going off the Percocet? Are you changing to something else? I have Percocet and Lortabs and the dr. told me that sometimes it helps to switch from one to the other for a while because your body gets used to it.

There is no way I can go off the pain meds. He tells me that I have to stay on a long acting one and a short acting one. My long acting is MSContin 30 mg. every 12 hours and the short acting is either the Oxycodone or the Hydrocodone. He wanted to try Immediate Release Morphine but it made my bp drop a lot andd it was right before going to the hospital with the Lupus Hypertensive Crisis so I haven't taken it any more even though he said it had nothing at all to do with the crisis.

Just very curious as to why you are weaning off and what you are going to do. I have weaned off of pain meds including the MSContin and have had no trouble. Just going very slow like Wendy said and you just will hardly have any side effects. It is much harder to wean off the Pred. to me.

Blessings to you all.
Possi