Should I wait?

[jeely]

Hi Everyone,

thanks for your replies to my post yestarday about Methotrexate

I will have to do some real thinking before i make a decision. My rheumy seemed fairly rushed yestarday, and left me with some leaflets explaining the meds to read over, but we didn't discuss them. I'm waiting on him to contact me with my Blood results, and then maybe he will want to see me again to discuss in more detail?

Also, from what i have read about the Methotrexate, it seems to be mainly used for relief of joint pains.?
I do suffer from joint pain, but luckily most of the time they are not severe, more uncomfortable.
My worst symptoms are the total exhaustion, depression/anxiety and feeling generally pretty awful, and that i don't seem to be making any great improvements .
do you think there are alternative meds which may be more suitable? My rheumy did mention steroids..and asked if I would be happy to take them?

I can't answer that, as i really don't know all the implications?

I am also waiting to hear about an appointment at the London Lupus Centre that Proff. Hughes runs. ( It is private, but one blessing wioth work is their Private Health Scheme) I think it might be valuable to wait and see him, and discuss all my concerns etc...

What are your thoughts??

[MAMAJOE]

Hi there if you can get to see prof Hughes go for it he is the top person for lupus and since his retirement from the nhs a private appointment is the only way to see him. i don't have private health care but wish i did cos from what i know of him he is kind compassionate and the top man in lupus i have read many of his books maybe you have too. good luck
take care


mamajoe


LOVE ENDURES

[jane1]

Hi.....jeely....there is some info on the london clinic..regarding private apts...under find a lupus doctor...

hope this helps.................jane

[raggedyann1]

Jeely,

If you want to see Prof Hughes himself my undestanding is that it is already a several month wait. You may want to go ahead and give the methotrexate a try while waiting for your appointment.

Yes methotrexate is most successful with joint pain in lupus, however it is supressing your immune system and still has some effects on other parts of your lupus. It is when patients have internal organ involvement that a different kind of immune suppressing med is called for.

Your other option in the UK is to ask your rheumatologist for a prescription for mepacrine - it has to be compounded and is available at boots from what I remember. ( I live in California, usa). That would be likely to help with other parts of your lupus. Mepacrine is a different kind of anti-malarial and is used in conjunction with plaquenil. You might want to search Mepacrine here on the forum and see other posts with more information.

Take care,
karen

[jeely]

thanks for all your advice and info,

It really helps to be able to have somewhere where pople listen and can relate to your concerns...

I will do a search on the Mepacrine and see what i come up with