[babbles515]

I am still new at this lupus stuff, for years I had all symtoms, then a year and 1/2 ago it showed up in my blood work, I am wondering if it was all the stress I was under, anyway, I just left my Dr whom I had been with for 10 years, in the past few years he has been difficult to talk to, I traveled 2hrs to see him, we talked a bit(5mins) then he left, I waited and waited then finally I got up and they said he was with his next patient, I think I should have left along time ago, I didnt get to ask about my meds,blood wk, and he was very rude, this isnt the first time, the only reason I say that is that I was contacted by a nurse through my insurance company, she said that she was assigned to me, when I told her some of things I was going through, she said that I probly should seek a new doctor, I am so frustrated and scared, and on the verge of crying, I take care of my mom during the week and work fulltime and miss my husband and cat... But my real question does menopause affect Lupus. I am so glad I found this site. Thank you Terri

 

[Katharine]

Hello Terri and welcome

It does definitely soud like you need a new doctor!!! The nurse is quite right. If you want there is a "find a doctor" section here on the website where you can post to find recommendations in your area. Not all rheumatologists are exeprienced with lupus and recommendations are often very worthwhile.

It sounds like you have an awful lot on your plate with work and family committments. It may not be easy to do but you need to try and find ways that you can ease your load a little and pace yourself a lot more. Even if, practically, you can't do much to reduce stress and workload try to reserve a little rest time during the day. Sometimes even little ten minute breaks/naps can do some good. Being kind to yourself and putting yourself first is also very important. This is not a disease that you can "fight" against and push through. Doing so, especially in a flare, will only make things a lot worse.

Did your rheumatologist put you on medication and if so has it had any effect so far? There is a good chance that you will feel a lot better in the future when you're meds are fully adjusted (it takes some time) and when you have learnt to live with and know your disease better.

I can't help much with the menopause question as I don't know much about it. As far as I know lupus is not affected by the menopause but I may be wrong there. Hopefully someone else will clear that one up for us.

All the best and hugs :hug:

Katharine

 

[Maia]

Here's a link with the short answer to your question:

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/web...communityexperts.aspx?articleid=664&zoneid=96

I've quoted the following text from that article for you:

Q: Is it true that flare ups are more rare after menopause?
A: Estrogen is important in the pathogenesis of lupus; this is why lupusis more common in women than in men--but the role of estrogen in a patient who has established lupus is not as clear. Lupus is not cured by menopause, and most patients continue to need lupus medicines after menopause. If hormone therapy is given after menopause, there is a slight increase in mild to moderate lupus flares.

I hope this helps and I would say it is definitely time to get a new doctor! Good luck with that & I hope you won't have to travel too much farther.

 

[onetay]

Terri,
If you don't find a way to settle down a little you will through yourself into a flare and than the rest won't really matter any more. You have to figure out what is the most important at the moment and then work on it and then the next one. I would say it is the doctor that is the problem at the moment. To often doctors are now about quanity instead of quality not the way it is to be. If it were me I would be calling the doctors office and telling them that you were in to see the doctor he talked to you for like 5 min. and then left you still had concerns to talk to him about and are calling for a phone conf. (to avoid yet another office visit charge and 2 hours trip) to talk about your blood work and meds. Try to remember that You are not being rude just forceful with your care. I would also talk to their billing manager and let her know that you are contacting your insurance company about the treatment you did not get at your last visit and see what you can do about fighting the charges being billed to the insurance company when it was a 5 min. visit and nothing was done or talked about to help you at all. We have to take charge of our care if we don't no one else will.
It seems that you have a full plate to handle at the moment. Your care is at the top of the list because if you are not healthy then none of the other stuff will matter. I hope you start feeling better soon.

 

[babbles515]

Thank You for all your support

I see my new rhemy doc tomorrow, he the only rhemy doc in town, I am hopeful that he and I will hit off, Thank You so much for your support, I don't feel so alone. Thank you again Terri

 

[debatat]

Hope that your appointment went well.

Deb

 

[ROSJAC]

Hi, Pray your appointment goes well. Why are some Doctors so arrogant and others very compassionate? I've been blessed with a very kind and thoughtful Rhumy. Been seeing him for 11 years. When I have tests results comeback that he feels need to be addressed, he calls me at home. Sometimes, when I am going thru some emotional stuff, he teases me and says he is going to charge me for therapy! Some advice...Make a list of Questions and concerns. When the Doctor comes in, pull them out and let him know you want answers. Best Wishes, Rosie