Do I have a right to question my GP?

[mataribot]

To make a long story short, my hip is completely gone and stopped taking the Celebrex. Both my hands started and feet started swell. Fast forward until today, and I wanted to cut my hands off they hurt so bad. So gave in and saw my GP. He suggested Prednisone. Both my derm and Rhumey said absolutely no steriod pills/injections at this point. So I refused and gave me a narcotic instead. So now I am stoned writing this thread. Not sure if I made the correct decision, but don't want to have rebound flare that could possibly unmask something more serious that my plaque.

What do you think; did I have the right to make that choice?

[Caroline]

Well Mataribot, that is a difficult question to answer, certainly now you are stoned.

In this case for me the main question is always: Do I own my own body?

That is a disputable question of course. Depending on the counterpart AND depending on the situation you are in, you are dealing with the answer that they will give that can differ from your own feeling.

In my personal opinion, when I am with my full positives, I always own my own body, and am perfectly capable of making decisions for it.

(ps. probably Fred will think I am stubborn in this opinion... )

[Fred]

@Caroline I totally agree with you. (see we do agree sometimes)

@Mataribot Yes you most certainly do have the right to question your GP, and a few more people should. Like Caroline said it's your body and although a GP may think he/she is helping you, they won't be helping you one bit if the patient goes home with the prescription but decides not to use it.

In the defence of anyone in the medical profession they can't possibly know everything or remember every case, and that is why the patient should speak up. At the end of the day they won't give you something they think is wrong no matter how much you persist.

So yes people if you have any questions whilst visiting any medical professional ask and you will get an answer, if you don't get an answer then it's probably time to find another professional.

[mataribot]

I have a question I am not sure that anyone can answer…

Does anyone else with P/PsA ever get red cheeks and bloodshot eyes? Before any of my joins hurt, I typically get these red cheeks that are warm to the touch. All my doctors tell me it’s an allergic reaction to something, but after my last flare I don’t think so. I know when it going to get really bad, because the high spot on cheek peels and warm and redness spread to the ears. My family thinks it makes me look cute, but form me it just annoying. Also, it becomes hard for me to swallow; feels like I can choke on my own Sylvia. I really don’t complain much about this issue. I always get the automated response of “it’s just allergies, take a Benadryl.” Anyone else have similar issues?

[Caroline]

No Mataribot, never had such things, certainly not in the time I was just finding out that I had PsA.

Now however, with my medication of dimethylfumarates, I sometimes become extremely red and hot in the warm sense..., explaining before Fred thinks of another explanation...
This is one of the typical things that accompany my medication. Luckily it is total harmless.
It starts with a tickling feeling in the skin of my head, then my head turns slowly completely red and this redness spreads gradually to the rest of my body. In the mean time this feels quite hot.
It takes around 20 minutes to become normal again. It takes at least 24 hours before the next moment of redness, although it is not predictable.

[mataribot]

Thanks for the reply. Typically my red cheeks come a day before a flare (sometimes longer) or after flare has occurred. I have had this issue for a long time, but seem to be worse after stoping the Humira.

At least I have some news that isn't bad. My blood work came back normal accept that my CRP was high. I have not heard anything about x-rays as of yet.

[Fred]

I have a question I am not sure that anyone can answer…

Does anyone else with P/PsA ever get red cheeks and bloodshot eyes? Before any of my joins hurt.

Not noticed red cheeks, but now you mention it some days I do have more bloodshot eyes and they feel blurry. Not sure if it's before a flare up or not, but could be worth taking note.

I'm often wondering why things seem worse before a flare up or my bones hurting, and though most seem to think it's funny I have noticed the Full Moon makes my bones hurt and can sometimes bring on a flare up. See Here: Full Moon Syndrome !

[Krissie_Wright]

I quite often have a raised temperature an flu like feeling before a flare... I guess my cheeks do go slightly pinkish now that you mention it...

I don't have problems with my eyes being bloodshot, although I am working so much at the moment I doubt you'd notice due to tiredness.

Krissie