KatT's Journal

[JohnB]

Strewth KatT! How on earth do you manage to keep track of it all?

[Forest Walker]

Has the arthritis become less painful, now, that you're back on every three-week Simponi dosing?

Cardiologist
Rheumatologist
Dermatologist
Internist

  You got the cool doctors!     

It's a full-time job, being a patient.  Keeping track of appointments, managing prescriptions, making sure the communication among the doctors is clear and timely.  Do you have to pay extra to see the specialists?  

Does your cardio doc know that you're taking statins every other day, rather than daily?

[D Foster]

You must have a complete computer program just to monitor it all .
Naproxen caused me stomach ulcers, not nice at all. Hope you get sorted out soon.

[KatT]

Pheeeeeeew nothing like going through the wars KatT. 

Are you sure you haven't forgot anything. 

Yes!!! Forgot to update my journal on a regular basis....last post is the result  

I could add hairdresser appointments 

Strewth KatT! How on earth do you manage to keep track of it all?   

I don't have Hellzeimer yet     And I put all my appointments in my outlook calendar at work    

Oh....and I had to buy a medication dispenser....that made me feel old 

Has the arthritis become less painful, now, that you're back on every three-week Simponi dosing?

Cardiologist
Rheumatologist
Dermatologist
Internist

  You got the cool doctors!     

It's a full-time job, being a patient.  Keeping track of appointments, managing prescriptions, making sure the communication among the doctors is clear and timely.  Do you have to pay extra to see the specialists?  

Does your cardio doc know that you're taking statins every other day, rather than daily?

Yes, the arthritis is less painful with the dosage every three weeks.  I was in a lot of pain in the fourth week so this is why I requested to have it every three weeks.  I still get flares depending on the weather or other things but overall, huge improvement 

Unfortunately...I find communication between doctors is not that great....wish it could be improved.  I don't pay to see the specialists.  This is all covered by our healthcare    

No my cardiologist doesn't know.....I am doing better with taking it every second day.....I read that taking some is better than none (a lot of people quit) aaaaand the alternative meds are not as efficient or the side effects are just as bad.  

You must have a complete computer program just to monitor it all .
Naproxen caused me stomach ulcers, not nice at all. Hope you get sorted out soon.

When I fell and hurt my knee (I still have marks) my GP authorized that I take them.  Cardiologist said it's ok once in a while but aside from my knee incident, I've stopped taking them.  That being said, they did have 37.5 mg of God knows what medication for the stomach.  I see it as two less pills a day but know that I can take them next time I decide to kiss the pavement

[Forest Walker]

I recently had a lab draw the day before my Humira injection to check the levels of Humira in my blood.  This would show if I needed to take Humira sooner than every two weeks.  Is there a similar test for Simponi?  I'm glad your arthritis pain is mostly managed well.  It's so nice, also, to have no copays for your health care.

[jiml]

Great update KatT. I'm pleased the simponi combined with low dose mtx seems to be keeping things under control
It's a shame that your tests aren't all in yet so you can't be sure you have lupus, it would be nice if you didn't so you could cut the hydroxychloroquine out but if it's needed it's needed
Good luck and thanks for such a full update

[KatT]

I recently had a lab draw the day before my Humira injection to check the levels of Humira in my blood.  This would show if I needed to take Humira sooner than every three weeks.  Is there a similar test for Simponi?  I'm glad your arthritis pain is mostly managed well.  It's so nice, also, to have no copays for your health care.

No tests to check levels of biologic medication in the blood.  I inquired with the nurse that follows my case from Janssen Bio Advance if it was possible to which she said yes.  I then talked to my rheumatologist who verified himself if it was possible and then he changed the prescription 

I have private insurance through work also...Janssen pays the rest.

The only biologic for which I had to pay was Humira because Abbvie Determines how much they will cover based on the patient's salary.  I had to argue with the lady as they were not considering the complete household finances just to try and get the amount per injection down.

Our healthcare is not perfect but it doesn't cost us an arm, a leg and our first born to get treated or get medication 

Great update KatT. I'm pleased the simponi combined with low dose mtx seems to be keeping things under control
It's a shame that your tests aren't all in yet so you can't be sure you have lupus, it would be nice if you didn't so you could cut the hydroxychloroquine out but if it's needed it's needed
Good luck and thanks for such a full update

According to my rheumatologist, I have lupus.  First internist I saw in 2018 said looks like it but rheumatologist is the expert. According to the new internist, 99.9% sure I have lupus but like most cases, will require follow ups with him. At least he did tests and following....unlike the first internist.

What I was confused about was hydroxychloroquine to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis if let's say I don't have lupus....that was news to me!  

Agree that if it is needed, I must take it.....flares = ER visit....entertaining but not enough to make it pleasant lol  the heart attack itself (NOT the stent procedure) was peanuts compared to a lupus flare.

[KatT]

Thank you all for the support 

[jiml]

As far as I can see  Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).  which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus but never heard of it used for psoriasis

Didn't trump use it to cure his Covid-19,

[Forest Walker]

Agree that if it is needed, I must take it.....flares = ER visit....entertaining but not enough to make it pleasant lol  the heart attack itself (NOT the stent procedure) was peanuts compared to a lupus.

(This is FW, trying to use the "quote" feature and failing     My comment and question follow.)
I think Lupus is the cruelest of the auto-immune diseases since it can affect so many body systems.  Would you rather have a Rheumatologist treating you for Lupus or the Internist?