I was reading yesterdays news http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news-273640-31.html about "Rheumatoid Arthritis a Threat to the Heart, Greater risk of heart attack, and more complications later, studies find. It seems that a condition called diastolic dysfunction, which causes the lower chambers of the heart to become stiff, is the culprit. Diastolic dysfunction impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill with blood and can lead to heart failure, the researchers said." Now this might seem like bad news to you but I find it good news. It lets me know who the enemy is and by knowing that, I can make a plan. In the past (my short few week of being diaganoised) I have been reading alot on line about RA and shorten life span do to heart failure and sudden death. Most things said even with all the advances in medicine people with RA still are not living a nomal life span. Some things said as much as 10 to 15 years. At my age, I don't want to hear that. My husband gets mad if I even talk about that possiblity. It also said normal preventive medicines did not seem to be reducing heart attacks in people with RA. I have been working on trying to get myself heart healthy for the last 10 years without much progress. In fact with age I seem to be getting worse. I am obesed, with high cholesterol, blood pressure, high blood sugar, and now RA. My father also had his first heart attack at 32 and died at 52. I am 52 now. The good news (or not) is my insurance company now that I have RA recognised that I could cost them some money. It seems they want to put me on a program to help me get healthy. Is anyone on Atena's Disease Management program? I don't know if it is a good thing or not? I don't trust insurance companies. I do want more than just my joints cared for. I have very high titers for RF (247) and CCP (190) I know my disease is agressive. I don't seem to be worried about medication, or disability at this point.
Carol,
I also have Aetna and when I filled my RX for Enbrel I got this big long questionaire and a couple of phone calls wanting me to do the same thing. Like you I don't trust them, they went up on our group plan this year about 17% mostly because of me. I have RA, Osteoarthritis and I had my left knee replaced and I am suppose to have my right one done(it will be a while it was not a good experience) I also had carpal surgery and that is when all the symptoms of RA really hit the fan.
I am afraid that I will answer all these questions and then what? It may be mandatory, I really do need to look into it, I am taking it so negative and I have no idea if it is something that may help? It just seems just like with our car and home owners you are fine till you start using it then they start cancelling you? There is really something wrong in paying all these years (I am 52 as well) and then as soon as you need it you are afraid to use it. Rightfully so, I had two claims on my house one very small and they said if I get another in the next 12 months they will cancel me.
I got a referal today from some one online for a new Rhumey and I am waiting for a call hoping I will be able to get in. Mine never answers a question really, if he does it is so vague and he will walk out of the room when you are talking to him, never to be seen again till next time, forget returning a call even a nurse takes five or six tries. I got the results from my October lab work after about 2 weeks of trying, first time in 6 months they have some what answered my questions. I still feel new to all this and he should know how anxious we get when he sends us home with five or six prescriptions and does not even tell me what to take or not take what to do or not do. I get my info from the internet or my pharmasist fills me in, which is fine but you do want to know what and whys also from your doctor, at least your progress?
I am over weight and worry about my heart with the Enbrel, meth, Celebrex ect. I just know that I need to get the RA under control and the only way to do that is take the meds. I also can livebetter, not pain free but much better than I did 5 months ago. I could barely get out of bed. I do still have problems sleeping and wake up 99% of the nights 5-6 times a night. When I do sleep a little better I can tell in the morning as I feel better. Something I will talk to the new Doctor about if I get in. The other doctor when I asked really did not respond except to say that it is normal.
I hope you continue to have good nights with better mornings, take care...Peace and Grace, Audrey
What is funny about the letter they sent me is they say If you do not want to particapate please call the toll-free number below to let us know. Then they say "Call today to get started. " I googled Aetna Health Connections and Disease Management program and it seems like a way for them to get into your busness. It sounds like they check to make sure your filling your prescription on time and joining Curves and Jenny Crieg. Neither place I want to join. I don't think they are right for me. I don't want to defend myself on what I think will work or what I can do. I can't stand pushy controling people. I don't want my medical decisiion based on their pocket book and not my best intrest. So far I do think I have a good Rheumy. Fingers crossed!!! My primary doctor is alittle like your doctor. I do want to be part of all descision on my health and medication. I want to find out more about this article about obesity and remission. It says "Obesity Can Reduce Chance of RA Remission. But Remicade may act on the inflammatory mediator that is produced by fat tissue, helping push even obese people into remission." http://www.arthritis.org/obesity-can-reduce-chance-of-remission-ra.php After reading the first article (about the heart) where it says "Wider use of echocardiography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may reveal heart abnormalities before they are detected clinically, Liang said. An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health." I also want to find out how I can get screened on a regular basses. I even wonder if my blood pressure pills are right for a person with possible diastolic dysfuntion and a highier than average pulmonary arterial pressure, which is high blood pressure in the lungs and right side of the heart.
I understand, that is why I need a good Rhuemy that does not just push me through and allow me about a 3 minute window..it reminds me of the TV show Reba where she goes to try and meet someone to form a relationship with and they sit in front of someone for about 2 minutes and when the bell rings you have to move over and let the next person in your chair. Odd, comparison but that is exactly what they do, fit as many, what I call herding not patients in as possible in the shortest amount of time. If you damage your heart so be it. He does not have a clue other then the first paper work I filled out what I am taking and not taking. he will talk to me as if I am someone else he gets that confused, it is very scary, this is OUR lives and we depend that they know us at least if they don't they show some concern and use some precaution? Don't get me started...my OBGYN at least I have been seeing for 30 years...he probably is right, yet he is getting up in age and I don't know how well informed he is on RA and he got beeped to deliver a baby so I did not have time to go into my history with him either. I had not seen him since before knee replacement and before RA symptoms knocked me on my behind. Which knee surgery was last December.
I have not had full labs Dr. X (OBGYN) thought Dr. XX (Rhuemy) had done them but they only do certain labs...they do not ask me to fast so a lot is not included in what they ask their lab to do. So I need to go back to primary Dr and have him run labs, another co-pay and I hope that the insurance will pay since I get blood work done once a month, I guess, I have only seen it once?
Well, you know he may not like what Women's magazine's are saying but Women and Men as well should speak up... they have to realize that with the internet patients can be better informed and are now asking more questions and not just saying hey your the Doc I have been coming here for ever how long and you look at me each time like you have never seen me before, you talk to me like I am the patient in the next room cause you got our charts mixed up but hey, I am going to trust anything you do just give me the RX and I will be on my way....I even picked up a RX for my husband after he was in the hospital and had I not listened very well when the Doctor was giving me instructions for my husband I would have given him an over dose as the bottle was marked to take a RX 3 pills 3 times a day instead of one pill three times a day. These are human beings they make mistakes...we have the equipment to help us be more knowledgable and we should use it. Enough preaching on the subject, I was the other way all the time till I got on this site and it really did clue me in to understand why I am taking something and fully weigh the risk and the benefit and come to my own conclusion if it is in my best interest and worth the risk. I did choose quality of life and felt that the meds risk were worth taking to stop the progression and pain, somewhat.
Take care, I hope you get all the answers you are seeking and that we all find ways to improve our daily life and protect our selves as best we can with this horrible desease we fight every day.
Peace and Grace, Audrey