Meeting the rheumatologist
- Jul 24, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2023
Day 54. 22 July 2022.
I met the rheumatologist for the first time the morning after my ICD shock in the hospital's cardiac ward.
Questions I had
How will the rheumatology and cardiology teams work together to form a cohesive team that treats my sarcoidosis?
I didn't even have to ask this question. The rheumatologist told me of his own accord how he and the cardiology team would work as a unit to treat me. He would be responsible for my sarcoidosis treatment plan and call the shots on that. The cardiologist would be responsible for treating my heart and call the shots on that. And they would communicate with each other before making any changes.
As I am a woman taking prednisone, how will bone density issues be managed to ensure I don’t get osteoporosis?
I won't be advised to take any supplements to support my bone health unless we notice any symptoms that can be attributed to osteoporosis.
How intensive would treatment be? Can I work, or look after my son?
After checking what industry I am in (IT), the advice was a firm yes: you can continue to work.
What medication do I start when?
I would be continuing with the Prednisone at 40 mg dosage that I had started the day before. I will be monitored for a few days in hospital. I will also start Methotrexate immediately as a steroid sparing agent.
What will the side effects be of the medication?
Due to starting Methotrexate I must now avoid alcohol and getting pregnant. Methotrexate increases the risk of birth deffects in babies and also has a potential impact on your liver.
How will I be followed up with in terms of appointments?
I will have an out-patient appointment every 3 months.
Medication
My overall treatment plan would now include the following medication:
Prednisone 40 mg daily
Methotrexate once a week
Folic acid once a week
Medication side effect and cautions
The rheumatologist shared the following pages with me for detailed information:
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