Be your own advocate with your medications

[chrischris]

Well, I posted yesterday that I had been gone due to a medical prodedure, and as a follow up, I had a Nephrologist appt. today. What he told me was that the "celebrex" is being really hard on my kidneys and wants me to stop taking it. I asked if he had a suggested alternative, and he said, "take nothing" for inflamation, except on a very occassional basis. So from now on this doctor will be monitoring my kidney function and medications.

Why I post this is because WC won't take care of your lab work. It's up to you to keep on top of your health and any conditions that your meds may cause. If you press WC, or your attorney does, maybe they will pay for labs. I know they wouldn't for me. I even had to pay for pre-surgery labs.

Celebrex has always been one that you have to weigh the benefits against the risks. Well it's now too big a risk for me. It's too bad because I really like the relief obtained from celebrex.

I will be doing labs every 3 months now.

I'm so happy though. Today is such a good day!

Merry Christmas to all!

[Sunshine7]

Merry Christmas to you and yours I wish you the best!

[bodybuilder1958]

Merry Christmas my friend.
I have posted on this before, that meds can be good, help the pain, etc. But are you aware of all of the consequences of taking this drug? The side-effects?

Too many doctors are too keen to just write out a script without thinking twice about it. Then too many patients just take the drug then complain later about the side-effects. Education is the key. I am happy though that you found a doctor that was willing to take the time to tell you that Celebrex was hard on your kidneys. I'd stay with that doctor, he has your best interest at heart. I understand that it will be harder dealing with the pain. But one can live longer with pain than with failing kidneys.

Remember the season my friend,
BB

[capricorn]

CC..I have been very lucky in that none of my Dr.s are script happy. I have blood drawn every 3 months for various different reasons.

[Still in Limbo]

Chris, on another Post I Mentioned that I have My PCP Order Bloodwork every 3-4 Months, and I Pay the Co-Pay after Medicare. This way I don't have to Fight w/c and have to File Petitions, and Medicare and My Dr.'s are Happy that I'm being Proactive in My Care with the Meds. I take. Better and Cheaper for The Medicare to catch a Problem sooner than Later! And My PCP Faxes a Copy to My PM Dr. as I have My Tests, so They can See what My Meds. are doing to My Body. I had High Liver Counts a while Back, not too High,, but High Enough to check it Again in Two Weeks. It was still High, so I was Sent to a Specialist and 14 Tubes of Blood were taken and Every Test (I Believe over 25) Were Performed! Fortunately I just have a bit of a Fatty Liver. and No Damage from My Meds. And it felt Good to Find this Out, and We are Working on taking Care of the Problem. If I Had Waited I don't know what would have Happened, but I'm Glad I Caught it Early!! Check with Your PCP, They May be able to do the Same for You! Best of Luck!!