Dignity Lost - Part I

I have recently come to learn that each New Doctor equals More Tests. Due to the progression of illness and the expertise of Dr. Doogie, I finally wrangled my way up the co-pay ladder. Last week, I managed to see a Specialist.

The Specialist, whom I shall christen Dr. Yup-Yup, was wonderful. Delightfully neurotic, Dr. Yup-Yup paced rapidly through the office, cheerfully agreeing with everything that I had to say. It appears that my illness is predictable. It is also (exhale) manageable. That, my friends, was the best news that I heard all day.

Dr. Yup-Yup and I discussed my current treatment options: Humira and Methotrexate. Since I reacted so badly to the Enbrel (Y-Y thinks that I was simply allergic), we opted to try the Humira, with Methotrexate as the back up. The medication order was written post haste, as more insurance negotiations must take place prior to approval. [Humira costs an average of $2,000 per month. That's for two shots!]

Dr. Yup-Yup then looked at my problem areas - hands, knees, back - and declared that I needed X-Rays. A 'Baseline' needed to be established in order to gauge illness progression and / or reversal.

The X-Ray order was written and I dutifully drove to Specialist #2. This is, as they say, where everything began to go sideways.

To be continued...