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Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Mich0621 Posted:

Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

So, i am sure many remember my posts from the summer about my battle with my systemic Rheumatoid Arthritis ( i learned systemic comes from the fact that it spread to my eyes )

I have been diagnosed for 10 years and I am still waiting for a miracle. Or at least to feel well and not have to struggle with something regarding my health. I want to feel better and i am incredibly desperate at this time.

I thought things would be better when my doctor added a medicine called methotrexate to my weekly injection of enbrel. i used both medications on their own and failed on both.

Well, when I started the two together, i felt better and my hands stopped swelling. I felt great (except for my back, which is still causing agony-and no heels to make matters worse, since i do have a shoe thing).

That was up until last week. My hands were throbbing and i thought it was just my body reminding me i needed my shot. This week, both hands swelled terribly. i can't hold anything for more than 5 seconds because the pain makes me drop everything. It takes me a few minutes to button something or to zip. I can write for a few moments. It is even harder to type and that is basically why i haven't been on much.

So back to the drawing board. I am going back to my rheumatologist on March 10th. I also see a spinal specialist and I am scared that he will recommend surgery. I never had any surgery before, but the pain in my back was so bad that I has to crawl around to get dressed. I couldn't work yesterday since the pain was so intense. But I know since DH and I are going to talk about TTC in early 2010, I need to take care of this stuff now.

DH has been amazing, but i feel so bad that he has to deal with me like this. i am incredibly mean and nasty and I snap at everyone around me. I hate being like this, but the pain is unbearable. I have pain meds, but then I become incoherent. I feel like i waste my life away sleeping, because that is all i am able to do anymore.

I am going to Puerto Rico in two weeks, which is exciting, but i am frightened that i will be ill the entire time. Nothing excites me right now, and i feel like i am stuck somewhere i don't want to be.

Sorry for the pity session. I know people have it much worse than me, and I should be grateful for that.

But when is this going to end? I want to be able to enjoy life, not be confined to bed as still as possible in fear that if I move, the pain will come back. I am tired of being sick. Ugh!

Sorry again. Vent over. If anyone has ideas that will help, let me know. I am in physical therapy and there is nothing OTC that works. Accupuncture didn't work either. I really want to do kickboxing, but my back is so unstable that I can't yet.
diva7531 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...


I hope you feel better soon
PegaLega Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

MIchelle I dont know any way to help, but I hope that you are able to find something that makes you feel better..living like that totally ***** and you shouldnt have to.

medic6809 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

I'm so sorry! I don't have any advice except if you want to TTC in 2010 then yea you should get this taken care of sooner rather then later. I hope you feel better soon.
HeatherRose Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

my mother in law has the exact same thing, which i think i've told you before, she's on the embrel as well, and she has Lupus.

She has found sitting in a hot tube helps losen the muscles in her back.. its only temp. relief but its still relief for the time being with out using drugs. I'm so sorry you have to go through this I see first hand with my MIl how painful it is.. I hope they find a cure soon!
HamptonsBride Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Well i have no words of wisdom or advice but just wanted you to know I hope you get your miracle...living with pain suucks and you don't deserve it...so here's to you getting better soon!!!
hayleyandsteve Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

We're praying for you!
Drv0716 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

I'm so sorry I hope you feel better soon!
SylvieB Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

I'm so sorry your going through this.:
I don't have any advice really, I just know that a positive attitude can truly make a difference. Try and stay positive and I pray that you start felling better soon!!
Brian and Marie Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Feel better soon Michelle- I LOVE YOU!!!! I'm gonna come over so we can watch SATC in bed together!!
Daisy Bride Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

I can't even imagine what you must be going through, so sorry to hear it
There has to be some kind of relief for you out there, hope you find it soon! Hang in there, I'll pray for a miracle
EverlovingEv Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

OMG sweetie. I'm so incredibly sorry for you. I hate when friends are in pain
I really wish I could help medically but unfortunately MTX is what helps most and it doesnt look like it's helping you
There are other medications, have you tried them all? Maybe during your March app you can discuss other drugs that haven't worked for most ppl but hopefully they can work for you.

Have you tried gold?
Steriod Injections?
Anti-inflammatories?

I so wish I could help you. Please let me know if you need ANYTHING
Mich0621 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...


Posted by EverlovingEv

OMG sweetie. I'm so incredibly sorry for you. I hate when friends are in pain
I really wish I could help medically but unfortunately MTX is what helps most and it doesnt look like it's helping you
There are other medications, have you tried them all? Maybe during your March app you can discuss other drugs that haven't worked for most ppl but hopefully they can work for you.

Have you tried gold?
Steriod Injections?
Anti-inflammatories?

I so wish I could help you. Please let me know if you need ANYTHING



Thanks Ev-hope you are feeling a bit better. They upped my MTX to 5 pills a week and they are going to try me on Humira. They tried anti-inflammatories on me, but they gave me an ulcer when I was in law school. They placed me on oral steriods...it is helping a little. Thanks so much and feel better!
Mich0621 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...


Posted by Brian and Marie

Feel better soon Michelle- I LOVE YOU!!!! I'm gonna come over so we can watch SATC in bed together!!



Now I am holding you to that!
Mich0621 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Thank you everyone-your support is making me feel better!
milana Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Michelle, reading that made me so sad
You dont deserve to live with so much pain everyday of your life, no body does, i hope that you get your miracle too and that everything will be fine and heal

Youre going to have an amazing time in PR and you will not be ill, it will be fabulous, stay positive

I hope you feel better hun
PreshusSmurf Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Oh my goodness Michelle, I don't think I ever truly knew the extent of the pain and other complications that RA can cause. I am so sorry to hear everything that you have been living with .... and for quite a few years too. I really hope and pray that you will find a combination of medicine that works for you. Surgery is very scary, but if it has a high success rate then it might be worth seriously considering. If it means that you will be able to heal, and not live your life in pain, it could be the miracle you have been looking for. You know that is something I am in the midst of figuring out for myself and I'm also struggling with the decision. Its really hard to 'elect' to go under the knife!!

I was on oral steroids too, and I think they helped me at first ... but a month later, it feels as though the good effects have worn off. And then the anti-inflammatories, which caused heartburn/acid reflux too .... UGH!!!

Another thought .... is it possible for you to move your appointment up, and not wait for the 10th to see the doctor?

This way you will have more time to see if the new meds are working before you get on a plane for Puerto Rico

You know I am here for you if you ever need to vent. I don't sleep much these days anyway

DNicholes Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

MrsQ-in2007 Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

I unfortunately don't have any words of wisdom, but I wanted to send some . I can't imagine living with all of what you're going through - it must be so difficult, but a positive attitude can make SUCH a huge difference. I pray that the docs can put you on a better medication!!!!
PattyK Posted:

Re: Disappointed, Sad, and Desperate...

Michelle, I wish that there was something that I could do for you. I hope that you feel better and here some

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