Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Last weekend I journeyed to my Rheumy, who is 8 hours away, for a Monday morning appointment. The bad news was that the drive there and back was horrible for my wonderful husband, the good news was that due to the weather there were lots of cancellations at the clinic and I was able to get everything done in one, albeit long, day.
I had my blood tests at 6:30 for an 8:30 appointment. Apparently those looked like they always do and my liver is holding up well. ( I keep telling that to my brain, which still misses the occasional glass of wine) I saw the CNS first and she listened well, as she always does, and then checked me out and counted joints, or whatever she is doing when she touches every joint, stares at the ceiling and asks me how that feels? Spent a lot of time looking at my poor toes and asked me, "Do these hurt as bad as they look?" Which I answered in the affirmative. Then I saw the doc. So she changed my MTX to injectable, to see if it will help with the bowel issues I am having, and said at four weeks into it I am to call her, and if it is good, she is upping the dose, and if it isn't I get switched to something that starts with an A, and off the top of my head I can't remember the name. She also increased my folic acid to two tablets per day, to see if that helps with the stomach issues. She also got me in to see the spine clinic, as my lower back is in distress again. I had injections in June and did quite well after that. So I was able to not only see the spine doc, but get another set of injections in my facet joints that afternoon, thanks to the snowstorm! It worked out great, since my husband came with me, which he usually does not.
I managed to catch a humdinger of a cold as soon as I got home, so I haven't done my first injection yet. I actually think my husband might have to do it, as my hands are so bad that I am not sure I can work the syringe. I am sure hoping this solves the stomach issues as I feel like the MTX is working. I am obviously not great, but better then I was in November, and I haven't had to go back on the prednisone, which I am happy about.
So that is my RA journey update. Oh, and I got a new office chair! Funny how little things like a new ergonomically correct chair can delight a person!
Happy February!
Poodlemom
I had my blood tests at 6:30 for an 8:30 appointment. Apparently those looked like they always do and my liver is holding up well. ( I keep telling that to my brain, which still misses the occasional glass of wine) I saw the CNS first and she listened well, as she always does, and then checked me out and counted joints, or whatever she is doing when she touches every joint, stares at the ceiling and asks me how that feels? Spent a lot of time looking at my poor toes and asked me, "Do these hurt as bad as they look?" Which I answered in the affirmative. Then I saw the doc. So she changed my MTX to injectable, to see if it will help with the bowel issues I am having, and said at four weeks into it I am to call her, and if it is good, she is upping the dose, and if it isn't I get switched to something that starts with an A, and off the top of my head I can't remember the name. She also increased my folic acid to two tablets per day, to see if that helps with the stomach issues. She also got me in to see the spine clinic, as my lower back is in distress again. I had injections in June and did quite well after that. So I was able to not only see the spine doc, but get another set of injections in my facet joints that afternoon, thanks to the snowstorm! It worked out great, since my husband came with me, which he usually does not.
I managed to catch a humdinger of a cold as soon as I got home, so I haven't done my first injection yet. I actually think my husband might have to do it, as my hands are so bad that I am not sure I can work the syringe. I am sure hoping this solves the stomach issues as I feel like the MTX is working. I am obviously not great, but better then I was in November, and I haven't had to go back on the prednisone, which I am happy about.
So that is my RA journey update. Oh, and I got a new office chair! Funny how little things like a new ergonomically correct chair can delight a person!
Happy February!
Poodlemom
8 hours, WOW! Glad you found someone you like, even if you have to drive that far to meet with them.
Have been hurting for the last 2 weeks due to weather..and more nasty weather c oming this week...
I go to the Mayo Clinic for my doctor, as I grew up in Rochester and I have a few other issues that have kept me going there over the years. The nice part is that all the specialists talk to one another and I have an internist that is really on top of all my care. My mom lives there too and so I get to visit with her, and get everything done at once. I am very lucky to have great employer covered health care that allows this. I really am grateful, especially when I read what some of you have gone through with doctors and diagnosis.
Good luck with the MTX. I hope it works well for you.
Sounds like it is worth the trip for you however.