My rheumy gives me cortisone shots, every visit. I swear for months I feel pretty awesome. I go from how you feel.... to putting up Christmas decorations, shopping, to taking decorations down, with resting of course. But those shots are like waking up happy for a while.
Of course the orencia is helping me, but cortisone shots do last months, if you can't walk. If you do one knee, then the other knee the next visit, it sure helps. I go every 3 months. Feet too, I get horrible ankle and heel pain, the shots work on that too.

I think you can expect these pity parties from time to time. I've been 15 years with the disease. About 3 years ago, when mthx and Kineret failed, and Sulfasalazine, I knew I had to go on prednisone for 3 or 4 months, hoping Rituxan would work. I was in the shower and had a MAJOR pity party. My husband had to pull me out, because the quiet sobbing and feeling sorry for myself had escalated to loud screaming.

So God said, "No more pity parties". Boy that was really hard. Mostly, I do listen, and try and remember that when more stuff comes my way. Don't know what good they do, but sometimes, a good cry helps. Just don't let it get out of control. Sounds like you are doing a good job with that! Hugs!

Unless your rich I assume your boyfriend wants you becoz he loves you! Thats what my husband says and if the situation were reversed I know I would love him just as much so try to think that way. Crying is very beneficial for everone so when the need arises-go ahead. Just dont do it as long as I do and end up with a headache!

Must be the thing to do because I'm right there with ya. Lol. So I guess pitty party for two. Keep ur chin up it will be better

NoMoreRA,
I think a good cry is good now and then.
For me, this time of year can be rough. Pre-RA, I would look forward to what the new year would bring, resolve to make some positive changes in my life and work on making them happen.
This year, I am looking forward to starting a Biologic in February and hoping to feeling ok enough to not have to tell my new employer about this "wonderful" condition. Big change from years past.
From what you have wrote in the past, your boyfriend seems to be very understanding. I agree with kimmylee, he is there because he wants to be.
Take Care and Hugs to you,
Kim

thanks everyone. Reading your posts brought tears to my eyes and not the pitying type, the grateful type.

@dreamchaser - I got a cortizone shot 3 weeks ago. Told me it would last 6 weeks, and lasted a total of 10 days. I was grateful for that but now I'm back to where i was. Need to get off the coffee I know it's part of this. The nurse was so positive this shot would help me and gave rave reviews of the medication. It worked for what i needed (my bf daughters graduation from law school out of state) so I am grateful for that.
I love this group and sharing with people who really understand. Thank you thank you.
God bless and happy new year.
(Still in oodles of pain, but what are ya gonna do, huh?)

I agree your boyfriend loves you. Please don't push him away. It is so hard to find supportive people to depend on when you are not well most of the time. I hope that you have better days to come. You are truly blessed.

I didn't get much out of the cortisone shots either. I won't do them again. I get more out of going on predisone for a while. That all gives me a boost. If I stayed on very long though the boost starts to wear away.

I think the holidays can be hard until you can accept your new self. It is easier for me than some of the younger people. I'm fifty--which is still young--but it is a little easier to say, I deserve to slow down. I'm changing a lot of my holiday traditions. Some people are fine with the change--others not so much. It is a work in progress.

I laughed when I read your reply @ Libra...because my bf still hasn't told me he loves me. We have been dating 7 months but his actions surely are that of a man who cares deeply for me.
Again I appreciate your support. I am 49 and feel entirely too young to be dealing with this but I know there are many others of you that are so much younger than me. You give me hope and strength.

I'm on anti depressants but I still cry about 2 times a day. This is new to me. It just happened 3 months ago and when I read what other people have been going through for years I cry for them too.

It is a hard disease, but in time, pity parties will just be a memory. Once you find the right bio, you will feel almost normal again. Yeah you still get bad days, but the good ones are more.

Happy new year, and I hope all of us find a way to not hurt.

Lin


Your boyfriend is a keeper =)

The other day I was watching Forest Gump and started balling my eyes out. I realized I hadn't really grieved my loss of who I used to be. Afterwards I felt better and accepting of where I am now. Hugs to us all.

nomorera,
Maybe it's time to talk to your doctor about a biologic. They work faster than MTX when you get the right one. Maybe he can do that Vectra test that was mentioned on here before to find out which treatment would work best for you. I take Enbrel and it works very well for me. I don't even feel like I have RA any more. When I stop taking it I feel very crippled and depressed that I can't hardly move.

Oh man, nomorera, your not on a bio! No wonder your in so much pain. If it wasn't for Orencia, I would be in bed all day. Took 5 years to find the right bio, but that was my fault, when other bios failed, I was to scared to do the infusion, and it was orencia that got me moving and grooving. Don't be scared like I was, or you will be bone to bone on your knees like me, for waiting to long.

You have a codition that can be helped, a bio will help 90% Most bios have programs to help financially.

Lin

I was told I need to have 2 DMARDS fail before my insurance would pick up any of the cost of the biologic (thank you American Freaking insurance). MTX is my second DMARD. I am now 5 weeks in with no results yet. Will look into the Vectra test more. I know nothing about it. Thanks for all your input. Happy New Year everyone!