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...
Well here I am again reading and posting here. I'm grateful to know that it is here when I need it and that each of you are here.
An update to my situation:
I discovered in 2007 that I had RA. Soon after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and as each of you are probably aware have had many ups and downs.
On Tuesday, December 10th while on my way to work my husband and I were hit by another vehicle. Both cars were totaled. The other driver walked away complaining of his knees hurting. My husband walked away with a sprained wrist which I want him to follow up on as he is still aging trouble with it. Me, well I hopped away with so e pain in my leg and the normal injuries that one received when in a car accident t where 6? Air abs deploy. I agreed to get in the ambulance but felt a bit like a burden doing so. After what seemed like 100 X-rays and cat scans a learned that I had sustained several fractures of the tibia plateau and ankle where it joins the tibia. I needed to have surgeries to correct and spent about 6 days in the hospital. Since the tibia is a weight bearing joint, I can put absolutely NO weight on the leg. At first the surgeon said it would be six months before I would drive or put any weight on it.we will see about that.
As a result I was asked to stop my methotrexate and remicade. STOP the treatment that has allowed me to have Some relief???? REALLY?????
So I'm home now with a hospital bed, bedside commode, walker and wheelchair in my living room. Ugh! Feeling like I've turned my family's life upside down and this wasn't even my fault.
So hopping on the good foot to the bedside commode or the chair to give my body some relief putting all that weight on my wrists and shoulders, yes you guessed it more pain. Praying that I do not go into a full blown flare but really do expect to be in one without the methotrexate and remicade.
Trying to remain positive and thankful that I came away from the accident with my life.
Oh did I mention that the emt put the driver who hit us in the same ambulance with me.??? What is that!
Really I am trying to remain positive. Wishing the tape would stop replaying over and over in my head. Trying not to be too demanding of my family even though I have privacy only when everyone goes to bed and with teens now on break that could be 3 am and my husband is usually down by 7. As if I were really able to sleep. 3-6 more months of this, I'm not sure I can handle it.
Oh and the good news from the surgeon is that with all of the metal he had to put in, sometimes people find that it is bothersome and it needs to come out. And this injury will certainly result in a total knee replacement within the next 5 years.
The fun just keeps on coming.
Still trying to remain positive and live in spite of ra and all of the added fun that this accident has caused.
Any suggestions on how to lay or sit comfortably in a boot or how to pass my days?
An update to my situation:
I discovered in 2007 that I had RA. Soon after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and as each of you are probably aware have had many ups and downs.
On Tuesday, December 10th while on my way to work my husband and I were hit by another vehicle. Both cars were totaled. The other driver walked away complaining of his knees hurting. My husband walked away with a sprained wrist which I want him to follow up on as he is still aging trouble with it. Me, well I hopped away with so e pain in my leg and the normal injuries that one received when in a car accident t where 6? Air abs deploy. I agreed to get in the ambulance but felt a bit like a burden doing so. After what seemed like 100 X-rays and cat scans a learned that I had sustained several fractures of the tibia plateau and ankle where it joins the tibia. I needed to have surgeries to correct and spent about 6 days in the hospital. Since the tibia is a weight bearing joint, I can put absolutely NO weight on the leg. At first the surgeon said it would be six months before I would drive or put any weight on it.we will see about that.
As a result I was asked to stop my methotrexate and remicade. STOP the treatment that has allowed me to have Some relief???? REALLY?????
So I'm home now with a hospital bed, bedside commode, walker and wheelchair in my living room. Ugh! Feeling like I've turned my family's life upside down and this wasn't even my fault.
So hopping on the good foot to the bedside commode or the chair to give my body some relief putting all that weight on my wrists and shoulders, yes you guessed it more pain. Praying that I do not go into a full blown flare but really do expect to be in one without the methotrexate and remicade.
Trying to remain positive and thankful that I came away from the accident with my life.
Oh did I mention that the emt put the driver who hit us in the same ambulance with me.??? What is that!
Really I am trying to remain positive. Wishing the tape would stop replaying over and over in my head. Trying not to be too demanding of my family even though I have privacy only when everyone goes to bed and with teens now on break that could be 3 am and my husband is usually down by 7. As if I were really able to sleep. 3-6 more months of this, I'm not sure I can handle it.
Oh and the good news from the surgeon is that with all of the metal he had to put in, sometimes people find that it is bothersome and it needs to come out. And this injury will certainly result in a total knee replacement within the next 5 years.
The fun just keeps on coming.
Still trying to remain positive and live in spite of ra and all of the added fun that this accident has caused.
Any suggestions on how to lay or sit comfortably in a boot or how to pass my days?
you mention you wish the tape would stop replaying in your head. i know you're basically immobile right now, but that could be a touch of PTSD. you may want to consider speaking with someone about that; many therapists conduct phone or Skype sessions now.
i'm not sure how to be comfortable in a boot, but as far as passing your days - you mentioned you have two teens at home. does one of them have a video game system? if your hands aren't too bad, video games might help pass a couple of hours a day. even if you don't have an iPad or a kindle, you can read many books online. since the kids are home, what about some family board games (if you can get them to join in). when i've been home sick for long periods of time or unemployed or whatever, i've spent a lot of time reading and writing.
and researching things online. pick something you're interested in and try to find out everything you can about it. one of my most recent 'research projects' was on cat food and ingredients. i ended up changing my cats' diets and they're much healthier - my big boy lost over 3 pounds and is now at a healthy weight.
look at the time you posted! you are up all night. wow. my heart goes out to you. the car accident with ramifications to you immediate and long term, your spouse, and your world upside down. i had a young woman wipe out at work and have the ankle plates go in and them come out. did you get a good trauma surgeon and follow up care, and is care close of far away? is the surgeon (or orthopedic) willing to talk to the rheumantologist for you about modifications to your treatment plan? what is working for pain meds?
the kids adding to the mess or helping?
I am glad you are with us. are you losing lost wages from this not at fault accident? if so, have you called an atty?
are the neighbors stepping up? the relatives? the church'n folks?
if we were not a virtual world we would all send over a meal. but for now healing thoughts and gentle hugs
Ros
I think for myself to be laid up for any length of time I would be keeping my hands busy (that is if your hands are okay) with some kind of needle crafting such as knitting, crocheting or cross stitch. Reading is fine too but would make me sleepy after a short time.
Prayers for a quick recovery, sooner than expected.
As I said I'm sorry this happened. We are here for you. Gentle hugs. - Donna
When I was needing to prop up my legs and ankles I purchased some inexpensive bean bag chairs. They weigh next to nothing and I could get support for my entire leg, or even both legs for a change in position that rested my back too. You can form them to support your leg where you need it. Just an idea.
When I needed something to do to kill time I got some foreign language CD's, audio only. They were very effective and I had something to show for my time.
Good luck to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I meant to tell you that my car was smashed to smithereens this past June by a chatty young woman who was studying her nursing schedule head down on her I Phone while driving and hit me in moving traffic sending my old wagon across a divided line into a lot and another car also - at that point i had no idea since me eyes ultimately closed. she tried to extricate me but the rescue crew asked her to step aside all the while babbling sorry that she did not mean to read, text, study, head down and drive.......... i had her in my chariot also.
you were just having a real moment, i remember being strapped into neck gear while Ms. I drive and look down and use my iphone simultaneously was STILL babbling to me in the next stretcher. I remember thinking I wish she would be quiet. sometimes we lose our charitable selves for a couple of seconds when our worlds are turned upside down. Of course I wanted her to have care also, but for a brief second I just wished she was in another ambulance or possibly mute.
living: how is the pain today? i liked that idea about bean bags. and steph's about being easy on yourself about the post traumatic stress. this is such a great group. i hope we can lift you up during this crappy time.
Ros
In '08 I blew out my back and surfed the couch for almost a year before I had surgery, then it was another 6 months of being down.
Living alone I really had to figure this one out. I do read but because of the pain and other medications it was tough to concentrate a lot of the time so I did watch a considerable amount of TV to pass time. There is a lot that is constructive and educational nowadays, History channel, etc., and some choices are just plan enjoyable and funny, help to keep our spirits up. At the time I could still do needlework and shifted volunteering to crocheting blankets for Hospice-helped me feel better and didn't require too much brainpower if I stayed with the simple stiches.
My neurosurgeon also mentioned the hardware but I haven't had any issues and know a lot of people who still "own it".
Sending you wishes for a speedy recovery.
Not that it helps your situation except sometimes there is that element of "social agreement" that what they did is wrong.
You may not need to have the metal work extracted. I have what looks like a door hinge and endless screws after a break in ankle (three bones) in 2001. The attitude here is leave it if not bothering you.
Passing the days? Depends what you like. I read a lot and played myself at games. i got pretty well deserted as nothing keeps my husband home and had two children still at home who were in school term. Couldnt even get a cup of tea!
Nowadays I am sure you have the internet. Maybe use it for research about the disease.
Hope you dont have to be off the drugs too long. I didnt have RA then so that was one worry I was spared and dont know if this is standard practice. You have had RA nearly as long as I have but you dont seem to be taking prednisone so presumably not an issue with your bones.
Good luck with the healing. If you find homeopathic remedies help there is a bone healer called symphytum 30c dose ok if you can get it easily.
I can understand why they want you to stop with the immunosuppressants: hospitals are the germiest places on the planet!
@Ros: you are a better person than I. I promise that if Chatty Girl hadn't stopped talking, I would have at some point told her quietly that she has destroyed my car and injured me and has done nothing but admit her culpability in the matter. I would have mentioned that everything she was saying to me was going to be used against her by my insurance company and that I was not interested in being her friend at this time because I was trying to figure out how to completely rearrange my entire life because of her self-absorbed, dangerous stupidity. Then I would use my teacher glare which stops a lot cold. She wanted to be a nurse??? smh... dear Lord help us all.
Sending prayers for each of you.