Argh argh argh!
Okay, here's the on topic stuffs -
My elbows have decided once and for all to join the RA game. So this is new. I've had the aches and the swelling and the heat on the joint, etc etc. But this stuff! Holy COW!! This is new new new new NEW. Throbbing, radiating pain that goes all the way up into my shoulders. But it's all coming from my elbows. Everytime and I mean *every* time I've woken up in the past 2 weeks, my hands have been asleep. And I know it's because I sleep with my arms bent up all night. And I'm starting to get all of that mess in my knees as well. So this "mini-flare" that I was managing to putter through seems to be growing. BAH!!
I have an RD appt on JANUARY 28TH. :| I'm going to be calling on monday to see if I can sweet talk my way into something MUCH sooner. So.......if the worst case scenario comes through, and I can't see her until then.....for the love of GOD what do I do?? I don't have a PCP anymore, as it seems she dropped off the face of the damn earth. I can make an appt with a new one though - but what should I ask for? I can't do the standard NSAIDs, they tear my stomach up so bad, and when you throw in all this stress I'm under, forget it! I'd be throwing up constantly. Is there something calmer on the tummy??
Please, keep your suggestions CHEAP! I really can't afford jack right now. :(
Now, for the OT half!!! I'm sitting here, at work, at midnight. Why? Because the ASSMUNCH who was supposed to work tonight called out. Now, this wouldn't be such a bad thing, if I hadn't ALREADY WORKED TODAY. :| Lucky for me, 4 hours into my shift I found out I'd be needed back here tonight, so I did get to leave and try to get some sleep. But pshaw, I was already on a day schedule. I had a hell of a time just going to bed like that. So I'm running very low on fuel here, and PISSED as all getup at him. Oh yeah, and I'm in pain! THAT helps! Right??
Vent over............thank you muchly!
OH WAIT WAIT! I have one more thing.....When you get a swollen gland in your neck area, from being sick or whatever....how long does it stay swollen? Strange question - I know. I've got *one* lonely gland on the right side of my neck that is working it's way to...oh I dunno, a month? of being swollen? But it just started hurting 2 days ago. I've had a CONSTANT runny nose, etc etc cold symptoms. So ya know, I KNOW they get swollen, I'm not terribly concerned. Plus, I've had this happen before and it was just some random damn infection. So if you say "see your PCP" that's what I'll do!
Thanks again!!!
Katie...I am so sorry about feeling like crap and being at work.
First the neck does sound like strep or some sort of infection...yep, ya gotta go in for that one.
How are you sleeping at night. Is the pain interrupting your sleep. If it is and the muscle relaxers are not working then you need something stronger. Vicodin is fairly cheap and comes in a generic. Also, if you go in for your infection ask for samples, non-NSAID...you do not need help with the tummy thing. So, you will probably need to talk about both the pain and your infection.
Katie...you are taking your antidepressant right???! I hope so, you are under a lot of strain and you need them in place. You have gotta have help going through this, because this has been horrible on both you and Justin. I am very proud of both of you, and you have handled all of this with maturity and grace.
Hang in there girl and you need a couple of days to get over the infection.
Lots of love to ya girlie! shel
Until you get in to see the RD, you might want to try some fish oil capsules. They're cheap! Make sure to get the enteric-coated ones. Take two or three capsules, 3x/day. Give it a few weeks and see if you start to feel any better.Thanks Shel. Yeah I'm on an AD. I'd probably be somewhere in a straight jacket if I wasn't.
I am off this Tuesday and Wednesday. I guess I'll be seeing a PCP, won't I? How am I sleeping? Like a damn rock. My the time I make it to a bed, I am SO worn out I don't even remember hitting the pillow. Problem is, I'm going one night with 8-9 hours, and the next night with only 4-5 hours, next 8-9 hours etc etc. Such a crappy schedule!!!
Kelly, you need to be a fish oil sales woman!!!
I will ask my doc what they think about it. :)
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Awww you used my word!! You do *love* me after all!!! LOL!!
Find new PCP ASAP. See PCP for initial visit and tell PCP that RA is giving you a rough way to go and NSAIDS are a no go on the old tummy. Bring in list of suggestions for PCP who is most likely not familiar with RA or its meds. Get braces for wrists to wear at night so you do not sleep with birdie wings and impinge your nerves and make everything but *you* fall asleep. I love my braces and will not go to bed unless I have them on. The same night I got them is the same night I had a full nights sleep without my hands falling asleep in a very long time. Your knees acting like that in your sleep is probably because you do not change postions vey often. My bad one does the same stupid thing to me. Research prescription asst. programs. Research insurance policies. Who knows...there might be something out there better than the crap you have. There are also pharmacy only insurance plans. See your PCP regarding your *one* lonely gland. The gland itself could be infected and you need antibiotics. And don't forget the yogurt if your PCP gives you antibiotics. Loves yas muchly!! LOL!!
Kelly, you need to be a fish oil sales woman!!!
I will ask my doc what they think about it. :) Anyone no how to nit. I need a little tiny blanket to hang off my glasses to cover my nose. I am freezing. Every place on my body feels hot to the touch except my nose is an ice cube. I have the heat up probably a bit to high i can't tell anymore. My feet felt warm but i put socks on and i have a heavy sweater on. I think my nose is freezing the rest of my body. I sneezed a while ago i think i have a touch of the old bug coming on. My eyes are a little itchy that is probably it.
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OK...milly...ummm...how will you be able to see if you hang a blanket off of your glasses? I mean...your glasses will not fit right if you hang it off of the nose piece. And not to mention hanging a blanket there might just make your eyes cross because your eye will be naturally drawn to something hanging there. You can't possibly be serious about this can you? Sorry Katie didn't mean to hijack your post. And now...back to the serious matter at hand. What can we do for Katie? I sorry to hear you are doing so bad, Katie. The elbows being effected is about as bad as the knees being effected. I just hope they do not get as bad as mine... where you look like a T-rex walking around.
Hope you get an appointment sooner rather than later.
Much huggs!
Oh & Milly... how about a foam clown nose to keep the ole booger keeper warm? Wal-Mart probably has them marked down to 50% off by now. I would not know have not been to wal-mart in a week or so.
LOL Joonie...booger keeper?
Katie, Hope you feel better really soon, Sweetie! Yes you really should see PCP. Swollen gland needs to be checked. And you should meet your new PCP, anyway. I'm kind of worried about you, anyway. You have had an enormous amount of stress lately. Stress by itself can cause you to get sick, as I'm sure you know
Let me know what the doc says, okay? Hugs, Nini Sounds like the start of strep. Can you see your PCP ASAP? Pip Katie, you need to see a doctor and get some antibiotics, because it sounds like you have an infection. That has probably "revved" up your immune system, so it's causing a flare. My guess is if you get the infection under control, and get some good rest you will feel better everywhere. Since you don't have a PCP right now, why not go to the hospital ER for treatment. The hospital has been great with working with you and Justin in the past regarding your bills, so this may be the cheapest and easiest way to do this. And it may be that they can give you antibiotics by injection, so that it will start working faster (and be part of the hospital bill, rather than something you have to purchase separately. You might also ask them to check your vitamin levels - B and D. If they are low, it could really impact how you're feeling. And extreme stress can definitely impact your vitamin levels. Make sure they know EVERYTHING about your RA, what is going on with Justin, the hours you are working, etc. That is all an important part of the overall picture. You need to do this soon, so you'll be feeling well enough to be Justin's sexy nurse when he comes home! Katie girl listen to your mothers!
Take care Katie, I'm sorry for what you're going through. It must be hell trying to work when you are in so much pain. You must be very strong. Katie, so sorry things are so bad right now. You certainly don't need to be sick on top of the flair and all the other problems you are dealing with. Take good care of yourself, and the er sounds like a really good idea xoxo
Yep.
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