Even though the swelling has significantly gone down in my ankles, they are now extremely painful, making it hard to stand or walk. And unfortunately that's keeping me at home while I have a major customer group coming in at noon.
The ankles are so painful that when I walk I feel as if they are broken and the bone's about to pierce through the skin. My feet hurt as well, on the top right before the toes.
What can I do to try to alleviate the pain so I can get my butt into the office before I end up fired? I'm scared that even if I can calm my ankles down now, as soon as I start standing and walking at work they will be right back where they started.
take your pain meds, make sure you are wearing a pair of supportive flat shoes, use a cane if you have one
Finally make an appt with your doctor..maybe some cotisone can help
Prednasone is such a good anti-inflamatory drug, if you have some just up your dose by 3,4,5 mgs. You can go back down in a couple of days.
LEV
Lev, I forgot about the pred. I've been off it, but I have plenty left.
Why does it seem that when I most need it, my brain is all scattered?
I have found that our brains are like computers. The more data and space taken, the slower our "computer" becomes. I'm sorry to tell you this but the older you get the slower your "computer" will become, and I know what I'm talking about.
LEV
Lucky for the computers, there's no pain in their brains!
Well, I took 5 mg pred and haven't moved a muscle, but the pain's actually worse. I just had to call my boss again and tell him I won't make it in today. This customer event is really important and all our upper management will be there. My role isn't important, but it is visible. My not being there is bad, really bad, but I don't know what else I can do. I can't even imagine standing long enough to take a shower, much less drive to work and stand greeting customers and such.
I guess next week when I see my RD, I'm going to have to start asking about disability before I get myself fired. I just want to keep working, but being absent or tardy so often has got to catch up to me. I keep feeling like I'm just around the corner to getting better, if I could just hold on a little longer, but then I've been thinking that for 1.5 years now.
It takes three hours to start to feel the inflamation start to taper from the prednisone and probably six to eight hours for full effect. You will feel much better later in the day. Good things come to those that have to wait. Relax and thoroughly enjoy your day off.
LEV
Inner, I hope the pred works and you're able to function normally soon. I often think about those of you who are struggling to raise families, hold a job, etc. while in so much pain. My heart goes out to you.Suzanne, I am so sorry you have come to that point. There does seem to come a time for some of us that working is just no longer possible. Have you spoken to your doctor about it? If not, you probably should. I am sure that he/she would support whatever you need to do.
I had to retire and go on disability 4 years ago. We owned our own business, so when I went on disability, we pretty much had to sell off the assets of our corporation. It was just my husband and myself. My doctor had advised me for a few years before to stop working. There just comes a time when you are doing yourself harm by trying to continue at the same pace to which you are accustomed.
By the time I finally took the step, my mobility was severely compromised. We had hoped to travel a lot after we retired, but it is a real effort for me to travel or even go shopping, at this point.
Do what you need to do, Sweetie. Just try not to make yourself any sicker before you take some kind of action! Only you and your doctor know when you need to take that step. But you still have a lot of living to do. Just try to keep that in mind. I know it is a very hard step to take, but for some of us there is no choice.
There may come a time in the future when you will be able to return to work. But, for now, just try do what you need to do to take care of yourself. If that means going on disability, then that is what you will need to do.
Please let me know what you decide to do. I will be thinking of you!
Gentle hugs, Nini
Suzanne...I am so sorry you are in so much pain. Has the prednisone kicked in for you and helped? It is just awful when it attacks your feet . How long have you had RA and what do you take for it? Poor thing...let go and give it to GOD. Let him take over and try not to worry about your job. I will keep you in my prayers.I've had the RA symptoms for 1.5 years, about half that time spent diagnosing and the other half trying to treat. I was already on Relafen, Skelaxin and Lyrica for the fibro. For RA I've been on Enbrel, mtx, Arava, pred, currently Imuran and just had my first Rituxan infusion on Friday. I am so hopeful with the Rituxan and I actually saw a significant improvement in my ankle swelling since Friday. So it's ironic that that's what hurts so much now.
I did talk to my boss at 5:00 and explained what was going on. He sounded sympathetic, but what else is he going to say anyway. Besides, no matter how bad he may feel for me, he still needs someone there doing the work, especially if people are asking him where I am all the time.
My regular RD appt is one week from today, and whether or see him then or tomorrow, I'm going to have to talk to him about short term disability, with the hope that the Rituxan will give me some improvement within a few weeks. My doc has never mentioned not working to me, although I've told him at every appt that I'm having trouble getting to work on time and trouble working. I have no idea if he's going to support me with the STD. Guess I won't know until I ask.
Hi Suzanne, sorry you are having so much trouble and pain. Maybe the swelling was helping to pad your joints and now it's bone on bone or a spur??? Just guessing. Can you take a medical leave of absence? I wish you the best trying to get it all straightened out. Stress is not good for ra either, so keep that in mind. Try to keep your feet up for a couple of days and maybe the pred will kick in for you.
Take care
Well the pred seems to be doing it's job (unlike last time) and the pain is significantly better. When I got up this morning I could make it down the hallway without any screaming or crying, just wincing. But I thought it would be too soon to do all the driving and walking getting to work would entail.
So I gave it a few hours and some more pred, and now I'm ready to go in. Although my low back is paying for the strange way I've been trying to walk. I hope I'm not going to end up overdoing it. It's hard when a customer walks into your office and asks you to do something simple, but that you know is going to be too much for you. What do you say?
Anyway, tomorrow there's no customers and I'm in a training class most of the day so not too much walking around.
That happens to my ankles a lot but a cortisone shot usually cures me for about 3-6 mos. It feel like you'll never be ableto walk again. It really frightened me the first time it happened.Well they're doing alright, not great, but alright with the pred. I have my regular bloodwork tomorrow morning and my regular rheumy appt on Wednesday.
I am annoyed however, that I can't schedule my second Rituxan infusion yet because the "doctor hasn't approved it" (meaning he hasn't looked at it, not that he's questioning it). I have already been waiting for a week. But hey, what's one more week when you've been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting....