OT - Scared I might be in Remission | Arthritis Information

I've had a mega flare since 26 Dec 07. Two weeks ago I became premenstral (mentioned this already), followed by another week of night sweats (I'm also peri-menopausal). These two together seem to have broken the pain cycle for me and apart from growing my third sinus infection this year my hands/feet and elbows are pain free.

Its totally stupid to find this unnerving but I do!

Did anyone else in remission find it unsettling?

I know its utter rubbish to ask this when so many of you are in constant pain and I'm sorry if it offends but I'm feeling bereft, its very quiet in my head at the moment.... I've touched wood before I typed this so I dont tempt fate.

I was excited last week because I'd made 2 weeks but as week 3 is nearly upon me there's a little 'dread' devil sitting on my shoulder. Its taken over from the 'pain alert' and I dont like it. Anyone else feel like this or am I really ready for the psychiatric wardSarah -

Give me the dates and meds, please, of what you were on for the sinus infections. Get a calendar, please.

Pip

Pip!2008-02-23 12:29:16Sarah, I haven't been there but I think it's perfectly understandable to fear relapse as well as remission itself. It is very unsettling and difficult to adjust when you've become accustomed to living one way and then are suddenly living another way...whether that's in the direction of becoming less healthy or more healthy. Take a deep breath, try to enjoy some of the things you may have missed during your mega-flare, and try to remain neutral about the future, as difficult as that is.

Pip I have my diary at my side.

First sinus infection started on the 31.12.07, carried over until the 6.1.8. Didnt go to the doctors, flare started on the 26.12.7 was just too miserable and didnt want to take more drugs. Used Sea Salt nasal spray 3 times a day until it felt better.

Second infection, 2.2.8 saw the doctor on the 7.2.8 at 9.20 am, got a script for tramadol for 3 weeks as a trial to see if I liked it and it worked and 1 a day Doxycycline for 5 days. I took the tramadol for 2 days and as at the 11.2.8 when I woke up with bolders for boobs (PMT) I've been pain free.

Third infection started on Wednesday this week, my tell is really sore eyes. Today my face feels like its been bashed with a flat pan, I've used the nasal spray today. I have an appt. with the ENT consultant on the 28.2.8 and we will be discussing a sinus scrape.

I take 4 sulpha a day, 75mg thyroxine, 2 Zirtek. I dont know whether it has any relation to the above but on 24.2.8 I came out in a raised, itchy allergy rash all over my thighs and calfs. I have been nowhere near tea tree oil so have no idea what caused it.

Inside leg measurement...., last time I had great sex...

Third infection started on

OK, coming from the AP angle -

What kind of MORON prescribes 5 days of doxy for a sinus infection? Doxy is a really weak tetracycline and most sinus infections usually require 'big guns'. At least in my experience. Did they culture the sinus...um...snot? What made him think doxy would work?

Is the ENT the guy who prescribed the doxy? Is he pushing for the scrape? Because, of course, you're not going to kill the microbes in a sinus infection with Doxy? The only reason I'm asking is my friends Spine doc refused to send her for PT and then noted her records as saying PT wasn't working and she needed back surgery and surprise, he did back surgery.

That itchy rash was a herx, IMHO. I'm betting AP would work for you if you ever decide to do it.

And you haven't been on enough abx to cause a 'flare' after they wear off, in my opinion, either. So - enjoy your remission!

Hugs,

Pip

Edited to ask - is that sulpha the antibiotic or the non-antibiotic?

Pip!2008-02-23 13:59:17Jesse, its funny you should say that because Cordy sent me an article she'd found on the power of being positive and I've just emailed her back along the lines of, having been pain free for 2 weeks solid, the old, annoyingly positive me has been back and I think that has had an effect on my RA too.....

Hubby is sat with me eating chips and says I shouldnt write I'm in remission when its only been two weeks.... I know this but my excitement is palpable and love him, after 25 years together and being my absolute rock since Dx in Dec 06 he wants me to be cautious.... he'll be the one to pick up the pieces. Thanks for your wishes.

Pip,

My GP is the one who prescribed it. I had an infection back in Nov 07 and was given mega doses of amoxycillin for 8 days, which didnt touch it unfortunately, it was the weekend when I finished the first lot so I went to our out of hours emeregency surgery and was prescribed 6 days of 1 a day doxycycline, which didnt clear it totally but made a dent.

The ENT consultant told me last time I saw him (after inserting a very tiny fibre optic camera up my nose and round under the eye.... and boy did that smart

I see my Rheumy on the 15.3 and on my list of things to discuss is AP. I have no ida what his views are on this but I'm at the low end of RA I think and am totally open to trying AP. The sulpha I take is the antibiotic one.

Thanks

Ok, you didn't mention that Amox...so that Doxy makes more sense. :-)

Just something to consider - if you do AP, I'm betting you're going to get the sinus herxes - sinuses constantly draining while you kill off any microbes hanging out in your sinus cavities. Some posts are...euuuuw! But, on the plus side, it will eventually clear, and you won't need the scrape.

Also - if you're on the sulfa abx, please tell me you're on probiotics - I can't remember who is and who isn't anymore. If you're not...that will definitely help preserve the flare-less state you're in now.

Pip