O/T Return To The World - Long post | Arthritis Information

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My goodness, I don't think this little Kiwi has posted on here since the end of last year, although I have visited from time to time when I could have access to a friends computer.  I have had a lot of computer problems over the last 6 months, but fortunately they seem to be sorted at last.   My PC crashed, and I lost access to a whole lot of valuable stuff (my genealogy stuff) but a good friend of mine has been gradually able to recover nearly all of it, I'm so thankful, although it has taken a long time, and I have felt as if my arms and legs were gone!!!

I do have a laptop, but that was having problems too, so was without that for a long time too.  But now, all is well, and I now have something to do in those long sleepless nights.
 
I see there are quite a few people on here that I haven't met, so "Hello You". I can see I have a lot of catching up to do.
 
I have been really really well for the last 6 months or so, and I think a really good summer here has been responsible for that, and all my bloods have been within NORMAL ranges!  The last time I saw my specialist - in January,  he stated that he thought I was in a remission (wonderful word isn't it?). Albeit drug induced, it's been pretty wonderful to feel something like my old happy self again.
 
At that time, I was down to 8mg daily pred, 2 Plaq tabs Mon. - Friday, 7 Methrotrexate weekly, Folic Acid, Losec & Fosamax Plus.  While he said he wanted me to try and lower the Pred. again (the last 2 times I got below 5mg - the old story - massive flare which stopped me working and took over a year to get back under control), he said he would leave it at 8mg for a while longer to give me summer to stabilise etc.
 
Well, I not only stabilised, I decided I was feeling fit enough to take on something new - something that would give me plenty of walking etc, and also a chance to use my brain.  So, I did a Real Estate course at Polytech, got my qualification, got a contract with a Real Estate Company, and am now about to begin further in-house training.  So, I know that Real Estate sales ranks about as highly with the public as Car Sales, and dentists and Taxation consultants, but hey, what other job is going to give me freedom to work mainly from home., and at my own pace, plenty of fresh air, lots of people contact, and a bit of a challenge - thinking stuff.  Beats teaching!! Or sitting in front of a computer all day.
 
Today, I saw the Specialist again, still feeling fine and full of myself, bloods all fine, and he wants me to start the pred. taper again!!  Just when the cold weather is kicking in!!!  The reduction is to be much slower this time,starting with 8mg/7mg alternate days for 2 months (instead of 2 weeks as last time) them 7/6mg for the next two months, then 6/5 for the next 2 months. By then I will be due to see him again.  He also said, if any trouble, just hike back up to the 8 again, don't muck about!!
 
So there we go, feeling great, ready to start the taper tomorrow, I'm not too worried about this first reduction, I'm sure that's not going to present a problem, and feel quite confident that I'll get to 6 without too much hassle, and I'll worry about the under 6 when the time comes.
 
Well, there it is, my long happy story, and I just want to say - hey it REALLY DOES happen, and it can happen for you too!!   Don't throw in the towel, keep working at it.  2008 has just gotta be a better year for more that only me!! As for me- long may it last - I will enjoy every day of my "remission" - being sensible of course
 
And now, I'm off to try and meet new members, and see who's been messing with my mates (only joking
 
Lordy, what a ramble - it's a novel!!   Hope your eyes are OK!!  Good to be back!

Jeanne, its so nice to see you again, and wow things are cetainly going well for you which is great. Congtrats on the remission and the estate agents course that you have done, that will be an interesting job. Have fun with your remission I am sooooooo pleased for you

Nice to meet you Jeanne and glad that you are enjoying remission!  Goof luck with your taper!Welcome Back, Kiwilass!!! I have missed you and wondered where you wondered off to! Now I know... you wondered off to the side of the Remission Camp!  Glad to hear you are in remission! That is wonderful!
 
You sound very thrilled about your new adventure, real estate. I hope it works out well for you.
 
Good Luck on the pred taper!
 

Anyway, my son is coming shortly to move my computer and desk into my lovely warm lounge for the winter - gotta stay warm!!
 
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Hey, Kiwilass!!! Sounds like you have been having techno fun!!! Glad to see you back. Keep warm. Freezing over here too.  Hiya Cordy and thanks.  See you've been having a rough spin.  Hope things are looking up for you.  My daughter has just moved back here from Oz, and she's grizzling about the cold. Was even wearing a jacket during our fab summer!!   Can see I'll need to feed her up to put some meat on her bones - she will NEVER admit to having felt cold in Oz.  Go well!!Hi Jeanne, welcome back and at least you were doing something constructive with your time, so we don't mind.  Best of luck with the Real Estate business and the pred taper!  Keep up the good work and keep warm!  Regards Janie. Thanks Janie, it's good to be back.  Now all I'm waiting for is YOUR Photo to appear on that thread you started.  Brilliant!!  So nice to put faces to names!!Nice to have you back, Kiwilass!!Isn't it GREAT when someone who has went "missing" has come back?!
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