I had to beg to get an appointment with my rheumy. I told them I was dang near suicidal and needed to see him desperately. Being with a HMO it is so hard to get in. They have a system where you can email the doc so I wrote him and begged. He worked me in. After seeing me he said it looks like I had hit rock bottom. I am not sure what he meant by that but I certainly know my body wasn't going to take any more. I shook uncontrollably and even found it hard to speak. Due to a virus which would not go away he had a month ago taken me off mtx and Remicade because my immune system was shot. Couldn't put me on prednisone because I am prediabetic. He went ahead and sent me to nurse treatment for an IV drip of a corticosteroid, 125 mg. Five or six hours later some of my pain was gone and I could function a little. Twelve hours later I was feeling just a little pain (except for a terrible headache evidently from the medrol). I had another twelve hours of glorious pain relief and now it is back but not so bad. He went ahead and put me on prednisone for a month and we will watch my blood sugar. He is starting me on Arava which he says is not so hard on your immune system. Also confirmed that I have fibromyalgia set off by the RA. All trapezius muscles and neck muscles were involved and spasming. I was a complete wimpy mess. I had not had that kind of pain ever and was totally miserable. My rheumy is very sympathetic and does try very hard to help me (when I can get through his watchdogs!!!). I hate this condition and truly believe it is going to torment me to death one of these days
Sounds like you have a good dr. So happy for you.That makes dealing with this stuff alot easier.
Don't let that pain get out of control now,you call that dr. or email him as soon as it gets close to what you were feeling before.
Take care Hun,
Sheila
We missed your posts!
I hope you feel better soon and if there isn't a clinic, go the ER. I've spent my fair share of time there.
When I read everyone posts I think besides the pain which I admit is worse than awful (personally, it takes over my brain cells so I can't think of anything else), I think it is the fear of not understanding what is happening to you that is even worse or maybe it's a combination. I only know I really hated it.
Obviously if I'm training for a marathon I am having some success. The meds have really helped me and I have passed the phases where I feel out of control and scared to death.
My endodontist told me the other day that there will be a cure for RA one day soon, hopefully in my life time and yours. I'll keep praying!
Cristene, I think you are so right. It is the NOT UNDERSTANDING what is going on and not knowing what to do to make the pain and fatigue just go away. That is the worst part. RA should come with instructions