Around 3 or so years now, been on all sorts of drugs, nothing works.
I have been on arava for close to a year now and still can't walk the stores due to horrible knee problems. My wrist is slightly better, but enough to not have to wear my brace all the time, same with my elbow, but i still can't lift heavy stuff, move them fast etc. or horrible pain happens.
My knees though are still the same. I am extremely overweight 255lbs. (went up 45lbs since deprovera shots, stopped taking them) and i know it is harder on my knees, but if i can't move, how can i loose the weight?
I am going bonkers, grandma just died, mom in law is in the hospital with a stroke and my husband is the only local family member to help her and he has to deal with me too. He never complains or acts bad in any way, but i still feel horrible about my body.
I give up... this sucks.
Call your doctor on Monday, you need help. I have lost a couple pounds this summer and I must say it helps the knees (nothing else though). Ask your doctor for a script for PT and get some professional instruction to help with the weight. They are good, kind and will help. Pred sucks as it does add the pounds. I can only say (since I am 20 pounds over weight myself) that finding something you like that is exercise will help, truly help. I'm thinking about the Wii, I've heard good things. You also need to find some spare energy for your husband, some how, some where. Call your RD and GP on Monday and make them help you.
You deserve a better life. oh sweetie, I'm sorry things are so bad for you. I think it's great that you have a loving and supportive husband, that's a big plus. If you've been on arava a year and it's not helping, it's time for rheumy to try something else and maybe give you something for the pain. When I was at my worst, I would walk in the mall because it was level, there were benches everywhere and lots of people in case I needed help. Hang in there and come vent anytime you wish. I'm sorry about your Grandma, mine died almost two years ago and I still think about her every day and boy do I miss her.
I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling so. That is great news that hubby is supportive.
But, don't give up. Get mad!
There are many combinations of drugs that may help you. Call the rheumy and tell him/her that you need more help; you can't live this way. If this rheumy doesn't offer alternatives, than find another.
I've been there. With my RA just out of control. You can get it back under control. Keep pushing. There are answers for you. You just need to find them.
((( HUGS ))),
Judy
Bubba -
What happened with your diet experiment? I thought you were taking gluten out? It didn't help?
Also, have you thought about aqua aerobics? That helped me lose a ton of weight. I've started again because I only got half way last time.
Hugs and more hugs and don't ever give up.
Pip
I agree with the above: you need to find another med. Time to move on. But don't give up. Never give up! You have a supporting hubby and family and I'm sure they don't want you to give up either. I'm overweight too, it's very hard. I know it sucks but there's gotta be something to help you. What meds have you tried? Call that rd and tell him what's going on and on something else. I've had this disease for about 3 years too and took many different meds and enbrel is doing pretty decent for me. Have you tried the biologics?
I hope you get this monster under control and soon!
take care
This sounds corny but, this evening I was watching the 3rd season of the Muppet Show with my 11 year old daughter, and one of the skits they did was a song called ,"My 'Once a Year' Day."
I started thinking how every day can be a celebration. A day to find something remarkable, something to be happy about. I was having a hard day, painful knees and fever- plus other things, and I was feeling like this day sucked. But I looked at the great things to celebrate- my daughter was home from being away for a week, and we watched the Muppets together.
I sound like a goof, and you're going through a lot ... A LOT, but are there things you can celebrate?
Don't give up!
I'm really sorry you lost your grandma. Shine on~
Thanks everyone for your kind words.
I did try the diet, glluten free didn't work (over 3 months) but dairy free worked a lot. Even though i can't do the walking etc. i don't ache all day when off dairy which is nice.
I feel stupid to the fact that I sit there and think that I am blessed with a beautiful teenage daughter who is a very good kid on the honor roll, but that quickly ends with the thought of how she loves being in band playing the flute and is usually the best in the cass (hasn't tested this year) and how i can't go up the stairs in the stadium to watch her play at football games and how i can't watch her practices, go to the concerts cuz of the stairs etc.
It seems when i try to think of the good, there is always some bad to go with it. Like my husband works at home but wants to work outside because we need the money, but he can't find one that is right because of my doctor appointments and my bad days when i need him home or someone else to take care of me (sometimes i can't walk into the kitchen and get food).
Year after year i kept thinking it will go away soon with meds. But it isn't. I am just so confused.
I can't take biologics because i have returning bacterial vaginosis and the people won't give it to me (humira) due to how the infections will grow fast. I have been on celebrex, mtx, arava, prednisone and others i can't remember but still no luck.
If i didn't have paxil, i don't know where i would be. I cried and cried and cried all the time before i got on it.
I am just having a sad time, but will feel more cheerful soon. With the family stuff, it just makes me worry.
My uncle never got his crohns under control and now he has part of his intestines removed. he never got the proper help either. And that is what put me in this mode.
Thanks again everyone. I will get past this soon.
So sorry for your troubles Bubba. Sounds like you just need some thime to grieve. Not only for grandma but for all you have lost because of RA. Give yourself a little time- we all need a little time to feel sorry for ourselves. Just don't let it go on too long.bubba - lots of big hugs - and some of us do understand. CathyThere must be a way to see your daughter play in the band, maybe rent a wheelchair? That way they will find a good space for you, maybe even along the side line.
What about Rituxin? It is not a biological and works on the B cells. What about time for another doctor if you think the doctor is giving up. Maybe Mayo? or big research place. They might find you very interesting.
I hope you feel better today, Azufladine is one of the milder ones but it has helped me.The only way to get into the stadium is to walk up a large amount of stairs, no wheelchair areas or ramps. Only other area i can bring a chair too is in the mud and way way way far off from the side.
I will check on more drugs with my doc soon. it is just driving me crazy not getting proper help.
rituxan is a biologic medicationHumira, Enbrel and Remicade are TNF inhibitors. Rixutan inhibits B-cells and was initially developed and marketed for treating lymphoma.
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