My Appts Today: A Wake-up Call | Arthritis Information

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I saw my neurologist and rheumatologist today. I told the neuro about my recent memory and word problems and he ran me through some questions/tasks which should have been nothing but which I found disturbingly difficult. He wants to me to do a sleep study to see if I have a sleep disorder that might be causing it, since I am so fatigued even when I wake up in the morning. He also thought it could be depression which also disturbed me since I have always been an optimistic, upbeat person. But I guess that would be better than having something else wrong with my brain.

 
My rheum said I am not getting better and the immuran is not working so she is putting me on cellcept.
 
Of course, when asked by my drs how I am doing I always say okay or fine. They both said that when they ask more detailed questions, that it is obvious that I am not fine! (In other words, I am great at denial). My rheum said she could tell just by looking at my skin that I am not fine. Well, what is worse, being in denial and getting up every day to get on with my life, or sitting around feeling sorry for myself? I can't seem to find the middle ground, which I guess would be acceptance and I don't know how to live that life.
 
Then they both said I need to think about working less. I just plain can't do that right now. Maybe by February. I am in charge of a large project at work that will conclude in January. The project is why I worry so much about my memory etc. I'm afraid I will screw it up. Plus my husband's job is being eliminated in October. We will be fine for quite a while, but I know that time can go by quickly.
 
Anyway, thank you all so much for your input this week. It really helped. I had very good discussion with my drs, even though I didn't like what I heard! And it is good that we are trying a different rx. Maybe it will work better.
 
Laker

Aww Laker I feel like that too! I had to quite the job I loved the most. Now I just sit in the house alone all day and feel sorry for myself. I want to go to work. I hate staying home. Yes I have my art and poetry but money is an issue now as we went from 2 pay checks to one and it will be 5 months before I get disability. The hardest part is the stress from worrying about money all the time and the DR. bills and RX's.

My rheum sucks and I am looking for a new one now. I am not accepting this well at all  

Joan I do so hope you find your middle ground and if you do, please tell me how.

Good luck to you!





I had to quit work too. I had my own cleaning business and was making good $$$$ but I just couldn't do it anymore. Plus I had a tendency to drop things and that didn't go over well with my customers. I like crafting and painting. You have to find some other interests. Read books, call friends, you'll find something. Or go do some of the things you like just take it easier and slower and take many breaks and you will find you can still do it. It just take some adjusting.

Good luck! Also, electonic games are fun. I have a yahtzee game I like. I also watch lots of those judge tv shows and game shows. I call my mom every afternoon and we play Crosswords together. It's a game show on tv. We have fun. She's home alone too and get bored so we have lots of long conversations and it has brought us closer. So it's not all bad.
I am sorry, Laker.  I do that too.... the answer "fine or ok", even when I am not. I think answer like that because I answer everyone like that, and just figure they really do not want to hear how I am doing... so those answers work well.
 
I know what you mean about the memory problem. Since that possible TIA, my memory has been worse. I am to the point now, that I doubt myself even more and I tend to cry when I think I missed something. Because I cannot remember most of the time or I say the opposite of what I meant. It is just upsetting for me.
 
I am sure you will find something to do with your time, when you are ready to work less.
 
Being in denial is part of this... it goes away over time. And sometimes it creeps back up.
 
Much hugs to you.
When I saw a neurologist he also wanted me to take the sleep study. I said no. RA makes you tired. If my RA is controlled I am not nearly so tired. I think they push that sleep study. Don't get me wrong....I think there's something to it; but I could tell my all the posters on the walls for the c-pap face mask thing that they really push that hard. Even if they told me I had a sleeping disorder I wouldn't wear that mask at night.....so what's the point.?
 
Not saying you shouldn't do that sleep study; just telling you my thoughts on it.
 
I'm not sure what all these meds are you're on; but keep in mind that a lot of medications can cause brain fog as well as fatigue. RA alone can cause horrible fatigue if not controlled well.
 
Hope you feel better soon.
Sounds like you are going through a tough stretch of road and have a lot of questions and few answers. Hope things get better for you soon. The not knowing is the worst part.I just wanted to say that it can be hard to find the right answer to "how are you?" (whether it's doctors, family, friends or coworkers) when they all expect a "fine".  Instead I have come up with my own answer that tells them I am not worse, but not better either..."the usual" or "hanging in there".Yeah, my dr has been pushing the sleep study on me. I am one of those people that can't sleep anywhere but my bed or recliner. Also, I couldn't wear those things on my face either. Waste of my time and money.
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