seems all I do recently is complain....I am loosing patience with myself.
I am going to go try to clean the inside of my car...it needs it...and I need to keep pushing through this disease. I am tired of resting..hasn't helped.
How long does it take for Methotrexate to start working? I take Plaq and have for several months now. going to take my first dose of Methotrexate Monday.
My family is so sweet to me, but I feel aggravated by them....No good reason to be, but I can't put my finger on my emotions lately. This is SO NOT ME....
Hang in there Tink. I take MTX, but I am not sure how long it is supposed to take to kick in. For me, I had a lot of other things going on in addition to the RA, so my pain remains uncontrolled two years into this journey. But, don't be discouraged by that, everyone responds differently to medication. I am on Plaq, and Enbrel as well.
You cannot afford to lose patience with yourself, and pushing too hard through the disease may only leave you more tired, more sore, and more frustrated. The roller coaster of emotions that accompany RA are unending. There is a true process of grief that occurs on a continual basis, and that is not meant to be depressing. Through the process you gain more and more acceptance and are more willing to make the adjustments to adapt to your "new normal" way of life. I have been where you are and I understand. The big message I have for you is to not lose hope, and do not be hard on yourself. You sound like a very determined lady, and that sheer determination won't fail you. You just have to give it time and have faith that you have the wherewithal to endure this. It is very hard at first to conceive all of the changes that are happening that you have no control over. It makes you mad. It makes you sad. And yes, it makes you feel crazy too. There are a lot of heroes on this board who are here to help you. You learn what others have gone through, become a medical expert on the subject and have an instant support network that is second to none. So post away, ask away, and don't lose faith.
I hope you feel better. One last thing, have you considered the idea that you may have Fibromyalgia in addition to the RA? I found out this week that a lot of my uncontrolled pain is from undiagnosed Fibro. The pain from fibromyalgia does not respond to RA meds or opiads. Lyrica is a wonderful pain med for neuropathy. Heat is helpful for those shooting pains. I also love ActivOn Ultra Strength Arthritis rub for spot treating tender areas. I hope my words send some comfort and let you know you are not alone. I wish you relief this weekend.
Thank you. It helps to know others understand. The reality of having RA is really starting to sink in. I have always been very active , physically and socially. I just can't keep up with my old life. I swear my emotions are like on some crazy theme park roller coaster ride. Maybe my hormones are getting tilted a little to the nutty side.
I haven't slept well lately, I am sure that has some to do with this funk I am in.
I wish it was SPRING.....Things always seem so fresh and lighter. Maybe I have the winter blahs....
I wiped the inside of my car out and freshened it up. It makes me feel better I got that done. Jumped in the shower and now waiting for my DH to come home. He had some work to do today but should be home soon. We are meeting friends for dinner. thanks again Dawn.
Tink
I get shooting pains too. In my wrists, hands, knees, bottoms of my feet, etc.. Not all the time but enough that I have noticed it.
I was on MTX for a good 6 weeks with absolutely no result. It was not until a new dr. increased my prednisone to 40 mgs a day that I got better. So I am not sure when the MTX kicked in.
I was weaned down to 2 mgs prednisone over the course of a year. I started to have doubts about whether not I needed MTX etc...
I had my first flare when I had to go off my MTX for 3 weeks. It lasted 9 weeks and I don't doubt I need it anymore.
Your emotions will be running rampant....I have found the emotional part of this disease is much harder for me to cope with than anything else.
Hope you feel better soon.
For MTX to fully work may take a few weeks or more. I do remember that it did help my muscle pain pretty quickly. So if you are swollen it may take a bit of time. I did notice a big drop in pain with pretty quickly as I remember.
Feel better soon. Shooting pains can sometimes go as quickly as they came. I know that doesn't help any while you are having them. I hope tomorrow is better.
LOL! I am laughing with you, not at you or maybe at myself.. I am sure everyone can see themselves in your post. Being in constant chronic pain can definitely affect your mood.
I increased the things that bring me joy and keep them handy. At first, I tried staying busy using work to take my mind off the pain but then the pain interfered with work.
so now I have a good book handy, the book for this month is letters to my daughters by Maya Angelou, a drawing pad, coloring pencils, crayons and coloring books. I like to write poetry or short stories or write letters/prayers to God in my journal. Just keep the mind busy. Resting can be boring after awhile so I turn to those things. I feed the backyard birds and used to take pictures of them at the feeders, which I am trying to salvage those files on my computer. sometimes it helps to have fresh flowers near the computer or where I am going to spend a lot of time that day. Any "happy thing" that you call happy, to keep the mind positive.
I think it is 4 to 6 weeks to feel the affects of mtx. I felt it in 3 weeks. however, in my case it kept the flares at bay the daily pain was still there around a 7 or an 8. but with plaquenil combined maybe it will be less for you, everybody's different. did the doctor mention how long before you feel relief?
Either way, hope you start to feel better soon.
We all complain' that's the beauty of this site Tink. It's the perfect place to complain....we've all been where you are; some are still there. Don't be too hard on yourself.
MTX takes a little while to work well. My doctor has always precribed a little predisone to boosted me a little until certain meds take effect. I sort of remember you saying you had some; am I right? If so try it. You can just do it for a couple weeks and it will really help quickly. Once you start tapering off of it the MTX will have had a change to work. You'll get some of your energy back....but don't decide to go hog wild and over do it or you'll just end up regretting that. You'll feel like you can do almost anything; but resist the urge to do a spring cleaning or run a 10K.
Hang in there Tink. Brighter days are ahead.
I hope today finds you feeling better.
I was always told that it can take up to 3 months for the MTX to really make a difference. It is hard to be patient. If fact, I am the queen of impatience!!
Tink - I had to start laughing because you are going down the road that all of us in here went down before you. It is normal for you to go through the denial, anger, and finally acceptance of something you had no idea was going to come out of nowhere and strike you and completely change your life in a way you don't want it to be. Don't hold back, take out your frustrations in here with those of us who understand as we have all been in the same spot as you when we started out. This is a forum of support, and we are all pulling for you. Cathy
Thank the Lord I found this place. I swear I feel all out of sorts and it is awesome that NOBODY rolled their eyes at me and you all clearly understand what I am going through. It seems to help to type all my little bitches out on this board and not be judged but be totally excepted and understood. I really am not a Drama Queen....but it is this deep gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that has left me feeling all out of sorts. Things seem to be changing in my life and I am trying to find ways to "control" this situation I am in. I loved the ideas Shelly about finding things to occupy my time. Maybe I will look into a class of some sorts. I really need to get my BUTT back over to the Gym...they have a pool and I could make myself go . I know I would feel better.
Seem I have been saying this a whole bunch in my post lately....but AGAIN....
THANK YOU ALL. You guys are the greatest....
Tina
hey Tinker Tina,
hang in there girl, better days are ahead! Bitch, moan and groan anytime. That's what this place is good for!
Spring will be here soon. Warmer weather does wonders.
take care and I'm pulling for you!
Tink,
Occupy your time...well that didn't come out right. I meant them as suggestions for sanity savers. mostly for the mood. It doesn't help with the pain of flares. I would be famous if I knew the answer to that. but the sanity savers help a little and I am sure comes second nature to you, inexpensive things you can do in your own home. However a class sounds fun too. I remember being concerned my mood was changing and took the complaint to my doctor. He didn't have an answer for me just that comes with the territory of RA so I found these little things help me somewhat and being around loving and supportive people.
bestest regards:)
Hi Tina, just thought I would give you a little laugh, someone once said to me, try Yoga to help ease your pain and relax a bit more - so I did, and I relaxed so much that I fell asleep every time and snored - HOW EMBARRASING???? I never went back after a couple of sleep episodes, but boy it was relaxing . Janie.
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