Botox injections...and other fun | Arthritis Information

Well, it has been a long week-and it is only Wednesday.

Went to the ENT for the followup for the sinus infection and walking pneumonia. He is absolutely convinced that I need sinus surgery. We had this conversation 5 yrs. ago, but he feels that it is really necessary now. He and the RD have been pulling me off the Mtx when I have the lingering infections, and especially with the pneumonia. Both feel that I need to stop going off for weeks at a time. I do have a ton of sinus infections, I just figured it was part of the packaged deal. Plus, I broke my nose in a rugby game-doesn't help. I am pretty against the surgery at this time. I did agree to the CT scan since I haven't had one in 5yrs. I then asked him to put the scans up for me and explain what he is seeing and what he feels is necessary. All he inflamation from the jaw isn't helping as well. Kinda like a "perfect storm". I have used the neti pot for a while, but dr. says the infection is too deep in the sinuses. I have the CT tomorrow-we'll see. Sinus surgery just wasn't even on my radar right now.

Next fun activity-went to the eye dr. on Monday. He is not happy at all. Says I have iritis in both eyes again. Not good. I go back next week for a followup there. He feels the Rituxan is not working. If he didn't know me, or my medical history, he said that he would have run blood tests since the iritis in both eyes is a hallmark of a sysstemic problem. He and I have a good relationship-he actually cursed when he looked at the eyes-like he is taking it personally. Love him...

Now for the real fun. Got botox injections for the jaw today. 4 on each side-temple on down. I asked the pain dr. if he was optomistic that this would work, and he said guarded optomisim(is that how you spell that?). Here is the real fun of the day....When he did the injections by the temple he said "wow, you muscle is really thick there". That is due to it picking up the slack for the jaw damage. He explained that it should be about 1/4 in thick, and mine was at least 1/2. Then he said "Do you want to know how I know this?" Sure, why not, right? He explained that he could tell by how far the needle went in before it touched the skull. AARRGGGHHH!!! Not what I wanted to hear!!! Apparently I got very pale when he said that-big surprise. He apologized-he thought I would be interested since I teach biology. Ummm...not when it is my skull! He also was not happy with the redness and inflammtion in the chest, so I got two injections there as well. I go back in 2 weeks to see how it is working. Basically we are trying to buy time before replacement is necessary.

So, I am frustrated to say the least. I think the eyes frustrate me the most. I don't know what to do regarding the Rituxan. As I have said before, maybe this is as good as it gets. I have had this since a teenager and I am 32 now. It just feels like everytime I turn around, somebody else is mentioning injections, surgery, something....I quit!!

Always got to end on a good note.....3 weeks from now it will be summer vacation!!!

Thanks for letting me vent. Do I need to pay you guys a copay too??? This makes me crazy to read. Woman, there are too many health issues going on; I don't know how you cope with this and work. You're wonderwoman and I guess you have a thick skull!! How soon will you know if the Botox works? I hope you get a break soon and get some strength back. Keep counting the days till the end of school. LindyThanks guys. This is not a club I really wanted to join...but it does have great members.

I have my CT scan @12:45. It's been kinda nice being at home. I am sitting in bed with the dog and watching St. Elmo's Fire. Haven't seen it in years.

Chest feels awful from the injections but I should feel tons better tomorrow. Pain dr. wants to do more imaging studies of the chest/ribs but I asked him if we could wait. I am super overwhelmed right now. He said he would send a note to the RD who I see in a month. But, if I end up in the ER for pain(which happens occasionally. The muscles spasm so I can get a breath) then they will be done then.

I just don't get it. I don't have all the expected manifestations of RA. Hands look good, feet good and so on. If I didn't have the bloodwork to back up the diagnosis, I would seriously question it. I am so tired of the "you are so intresting" comments from drs. I know I have tons to be thankful for. I have very aggressive drs and was diagnosed at a time where the new meds were coming out on the market. My pain dr. is very confident that the new meds out on the market may in fact be the key to not only putting RA is remission but curing it.

I am glad that the year is about over, but it does add to the stress load. I can't put anything off-it must be done now.

Rebecca, I almost missed this. I hope all went well for you yesterday, feeling any better today? I know how frustrating this disease can be, and it can all be so overwhelming. You have had more than your share for sure. I sure hope you get a break soon, I am thinking of you and your little son and hoping you have some truly good sunny summer days ahead. Don't worry about venting, it is what the board is for! Not much help from the Botox-dr. said it will take about a week to really feel any affects. My chest is still really painful-not fun. We did get out of town for the weekend. My college roomate lives in VA. Beach with her family so we went to visit.

ENT called yesterday and said he got the results of the scan. According to him they look pretty bad-are we surprised?? He did remember though that I wanted him to show me what he thought was troublesome before I just said ok. He asked if he could go ahead and refer me to the surgeon for the sake of time. If, big IF, I do this, it must be done this summer. I can't take off time from work. He said he had talked to the surgeon and had told him that I really wanted to sit and talk about all the possibilites. I do appreciate that he called-told him that it would be fine. He also sent the report to the RD. Appointment isn't until the 8th.

Thanks for all your kind words. I am not so overwhelmed this weekend. Getting away from home was a good idea. I almost cancelled at the last minute, but thought a change might be helpful. We spent a few hours at the beach this morning and will go eat along the boardwalk tonight. Tomorrow, the plan if to go to Busch Gardens. They asked if I would be up to it and I said yes. Knees actually feel good. Chest/jaw hurts regardless of the activity-so bring it on!!

Hope you are all having a great holiday weekend.

I think I need glasses... at first glance I thought the title of the post was "Buttox injections..." Very Funny!!!
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