This morning I arose from bed totally unaided (the first time that has happened in a very long time), walked without stiffness or effort to the bathroom, cleaned my teeth, washed my face, brushed my hair by myself (a real ‘big deal’ for me), and dressed right down to my socks.
Between adequate pain control and Enbrel this morning witness a new chapter in my Life With RA and its extra-articular manifestations. YES!
Congrats on your excellent morning! Mornings are bad enough without feeling the aches and stiffness. When I started Enbrel almost two years ago, it almost seemed like a miracle. I could move easily - what a relief! And still working now, with no side effects that I know of. I take Enbrel plus naproxen (and omeprazole), and all seems well. I just hope it stays that way.
I am beyond thrilled for you!!
LindyThat's awesome shug!Now that has to feel real good.........
Spelunker,
Woo hoo!
I had the same great results with Enbrel too.
...and the effects lasted all day long! It does feel so good to feel good, especially after this last 60 or so days.
I had labs drawn this morning and am anticipating some good reports. Quality of life is back.
Yippee!!! Double yippee. Hope you will have many more of these kind of mornings.
Wow, I am so excited for you. You had to of thought you were dreaming. Here's to many more pain free days!
Fabulous news! I'm so happy that you are feeling better
Excellent news Shug!
I did quite well on Enbrel as well. I had to stop secondary to continual infections, but I was able to move and felt really good otherwise.
Phats
So glad to hear this! Isn't it amazing how life can be so bleak and then turn right around? We must recall these moments when we are in times of little faith. Hope you continue to enjoy the feeling of wellness!I've not had my enbrel shots in three weeks....... I'm still feeling quite good.. just now getting a little stiffness and pain in my hips and fingers....
go SHUG!!!
I just received the best phone call I have received in years! LOL...my HD sessions have been reduced from 18 hours to 12. Those are some good lab reports to celebrate. And I am!
THAT IS TERRIFIC!! It is merely the beginning of more good things to come.Eight weeks (more or less) into Enbrel therapy and not only do I notice an improvement in my physical signs and symptoms, but I feel better all over than I have for a very, very long time.
I have a -strange- effect that I am not sure is related to the Enbrel, exercise, HD, or something else entirely: my joints itch, not the area around the joints and the skin but deep into the joints. It is a rather startling sensation and when I first became aware of it was awaken from sleep with the 'itch' deep in my ankle joints.
I am wondering if it is a response to a fluid shift in the synovial tissues...a sign of healing?
I don't understand the itch in your joints and not sure I want to. Doesn't sound too pleasant. It may just be a response to the synovial fluid dissipating. Strange but then this disease is strange. Have a great day. Lindy
[QUOTE=LinB]How are your RA labs doing?[/quote]
ESR is steadily dropping (although elevated by lab standards), as is CRP.
[quote] My first sign that Enbrel was working was the brain fog was gone. So happy that you can reduce HD...what a sense of freedom. Six hours is six hours you didn't have before. More time to enjoy the outdoors.[/quote]
Yes, the freedom of six hours in remarkable and your are absolutely right, the outdoors has restored my emotional and spiritual balance, and provides me with a sense of peace and contentment that is, well, it is indescribable. I am even relishing the afternoon time-outs spent in the hammock or on the glider. EVERYTHING is better when experienced withing and through the graces of Mother Nature!
I hope everyone is peaceful, comfortable, and content in and with life.
August has been a very good month for me. Enbrel + adequate pain control has restored a degree of quality of life that has been wondrous.
I have, alas, experienced some skewed lab results so have had to increase the total daily hours of HD. However, feeling well, being almost pain free, and being able to think, experience, participate, and once again know the caress of the breeze and the sun on my skin is, is, is superbly satisfying.
I send everyone who is less than comfortable, less than joyous, or less than pleasured with life my best hopes and wishes for a resolution.
Cheers, Shug
Hi Shug, I'm so happy that you don't have to deal with RA pain along with HD. It makes HD a little easier to do. I remember that aha moment when I realized that I could actually think and process information. That was when I realized that the biologics were working. Hopefully each month will bring additional good health. LindyI'm glad you're experiencing Enbrel relief, Shug. What is "HD?" I'm new here and never heard that term before. I hope it lasts for you. When my Enbrel kicked in, it even made my back feel better.
Hi Green~Tara (it seems strange to call someone Green Tara as her image sits on my desk, along with her counterparts), HD is rather clumsy shorthand for hæmodialysis.
Thanks for the well-wishes; can use all of those I can get.
Cheers, Shug
Awesome news. I am thrilled for you. You must be on cloud nine and rightly so. I pray that in the days and months ahead you will have much more if this.
Hi Shug,
I finally logged on after being off line for several days. I am thrilled to read about your good news with the enbrel! Here's to many more pain free days...HG
Thanks all! If I could I would cross my fingers that this streak continues without end.
[QUOTE=Spelunker] However, feeling well, being almost pain free, and being able to think, experience, participate, and once again know the caress of the breeze and the sun on my skin is, is, is superbly satisfying.
I send everyone who is less than comfortable, less than joyous, or less than pleasured with life my best hopes and wishes for a resolution.
Cheers, Shug
[/QUOTE]
Nothing like a dose of the outdoors to help restore ones faith in self and life in general.
Hope this continues as I hope that all can get to this stage.
Has the itching stopped??I'm so happy to read that you are doing well Shug. Wishing you continued improvement.
[QUOTE=wantingtoknow]Has the itching stopped??[/QUOTE]
Hi! not entirely, but it is more or less confined to my ankles and wrists, leaving the big joints alone, at least for the time being!
The RD assures me this is a common phenomenal and that it is especially prevalent with MTX: as the synovial fluid shifts there can be a sensation of increased pain, sometimes to the point that patients stop the therapy. Evidently what I describe as itching others describe as intense burning, or most commonly as an increase in joint pain. Maybe, just maybe that could explain why some folks complain of pain 24-48 hours after their weekly dose of MTX.
Thanks for asking. Cheers, Shug
[QUOTE=Lovie]I'm so happy to read that you are doing well Shug. Wishing you continued improvement.[/quote]Thanks Lovie, it is a daily adventure and the circumstances of the escapade can change on the proverbial dime.
Best wishes, Shug
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