Hello again | Arthritis Information
Back in November I joined b/c I was having suspicions of having RA. It
runs in my family so I'm pretty well educated on it but it took me about
5 months to finally go into the dr. Sure enough I was right. I have a
high RF and I just had my first appointment with a Rheumatologist a
weeks ago Wednesday. I am on Predisone and MTX. It has been an
interesting week with pain and feeling crappy. Today is a good day as
far as pain. It's my first day almost pain free in weeks. I'm already
getting a sinus infection and I think it's b/c of the meds and lowering
my immune system. I have 3 kids under 5 years old so it makes it harder
to stay away from germs.
I feel like dealing with RA is a full time job! I have never been good at taking vitamins or pills so I am trying SO hard to take them like I'm supposed to and so far I'm doing great. I have to take all my meds with food b/c of my gentle stomach and that has been hard. Being a mom of 3, a nursing student, and a full time CNA, eating for me is always on the run. This week I have done good with making myself sit down and eat, and take my vitamins with each meal.
I will take any advise anyone is willing to
give. I'm only 26 so I have many years to have to work with this. Thanks
for listening and I'm sure I'll run into you all sooner or later.
-Michelle-
I'm just coming in to back up SnowOwl's post.
I also use a pill organizer.. Two, in fact..
I have my day one.. and my night one......
snacky stuff.. apples.. bananas... celery w/ peanut butter... nuts... trail mix.... all that is in my diet daily......
hang in there with your immune system..i think that the meds and your immune find a balance in time.. at least I have.. the first year, I was prone to getting everything... but this year has been great..... *knock wood* and I've only had ONE short cold and NO infections!!
Hey there. I use pill boxes too. I have one for each day, around 28. I will sit down and organize as many as I have pills for. That way I know I will take all my vitamins, etc. Other wise, I will skip the vitamins. It has made it much easier. I also keep them in a lock box, with number lock, in the pantry to keep little hands away from meds. It is tough remembering to take everything. I thought I was pretty much a pharmacy until a lady at CVS told me she had someone who has around 27 medications each month. Wow OK, it made me thankful for what I do have or don't have to take, I should say.
Hi, everything RA is pretty overwhelming when first dealing with the disease. The advice you have gotten is really good, so I have nothing to add. It does get easier to remember as things become more of a habit, so hang in there!
Welcome back and all the best to you!
I also highly recommend a weekly pill organizer. I have one that has detachable "days" and each "day" has an AM and a PM side. If I'm going to be out and about when it's time to take meds, I can just put today's "day" in my purse or backpack. It takes less than 10 minutes to fill it up for the week, and then I don't have to worry for the rest of the week about whether I've taken all my meds. If the organizer slot is empty, I took them, and if it's not, I didn't.
oh and one more thing - with small kids in the house, I always keep my my meds locked up in a metal toolbox with a combination lock to keep the drugs in and the kids out.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com