I'm not really new to RA, just this site. Looks like nice people here. Yesterday I cleaned my house and today I am paying dearly for it. The more I do the worse I feel and I am so sick of it. Last night I got up after laying in bed watching TV for a couple hours and I thought I was gonna die.
But any way, these two canibals were eating a comedien and after taking a bite of a leg the one canibal asks the other canibal, "Does this meat taste funny to you?"
I have come to accept that I have a different life than I once had. I know I have limitations. I take 20mg MTX weekly and of course folic acid. I have pain pills and I use them. I just need to know that I am not alone.When I got up to 17.5mg of MTX my doctor insisted that increasing it more wasn't really going to help me. We added Humira. Eventaully I did increase my MTX all the way up to 25mg; but with the Humira it worked all that much better. Has your doctor mentioned using a biologic? It might just be the wonder drug you need. It has been for so many of us here. They sound really scary; but it just might give you back your life.
Hope to see more of you here.
Again; Welcome!
I definitely have trouble moving if I'm in one position too long. Lovie is right on with the medications helping. You have to get the mix right.
But a lot of us do have problems getting up. I feel like everything just gels. Start with stretching slow while still in bed. Get up easily and let yourself balance. I have bad knees so this is really important.
Also, get some kind of exercises going, PT or water therapy. Sometimes, you need help getting your body back into normal movements. RA kind of sabatages how your muscles and joints work and you have to retrain them to work right again.
Also, learn to break your activities down into smaller pieces. It's hard to do but you'll find you'll be able to accomplish a lot more in the long run. Think of yourself as the tortoise now instead of the hare. Rabbit races along but still doesn't win the race. No, it is the slow plodding of the tortoise. Rest between activities. Plan for it and stick to it as much as possible. Even 15-20 minutes of rest can make a huge difference in how you function the rest of the day. But don't be afraid of needing 1-2 hour naps. There are times we just need them. That's when your body is trying to regenerate itself. If you'll just break down and take the rest, your body won't keep putting itself into overdrive and causing yourself a flare.
It's a shame that every little thing we do comes with a price. Definitely teaches us to prioritize, doesn't it? You have to REALLY want to do something, because you know you're going to suffer for it afterwards.
You should see me when I get out of the car or stand up from sitting in a restaurant.. I slowly unfold. If it didn't hurt so much I'd be laughing my butt off.
The worst is my right knee, it sounds like a shotgun going off and I can feel it rearranging its anatomy.
I am on Remicade every month, MTX every week, tramadol every 4 hours and vicodin once in a while.
you have to learn just what will trigger the worst pain and try to avoid it. For instance I MUST change positions about every 10 minutes, otherwise I'm going to gell and hurt.
Just want to say welcome! I haven't been able to walk with out a walker since yesterday so you are at the right place with people that understand your pain.Hello and welscome! Today it is hands and rt shoulder hurting the most. We are all the same and yet all a bit different. We keep on keeping on. Happy Super Bowl Day! Since I don't know much about football, I am going to watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet at 3pm CST. Cheers! Pat
Welcome! You've come to a great place for support and information.
Lovey, Deanna, Fion and Kathy have really good advice for all of us to follow:knowing our triggers, prioritizing ...
I'm on MTX, too. My rheumie also put me on an NSAID and low dose prednisone. I do find that the prednisone helps with the pain while the MTX slowly kicks in. I have 5mg and 1mg pred tablets so that lets me fiddle with the dose. That way I have control... I'm not taking too much if I don't need it. This might be one route to go.
When I was working and raising little ones, it seemed I was always on overdrive, trying to be super mom. But a year on sick leave made me realize that it wasn't necessary or good for my health to keep trying to do it all.
Please take care of yourself and try to do things in little steps. And do stay in touch.
Judy
Can we find a Nick Name for you? Disgusted seems so sad and negative; it's going to be our goal to help you not feel "Disgusted"
hi Disgusted......i hope you have better days soon!
CinDee
Just curious..
CinDee