I hate to say it but I'm already pooped. In fact, I went to work today and lasted a total of one hour. It's probably a combo of things such as my rheumy increased my mtx at my last appointment and Sunday was my first day with the new dosage. It always takes me a week or two to get through the dizziness and tiredness of the dose.
I was disappointed with the doc because he had told me we would try something new such as Enbrel and I was hoping to find some magic energy but he changed his mind and decided to increase my mtx and of course, keep the old predisone handy (I call them fat pills) for my next uncontrollable flair up.
My problem is that I get a lot of ideas of things I would like to do but the body can't keep up with the brain.
Saturday is our long walking day and we walked for a whole 55 minutes. That shouldn't deflate anyones energy but this is my problem. Anytime I do something just a little out of the ordinary - such as push myself with NORMAL exercise that anyone and everyone should be doing I get tired, gell and have joint pain. In fact, I start running a daily low grade fever which I am currently doing. If it doesn't stop within a week, I'll have to call the rheumy and he'll tell me to start swallowing the fat pills.
Last night I decided to buy a DVD on Iron Yoga. I did Bikram Yoga for a year and really liked it. My only problem was handling the heat. I couldnt' do it anymore because of cost. The Iron Yoga I can do at home.
Last week I went to a seminar held by the Arthritis association. A rhuemy came in to talk about hands. I am officially dx'd with RA but I am not typical. I don't swell. I only gell, have pain, run low grade fevers (sometimes) and have a problem with energy. I asked him why 20% of RA patients don't swell. His response sounded like if you don't swell, you don't have RA. So here I am again doubting my dx.
I watch Diagnosis Unknown on the Health Channel. I can't help it. I feel so like those patients who have problems but no one knows why. It is really frustrating to not know or understand.
Does anyone else question their dx or is it just me? Some of my symptoms fit so well but not all.
I'm supposed to take a short walk tonight but I believe it would be best to take the day off but I haven't given up yet. I still walk and next week we get to walk for 70 minutes. Yippee! Wait until we increase the hours for the 1/2 marathon which is my goal. I just want to be able to accomplish this one small goal without falling apart.
Sorry for the long drawn out message but it helps me write it all out and I get comfort from reading about everyone else and hearing the responses.
Take Care Everyone and Try to Stay Healthy!!!
CHRISTENE....I LOVE YOUR POSTS AND YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO ME. AS FAR AS SWELLING, THE ONLY PLACE I GET SWELLING IS MY HANDS. NUCKLES HURT AND CAN'T MAKE A FIST. YEA, I WAN TED TO TAKE THOSE "MIRACLE DRUGS - THE BIOLOGICS". THE ONES THAT WOULD "CURE" MY RA OR SO I THOUGHT. SINCE I HAD TB EXPOSURE, MY RHEUMY WON'T LET ME TRY THEM. NFOR ME THE CHRONIC FATIGUE IS WORSE THAN THE PAIN. HATE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THIS DISEASE. HOPE YOU MAKE IT THRU THE MARATHON. HAVE A GOOD EVENING!Cristene,
You're pushing your body to do things beyond its capability. You're trying to act as if you don't have RA. You are officially in DENIAL. If you would back up and let your body get the extra rest it needs while you are adjusting to the higher MTX dose you might start to feel better.
MTX is a good drug that has helped many people. It takes awhile for its effect to be felt. You may need to take prednisone for awhile to help during this transition. I know all about the prednisone weight gain problem. I also hate to take it, but I'm taking 10mg daily right now. I'll get off it as soon as I can.
There is no magic medicine that will make you feel like you did before. Oh how everyone here wishes that were true. You might want to wait awhile before doing any race. Wait until you are feeling better and then start very easy, work up from there and see how it goes.
I'm sorry if this message is a downer. But, if you don't take care of your body now, any damage that is done to your joints will be permanent. I don't think you want that to happen. I hope you'll continue to post.
Barb
You are totally an inspiration to me to! It is so awesome that you are doing a marathon. That is something I've always wanted to do but just assumed it was out of the question. I totally understand where you are coming from when you say your body can't keep up with your brain! That is a perfect way of putting it! There are so many things I want to do and try, but my hip doesn't seem to agree. What is Bikram and Iron Yoga?? One thing I've learned over the years ( I am 24 and was dx w/ JRA at age 8) is that you have to stand up to your docs and trust your own gut instinct. Usually when my doc and I disagree about something I end up being right. Its your body and you know how it feels! You need to come to a point when you are satisfied with the answer you get, so you can have some peace of mind! Even if it takes 10 more doc's opinions:) Two years ago I had a hip replacement and since about 6 months after the surgery my PT and I have been telling the doc something was wrong; it kept hurting more and more. He kept insisting everything was fine, because that's what his x-rays said. but, that's definitely not what my body said! Eight doctors and two years later, I finally figured out what it was-all by myself on the internet! My doc confirmed it with a CT scan and I am finally on my way to Mayo Clinic and an answer to all this! But, that's just an example. I knew what my body was telling me, even if it disagreed with the doc. I am more at peace with the whole hip thing right now then for two years, even though I have to have the surgry re-done. Best of luck to you, and love hearing the marathon updates:) Nichole:) Barb, you are right. I am pushing myself. As far as denial is concerned, I guess I just don't understand my symptoms so I have doubts about my dx. I'm 43 and have had problems since I was 4. I've seen so many doctors that it isn't even funny and the most common comment I get is that I look normal. Well, that is great but we all know how we feel inside and while I'm grateful that I look normal (whatever that is), in my heart, I know something isn't right. I always figured that I wouldn't know until my autopsy. I sure hope I get to hear the results. I am trying to rest because I know it is essential but I still don't want to give up and become a couch potato. Since my dx, I have sold my two story house and bought a one story and the halls are wide enough for walkers, wheelchairs, etc., if ever needed so I guess I'm not unrealistic to the future but I suppose you could say I'm fighting the dx. Some would call that denial; I'm not sure what I call it other than crazy on some days but I have to try. Thanks for the reply. I always appreciate another insight. Cristene; sometimes the swelling isn't extemely obvious. For me; you can see it easily in my hands and knees....but my doctor points out swelling my my elbows and hips and breast bones that I can't notice myself. I mean; when my rings won't budge I know I'm swollen...but my hips have so much cushion on them anyway how can you tell? I know when I've got pain; but not always swelling even when it's there. Does that make sense? I went through years of denial just like you. I'm 11 years into this now and I finally just decided to accept it as truth. I would ask my doctor's almost every visit "Are you sure it's RA?" and the answer was always the same...without a doubt. I just decided I already had enough physical problems I didn't want to add mental problems to that as well and that's exactly what was going to happen if I did't stop questioning everyone and everything. I can't ignore the way I feel and what's happening to my body anymore. Once you accept it it's easier to cope I think. Good Luck with your training...but like Barb said; please don't over do it. Sometimes vigerous training can really have a poor effect on someone such as yourself. You shouldn't just "Push through the pain" like another person in training might do; the pain is a warning signal to you. Don't ignore it ever. Lovie Nichole, Bikram yoga is hatha yoga done in a heated room. It is supposed to help warm up your muscles and joints and make it easier to move. I agree that it does but when the temp gets over 100 degrees, I feel faint. Unfortunately that seems to be the preferred temp for most participants. I'm just not that tough. I can handle 90 to 95 which is still hotter than I like but for 90 minutes, it isn't too bad. I haven't tried Iron Yoga yet but it is hatha yoga (hatha yoga has many poses and each style, such as Bikram, is based on Mr. Bikram's personal preference to poses and the order in which they are performed. The Iron Yoga still uses Hatha poses but uses light weights (2 to 5 Pounds) that you hold to help build muscle. Basically you are working on balance, flexibility and weight resistance all at once. I like the idea of combining the two in the hopes of saving time. I still work full-time, have one child still at home, etc., and usually when I get home, I'm beat. My rheumy is very encouraging when it comes to exercise and he supports my attempts. Unfortunately, my lack of time makes all of my exercise attempts sometimes hard to meet. On top of it all, I like to cook and healthy food is something I like to challenge myself with but it does take more time to prepare than a box of some prefab, high in sodium, fat, etc. items.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com