I started going to a chiropractor for pains here and there 20 years ago and now....
I've been battling with the realization of what is happening to me. In March when my fingers started to become numb. I'm thinking carpal tunnel....went to the dr. And he confirmed carpal tunnel from the "wrist tapping" thing....had the nerve test...same thing....carpal tunnel....I have worked in food service all of my life from the time I was 15 ( I'm 45 now) All of my career I have alway pushed the limit. Lifted more than I should....not asking for help and have been very active until sometime in March. I remember several years ago getting out of bed and my feet would hurt. I work on my feet so I didn't give it much thought. A year or so later my right shoulder began to hurt, more when I first got up in the morning then it would go away just like the pain in my feet.
Then in March the "carpal tunnel" started.....then I got knots...in the palms of my hands, on my leg. My blood work shows no ra or lupus. Finally got into a Ruiem... this month....I've been on Pred. since March with lasix to help w/ the fluid retentiion. I am now being put on Arava...haven't pick it up from the pharmacy yet. (Guess that part of the denial part it's been called in for 5 days.
It seemed as though it happened overnight. But as I think back all of these "flare ups' that have happened over the past few years. I woke up one day....and they were all there......all at once. I'm scared...I can't make a fist in either hand..Some days I can some I can't. If I don't take prednesone I hurt all over. The drug they want to put me on will affect my liver and I enjoy a cocktail after a long days work. It would be nice to talk with someone who understands. My boyfriend tries but I can tell he is losing his patience with my constant aches and pains. This is real and I'm fighting it like hell. Any words of comfort would be appreciated......hope I don't sound like a cry baby ..... i've learned alot from reading through this site....I took me a couple of days to post... hope it's a "good day" for all of you.
Cat; I'm on MTX and Humira and I have a glass of wine on a regular basis. Many here will blast me for it; but my RD follows my progress very, very closely and told me it was fine for me to drink in moderation. I don't over do it...but it helps me relax. The RD will check your blood work regularlly and catch any problems fairly quickly. Lots of people have problems with their liver because of meds...and most of those don't drink a drop. Granted it's an added risk; so that would be something you yourself would have to decide. I personally would not avoid the meds just because I enjoy an occational cocktail.
As for your Chiropractor question; I wouldn't advise it. You didn't mention if you were seeing a Rhumatoligist or not; but that's where you start. It's very important.
You sound just like so many of us when we first started out. It's not easy....but it will get better with proper treatment.
Welcome to the forum. We're glad to have you here with us. Jump in and join the descussions.
Lovie
Thanks Lovie for the words of encouragement. I started seeing a RA a month ago and he did the blood work for the baseline on my liver...checked for Hep B & C. I just keep wondering how I ended up with this..I guess everybody does.
I guess my question was if going to a chiropractor all of these years could have led to this? Or were the symptoms that led me to the chiropractor the beginning of the disease...I'm just wondering.
I took my first dose of Arava today....I usually have a couple of cocktails (or more daily) I'm a happy hour girl. My liver studies were normal...I've drank regularly since I was 18 (now45) I told my RA if my liver is normal bring it on cause it must be made of iron lol :) He wanted to put me on some kind of drug you only take once a week but you can not drink at all. I ask for something else. With my cholesterol and blood pressure high I'm having to give up salt, fat, smoking....etc. A girl just can't give up all of her vices at once.
But I realize at 45 I can't keep living like I'm 20....huh?
Thanks again
cat
You know, i take MTX at once a week, and i still drink every now and then. I was never a drinker and the doc asked if i drank, i said a little every now and then ( like 2 x a year) and he didnt say i could never drink! Im not a happy hour girl unless i drink diet coke, but i did go on pub crawl a few weeks ago and had about 4 drinks...
i havent died yet and been on these for about 2 years.
I don't know what MTX is but it might be what he wanted to put me on first. You take it once a week. He said it was a real strong med.
well, I'm gonna be having my liver enz checked every month. Like the Doc said, if they start going up then we are going to have to talk about the drinking.
Looks like I'm looking at some life style changes.
:(
just FYI, MTX is shorthand for methotrexate, usually given once a week.Yeah; I suspect MTX is what he's talking about. I've been on it for three years now; and although I drink less than I use to (Just grew out of the "Party" stage) I still drink a glass of wine or more everyday just about.
My liver has always been normal. Like I said; it would have to be something you would have to weigh out. My doctor is aware of my habits and didn't sound the alarm....so I just go with that.
Maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear; but like you I enjoy my evening cocktail. Most here avoid it all together; but since my doctor told me I'd be ok in moderation I have continued to do what I like to do.
If they ever detect a problem I will have to reconsider...so I'm in no way bragging about my success....and in no way recommending it to others here. Like I said before; it increases your risk of problems. I just wanted to share my experience because like you when I read that you shouldn't drink I wasn't too eager to start MTX. I have however had two RD's since being on MTX and both gave me the ok.
MTX has been the best medication prescribed to date for me. I spent years switching from one med to the next with little success. I have over the last 8 months had to add Humira; but I still think it's the one that's doing all the heavy lifting. Many are scared to take it; but I believe it's been a wonder drug for me.
Again: Newbies; I'm just reporting my expereince. Please don't think I'm advising any of you to drink alcohol against your doctors warnings. I just hate to hear of those that won't take medication just because they want their occational cocktail.
Cat,
I have been going to a chiro for a few years and she has helped a lot. I don't believe ra and chiro are related. From what I understand it is heritary, along with the memory loss, so do my spelling ability. Ha.
Iam on MTX, once a week, 7.5 mg. Tomorrow I go to the doctor and she probably will increase the dosage, as she mentioned it before.
As for drinking, I may want a drink a couple of times a year, all my doctor said was, not the day before, day of taking the med or the day after. Limit the drinking.
Just stay here with us and learn and get support from all of us. I know I feel better just coming the to boards and reading.
Mailady
Why didn't you ladies tell me the other day when I was so miserable Ah Roxy Go have an ice cold beer and pull yourself togetherI do however feel like you'll be fine. Just don't over do it; honestly if it relaxes you to the point that you might not need another pain pill I don't see how that could hurt.