...like painting over rust | Arthritis Information

 

Hi everyone,  Day before yesterday I had an appt with the rheumatologist.  Yesterday I had to see the eye surgeon for cataracts caused by the prednisone.  Also, I had the stitches taken out of my wrist (ganglion cyst).  Today I see the cardiologist.  Last week  , I saw the hematologist for anemia caused by no telling what. He had referred me to the whatever you call the colonology guy who said things were fine.  I am "ologised" to death.  It occured to me that treating me is like painting over rust.  They get one place fixed and it shows up somewhere else.  I'm not whining.  Just an observation.  I'm thinking I'm not going to like getting old. Another thing, I couldn't help but notice how close "ology" is to "ulogy".

Amazingly enough...I feel pretty good right now.  I'm at 6 mg of prednisone.  Doing better than I have in a while.  I'm excited about having my cataracts removed so I can see what I've been painting for all these months.  I just hope it's realism and not abstraction.  We shall see.  Hmmm.  No pun intended 

So, life is good right now.  I hope it is for all of you.  Love

Betsy.

So glad to hear that you are doing pretty good right now. Years ago, a friend and I used to joke about how our version of a "good day" is so much different than most folks'. But glad to know things are better, and that you are down to 6 mg prednisone now. Hopefully the "good" times will last and get even better.

I finally had enough hassling with that darned plantar fasciitis (beginning to wonder if that's really what it was) and went back to my PCP for a cortisone shot. I didn't realize that she doesn't have the kind with the novocaine included like the podiatrist I saw ages ago for same condition. My, did that hurt, and then she had to wiggle the needle around to make sure it got to all the spots??? I was "Ow, ow, ow-ing" all through it and then apologized. She said I "took it like a man". Hmm.... got to thinking about that afterwards and wondered if it were a compliment or not, since men can be wimps sometimes. I prefer to take it as a compliment. Anyway, the day after the pain was so bad I could not walk. Was ready to get a wheelchair or crutches - ended up spending most of the day on the couch. Thankfully by the 3rd day, it was better. Still not quite right, but I can at least go on my walks again. I will recommend to that dr. to start including the novocained for further cortisone shots.

I see my rheumatologist next month and think I will tell him I probably don't need to see him until next year when it's time for another DEXA scan. Wonder how my sed rate will be this time. Guess mine is just naturally kind of high.

Take care. Good to see you on here with some good news.

Hi Reni, So good to hear from you.  Wow! You're having a terrible time.  That sounds awful!  You mean you got shots in your feet? 

I got a shot in my shoulder this week at the rhuemy's.  I've never had one before but it wasn't bad at all.  I put ice on it for a couple of days...but feet...I don't think I could stand that!

I have a good freind that has neuopathy and her feet kill her all the time.  That must be a really bad thint too.

I hope you get  a breather soon too, girlfriend.  I just relish the days when I feel good, as we all do.  I'm excited about going to NY over Mothers Day.  Something fun to look forward to.  Thanks for the post.  Love

Hello Betsy and Reni,,,you two are something else with all your pain --what great attitudes you both have, enjoy reading your comments.

Oh Betsy I love NY, we went for our 50th anniv. and I look forward to going back anytime, hopefully soon.  What a wonderful place, people, shows, restaurants, just everything.

I'm still going for acupuncture weekly for neck pain, seems to help a bit but still OOOFFF pred. since Jan 2/07 after 18 mos.  Only take ibruprophen, thank God, getting around better.  Our weather has been so cold, rainy, wind goes right through you, warmer for to-morrow.

Take care both of you and will keep in touch...regards

Rose (nova scotia, canada)

 

 

Rose, It is great to hear you are feeling so well.  You were having a terrible time for a while.  What happened?  Did the acupuncture help a lot?

We're going to NY over Mother's Day.  I love it, too.  Just myself, my sister from Memphis, Tenn and a couple of friends.  My favorite thing is just walking down Broadway.  Maybe we'll run into the Naked Cowboy.  He is such a hoot.  My sister has never been to NY, and that would be so funny.  That's what I love.  Just all the craziness! We have tickets for Wicked and Mama Mia.  I've been wanting to see Wicked for 3 years. 

I'm so glad you're better and sound so happy and chipper. God bless you and keep doing whatever you're doing.  Love

Rose-

You give me hope as I am tapering down on the prednisone. My body is screaming for more now that I'm down to 10 from 12- body aches and total exhastion 'flu-y'. How did the taper go for you? How long did it take for you to get down on it?

Are you plagued by headaches as well?

Really helps to hear from fellow PMR buddies.

Karen Rose

Dear Rosey,  At first I really thought that the total exhaustion was related to the inflammatory process of PMR, as it seemed worse when the pain was worse.
Then I had the exhaustion and just wanting to sleep, without too much pain.

Then I thought it was the methotrexate( I was on 30mgms IMI weekly) so asked if I could reduce it ...Then I had a really  bad 6 days. I did not reduce it at this stage.

Then I had 4 good days and went away to stay with my sister.
She lives looking out at the ocean, I had no responsibilty, nothing I had to do, she cooked the dinner, I read and looked out at the ocean. I did not do a swim squad for 3 weeks. I did not attend a yoga class for 3 weeks. I did not walk my dalmation dogs. I did not do any house keeping for 4 days.

i came back home and have had 3 wonderful weeks and 2 weeks ago i reduced the meth. to 25mgm

The last 3 days, the fatigue is starting to kick in. lots of elderly family needs and many responsibilities. you all warned me!    BUT...I have learnt that our bodies and minds NEED REST, and it is so hard to stop fighting this PMR and let our minds do it for us. I am still OK but would like to be isolated from day to day stuff again.

Love to all....... on all continents and islands....zali

Zali, You are so right.  If I didn't have to do anything at all, I would have little pain.  Stiffness, but not pain.  Doing anything at all that is a little stenous or doing anything for too long caused pain for me.  They say moderate exercise is good, but it has to be almost nothing for me.  I think if I just sat around and got up and stretched every once in a while I would be much better off.  But, who can do that? 

Hi Rose, I am at 6 mg,started at 20 14 months ago..  I was at 5mg and the pain and horrible stiffness and fatique was just too much.  They uped it to 7mg.  I stayed there for a month, now I'm back to 6 and doing ok so far. 

My rheumy said this is common with the lower doses.  We try to go down 1mg a month.  When we have a problem we go back up a couple of mgs., but never back up to say 10 mg for me.  She said it may take all of this second year to accomplish that.  I'm doing really well right now.  I started having trouble at 7mg and didn't say anthing until I got to 5.  I want off so badly.  But it just got too painful. No,  thankfully, I never had the headaches.   Love you

Hi,

Interesting to learn that several of you are having more pain once getting down to 7 mg of prednisone. That happened to me, too, but I kept on tapering, as I didn't want to be on pred. any more, and the doctors didn't want me to stay at 7 indefinitely. Sounds like a lot of you have way worse pain that I did, so it must be really hard for you to do the taper. And, yes, it would be SO nice if we could all just "check out" from our responsibilites for a week or so from time to time, but thta's not going to happen. Life goes on, and we all have things we have to do. I learned after a long time just to let some things go. They weren't that important. Even the major things caused me to hurt or relapse when I had PMR. My husband always asked, "Do we need to get you a maid for the housework?" Bless his heart. I'm too stubborn, and push on through. Figure since I'm not working outside the home, I ought to be able to at least do the housework.
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