Greetings!
I wasn't feeling all that great lately. Went to see the R-doc (rheumatologist) on Wednesday. Told her the low dose steroids had been messing with my sleep but that was just annoying. The swelling in my hand goes up and down depending on how much I use it. So basically all was going okay. Dr. Goering believes what I have is seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Basically acts like RA but doesn't show up in the bloodwork. She wanted me to start on a weekly dose of methotrexin which is commonly used with autoimmune diseases. Takes 4-6 weeks to kick in apparently. I would stay on the steroid in the meantime. I need bloodwork done regularly because this methotrexin can mess with your kidneys, etc. The dosage of the methotrexin can be increased slowly...or decreased. So I will be seeing her regularly.
I have to go in to have bloodwork done before her visits. I go to the lab July 10th and then I have a visit with her on the 15th. It will be my very first virtual visit! Leah is going to be here and help me figure out how that is done. Have any of you had virtual doctor visits? Sounds great to me!
I spoke too soon about things going okay with the steroids. There was a reason I was feeling off. During the night Thursday night--rash again! Not the blood red rash and not as large an area, but dark pink with blisters. And by Friday cramping and diarrhea. So no more steroids for me. Even the tiny dose I reacted to eventually. *sigh* I really, really hope I don't react to the methotrexin and that it can help with the inflammation and swelling. Time will tell, eh?
Allie hopes I get to feeling better, too. :)
12 comments:
I hope your doctor can get everything straightened out for you. I like your spring shower curtain.
Botht he links worked. Oh my word on the "Rape and Love" post. I had no idea and I'm so sorry you had to go through something like that. What a traumatic experience.
I can take prednisone as needed for a flare I take 20 mg daily for 3 to 7 days. I do okay with it...I do have more energy and feel better for that 3 to 7 days:) I could not take Methotrexate...it made me very short of breath. Glad you got a diagnosis. I do Virtual appts all the time with the RA Dr...better than travelling to Fargo for a ten minute or less appt.
I'm with Ann, I hope your doctor can get it all straightened out for you. And those virtual appointments sound like a great idea. Much love. ❤️
Rita i just hope you get to feeling better all the way around girlfriend... I hate to mention that i've been sick too... uugh... just a bug of some kind.. stuffy head, cough... sore throat.. blech... but i'm coming out of it finally.. now i have to dig myself out of housework and yard work.. hubby took good care of ME but not necessarily the house work...lol take care my friend.. feel better! Hugs! deb
Rita, it seems you have been having up and then down days. The reaction from the steroids wasn't at all pleasant sounding and hopefully there will be a workable substitute. I have never had a virtual medical appointment.
I went and read rape and love and it made me thing no no no what a horrible experience you went through.
I have two visits with my neurologist twice a year once in person and once via telehealth as in a video call
Hi Rita. There are a lot of people who actually have autoimmune but it never shows up on the blood work. Most doctors and rhumeys dismiss it and tell the patients they are not sick. It sounds like you have a good rhumey. Thank goodness. Sorry about the steroids. What dose she have you on? There are different types of steroids for autoimmune. Love your shower curtain. About the question. I honestly can't remember any disappointing experience that is now a blessing. I think we all have had many disappointments, it's how we handle them. Anyway, I hope you get well soon. Hugs, N.
How very frustrating, Rita. I'm so sorry the steroids are having an adverse effect and I hope they can get things regulated so that's a thing of the past. It sounds pretty miserable. Hang in there.
I just read "Rape and Love." Wow. I cannot imagine the terror but I think whatever you said made enough of an impact that you were released. I have no words, Rita, apart from being so sad and sorry that this experience was part of your young life.
I know I've had plenty of disappointing moments and probably some that worked out for the better but I can't think what they were. You sure are having some troubles right now. Hoping the new med does the job for you. Also, hoping the shelving units were put up. I will read your link later. I know I'll need to sit with it for awhile.
The shower curtain is pretty. I don't know if such a thing as a normal reaction exists in response to trauma, especially something as painful and frightening as your experience. We all have to deal with it in our own way. You are a very special soul to be concerned for those men and what would happen to them. If they had killed you, they most likely would have been caught, and at that time, one or two of them might have been given the death penalty. If they hadn't been caught, they would have lived with a terrible knowledge and perhaps would have even felt guilty for what they did as they grew older. We'll never know, and I'm glad of that. I don't want a world without you in it.
Love,
Janie
This post has just now shown up, which is why you haven't heard from me. Now I understand the later post, and I'm glad the new meds are not giving side effects so far.
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