Guest guest Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Welcome Theresa! I was diagnosed with RA in late November, so I completely understand how your head is spinning. I've had FMS for three years and it's been one uphill battle to manage pain and to find a doctor who understands this complicated syndrome of pain. My advice to you is to read everything you can get your hands on regarding both RA and especially FMS. Knowledge is empowering. One of the worst things about illness is not understanding what's going on as your body betrays your young age. I'm 44 and I spent at least one year annoyed that I had been robbed of my energy and sense of well being. The 20 mg of Prednisone should kick in quickly and make you feel much better soon. My rheumatologist put me on 10 mg. initially and I was hopping around like the Energizer bunny. Sadly, she does not want me on it long and has already tapered me back to 5 mg. Two weeks after starting Prednisone, I went back and she taught me how to inject myself with Methotrexate. She didn't want me taking the pills because of the nausea factor (I have chronic gastritis from years of taking NSAIDS). The shots are easy, although I get a nasty headache the day after. I did great before the holidays but have been struggling since. I lost my job, which was a blessing in disguise, because my hands are really acting up lately, my neck and back went into spasm for almost a week and my energy levels have dropped. I think I'm in both a RA and Fibro flare, but I'm scheduled to return to my doctor in a week. One thing I plan on addressing with her is adding another medication to my " cocktail " and helping me distinguish RA from FMS pain. I know your diagnoses are scary. But there are lots of us on this board who are going through this with you. It's nice that we can empathize together. My best, Paige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Thanks. Right now I have to get through the grieving process. It's not been easy and I find myself getting short with everyone. I certainly don't want to isolate myself either. My hubby & I had a family meeting to explain what was going on. My kids have been great through this. They are worried but willing to help. The hubby has been taking over the house on the weekends. He was gonna make sugar cookies last weekend. I told him to cool his jets, that there was room for only one household diva! We are keeping our sense of humor. If I can't laugh at myself, things will get worse. > > Welcome Theresa! > > I was diagnosed with RA in late November, so I completely understand how your head is > spinning. I've had FMS for three years and it's been one uphill battle to manage pain and > to find a doctor who understands this complicated syndrome of pain. > > My advice to you is to read everything you can get your hands on regarding both RA and > especially FMS. Knowledge is empowering. One of the worst things about illness is not > understanding what's going on as your body betrays your young age. I'm 44 and I spent > at least one year annoyed that I had been robbed of my energy and sense of well being. > > The 20 mg of Prednisone should kick in quickly and make you feel much better soon. My > rheumatologist put me on 10 mg. initially and I was hopping around like the Energizer > bunny. Sadly, she does not want me on it long and has already tapered me back to 5 mg. > Two weeks after starting Prednisone, I went back and she taught me how to inject myself > with Methotrexate. She didn't want me taking the pills because of the nausea factor (I > have chronic gastritis from years of taking NSAIDS). The shots are easy, although I get a > nasty headache the day after. > > I did great before the holidays but have been struggling since. I lost my job, which was a > blessing in disguise, because my hands are really acting up lately, my neck and back went > into spasm for almost a week and my energy levels have dropped. I think I'm in both a RA > and Fibro flare, but I'm scheduled to return to my doctor in a week. One thing I plan on > addressing with her is adding another medication to my " cocktail " and helping me > distinguish RA from FMS pain. > > I know your diagnoses are scary. But there are lots of us on this board who are going > through this with you. It's nice that we can empathize together. > > My best, > > Paige > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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