Re: hip xrays show bone on bone...

May 21, 2006

Hi Ebony~

I read your post and I'm so sorry for your difficulties. Sometimes we just

need a paradigm shift to ease our minds and take the pressure off.

I work with my hands too, in fact, I work with my whole body and so I fear

the day when I can't work - Because I love what I do....... It's much better

to bow out on your time schedule than to be forced when you're not ready.

So, I understand your fear. You're certainly not alone Sweety!

But, maybe it's time to start thinking about what you CAN do with your

current distractions. I'm currently going through a diffucult period that

can only get worse, I'm afraid. A series of infections that started back in

Dec ( I started HUMIRA in Oct and stopped it in Feb -- was also on remicade

in the past for a year) continues.......I just had four different cat scans

last night! YIKES!!! Yep, on a Sat night after working 10 hours!! My thought

processes have immediately turned to what I can do, should I become disabled

sooner than I'm planning for. So, for me it will be writing. I already write

about politics and have been published several times........But now I need

to set up the infrastructure for writing in some capacity that I can get

compensated for!

I've read your posts and I've noticed that you have a huge heart and care as

much or more about the well being of other's than yourself. That's a

powerful and much needed talent. Have you thought about being a care giver

in some capacity? You're also very articulate and have the ability to convey

thoughts and feelings very softly and clearly - and these are just the

talents you have that are obvious from your posts - something tells me

that's just the tip of the iceberg with you!

With regard to your options -- think about them and do the right thing. The

right thing is not always the easiest route but we usually know what the

right decision is. Will surgery eliminate the need for some of the toxic

meds?

I'm thinking about you Ebony!

IAN

[ ] hip xrays show bone on bone...

My recent visit to the doctor was not what I expected to hear. Bone

on bone for both hip joints which explains why I was having so much

pain I guess. I was given my options, was told medicines wouldn't

change the pain and only painkillers could maybe help some but not

completely. The hand xrays looked similar and was a big

disappointment since I need my hands for work. He said functionality

to the hands would not likely be restored with surgery and didn't

really offer a lot of alternatives for the hands. I told him I think

it was the Enbrel and that the Remicade didn't help. I noticed

extreme pain with Enbrel injections but I was also taking prednisone

at the time so not sure... Still waiting for liver enzymes to come

down.

Even though I insisted on being weaned off regular steroid use, I was

always given Medrol and the injections for years and feel they also

contributed to loss of function in the hips. Other than that, not

sure why the RA went after the hips so aggressively other than the

Enbrel and steroid use. I do know sitting and standing have become a

chore. Have you noticed everywhere you go, doctor's office, dental

office, movie theater or any event of any kind the chairs are

extremely low to the ground? Maybe they just look that way to me.

Will most likely take a breather from the boards until I can be back

to my old self again. Not sure if it is the news about the hips or

the prednisone that has me not feeling like myself.

best wishes to everyone, take care.

Ebony

May 21, 2006

Ebony, i a so sorry to hear your sad news. This is a terrible disease. I hope

you get a miracle soon and will feel better.

Betsy in Houston

>

> My recent visit to the doctor was not what I expected to hear. Bone

> on bone for both hip joints which explains why I was having so much

> pain I guess. I was given my options, was told medicines wouldn't

> change the pain and only painkillers could maybe help some but not

> completely. The hand xrays looked similar and was a big

> disappointment since I need my hands for work. He said functionality

> to the hands would not likely be restored with surgery and didn't

> really offer a lot of alternatives for the hands. I told him I think

> it was the Enbrel and that the Remicade didn't help. I noticed

> extreme pain with Enbrel injections but I was also taking prednisone

> at the time so not sure... Still waiting for liver enzymes to come

> down.

>

> Even though I insisted on being weaned off regular steroid use, I was

> always given Medrol and the injections for years and feel they also

> contributed to loss of function in the hips. Other than that, not

> sure why the RA went after the hips so aggressively other than the

> Enbrel and steroid use. I do know sitting and standing have become a

> chore. Have you noticed everywhere you go, doctor's office, dental

> office, movie theater or any event of any kind the chairs are

> extremely low to the ground? Maybe they just look that way to me.

>

> Will most likely take a breather from the boards until I can be back

> to my old self again. Not sure if it is the news about the hips or

> the prednisone that has me not feeling like myself.

>

> best wishes to everyone, take care.

> Ebony

>

May 21, 2006

Take care Ebony and the chairs are that low . Please feel better hun.

Ebony <stillbreathing29@...> wrote: My recent visit to the doctor was not

what I expected to hear. Bone