Back Pain and other rant (long) sorry

November 4, 2008

I have been experiencing major pain in my lower back. About 2 years ago I was

diagnosed with OA in my L4, L5 and L6 disk. That was in March 06. I was

diagnosed in May 06 with RA. I have been on Enbrel since Dec 06. I wonder if

the enbrel has been keeping the pain at bay in my lower back. When I started on

the enbrel I noticed that the pain in my back went away along with most of the

pain and symptoms I had from the RA. Now that I'm off my meds and having

surgery on friday it has all come back. Could the enbrel be helping the OA

along with the RA or has the RA started to develop in my Spine? I don't see my

rheumy again til after my surgery to discuss the switch from Enbrel to Remicade

because the enbrel is starting to become ineffective for me. I have been having

break through flares while on the enbrel. 1 in February 08, 1 in May 08, 1 in

June 08 and again in Aug 08. Each time I have been put on Medrol dose paks in

order to get rid of the flare. When I was diagnosed with RA I was 210lbs and

was able to lose the weight to 150lbs but now I'm up to 180lbs going into my

surgery.

Yes, I'm scared about the surgery afraid that I won't wake up. I already don't

get to see my kids that much now because of the job I have. I work Tuesdays 8am

to 5pm, Thursdays and Fridays 1pm to 10pm, and Saturdays 9am to 10pm. The 13

hour saturdays are killing my RA and making me ineffective at home to take care

of the house. My boyfriend does not have any sight at all and does the best he

can when he can. He has carpel tunnel in his right hand from working on Lawn

mowers and garden tractors and such and playing the guitar and other

instruments. This is going to be extremely interesting how things will go with

the surgery. I will not be able to talk for atleast 4 days. We have come up

with a system that will work. His computer talks so if I need something I can

use it to get him to get me what I need if I can't get it.

I hope everyone else had a painfree day.

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