in a bad flare (was question on pain)

[Guest guest]

well, I went to my rheumatologist. He finally understands that my pain has

been very bad. He told me that he had not taken an actual blood test for

sed rate or anything like that since last May, when I first came in.

Apparently, the blood tests he's been taking every month were just to check

liver function and make sure the medicines I'm taking were not damaging

anything. He gave me a steroid packet -- I was supposed to take six pills

the day before yesterday, five yesterday, four today and then on down. This

is the third day I had taken them. So far, I have not experienced any

relief. He seems to think that the steroid pills will do a great deal, but

I haven't noticed any change whatsoever. I'm still in a great deal of pain.

I'm taking three hydrocodone every day it doesn't seem to be addressing the

pain at all. Actually, it may be true that the pain in my hands is slightly

better. However, the pain in my feet is still very bad I'm having great

trouble walking. I'm writing this with my Dragon NaturallySpeaking

software. It allows me to speak into a microphone and it types for me.

I've also been very tired and I spent most of the day sleeping, which means

I'll probably be up pretty late tonight. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone

has any idea how long it usually takes to steroid pills to work. And also

any advice on how to get through a really bad flare. I know a lot of people

out there have probably had them at one time or another. I'm still hoping

that the increase in medicine he gave me will help at some point -- he

increased my (can't remember what it's called but it's for malaria )

medicine I'm also taking more Arava . Thanks a lot for the feedback you've

given me so far.