Dealing with the Pain

Home for the Holidays

Fri, 24 Dec 2004 06:54:41 -0800

Merry Christmas to all of my readers out there! Yes, today is Christmas Eve and there's lots to do. I am tired, but not feeling too bad otherwise. I have pies to bake today, cheated and bought the type of crust you unfold. Works for me!! And of course, lots of potatoes to peel for tomorrow. The kids will be up tomorrow, but not sure when. I wish you all out there, a Merry Christmas and hope that you are feeling well today. I pray God gives us all a healthy and happy New Year as well. Thanks for writing me. It is quite and encouragement. I found a gadget on QVC the other day for peeling apples and potatoes and I am so excited! Bad thing is it won't be here til next week, but that's ok with me. At least I know it's coming! That was my gift to me from me!! God bless all of us!

Another "lovely" day!

Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:39:42 -0800

There's one thing worse than suffering with this stupid disease, is having the person who says they love you, take ahold of your hand and squeeze it, causing swelling and making me feel worse. I don't know if I will ever smarten up and get away from all of this pain,at least the pain I can escape!

dealing with more than pain

Wed, 17 Nov 2004 13:08:38 -0800

Yesterday, I sort of collapsed onto the kithen floor. My BP seems all wrong, way too low. I have had a lot of pain within the joints in arms and legs. I have an RA appt tomorrow, so I will have to discuss all of this with him. Have been drawing as of late, to try and keep my fingers moving and to occupy my mind with something else, other than pain.

Here I am again!

Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:38:45 -0800

I'm sorry that I haven't written in a while. My condition is driving me crazy. It is tough to get my hands working in the morning, and now, I am having trouble walking. Seems like I get this horrible pain in the back of my feet now, and I sit with a heating pad on it at night, so hopefully, I can get some sort of rest. I have an appt with the RA doctor in a couple of weeks and I will have to bring all of this to his attention. So far, so good with the shot he gave me in Sept in my left elbow. This is the second time I had it injected and it seems so good not to have that hurting now. Maybe he can do the same for my feet. Have to wait and see!

Nothing New!

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 11:24:56 -0800

Well, here I am again and slowly feeling normal again. I had an appointment with my RA doctor on Thursday and he injected both my left elbow joint and my left knee, with cortisone and lidocane. I feel a bit better right now. Managed to do a lot of housework today, but took lots of breaks while doing it. The old me could have had this done in a matter of a few hours, but now, it takes me about 6 to 7 hours to accomplish my work. My doctor wants to take me off one of my medications in a few months, cause neither of us know if it is benefitting me to take it. I have dinner on now and will write more soon.

Tried to go fishing

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 12:34:14 -0800

Tried to go fishing last night, but the dampness on the lake made it most impossible and after I began to wimper, my hubby loaded me up and brought me home. Thank God he's so unselfish about these things! I have been experiencing extreme fatigue lately and I have an appt with the RA doctor on Thursday. My parents were by today and my Dad, without thinking, wacked my arm in jest, and I thought I'd pass out. They forget sometimes how things like that can affect me. I don't know when I will get used to this life I have now, or how long it will take for others to remember it.

Don't understand what

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 16:22:25 -0800

Don't understand what's going on these days. Have been feeling very nauseated and I can't seem to get enough sleep. My left elbow is bad. Pain is constant, unless I overdo the pain medicine. Tends to lock on me, either when it's hanging down by my side and I try to bend it, or else, it's bent for a while and I try to straighten it. Need more rest. RA dr. appt not for 2 more weeks!

Today, I am still

Fri, 30 Jul 2004 09:31:47 -0800

Today, I am still stiff and sore. I think I have another flare coming on. I decided to walk to town last night and meet my husband after work. It is a 3 mile walk, so I was very tired by the time I got there. Sort of creeps me out to walk anymore, cause there's so many weirdos around these days. I just prayed and walked and it was good to get out of the house. I realize that people may say it's my own fault for not driving, but I never felt comfortable driving, so....... I am looking forward to a nice weekend. I pray that I can have fun with my family without this stupid illness interfering.

Today was a bit rough

Fri, 23 Jul 2004 17:29:12 -0800

Today was a bit rough. This rainy weather doesn't help my conditions. I lightly cleaned the house and went for a ride as we got our vehicle inspected today. I am very down today and very tired. I will have to end this quick as the pain is grabbing my hands and fingers. Will write more soon. Wish this inflammation in my left leg would go down. It makes it really tough to walk and bend.

Here is comes again!

Mon, 19 Jul 2004 15:55:16 -0800

Today, I don't feel so great at all. I'm in alot of pain and joints are really bothering me in my hands, arms, and also, muscles in neck on right side have been stiff for 2 days now and the stiffness is moving into my right shoulder. I am quite weak today and have been sleeping a lot. I will continue resting and pray that tomorrow, I will feel better.

Yesterday, my husband

Sun, 18 Jul 2004 06:21:52 -0800

Yesterday, my husband and I went fishing, he's my best friend as well! We had a great time and I started feeling the stiffening coming, so I took 2 pain pills and it was alright. A couple of hours later, the storm clouds rolled in and we saw lightening, so off the lake we went! Got my shot of MTX last night and slept off the worse of the side affects. Today, it's off to church on this muggy day and hopefully, a nice relaxing afternoon.

I remember a year ago

Fri, 16 Jul 2004 11:35:14 -0800

I remember a year ago in May, when I was first diagnosed with RA and Lupus, how frightened I was. I wasn't sure what to expect and all that came to mind was the stereotypes of people with these conditions. I know that I have really suffered alot over the years, even before knowing what was wrong, but let me tell you that this is the third day that I have been feeling really good! Oh, I'm sort of tired and think I may nap, but the pain seems to have diminished significantly. I don't know how long I will feel this good, but thank God that I do.

Today, I actually feel

Wed, 14 Jul 2004 12:23:17 -0800

Today, I actually feel more like myself than I have in a long time. I have been busy cleaning my house and working on the laundry and I must say that I've impressed myself. I took pain medication and a muscle relaxer before going to bed last night and I think that may have done the trick. I will experiment and try it again tonight and see how I wake tomorrow. Praise the Lord, I can't get over how good I feel!

Today has been quite...

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 15:53:03 -0800

Today has been quite difficult for me. I haven't felt so good, alot of pain in my hands and arms. I did what I could to keep going. Washed 2 loads of dishes and even darned 2 pair of socks for my husband. They didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, but they're his favorite socks and I don't remember where I bought them. Oh well, he'll appreciate it anyways. My mood is a bit low today, for some reason. Our granddaughter, who's 4 is here for the week and I'm trying to spend a lot of time playing with her, but today is rough, so I will just pray for a better tomorrow. I am so glad that I joined the RA group because those people really keep me going. They can be funny and warm and always caring and I rely on them alot.

I am awake early this...

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 03:40:25 -0800

I am awake early this morning and see that my rash is still here. I started taking prednisone yesterday after my family dr recommended it, saying it would get rid of both types of rashes, if the salves didn't work. I am sore and stiff today, what with all of the rain last night. Looks like more rain today, so this should be fun! Alot of pain in wrists and ankles especially. I awoke to a sharp pain in my right side, by where the main rash is. Thought I would get up and share all of this with you.