I had my appointment with the rheumatologist this morning. Josh told me I shouldn't take my Prednisone since I was getting on new meds today. I'm glad I didn't because apparently it doesn't react well with the new stuff, but I don't start the new stuff until tomorrow, and I can tell I am in more pain than normal at this time of the day. But, good news is, I WILL start the new stuff tomorrow. I will be taking a Medrol Dose Pack and Sulfasalazine. I really don't know what either one of them is, but I do know they are supposed to help get the inflamed joints under control. Right now, that is all I want. I want to be able to stand up without my legs hurting, I want to be able to get up in the morning and not hurt. I will be on these medications for 4 weeks. After my appointment, I had to go to my general practitioners office for a PPD skin test (test to make sure I don't have tuberculosis) and Friday I have to have a chest x ray done and more blood work. The medication I will be put on in 4 weeks is called Methotrexate. Before I can be put on it, they want all the blood work and x ray results back so they will have a starting point so when I have follow up appointments they will be able to see if the medication is really helping. Once I start it, I will have to go back every 2-3 months for blood work. I have been reading on Methotrexate and it can be really hard on your body (liver, lungs, kidneys and bone marrow/immune system) so that is one of the reasons they are calling for all of the blood work and x rays before I start, just to make sure everything is healthy! Some of the common side effects are: nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, feeling tired, headache, bleeding of the gums and blurred vision. I really would take any of those as long as I don't have to be in constant pain.
Josh asked me yesterday how I was feeling and I said pretty good. The more I started thinking about it, the more I realized I hurt, but I guess I have just learned to deal with it. I don't remember what it is like to stand up without my legs and ankles hurting, pick up Alex without my wrist throbbing, open a jar, squeeze the toothpaste, walk down steps and pretty much anything else you can think of without some type of pain.
Once I get on the Methotrexate, I will have to be on it for 8 weeks before we can determine if it is working or if I will need to move to a different medication. Josh isn't happy about that, but as long as we can keep the joint inflammation under control, I should be ok. Our goal is to have the RA go into remission!
Update on the Sorensens...Kyler Alexander Sorensen was born yesterday at 9:04 am! He was 6 lbs, 13 ounces and 20 inches long. Sheena and Tyler found out several weeks ago that Kyler would be born with a cleft lip and possibly a cleft palate. He was in fact born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. They already have specialist in Houston who are waiting to see Kyler so they can create a plan of action for corrective surgeries. Please keep the Sorensens in your prayers as they get through adjusting to a little one, doctors appointments and upcoming surgeries!
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