this is a bit of a vent... LONG week... need people who "understand" that an extra nap, or some heat & ice will do the trick 
Well... its almost been two months since my official DX and wow - what an adventure!!! I have added Lyrica and Enbrel to my new RA meds. Very proud of doing my first injection today ALL BY myself!... Still on methotrexate and Im still on the LARGE prednisone dose and by my face/belly you can totally tell, and I am starting to get ?s about how I look-fun times. We tried to start to taper the predisone with the start of enbrel-- THAT DID NOT GO WELL, back up it went. I also have had steriod injections in my knees-which were soo nice, but those are wearing off... I just got knee braces for the knees as well, just those "basic" blue ones, my left brace is a little more invloved, where the right is just a pull on sleeve, becuase I need more support. My feet and hands continue to decline and my elbows recently deceided to jump on the RA bandwagaon about three weeks ago. The past three weeks at work I have had to take at least two half days, and one day had to leave. My students I think are starting to realize something is "up" with Ms D, and their nosey parents are HORRIBLE! A parent today at our Valentines party actually said "wow, you gained some weight and cut your hair!" what the heck! My principal was SOOO nice this week, almost brought me to tears. I told the staff whats up at staff meeting about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and everyone at work has been super supportive! So, nice!
I KNOW... drugs take time...I AM encouraged that we see SOME improvement... its just SO HARD. I thought once I got the DX and started with meds that things would slowly start to get "easier" and in some aspect yes it does... but others NO. It gets more frustrating. The pain "changes" as the meds start to work. The joints HATE me... and I am treated like a alien who is dying.
Im still "under" watch for Rheumatoid Vaculitis - thank you to a stupid dermatologist who biopsied the wrong thing! GRRRR Saw Cardiology and my "heart" is ok in term of valves, chambers, size ect... there is slight inflammation and I do have tachycardia. Over the next two weeks just to double chekc will do a stress test, 24hr heart monitor and MORE blood will be taken.
Im realzing how MUCH RA is taking over my life slowly and slowly... and as I look back at these past 9months or so... I REALLY see all these little life adjustments I have had made, and it makes me sad. It makes me sad that I cant reach things in my closet and cabinets, but im thankful for OCD sisters who love to organize and are going to help me "redo" things. I cut my hair becuase of my morning stiffness and being sooo frustrated, it compliments my lovely puffiness
well... if you read this THANKS. ha ha had to put this out there somwhere...
IT SHALL GET BETTER. IT SHALL. And despite a bad few weeks... I may not be a fan or RA, but I shall not let it win!
Sometimes we all need to rant. We are the lucky ones to have a place where our rants are understood. I too have been doing the extra naps lately. I hate them because they leave me fuzzy headed & confused. I sometimes wonder how long it will be before the "official" diagnosis catches up with what is going on. When all the test levels finally push over that magic number used for DX. Until then I can only try to live to the fullest. Congratulations on being able to do your own shots. That is a huge milestone in this process. One I, like others, am not looking forward to. I'm glad you are finding support through your co-workers. You will know when it is time for you to let others know what you want them to, until then, a lesson in being understanding of others can go a long way. When did we forget to teach our children the basics of respect of others?