I've had a rough past couple of days! I do my Methotrexate pills and Enbrel injection on Sunday evenings. So by Saturday, I was feeling stiff and swollen, so I could tell it was time for the meds! Normally, on Sunday evening, my symptoms wind down and the meds allow me to have a good week at work.

This week, unfortunately, the meds seem to have lost their luster! I woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night Sunday night. I was SO stiff and swollen that I had dreamed I was paralyzed! I literally couldn't move. And this trend has continued through today!

I've read several posts where people say that the biologics stopped working for them after a certain point. I was doing so well on Enbrel- within the first two weeks I felt symptom relief! I'm hoping this is just a flare that will eventually die down...that my Enbrel will again kick in and all will be well!

I can't see my Rheumatologist until 9/1- I can't go to an appointment during working hours, so I have to hold out for two and a half weeks to get an appointment after work, which kind of stinks! By that time this flare will be over and done with, and once again my Rheumy will not see my symptoms at their worst!

Yesterday, I couldn't get out of bed! I've burned through all my vacation and personal days fighting flares. I can qualify any further work absences with FMLA, but I lose my pay doing that! Kind of defeats the purpose LOL I guess I could get my Rheumy to approve me for medical leave. If I'm out over a week the insurance kicks in and pays my salary, so I'm not out any money.

Back in the winter time, when I was having a lot pain caused by my RA- I couldn't get any sympathy from my co-workers, bosses or human resources. In fact I got quite the opposite- I was put on a "performance review". I was told that for that 90 day period I couldn't miss any work. So I did what I was told, even though some days I felt horrible and couldn't function very well. So I made it through that, and so far I've missed two days of work. One day in July and then this past Monday.

Monday was the worst for me, though. I can say, hands down, that on Monday my symptoms were the worst they've ever been. I could barely get out of bed. I made it to my dining room table (using the couch for support) to grab my cell so I could call in to work. I was going to take a half day, but when 11 a.m. rolled around I still felt awful, so I took the whole day.

I'm still not up to par, and was a nervous wreck coming into work today. I was sure my company was going to fire me when I asked for FMLA for Monday's absence.  I have had a lot of trouble with my company's HR manager picking on me about my attendance. 

Instead the HR manager was quite kind to me and just asked that the next time I see my Rheumy that I get her to fill out new FMLA paperwork so she can keep my account up to date. I was floored! I have no idea what brought about this change of heart in the HR manager! She even commented that she understands "how painful your condition can be". She said, "Help us help you" by making sure your paperwork is up to date.  It made me wonder if she'd done some research on RA? Or if someone in her family was suddenly diagnosed and struggling with the disease? I have no clue. But I do know this- I don't trust her as far as I could throw her (which wouldn't be very far!)! I just feel like something is lurking, waiting to rear its ugly head! It's terrible when you can't trust the people you work with!