well, it's been a month since I started on Prednisone (5 mg/ once a day) and it's been 2 months since I've been on Plaquenil (750 mgs/twice a day).  I almost feel normal!  Was I lucky enough that my rheumy got the combo right? I sure feel like it.  I'm not completely pain free, but the pain I do have sure makes RA managable and tolerable.

I ride a motorcycle, and since getting RA, my riding days had been limited mostly because my left hand wasn't cooperating with the clutch.  It was way too painful to pull that clutch in to shift gears.  (I had kinda devised a 'new way' to shift but in the interest of safety, not only for me, but for those riding with me, it's not a good idea.) Week after week, I was beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, I had to consider selling my (brand new) motorcycle that I had purchased in March (that I waited a yr and a half for, a Red one), prior to RA.   Even my husband was starting to talk about selling it. (I'm sure it wasn't out of concern for me, but stripping mine to sell for more chrome for his ). My friend, who works for a rheumy said she had a patient with severe RA who rides her motorcycle from Las Vegas every month for her appts.  It was then that I decided...."oh hell noo..if she can do it , I CAN DO IT'.  

     In the beginning of this RA thing, the pain was pretty bad.  Suicidal thoughts crept into my head on occasion, but that was during the worst times. (Don't worry, I'm brave enough to ride a motorcycle, but not brave enough to hurt myself intentionally).  I'd been reading that it takes 2-4 months for plaquenil to kick in.  So, my last appt, the doc switched my meds because I was still getting alot of pain.  The first week after the switch, I was thinking maybe I should stay with the relefen and plaquenil combo instead because I'd noticed more pains on the pred....then after a week, I was able to close my left hand, fingers to palms.  Hey! I can make a fist!   Then my knees didn't hurt much anymore.  And I was sleeping thru the night. 

     I feel a lot better nowadays.  I participated in a charity ride for Diabetes this past Sunday, and I was so proud for committing to it, and proud for doing it all the way through without suffering (although I did pop an 'extra' Pred pill ...just in case).  I'm thinking that maybe we need a ride for Arthritis too. (What better way to get the word out....organize a motorcycle ride! Bikers love to ride for charity!).

I'm liking the low dose of pred because I haven't had any side effects (hunger, mood swings, etc) and I especially like the fact that I'm not in alot of pain, although I have more twinges but it's definitely manageable ! The first thing I'm gonna do when I go back for my next appt in 4 wks, I'm going to hug my rheumy!