Where to start....

annic4363

Hi all

I apologise for not having been around for a while but life has been more than a little chaotic!

To be brief since last we chatted OH had major major orthopaedic surgery in May so where as he usually looks after me I have been looking after him. Gosh I am SOOOO sick of Pizza!!

On top of that my Ma - for whom I provide soul support - has been diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia which is making her very anxious

I have now been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes (All Steroid related apparently) and am suffering the onset of the menopause.

I also find myself in the unpleasant situation of being under threat for my job, having my working practices (put in place to help manage the RA) changed with no consultation and generally all very uncertain.

There is nothing to be done about any of this I guess so it was nice to have some good news. I have been on Humira since December 08 and despite numerous chest infections it seemed to be doing the trick - until May. At that point all my indicators including Rheumatoid Factor started climbing again. Saw the Rheumy nurse who decided that I need to come of it and that Enbrel might suit me better. However as you may know to do this requires an appeal to the PCT. Those guys are WORSE than the masons! No-one knows who they are, when they meet or how to contact them directly. My rheumy nurse has already tried several appeals for a change to Anti-TNF but had them all rejected. So neither of us held out much hope which meant I was stuck on a wildly expensive drug which isn't working properly and will likely mean a knee transplant in the next year or so.

I have ranted and raved to anyone who will listen about this but now I have to eat my words as I have just heard they have approved the switch! No idea how or why! I am not sure who is more flabbergasted me or my Rheumy!

Anyway now comes the transition and it looks like Christmas with no wonder drug at all ! But hey at least there is something positive in all this mess

Anyway must go while I still have a job!

Chat Soon

Annie

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frogmorton

Hi Annie
By the 'eck lass you HAVE been busy - wonder you've had time to breathe let alone work with all that going on!
Glad hubby is on the mend and sorry about your Mum being poorly (I was sole support for my Mum too and I miss her so much - you'd be suprised how much she gave me too), good job she has you
I can't beleive the change to enbrel has been so painless! :shock: Someone is looking after you I reckon Do you mean you will be on NOTHING for Christmas?
I hope not......
and I hope you find the strength (from where?) to fight the work issues.
You take care
Toni xx

annic4363

Thank you so much!

I keep telling myself that no-one is given more to cope with than they can but sometimes I wonder.....

And then I see mothers in Somalia fighting to keep their kids alive and I shut right up!

But I really do mean it the support is appreciated!

Chat soon

Annie
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PS And yes in theory I could be on no meds over Christmas! Good job hubby is back in the kitchen!!!