Success stories

kaiser

Hi,
obviously many people who use this forum are in agreat deal of pain, and most of the posts focus on this. It wold be helpful and encouraging, if we could share with each other some examples of succesful strategies that people have used to sugnificantly reduce their pain. Or is it the case that when people have resolved their pain, they simply no longer visit or use the forum? Lets make this post one that will be positive and encouraging

yoshimi

hello all,

I don't know whether my story come under this title but I am currently without pain or swelling and have been so for about a year. I am now 28 & have RA and was diagnosed a few years ago, it all came on very suddenly and actually started with a sore knee which everyone thought I was exaggerating about then a sore left toe, then my jaw, then my wrists....I eventually saw a very good doctor who wasn't actually my normal doctor but she listened to me and sent my for blood tests that came back with some very obvious results on. I was put on painkillers, steroids and anti inflams, When I went to rhuematology he started me on sulfasalazine and more steroids. it took about a year and i added hydroxychloroquine to the mix and things started to settle down. I came off steroids with a couple of false starts but now have been off for over a year. I now just take the sulfa and hydroxy. i have clear blood results and consider myself mainly symptom free. I have to watch about over doing things and stress can really start things off. The consultant said that i am not in remission but just very well controlled. These days I consider myself very lucky, it's easy to forget what a state I was actually in and to remember not to over do things. I am hoping in the spring to start planning for a baby......
sorry to have gone on but i think maybe a hopeful story?

Sarah

elnafinn

Hi Kaiser

Thank you for starting this thread.

My success is having had a total knee replacement in January 2008 which helped me greatly. I have not found any miracle meds to take away my pain and discomfort. My medication is laughter, having fun when I see my grand daughter, daily stretching exercises, exercise bike, (hula) hooping, riding my bicycle, a positive attitude, perseverence, helping others less fortunate than myself.

Luv
Elna x

debbieclap

Hi All
I have had a hip problem since I was 18 months old I am 49 now OA set in when I was about 20 the last two years my pain became greater and greater. I was on maximum painkillers and gabapentin.
I was told that they could only do a hip replacement once so wouldn't do it till I was sixty.
Finally I saw a consultant who said he can do it more times so in feb I had a hip replacement then in August I had the other hip replaced.
Brilliant now I only take pain killers if I need them usually at night. I only take one anti inflammatory a day and can now play with my 18 month old grand daughter. I can also walk around the house with out using walking stick or crutches.
Its wonderful to feel human again.

ritwren

Good topic for a thread, although at times most ways of coping with pain have been discussed in different threads, it will be good to have them all together.
I use a TENS machine regularly and visit a physio for Acupuncture both of which help lessen but not take away the pain.
Sometimes just getting out to potter in the garden can help bring my mind to focus on something else even a little physical activity although I'm in pain can actually help me.
Other ways of managing pain that I use are of course the pain killers, I'm currently on patches and tablets.
Rest when I need it, this helps but is very hard to do sometimes.
Heat/Cold packs and bean bags at different times, likewise a good hot bath with something like lavender or muscle soak salts can help too.
I totally agree that the company of good friends and a bit of a laugh can help divert the mind away from the pain. Likewise my Grand children are an absolute tonic to me as are my Daughters.
rita

tkachev

A year ago tomorrow I took my first Humira injection.The pain in most of my joints went immediately,first few days.I was left with a dreadful pain in my right hip and a sore joint(s) in my left foot.I had a THR in July so now I am left with the foot and joints that only have a dull ache and no flexibility.My left hip is not hurting very much although the X-rays show deterioration.
When I remember how awful I felt exactly one year ago it is like a miracle.
Unfortunately I will never get back to doing gymnastics,my elbows are ruined and cannot support my weight, but just to walk up the road ,even with one crutch as support,feels wonderful.
I like to think there is hope for everyone.
Best wishes Tkachev

scattered

I lurk here more than I post, but occassionally you'll see me around.

My wonder combination was hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, Humira and prednisolone. I had a 6 month remission which I've unfortunately come out of. I've been on the pred. way too long, but I've never been stable for long enough to come off completely. In my remission I dropped a whole mg. So far it's taken me 3 years to drop from 20mg to 5mg.

Remission is possible and controlled disease is possible. I remember remission now, and while I'm not great, I'm still not as bad as I was in my first year of diagnosis. It took 2 and a half years to get my meds right, but it was worth it.

Now my RD wants to move me off Humira and onto Enbrel, as the Humira just isn't lasting as long as it should, and the azathioprine isn't able to fill the gap.I trust my Rd and am hopeful the change will work. I want to be off the steroids.

skezier

Hi Kaiser,

I don't have a totally stopped success story but I do have several small ones. First knee surgery sorted out my knees in the '70's. Next spinal surgery gave me back my life to at least 70% in the '80's That (mostly) still holds as well In '02 they rebuilt my feet again (they have done quite a bit of surgery on them over the years) and that was totally successful for at least 5-6 years and still no where near as bad as before they were done.

The most recent 2 things for me have been the introduction of pregabalin and the use of both faucet jabs and temporary nerve blocks in my neck especially and occasionally in the umber so it doesn't feel neglected. I guess the biggest success story for me was the bit of metal in my head but thats not arthritis related Though there is some talk I have oa in my skull. Now its def the pregabalin and the pain clinic's help as the biggest success story for me. Take care Cris

gickygawky

Hi there,

I haven't been on here in a little while but thought I should add to this thread.

I have been on Enbrel since January and it has changed my life completely. Although I am far from cured it has got me out of bed and moving again and actually living life. I have also been on Mtx for about 6 weeks and look forward to seeing improvement. In addition I take a variety of stuff to control pain.

I have always tried to exercise as much as possible since being diagnosed - by exercise I mean remaining active and moving around rather than staying still. I try and do the gardening, cook supper or walk to the shop whenever I can. I also do my 'prescribed' exercises come rain, hail or shine. If I have trouble doing something it's like a red flag to a bull and I challenge myself to be inventive and do it one way or another.

I eat a very healthy diet of good old fashioned food with loads and loads of fibre in it but am not religious about it. If I want some chocolate I have it and jolly well enjoy it!!And don't get me started on Krispy Kreme donuts!!

One thing I have always been is an optimist and even though some days are so hard I try and see some good in what is going on. Since being sick I think I have become a better person and I see and understand far more about what goes on in this world. Even when I am really sick I think about how fortunate I am to have treatment and I think about all the people behind the scenes who one way or another contribute to my wellbeing.

Yes I am prone to wearing rose tinted glasses and my way doesn't work for everyone but these things are all a part of my coping strategy.

And this wonderful site which has made me aware of the fact that I am not alone in dealing with this craziness.

A xx

lindalegs

As I'm a veteran of RA - a title I award myself :roll: - I have years of experience of this disease.

We have painful flares and then settled periods where we can live more or less a 'normal' life.

Flares, although are horrible when we're going through them, can be controlled by medication and listening to our bodies. Hot baths, wheat bags, ice packs, Tens machones, rest, gentle exercise, etc. we all have our way of coping and coming through in the end.

Most of all we have this forum where we can sound off all our worries and frustrations, happy times and laughter too. We're lucky to have each other who know what it's like to live with arthur. People on here understand far more than even those we love and live with.

It's good to help and be helped and that in itself is altogether positive.

An excellent thread.

Luv Legs

woodbon

Sometimes in the morning, my neck is quite painful. I have the shower on as hot as I can bare it and stand under that lovely hot water and even when I've finished, it still feels better! I don't know why, but the shower is better than a heated pad!
Love Sue