Dorcas is off for round 2

dreamdaisy

Tomorrow dorcas goes back to the hospital for another draining - at least I think that's the plan. I wish you well, dorcas, I know these things are not the nicest events and you will be sore afterwards, but I hope they can get rid of some of the gunk, if not all of it, and that that makes life more comfortable for you. I know you are currently going thro a very rough patch: I send some love, and some hugs, and I will be in a pocket somewhere, tomorrow, I promise - squashed in with a few others too, I have no doubt! Diabolic Damsel.

frogmorton

Iris

If you need me l will be here x:D Daisycat will come along for the ride if that's ok and no-one has cat allergy??

lHope it's Dr Gupta again - she sounds wonderful bless her.

Lots of love and hugs

Toni xx

Poppyg1rl

All the best for tomorrow Iris, I hope everything goes to plan and that you soon feel the benefit. Poppy X

tjt6768

I think we'll be spreading ourselves thin tomorrow and friday, all the appointments are happening, lol..

I will be there too Iris..

Can I also bring my cat Ra (just coincidence, nothing to do with R.A, lol)
Promise to keep him in a seperate pocket from anyone with allergies... DD?
X
This is him

elnafinn

Dear Iris

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow especially. because I think of you most days - you are going through so much. It is so kind of DD to keep us informed. It does help when you know people are thinking about you, doesn't it, Iris?

Love
Elna x

julie47

Hi Iris

I will be thinking of you too and keeping my fingers crossed that it brings you great relief.
A box of peppermint creams here for you.
Take care
juliepf x

barbara12

Hello Iris
i will be thinking about you tomorrow, I really wish you well, and hope that it brings you some relief, sending you loads of of healing hugs (((((((())))))
Will be in pocket duties
Love
Barbara xx

jillyb1

Would like to come along for pocket duty to return some of the wonderful support that I have received on here . Can I bring Betsy to keep the cats company ? She's a very friendly dog . Jill

Wonkylegs

HI Iris

jumping in your pocket too, and hoping that this can bring you some relief.

thinking of you

Wonky

chris7

Hi Iris

Just adding to the heap of pocket dwellers here to wish you courage and hopefully a positive day. I will be thinking of you and sending hugs. (((( ))))
Rest up when you get home. We will be waiting for news when you are ready.
love
Chris

ritwren

Hi Iris, just wanted to join with the others and let you know my thoughts are with you again today. Hope they are kind and it all goes well and that the journey as well is not too ardious. Big hugs always, rita

dreamdaisy

Morning gorgeous, let's hope that today brings some serious relief to you and your poor knee. I am with you in my thoughts, though I would far rather be there holding your hand - with my eyes firmly shut! I am thinking of you, dorcas. Your Diabolic Damsel.

cherrybim

Hello Iris,

I'll squeeze in too for pocket duty, together with Louie (fluffy bum) and Neo (black bum) both of whom are experienced felines well versed in soothing cat speak.

Shall still be thinking of you should the hos not let me in with the boys.

Cherryx

tjt6768

Best of luck for today....

dorcas

Thank you so much DD for this thread and to everyone for such great support and for coming with me this morning for the knee draining.
It does help to know you 'll be there in my pockets and I've even made space for the lovely assortment of felines and dog!

My appointment is for 11:30 but I'll go in a little earlier in the hope of getting a parking space nearby.

thanks again everyone...and good luck to other peeps with hospital appointments today.

I'll be sure to report back later.

Iris xxxxx

julie47

Hi Iris
Its 1pm I hope the procedure is finished
Expect your knee is a little sore
Thinking of you
Juliepf x

frogmorton

Hi iris....

are you all done? Did everything go ok I wonder....?

I shall be hoping so and thinking of you - I know you will let us all know when you can

Love

toni xx

dorcas

Hi Julie (I've replied on your thread) and Toni and hi to everyone who did pocket duty,

Turned out to be longer day than expected. I saw another rheummy consultant today...equally considerate and helpful. She (Dr Gordon) examined the flaring joints and went through my med history. She said that the previous steroid inj of my right knee last week hasn't achieved much.... mainly due, she thinks, to the extent of joint damage.

I had the left knee drained and injected with steroids and was sent to have both knees x rayed to assess where we're at with the immediacy (or not, I hope :roll: ) of surgery. The Mtx inj has also been raised again to 25mg

The next bit of the conversation kind of took me by surprise...... they've decided to give me another trial of the infliximab infusion...tomorrow.
As they now know I had a chest infection at the time of the toxic reaction 6weeks ago, the decision's been taken that it merits one more go. The infusion will be done very slowly and carefully monitored so they can stop it immediately if need be.

If it fails/ not effective then all is not lost as Tocilizumab has now been approved for PA peeps and I will be given that option.

So the fact that I've had three anti tnfs now doesn't rule out being given an/other anti tnfs... which was a great surprise to me and will hopefully reassure others in the same boat.(DD and Alan thinking of you)

Thank you everyone for your support and for not leaving too many crumbs in my pockets. If anyone's available tomorrow I sure could use the company. :???:

Tony and Toni.... good luck with your appointments too.

Iris xxx

frogmorton

Hi Iris

Good to see you back and chirpy as ever

I bet you are a bit scared about the infusion :shock: I would be.....if it's tomorrow I will definitely be there with you - will behave myself l promise.

l am so glad they are taking your knees seriously you need them really :???: and maybe surgery is not such a bad option?? We can be there with you?

Good news that there are other options for you if the infusion turns out to be a o-no too.

Love

toni xx

Poppyg1rl

Hi Iris,
Will be thinking of you tomorrow, I'm hopeful it will all go smoothly. Your consultant sounds lovely, they are going to look after you and be extra cautious, and let's hope that it does something positive. All the best Poppy X

dorcas

Thank you Poppy and Toni

The consultant was really lovely and I know they are doing all they possibly can to catch arther and stamp on him. :!:

I am worried about tomorrow... can't help it :roll: ...even though I know they will be so careful and will be watching me like a hawk for any adverse signs. I just don't want to experience another reaction. :shock:

The right knee is murder but I'm scheduled for more hand surgery first (this is plan A) and had hoped that the knee could take second place. I will do what they think is best though (might have to revert to plan B!)

thanks for coming with me tomorrow... t'will be a long day so remember to bring the sarnies and a good book.

Iris xxxx

dreamdaisy

Blimey-oh-blimmin-Riley. Whaaaat? Inflixi again - oh dorcas, I hope it is better for you this time, I truly do. As you so rightly say we know you were 'hiding' a chest infection before so here's hoping that tomorrow goes a darn sight better than the others and that the bleep-bleep stuff does some bleep-bleep good. I will be there with you for sure and I KNOW they will keep a very careful eye on you, so fret ye not. I am so sorry about the right knee, I hope the left has eased/is easing a little.

So, another useless biologic has been approved for PAers in Scotland, yes? Deep, deep joy! I won't hold ma braeth! Diabolic.

chris7

Hi Iris

Just checking for an update and glad you are home safetly. Goodness though you are getting the works and it seems round 3 is on the cards for tomorrow!!. :shock: It is good to know they are doing all they can for you but it will no doubt be very scary! I will be reporting for pocket duty and sending courage and hugs ((( ))). Do hope you are resting now I am crossing my fingers and toes for you tomorrow.
love
Chris

tjt6768

Hi Iris, glad you're positive about your appointment, really hope that the treatment does some good for you...
What time do you go tomorrow? Think there's gonna be a lot of pocket hopping tomorrow, lol
My appointment is at one, hope I'm near the front of cure as it's a starve from seven am type thing...
Will let you all know how it goes, be well Iris..

mp1952

Hello Iris

I'm really pleased you had a worthwhile appolntment today..That's excellent news that there are some other alternative treatments for you.. It's really cheered me up!

Take care

Marion xx

dorcas

Hi Marion, Tony, Chris and Damsel.

thank you all for the promise of more pocket dwelling for tomorrow I've to be there for 10am..... so I'll help distract you Tony for a few hours....t'will help keep your mind off your hunger pangs.

it is good news that the much feared '3 anti tnfs and you're out ' ruling has at last been ditched with the hope of further biologics for us PA'ers. I hope it's the same in England?... the scots are usually last in this race thank goodness for all those clever research and developers. :!:

I've bagged all the good wishes, courage and hugs so that I can peek in and use them tomorrow morn. (willing to share though with Tony and anyone else doing the hospital samba )

off now but will let you know how it goes tomorrow.... likely be using the unsurpassed pigeon post.

Iris xxxx