feeling rough, killer knees.

tkachev

I have only managed one lot of MTx and one humira injection this year so far. This is because I have had a chest infection , cough and antibiotics.
I still have symptoms of a dry throat and coughing from the chest but on Friday I finish my current course of antibiotics and I need my meds so badly. My knees are in agony and I am mega fatigued so am neglecting my lovely children somewhat. My autistic son needs to be bathed as he is not the most hygienic boy on the planet, although he has been trying to clean himself up himself bless him with me shouting instructions from my bed.

I am getting headaches and red face/temperature(although that could be stress) and an itching torso(but that could be my wooly jumpers I have been wearing in bed) so not sure whether to just go ahead with the meds or book another blooming appointment with the GP.

I just want to get back on my loverly humira that helped me so much and not sure I can cope with any delay. Should I just go for it?

Elizabeth

barbara12

Oh Elizabeth
You really have gone through it , I wish I could help for real...but this is the next best thing, I cant help with the meds, but I would go and see your gp and tell them how you are suffering, and hopefully they will let you take them.
Sending you loads of hugs ((((((()))))
Love
Barbara xx

dreamdaisy

I think you need to contact your rheumatology team and ask their advice - if your immune system is repressed again then yes, the arthritis may improve but the chest infection etc will not clear. It is a tricky one, isn't it? Fundamentally only you can decide what is for the best but with whatever you do, I hope you start to feel better soon. DD

skezier

Hi Elizabeth,

I am so sorry your feeling rough flower. its horrible isn't it? I also been on the antibiotics and have this endless cold that now has gone to the chest but they don't take me off the mtx they actually keep increasing it....

I didn't take it this week, felt so Sunday i just didn't want to spend half the week throwing up.....

Kinda feeling a bit less cold infested but did spike some odd temps last week... lowest (quite static for 2 days) was 33.4 and the highest one spiked at 39.2.... something must be gong on though the low one I still think its cus they fill you up with all that drip stuff and its room temperature

Can't tel you to go for it flower.... kinda know what I would do.... just leaving a ((((( ))))) and a hope for you. Cris xx

tkachev

Thank you Cris, Barbara and DD.

If I get a quick appointment i' ll go to the GP. But if it is more antibiotics I shall be in tears. This week has been awful but it is because the pain has been building up.
I could ask the rheummy if I could take meds anyway or at least the mtx only.
Decisions decisions.
At least I am lucky that I have had better times as some of you never get a break from all the pain.
E x

skezier

Hi Elizabeth,

maybe Dd is right and ring them? Tell them it's as bad as it is and see what they say? My lot gave me a stronger hit of antibiotics cus of having to stay on the mtx and maybe they could make some adjustments for you as well....

Could you up the anti-flams or pain killers? Think you could do with telling them like it is cus this one isn't fair. ((( ))) and a get better soon draft. Cris xx

barbara12

Elizabeth
You ring your rheumy....you are obviously suffering...I hope you get through on the phone today...please let us know hoe you get on.
love
Barbara xx

tillytop

Hello Elizabeth,

So sorry you are struggling so much, but I agree with the others that you really do need to check this out before taking the meds again. Opinion seems to vary as to whether you should stop mtx when you have an infection - when I had an infection in my elbow recently, GP prescribed double strength anti-bs and told me there was no need to stop the mtx. But I guess it also depends what type of infection you have.

Thinking of you and really hoping you can get back on your meds soon.

Love Tilly xxx

tkachev

I fell asleep so haven't phoned anyone. I am just going to pace myself for now, Thanks Lynn, Del and Tilly for your advice. I am a bit foggy headed at the mo.....

E x

ironic

Hi Elizabeth,
I do hope you manage to get an early appointment with your doctor. It is such a balancing act with these things. Pain runs you down and you need something to at least put you on for a few days.
You must feel rundown at the moment with the chest infection so it is no wonder you are feeling low.

Roll on the warmer weather.
Gentle hugs,
Lv, Ix

elnafinn

Aw dear Elizabeth,

The start of this year has been so tough for you. I wish I knew what to suggest. I suppose you should go back to your gp. He needs to know exactly how you are and have been feeling and the quandry you are in. Not being able to take your meds must be so disheartening and of course you will feel very jaded by now feeling so unwell and having this blasted infection that does not want to go away.

Sending you love and hugs
Elna x((()))

tkachev

I have decided to take my MTX and Humira tomorrow. I have a lot on next week, my art course starts and will have some walking to do to get to the building where the course takes place. Half term is coming up. I will take my chances and see what happens.
I couldn't get a quick GP appointment and the rheumatology nurse is away until 25th February so will not be returning any messages until then.
I don't think I can have steroids as my R.A is usually well controlled. I had one injection plus a knee drain years ago and it helped a lot but it would take some time to sort and I don't really have time.

Thanks for all your support and I am hoping it will be okay to take the meds.

Elizabeth

skezier

Hi Elizabeth,

Totally understand your choice there but just keep an eye on the chest infection.

Hope they will help you a bit more soon. ((( ))) Cris xx

tkachev

Hi Cris, I will keep an eye. The painful knees are cramping my style. I did manage to bathe my son last night and iron the school uniform and it was take away pizza last night so feel less stressed. Some things just cant be left can they Cris?
Glad to see you posting,

E x

skezier

Hi Elizabeth,

Nope somethings sadly can't be left cus they don't always do you any good flower.... side glance at the sheep sheep and its marathon dig out

Hope it will get better for you and push then to re drain and steroid that knee if you found it helped last time? ((( ))) Cris xx

tkachev

Well I have taken MTX, anti sickness pills and Humira. I was really looking forward to taking them again and they feel like long lost friends. Seriously. I am just so so tired......off to bed.

Elizabeth

bobbyger

Elizabeth,

Hope you start to feel better and get the chance to enjoy your art course. I believe it is so important to have a hobby that you can do to take your mind off things. At the moment my hobby is watching the football which narcks my wife a bit but hopefully in 6 or 7 months I'll be able to get back on the golf course.

Take care.

Rob

lindalegs

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm sorry I've only just seen your thread ....must have slipped through the net :oops:

What a struggle for you at the moment, I really hope the Humira and other part of your drug cocktail help to make you more comfortable. That must have been a very difficult decision for you to make. The awful thing is that you haven't got the support of your Rheumy Nurse whilst she's away, you'd think there was someone else in the team that could have advised you. :roll:

Good luck for next week.

dreamdaisy

Morning tkachev, I hope the meds are kicking in and making a difference to those knees - and I also hope the chest infection has taken a back seat for the time being, if not gone altogether. Now that would be good, wouldn't it? DD

barbara12

morning Elizabeth.
Just popping in to see how you are, hopefully you managed some sleep last night.
Love
Barbara xx

tkachev

Hi all, Linda, Lynn, Rob, DD, Barbara,

I am just suffering from extreme tiredness, all day dragging about, muggy brained, total fatigue.I don't know if I will be awake for my course.I'm not keen on walking about campus at the mo.OH is off somewhere else for the day so there will be further to walk for buses, train or taxi.Still it is good to face these challenges.
There is an emergency number at rheumatology but this isn't an emergency so will just cross that bridge if and when I need it. So far no bad symptoms associated with the cold so that is good news.The meds will take a time to work unfortunately.
HI Rob, good luck this week for the op. I will be looking out for you posting again. I love football too so shame there is no world cup to follow during your recovery.That would pass the time.
Cheers for now,
Elizabeth

tkachev

Hi Barbara I got to sleep about 2 a.m. but have slept most of the morning and going back now.

E x

dreamdaisy

It's no wonder you are tired, you have been fighting the infection, fighting the arthritis and coping with a family. Hopefully now some meds are back in your system things will pick up - until then listen to your body and rest when you can. It is important, it has to be done and I hope you 'wake up' soon. The humira etc should be kicking in soon, they cannot be totally out of your system despite not having them for a month (I think?). Look after yourself, tkachev, things will improve. DD

tkachev

Thanks DD. I have been asleep the best part of a week. I managed to keep the laptop close for occasional visits and it makes a difference having conversations with people who understand where you are coming from.

Hope things stay well with you too,

E x

ironic

Hi Elizabeth,
I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. It has certainly been a long haul for you.
Fingers crossed that you will be able to manage some of the meds next week too. Sleep might not be a bad thing for you at the moment. But I hate that foggy feeling so I hope it passes soon for you.

Lv, Ix

dreamdaisy

Sleep is often the best thing for us, especially if the arthritis is fairly active. Don't fight it (yes, stickywicket, I can hear you laughing, I should follow my own advice, yes?) just do what your body tells you. I hope things are picking up for you a little now. DD