A necessary steroid boost.

dreamdaisy

I went to the doctors yesterday and left with another goody bag of 28 penicillin tablets. The infection has semi-cleared but not sufficiently enough for me to a) feel better and b) return to H&M. (No, not the shop, :roll: Humira and meth. Yup, that H&M. ) This left me in a small quandary. Oddly enough Mr DD and me have a rather social week-end coming up, Friday night we are due to go to Colchester for a play and then a Chinese, then Saturday an early start to watch the rugby with our Colchester hosts, then gallop home so Mr DD can go to the footie and I can preen myself for an afternoon in The Dove with my mate Wendy, partaking whilst we wait for our pair of hunter-gatherers to return from their expedition. Then after further refreshment (and a VERY DETAILED ANALYSIS of every flaming move) we will adjourn to The Masha. Tough for me when I am healthy ( ), even more tough when I am not. So, Baldrick, I hatched a cunning plan.

Steroids. Lots of 'em. I kicked off with 10mg this morning (and yes, I can feel the difference already, I love it I love it I love it), 15 tomorrow and Saturday (I cannae wait! To hell with the socialising!) then 10 on Sunday, 7.5 on Monday and Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday, 2.5 for the rest of the that week.

I have to do this. Mr DD said he would forgo Colchester as I was poorly, but I knew he was looking forward to it very very much - how could I do that to him? I can't. There are two of us in this marriage, one of us lives very much engaged with arthritis, the other is a concerned spectator and no way should I let my stubborness over the steroids get in the way of his life. I do feel a peculiar mixture of annoyance, general peevishness and failure but I am sure this is the right thing to do (and others have told me so too, wise women all.) I know I want off these little darlings but I wasn't anticipating trying to do so when off everything else!

Tell you what, it's lovely feeling brighter.

suzygirl

A wise move DD, I hope you enjoy the weekend. I was wondering yesterday how you were doing with your infection.

Have fun!!!

traluvie

What an eventful weekend you have coming up DD

You will def be needing them steroid boosts to keep you going..
I know you are slightly annoyed with yourself for having to turn to them, but honestly luvie you are doing the right thing..With No meth or humira aswell as your throat and cough you are going to be feeling rough, so this boost will tied you over the weekedn so you can enjoy it as best as you can..It will be worth it, and already as you said you are feeling better..Onwards and upwards ..xx

skezier

Hi DD,

Hop it helps to make you feel a lot better and enjoy your time away. Cris xx

Poppyg1rl

Hi DD,
You're not a failure and you shouldn't feel any guilt in taking something that's going to help you and Mr DD enjoy your weekend.
I've been in so much 'sit on the stairs and rock' pain for the last week or 2, Im past caring about any reservations I would normally have with oromorph, if it means some relief I'm all for it.
I'm proud of the way you've dealt with your pred reduction DD, but as was pointed out to me recently there are no prizes for suffering unnecessarily.
Enjoy your weekend with Mr DD, and deal with the pred reduction when you come back, you've done it before and you can do it again, I have faith in you my friend.
Love and a one armed hug () X

dreamdaisy

It's scary. I took the dose at about 6.15am and the difference in that short space of time is utterly delicious. I am down to one crutch around the house, my hands have eased a little, my joints generally feel more comfortable, oh boy I could get used to this. :sad: Never mind, onwards and definitely upwards for the week-end, onwards and sideways for a few days after than then the gradual skink will be resumed.

Thank you for your support, everyone, it is much appreciated. DD

jillyb1

You go girl ; sometimes it's necessary to " give in " and top up the meds both for your wellbeing and that of your spouse . You and Mr DD have been through enough lately and deserve a fun weekend . Enjoy every minute of it . Jillyb

nanasue

Hello DD,
I'm sure you are sensible enough to know what you're doing and as you say it would be a shame to miss out on your wonderful weekend, this blasted arthur always plays up when we least need it to. Take the steroids so you can enjoy yourself and get back on track next week. I managed to wean my self off tramadol as I realised I was addicted to them and also they were the cause of my digestive problems but in the last week I've had to resort to them as my flare is really bad but I'm managing to get by by taking 6-8 co-dydramol and only one tramadol so thts good and shouldn't be to hard to cut out. I hope you have a good time then knock your infection on the head and get back to "normal".

Sue x

dreamdaisy

To be honest my wise and sensible GP suggested it last Thursday, but as I was in full 'let's take the pen and get better' mode I didn't think it would be necessary. Unfortunately being so immuno-suppressed may help the PA but doesn't help me to fight off an infection, so as I face yet another ten days or so without the H&M then yes, it has to be done. If the PA rears its head because it can then it can go ahead - 'tis the nature of the beast anyway!

kellerman

Hi DD,
Just enjoy your week-end as pain free as possible.One day at a time when you come back as you have been doing.You've been doing great but needs must.Hope these antibiotics work this time and then you'll be back on track again.
Glad you feeling better already.Have a lovely week-end with Mr DD
Bestest wishes May

stickywicket

DD you have touched on something very important here. It’s very easy for us to get so wrapped up in our own needs (And, heaven knows, they are many, varied and incessant) that we forget or ignore the needs of those around us who ’only stand and wait’ (and cook and forego stuff and help out in so many little ways we can easily forget they’re actually doing it for us).

You have a plan. It sounds like a good plan. If a side effect of your decision to give Mr DD his weekend is that your body has a well-earned break from much of the pain courtesy of the steroids then, hey, go with the flow, girl. (It sounds as if the weekend might involve quite a lot of flowing.) If any stray pieces of you need picking up next week, we’ll be here.

dreamdaisy

It's become a little more complicated so thank whoever I have done what I have. The play is a three hour stint :shock: - at least two-and-a-half will be static, so we won't emerge from the theatre until 10.30pm. No restaurant as a result, it's back to theirs for chilli but somehow I doubt I will be eating at 11.15pm. I shall sneak in a sticky bun or summat to keep me going as I surreptitiously swallow one pen, three sulph and some dullers, all at various intervals. I shall set my phone to vibrate with various alarms. I was looking forward to this, now I am not so sure. :sad: DD

julie47

DD don't worry about the amount of time you will be sat static, the play will be so enjoyable you won't realize. Even when it is time to stand and leave, the steroids will help make it that much easier to get up with very little stiffness.

I am pleased you have decided to take them to give you a boost.
I see no harm in getting that little bit of extra help.
I am also glad that you saw a difference so quickly.

Pick and mix in yer pocket that will see you through

Hope you have a lovely time
Love Juliepf x

dachshund

Hi DD
i'm pleased you are keeping your pain under control.
i hope you both enjoy your weekend have a lovely time.
please dont try any acrobatic move's.
take care.
joan xx

stickywicket

dachshund wrote:

please dont try any acrobatic move's.
joan xx

Oh Joan, I would so love to see her try an acrobatic move!
Maybe not during the Shakespeare, though. I also tend to agree with Julie that pic 'n mix or a cereal bar even might be easier to handle than a sticky bun. I once took a sticky bun to a cricket match. Never again.

DD I think you are handling this so well. Just make sure you do a walkabout at the interval. I'm sure you'll find somewhere to get a drink of water for your meds???

vonski

Have a good weekend DD. The steroids sound to be doing a great job but just don't go mad over the weekend, do have fun though.
Love
Vonski x

dreamdaisy

Ye gods, yesterday was lovely. Utterly, utterly lovely. I undid a new jar of coffee with ease, yup, this woman who last Saturday could not turn a key in a lock coped with a large, tightly fastened lid without a second thought. I was moving easily round the house with no crutch, coping with the stairs and did three lessons with no trouble. Why the hell have I been allowing myself to swim through treacle when I could have been swimming through air instead? Ah - long term side effects. I must remember that.

There is a downside. Salomé's back, dancing around with her soggy bathtowels. It's pred melt a-go-go with me at the moment but that's no biggie, it's a nuisance, yes, but it doesn't hurt so it's manageable. I suspect I will be the only person turning up at the Mercury Theatre tonight with a rucksack containing flannels, a hand towel, a change of blouse, two bottles of water, wine gums in a plastic box, a variety of pills in plastic boxes, a large Chinese fan (a gift from the people we are going with tonight, I am glad they will see me use it!) and a small torch so I can phart-harris about with said items. I have WD40d me sticks so they can be collapsed with ease and stowed under the seat and, more importantly, sprung easily back to the right height: DD is good to go!

15 mgs this morning. Thank you all for your good wishes and encouragement, I have fallen out with my mother (who is, of course, the total expert on mananging drugs and arthritis - it's amazing how much disdain one woman can get into her voice with the comment 'I suppose you know what you are doing.' ) but I care not. For once Mr DD and me are going to have the sort of life we should be having. It will be lovely whilst it lasts. DD

julie47

sounds as if you are well organized dd all you have to do now is ....Go and enjoy your self..


Love Juliepf x

stickywicket

A coffee jar? You undid a coffee jar? I am green with envy. I'm sure there was a time in my life when I could undo coffee jars but it was probably when ....oh forget it.

DD, there won't a rucksack examination at this theatre, will there? It's just that your contents sound a bit....how shall I put this....unusual?.....unlikely? for a theatre visit. I would hate to see you arrested on terrorism charges. Alternatively, with the spare blouse & chinese fan........It's not Mme Butterfly is it? You are not secretly planning to cavort about the stage in a state of pred-induced euphoria and very little else? (Mr SW says, can he have the name of the theatre, please?)

Do ignore your mother. We mothers invariably give crup advice and are always wrong. (My sons are united on this.) Have a great weekend with the lovely Mr DD. Tell us all about it later. Correction - tell us the repeatable bits which won't be censored. (You can PM me the rest.)

lalla

DD have a fab weekend and enjoy YOURSELF, you and Mr DD, I had steroid Inj last week and I feel rejuvenated so I can understand how you feel, enjoy every minute. Tell your Mum it does you more good to feel human for a few weeks with the steroid effect than struggling and wading through treacle adfinitum ((((DD))))) take care Linda

jillyb1

Have a fantastic weekend , DD and Mr DD , you deserve it , and don't worry you can patch things up with mum at a later date . One thing we've learnt is that sometimes it's important to think of yourself before any elderly female relatives ! Jillyb

tjt6768

to my wonderful pal DD. Sorry I've just caught up with this, hopefully by now you have had a fantastic evening at the play, and possibly just having a smigeon of the chilli for supper.
I'm really happy for you that things are nice, jars they are a'opening and crutches are a' lessening.... I know it's short term, but you bloody well deserve it. Please have a wonderful weekend.. I'm sure that you will do your best
You know where I am should you encounter any tricky locks

Looking forward to hearing about the weekend

julie47

Morning DD
Hope you enjoyed the theatre.
Have a lovely day today too
Thinking of you
Juliepf x

hileena111

Hi DD
Sorry I'm just catching up with this now. Hope you had a fantastic night last night with Mr DD ...at the theater and that your posh stick behaved themsleves and went the way you wanted them to go when you wanted them to go that way.....collapse or stay up
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend
Tell us about it when you get back.
Love
Hileena