Well, I did it.

dreamdaisy

As many of you will remember ('cos I keep going on about it! ) I devoted 2011 to giving up the oral steroids: it took most of the year but I think I finally stopped them towards the back end of November. I had a bone scan in December which showed that all was well with those, so that confirmed in my mind that I had done the right thing.

I did begin to wonder as the ghastly spectre of Christmas approached whether I would be able to remain steroid-free or whether a boost would be needed to get me through that busy period. As it turned out it wasn't and to be frank it never even once occurred to me as an option. I dealt with Christmas by being around for just twelve hours a day, either 8am to 8pm or 9 to 9, the other hours were devoted to resting. The same applied on New Year's Eve too - long gone is the excitement of staying up to see in a new year which (more than likely) will consist of basically more of the same.

Another bonus of being off the pred is that the weight continues to steadily drop off. Jeans that would not do up before Christmas now have a tad to spare on the waist and the hips, and bras that were tight are now not. My face is a little thinner which is pleasing (my eyes don't look so 'piggy' now) and these small pleasures are enough to keep my resolve strong. The next thing now is to remember to refuse all joint injections (they only ever help temporarily and to my way of thinking that is less than helpful - three days benefit? At the most three weeks? I want more than that but know I won't get it) so what is the point of risking the complications that they can cause? Is my life not complicated enough already? I happen to think it is.

The greatest test of this resolve will come if all the meds have to be stopped for any reason. Later this month the meth is being increased to 17.5 with a view to reaching 20 (fortnightly bloods are to be resumed :roll: ) so I must bear in mind that things could go mammary-glands upwards, but hopefully not. I am quite content to stay at the current levels but my SWMBOC (she-who-must-be-obeyed-consultant) thinks that more meth may help those stubborn joints that are still swollen. We'll see.

I am proud of what I achieved in 2011. I am not looking forward to 2012 simply because of the bloods hassle: in ten years of meds I have only had one year of monthly bloods and one lot of three-monthly. This feels like a retrograde step, being bunged back on the naughty step for summat I haven't done. I know, I know, it's juvenile, but there's nothing like arthritis for bringing out one's inner three year old. If I'm not careful I may well trip over my lower lip it's sticking out that far. Oh grow up, Daisy, you've done all that before and you can easily do it all again. It's as big a problem as I choose to make it, yes? Anyhoo, who knows? More meth may lead to the Clatterator gathering dust, the crutches being cobwebbed as they rust in the shed. Yeah, right.

My name is DD and I am pred-free.

valval

i am so proud of you.
am just starting 8 week bloods yay for me not trailing up to hospital every 8 weeks not my idea of fun but if meds work will be worth the effort and will treat my self to tea and tea cake in wri cafe(bet that wrong) just to make it a treat not a chore.

dd i know it not nice but they would not tell you to up them unless you need them, give it a go if it not working for you then talk it over with them but just to get rid of inflimation would be fab. thinking of you sending positive thoughts your way val

stickywicket

dreamdaisy wrote:

Another bonus of being off the pred is that the weight continues to steadily drop off. Jeans that would not do up before Christmas now have a tad to spare on the waist and the hips, and bras that were tight are now not. My face is a little thinner

Who is this skinny, pinched-face woman who is masquerading as our DD? Plus, she tells whoppers as no-one has ever been known to get slimmer over Christmas.

You don't need me to tell you this (yet again), DD, but I will anyway. Coming off the pred last year, within the time limit you'd imposed on yourself, was a big, big achievement. I'm also more pleased than ever that you devised a way of coping with the Christmas visits that didn't totally knacker you. (With the emphasis on the 'totally'.) We all talk about 'pacing ourselves' and we all accept the need for it but how many of us actually practise what we preach. ( :oops: ) You are right to be proud of yourself. I am very proud of you too. (My name is stickywicket and I am an ex-pred head's mate.)

As for the monthly bloods - yes, you are right; it's not retrograde and you are a dozy wassock. (No-one's perfect.)

julie47

Here is another one of your friends who is very very proud of your achievement. x:-P

and even more so that you didn't take them over the christmas period when i know it is an extremely busy and tiring time for you.

Many congratulations on your weight loss but don't loose too much we love our dd just the way you are. x:-D

Take care
Love & Hugs (((((((()))))) juliepf xx

dachshund

HOORAY YOU DID IT DD.
i wish you all the best with it but dont lose too much weight
we wont be able to see you.
take care.
joan xx

jillyb1

So proud of you , even more so as you survived the invasion of the mothers and managed to give everyone a good christmas . Be proud and hold up the one remaining chin our sylph like DD . Jillyb

dibdab

Just had to say "WELL DONE!!!!!". What an achievement to get off the steroids. As for the bloods-I must be sitting very firmly on that naughty step-haven't managed to get past fortnightly bloods in 5 years of treatment-but it seems small price for the relief that the meds give-though I do sometimes have to give myself a firm talking to to remind me of that!

Hope 2012 will bring you an even greater sense of achievement and at least some relief from this stupid disease which sometimes threatens to overwhelm us all.

Blessings
Deb x

suzygirl

Well done DD, what a marvelous achievement. The weight loss is enough to spur you forward.

As for arthritis and the inner child, I have to agree I am afraid. :oops:

Lets hope 2012 goes smoothly for you.

Starburst

It was just the other day was wondering how it was going for you with the steroids, DD. So very glad to hear how wonderfully you've done. What an achievement and to be losing weight is a fabulous bonus. Happy 2012! x

tiggernut

Hi DD,

What fantastic news. The idea of getting my chubby cheeks reduced definately inspired me even more to get of it lol!
Hopefully I will be saying the same by the end of the year. trouble is I can't have anymore MTX as it causes chest infection and the Leflumonide gave me terrible headaches so I was taken off them.

Take care.
Anita x

tillytop

Hey DD

I want to add my congratulations too - and I too am so very proud of you and full of admiration for what you have achieved. You said you would do it and, because you are so determined, I never doubted that you would, and it is a very big achievement. And if I knew how to do a cheering emoticon I would, but I don't so a smiley one will have to do instead

Love Tillyxxx

annalou

I know I'm knew to the board but I wanted to offer you my congratulations! It sounds like you have done an amazing job!! Well done you and an inspiration to all! Enjoy the baggy jeans lol, mine are feeling exceedingly tight after the festive period!

XX Annalou

dreamdaisy

Thank you, everyone, for your kind messages. I am still amazed that I've done it, still astonished that not once has it occurred to me to pop the odd one here and there, and to be honest - - I have just sneaked three teaspoons of extra thick double cream (by the teaspoon from the pot) by way of celebration.

I have no doubt that my sternest test is yet to come, but I have no fear: I have learned a great deal about how to cope with this thing I have to call life (even though it isn't any recognisable form of such to the healthy - pah! What do they know?) and the diseases that 'govern' it. I am in a far better place in January 2012 than I was in February 2007, maybe not physically but definitely mentally and as a result of experience, and that will stand me in good stead. Famous last words? No, I hope not. I really do. DD

kellerman

DD...You are one positive person.
I have no doubt that you'll cope as you always have with all life has thrown at you.
As all the others say we are all so proud of you.
2012 will not get you down...you won't let it....of that I have no doubt.
May

ritwren

Well done DD I'm delighted for you and wish you all the best for 2012.
Rita.