Positive news

Chinup

Hi All,

I come on here occasionly now to read how people are getting on, usaully in my half hour lunch breaks, so do not get time to write. Some of you may remember me,I have P/A I was coming on here all hours day or night, when unable to sleep because of the pain, as I have some time of for easter I decided to come on here and let you know how treatments are going and let all the newbies it is all trial and error with treatments, I started of a few years ago around 2008 taking any tabs the doctor put me on but no help, my arthritis got worse as the weeks went on, I saw my ruemy who gave me steroids and various injectons over the next year, there was never a day i was not in pain, one day I had a check up with the ruemy nurse and I burst out crying saying I cant stand it any more, I was to the point I could not walk any more, she took me to see the ruemy who took one look at me and said lets have ago at draining your knees, well after three large shringes off fluid from my left knee and about one and half from my right, she said I can see why you have been in pain, I was unable to hold a pen, dress myself/ lift my arms to wash my hair, I was in a right state. At that point she put me forward to go on biological treatments, so along came the humiria self injections, boy did i feel ill on them, it was like I had pernament flu, again after four months it was decided I change from that to infliximab, I have been having this for six months now and attend hospital every eight weeks to have the infusion, well what a change , I can walk almost pain free, only the ocassional flaire in my hands/elbows. They are thinking about bringing it forward to every six weeks as I do start suffering after about two weeks, nothing to like it was I must stress, I also take metho on a sunday and folic tabs 6/7 days, I have over the past few weeks gone on blood pressure tabs, as I lost my vision in my left eye for a few minutes, a month or so ago and blood pressure always on high side, but had shot right up, the metho play havoc with my liver sometimes and doc rings me to leave it for a week, it then settles again. I am constantly tired, and as soon as I stop being busy and sit down I start knodding!, I do not sleep well, and doc has given me sleeping tabs, which I only take when I feel I can not funtion or talk (start slurring) because im so tired, I feel all the little hicups I have through treatment are worth it for the quality of life I have at the moment, I find I cant kneel down, as my knees wont let me , so with a few days we have had good weather, girls at work have sat on the grass, well you can imagine, what im like getting down and up, I tend to start to get up and go back five mins before them as knees cease up, at that stage I look like a old lady trying to move insted of a forty something. My back is playing me up alot recently, if I stand to long especially, I will mention it to ruemy when I next see her in july. Anyway all you newbies there is hope out there and it is a case of finding what works for you.I wish you alll the best take care xx

coco67

chinup

that is possitive news, im glad they have found something that is helping you and wish you well, there is hope x

skezier

Hi Chinup,

Course we remember you and good to see you

so glad the infliximab is helping you so much and long may it last.

I would mention the knees and also I hope they will calm down and behave for you for a good while yet. Really is good to see you and thanks for sharing this cus I needed some good news Cris xx

dreamdaisy

Hello chinup, well that is good news that the inflixi is helping, I am so pleased for you and I hope it carries on for a good long while! Good luck with it all. DD

stickywicket

You must have needed every ounce of stamina to stay the course, Chinup so good for you and I'm very pleased you've now found something that helps. Thanks for sharing the good news.

barbara12

Hi chinup
Its so lovely to hear from you, and thankyou for sharing this with us, sometimes we do need all the good news we can get
I really do wish you well with your treatment, and please keep us updated on how you are doing.
Take care xxx

Folara

Heya chinup,

I'm fairly new so you won't know me but just wanted to say wow well done for sticking with so many treatments. Thank goodness you have found something that is finally helping.

Hugs.

Fols x

valval

it always good to find out how people are doing we do wonder so glad you have far better quality of life val

lindalegs

Good to see you Chinup and great to hear your positive news about your infliximab infusions. Hope your back and knees settle down and good luck with you Rheumy in July.

Luv,