Thank you and a mini update on me

merri

Once more, I owe a great deal of gratitude to the wise words and advice that were given this time last week when I couldn't see the wood for the trees and couldn't believe that it was the RA getting worse, preferring to try and blame it on a cold which could be easily shrugged off.

At the weekend I hit rock bottom, the RA pain, stiffness and all of the other symptoms worse that I had ever known them and utterly unbearable. I went to the OOH GP who gave me morphine patches to try and dull the pain, which didn't help.

Yesterday I went to see the GP to update them and to get a note for work. He has signed me off for 2 weeks despite me asking for less, and has made it clear that he expects me to be off for longer. I have a Rheumatology appt for Thursday and have just had the results of my latest blood tests, ESR at 50, CRP over 30 which in a way reassures me, I know it's not me as the tests back up how I feel. My GP told me to double the morphine patches up, on top of the Tramadol, Cocodamol etc and I actually had a few hours sleep last night.

I just wanted to say thank you again and how utterly grateful I am that this place exists, without it I don't know what I would have done.

valval

well so glad bloods back up what you are feeling it always helps to know it not in your head (most of us feel it must be at one time or another) glad they are sorting you and gp sounds great listen and rest while off but get out in sun when you can val

deedeeitsme

So sorry to hear that you have been having such a horrid time but glad that things are improving a little. I hope the appointment with the rheumy goes well and they may be able to suggest something to ease your pain. We all go through denial from time to time, I have moments where I have stopped taking meds before because I didn't think they were helping but boy did I know I'd stopped them .

Take care Dee x

stickywicket

What a crazy disease this is! Or, should I say, what a crazy, dysfunctional family of diseases these are? We end up pleased that tests show we are truly ill because we begin to doubt our own feelings, stamina and reactions to pain.

Merri, I'm glad the doc agrees. I'm glad you don't have to go into work for a couple of weeks and I very much hope that Thursday's appointment will bring more good news. The pain meds will help but auto-immuners cannot live on pain meds alone. You need the big lump hammer

Please keep us updated, merri. And don't go rushing back to work at the first glimmer of hope.

barbara12

Hi Merri
I am glad you got something to help, its the same here with the patches they didn't do much at all, so I have just upped them.
I do hope they continue to work for you , till you get some more help.
Wishing you well with everything xx