YAWN!

A cure for arthritis might not be as far away as once thought. A new antibiotic combination has been used to treat people whose arthritis was caused by Chlamydia. For most of us, this isn’t the case. Still, the fact that this drug is really helping people go into complete remission gives me hope for the future.
Also, here’s the story of a brave 13-year-old girl with RA.

Rash: my face, as always – UGH. Makeup doesn’t even help. This is super annoying. I always assume people think there’s something wrong with me or that I’m mad.

Pain: I’m starting to get a headache… and my wrist is still being awkward… and so is my right ankle.
Inflammation: nothing actually seems too bad right now, except the ankle.
Meds: none
Stress level: low
Other notes: I’m ready for the summer, but not for graduation, go figure.
Things to make you smile: one of my favorite websites, ZooBorns

New Shoes!

Alright, so I’m kind of addicted to shoes that aren’t always the best for someone with RA to want to wear all the time – mostly flip flops and ballet flats… and high heels. When I was in high school, I alternated between wearing flip-flops and high heels every day.
Flip flops are terrible shoes because they don’t provide a lot of support. For someone with RA, this is terrible. You need the right amount of support; otherwise, everything starts to hurt. They’re fine for quick trips places where you aren’t walking a ton though.
I used to love high heels. I’d basically wear a pair until they were beyond done for and then get a completely different pair, with different heights. They helped take the pressure and pain out of my most troubling joints – my knees. They also forced me to slow down my walking pace, resulting in the same effect. Unfortunately, my feet just can’t handle the odd configurations and pressure caused by these shoes anymore.
Ballet flats aren’t too bad. The problem is finding some with adequate cushioning or buying the right kind of inserts. My favorite pair finally had to get tossed yesterday (about two months late). I was able to find, though, two very nice-looking pairs of flats at Sears for a nice low price. Unlike my last pair, both of these have a nice amount of support and cushioning. I’m not even experiencing a difficult time breaking in either of these.

Rash: small amount in the knee region this morning

Pain: headache lasting about two hours
 
Inflammation: able to feel some in the left knee
 
Meds: two Advil for headache
 
Stress level: fantastic, in a non-sarcastic way today even
 
Other notes: it was Jackie Robinson day today so I got really confused watching the Brewers/Cubs game earlier

Maybe a New Format?


As I’m able to begin posting a little more, I think I may try to do a physical update sometime during the day – if/where rash is present, any noticeable and painful inflammation, etc. So let’s start now!

Rash: right hand between lowest knuckles of the index and middle finger (as seen above); pretty much my whole left arm, from the shoulder down; both cheeks, spreading into the neck region.
Pain: left ankle and knee, but much less noticeable than yesterday; left ear is having pressure problems; right hip; rash stinging pretty bad (esp left arm), except on face – there it’s bringing along a feeling of fever (as usual); left hand – stinging, tingling sensations yesterday after leaving DR’s (no logical reason for it) occasionally hurting again.
Inflammation: left ankle swollen, also less noticeable then yesterday; presume that pressure problems in left ear are related to swelling; slight swelling in lymph nodes on right side of neck – not visible but sensed by touch.
Meds: I have not taken any medication today.
Stress level: don’t even ask, haha.
Other notes: Did not sleep well last night – paper and presentation due this morning. Bound to be similar situation all weekend. Feeling extra nauseous today – prob related to stress, lack of sleep, anxiety.
Things to make you/me smile:
  • It’s baseball season 🙂
  • Almost done with capstone…
  • I graduate in a month
  • Things might get a little worse, but they’re always bound to get better

Rheumy Appointment #2 Results

My x-rays didn’t show any terrible changes in the bones themselves. My blood tests were normal for someone with RA – high sedimentation rate, high white blood count, etc.

My doctor is suggesting that I begin taking Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine). It was an anti-malarial drug and then was found to help patients with lupus and RA as well. It’s an immunosuppressant. It’s not a bad idea, because it’s one of the more mild RA medications. It’s a DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug), but no one is exactly sure how it works for RA and lupus. The side effects seem to be minimal, and pretty similar to the problems my arthritis already causes me – stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, etc. As a 21-year-old, I’m a little saddened at the caution about drinking alcohol and liver problems, but I don’t really drink anyway, haha.
The reviews seem to be really good too. Is anyone else on this medication? Is it working well?