Wednesday, November 14, 2012

What Can I Say?!


With the start of my school semester and the subsequent classes and papers, it’s been easy to put off blogging. Haha (That being said, I have all As right now. Woot woot!!) Plus when Humira was taking care of all my still’s symptoms, there didn’t seem to be much to talk about. The operative word being WAS.

Yup, something has been developing over the past several weeks. The medication seems to be wearing off earlier and earlier. I’m due for my bi-weekly Humira injection tomorrow but I’ve been having a flare since Saturday. My right thumb and left pinky swelled up, my jaw, wrists, forearms, right hip, both ankles and hands in general have been painfully stiff and tender.

Admittedly, I don't think I'll ever get use to a surprise flare like this. It always feels like a huge blow to my confidence in my health. Sure, I would like to say that it’s due in part to the weather change but my gut tells me that, for reasons I can’t explain, Humira isn’t working.  For the last two injections, my right thumb (reaching all the way down to my wrist) has been giving me trouble a couple days before my Thursday injection date. Weird right?!

Since Dr. H is out on maternity leave, I definitely felt a bit lost when a physician’s assistant returned my call yesterday. Nonetheless, I am in the process of scheduling my next appointment, which was due to happen at the end of this month/beginning of next month anyways.  Who knows! Next time yall hear from me again, maybe I’ll be on a completely different medication! Ha!

This is just another reminder that still’s disease can be unpredictable and loves throwing you a good curve ball.  Also, it reminds me that saying why I’m having trouble walking, sitting, writing, typing, eating and/or moving really is much more complicated than being relegated to use the words, “I’m sick”. I know that I’m not contagious and I know there aren’t any visible signs (unless I have that lovely rash) but it’s the quickest and easiest way to say I’m not well.

Oh, I forgot to tell you! I'm a redhead now!
A couple of other quick updates
1.     I’ve been going to Zumba for the past few weeks and loving it!! If you remember, over the summer Dance Central was my good cardio friend!
2.     I’m always trying to find the positive/humor in my situation. Here’s a couple tweets from last night:
Being forced to walk like a zombie would've come in handy two weeks ago... #arthritisankle
I am Igor. I also just came up with my own theme song, Hobble... with an extra dash of "Hobbledy hobble, ho-ho-hobble, hobbin'" #musicgold
3.     Finally, my boyfriend has been the best about my still’s! He helps me carry and open things when I can’t, he wants to know all about what's going on and, most importantly, he makes me laugh by hobbling with me when I’m walking like a zombie/Igor :)

Have a wonderful week readers!