It seems I am headed for my now almost traditional yearly finger joint injection. A finger's swollen up again, this time the right hand middle one which is a bit of a nice change - poor pointer finger is getting a break at last. I tried ringing my doctor today but strangely no one picked up. Oh well..will have to wait till Monday. I have plans to plant some trees in the neighbourhood tomorrow with my community garden group - will be fun with my special hand! Been almost 11 months since the last finger flare so not doing too bad. It's all starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day now with these yearly flares and injections.
I don't really know what this disease pattern means and my doctors haven't mentioned changing my meds or anything as my flares are very localised and inbetween them I tend to feel totally healthy. I don't even know if the medication I'm on makes any difference, but I'm not willing to stop it and find out. I did definitely feel worse in the first 3-4 months after diagnosis, but then I suddenly felt better and I wasn't even settled on my medication yet. Since then I've had the same pattern of feeling totally fine for about 6-12 months, then flare. The flares are not getting any worse over time, always the same and always localised. But how long can this good luck last? I don't really want to change meds as the hydroxy + occasional joint injection seems to keep it at bay 95% of the time, but maybe on methotrexate I wouldn't have symptoms at all? I know at some point in the future the steroids might not work, or the flare might be worse or the disease might progress to the point where it doesn't remit anymore. But maybe not, maybe I'll get lucky. I try not to think about it. Go away, scary thoughts. It's Friday! Hope everyone has a nice weekend ahead!
Hey, just found your blog. Hoping to start my own blog soon but haven't worked up the nerve. I get swollen fingers too but they have lessened since I began monthly infusions of Actmra. By lessening, I mean I have them once monthly rather than the end of each week. Good Luck to you!
ReplyDeleteGoing 11 months between finger flares is great! I have struggled with a lot of foot and hand/finger/wrist pain over the winter months. I am ready for warm temperatures. I hope your "totally healthy feelings" continue for you.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah I hear you Terry - we're having a really rough winter here, it's still snowing! Can't wait for the warmth. Hi LaundryDiva, welcome to my little blog :) Having a blog is very therapeutic for me, I get to let out the rants that I try and spare the people in my 'real' life! Go for it!! And thanks for stopping by!
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