Hi! Long lost stranger here...
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| Thu, 01-26-2006 - 5:18am |
Hi everyone! I have been lurking for so long...keeping up on all of you as much as I can...but I thought I would uncloak myself and say hi!
Amazingly, I have been doing great. Last July, I switched to a combo of Arava, Enbrel, Plaquenil, and Mobic and I have been doing better than I have since diagnosis. I have completely stopped taking Prednisone. I was taking 100 mgs of Kadian (slow-release morphine) and 10 mgs of oxycodone daily and I am down to 60mgs of Kadian and NO oxy! I have been able to exercise more- I am up to 2-3 miles 5 days a week walking or doing a low impact walk-aerobics video. I have lost 27 pounds since last summer and I am amazed!! I know...sounds like a sappy Enbrel commercial that I hate so much. She gives herself one shot and heads out for some mild rock climbing or white water rafting!! LOL But really, my rheumy is amazed as well. I really didn't believe that the FM could get better with exercise because my joints were so stiff I could hardly move...but it is really helping me control my pain. I still hurt...especially in the morning of course...but it is far easier to control now. I have permanent joint damage in my ankles, toes, fingers, hips, knees, neck, jaw etc that still causes trouble but it is slowed down much more and I haven't lost any more range of motion lately.
I have the makers of MTX to thank...I switched to the Arava combo when I could no longer get MTX injectables very easily. I had tried Arava alone with no success but it is strange what the right drug cocktail can do.
At my worst, I was taking 35 pills a day and giving myself several shots a week. I am down to 15 pills a day and 1 shot a week. I am thanking God everyday and I hope it lasts. We had completely given up the idea of having any more kids as we have fertility problems and would need to be off my meds for a bit to try and get pregnant but after this, we are considering it since we know what works and can go back to it after the baby or if we are still unable to conceive. I am going to wait until I have felt good for a year, and then we will see.
I don't like to push stuff on people but if you are looking for a video that is a good workout that you can adjust to mild movements and NO jumping at all...I have been using Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone. They come in 1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile etc...and you can be as gentle or as powerful as you need. My mom turned me on to it...she started it to help with her osteoporosis as she needed to exercise to slow her bone loss. It really makes me feel good and I don't get sore afterward. OK...I am off my soapbox.
I hope you are all doing well...please respond and catch me up on what you have been up to!!
Heidi

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Oh Heidi,
I knew there was a reason I love ya!! That was so awesome for you to do. More and more lately there are troops leaving that are only making the 3rd page (if that) in the local newpapers where they are leaving from. Thank you so much for doing that for them. They do need the boost. I will have to tell Rick that you thought of him. You remember a couple of years back, you were both pushing me to agree to go to Elmendorf??? He still wants to go there. He is also talking about going back to Europe. Not to Germany this time though. To Italy. Yes, I can't wait to go to the pool. Problem is you can only wear a one piece and all I have are 2 pieces. Swimsuit shopping here I come.
Enjoy your weekend Sis. I will be on MSN all day. I wait for E-mails for Rick to come. TTYS.
Love ya!!!
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