Well... some time has passed.. a month since my last post. The last blood work came back in July and my numbers were AMAZING. Doctor said they were "relatively normal." My white blood cells were the highest they had been in 7 years! I took blood again at the beginning of this month and by now I suppose by now the methotrexate is basically out of my system (minus the trace of it possibly in my eggs). Truthfully, there has been a change in my body since last month - I am starting to really feel it. It hasn't been easy to wake up with pain every morning but I know it will be worth it so the show must go on. This month my results weren't as great as last month, my WBC dropped a bit and I have low glucose BUT my doctor wasn't concerned therefore I am not. We will see what next month looks like.
So where is the pain mostly for me? MY HANDS! Ugh, every morning I wake up and I can not make a fist. My fingers are SWOLLEN. I try not to over work them at night and I went out and bought a paraffin. I got the Homedics one at Bed, Bath and Beyond - $40 bucks.. works great. The pain subsides for a bit with the heat and it doesn't seem to have long term effects, but short form - and that's fine by me. The rest of my body does hurt here and there, sometimes it aches to even lift my arms. Those days I will work from home, which I have, and also I decided that when I am really in pain - either NOT wash my hair or go get a cheap blow out. The less work the BETTER. Yoga has been helping and every morning I try to stretch at my desk before I start my day. Whatever helps.
Some news.... This might sound a bit nutty but I have reached out to an alternative physician to look over my "case". On days where the pain is unbearable I have been resulting to taking Tramadol to help me through the day. I only take one tablet or a tablet in a half if needed however I really do not like to rely on pain killers of any sort - even Aleve - if i don't have to. So that's where Dr. Joseph will hopefully come in. I have an appointment with him next month and let's see what his thoughts are. I explained in my email that I was hoping to not have to depend on medication and maybe he has some better life changing methods to alleviate the constant pain. Truthfully, there is no way I would be able to manage getting through the day without help from SOMETHING. And I pray it doesn't get worse but last month has been different from this month.
Another thing that has been an issue is fatigue. I try to sleep on the bus to and from work and go to bed no later than 10pm but I am tired constantly. After my fiance and I watched WHAT THE HEALTH on Netflix we have decided to try to eat more plant based so hopefully that will help generate some energy. All in all whatever this new doctor tells me to do I am going to do. I plan to bring my fiance with me because there may be things that will have to change his lifestyle as well (like eating habits) and thank god he is health conscious so whatever changes are to improve our everyday life, I am sure he will be down for.
I don't mean to scare the readers that are planning to go off the medicine, just know this, while the pain is there - for me, its bearable. You will need help - cleaning help or cooking help - and if you have the means to go out to eat or have a cleaning lady to scrub the bathroom or toilets, now is the time. I never used to use the dishwasher. My fiance and I would scrub the dishes each night. Now? That dishwasher is my very best friend. Do what you can to make life more livable. Instead of watching TV on the couch - take the time to lay down on the floor (I lay on my Acupressure mat I mentioned in an earlier blog) and I do breathing exercises. Little things like that will help day to day. If I can do it, so can you.
I will write again right after my appointment with my "holistic healer". (That's what I nicknamed him already hehe) Till then! xoxoxo
- jac
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