Arthritis
Hi, everyone,
I am just curious. I have been type I since I was 12, in 1968. Now I
am 45. I have had three healthy babies, and generally haven’t had
complications (i.e., my retinas are just about perfect) My docs are
at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago. Life is good. I love my
endocrinologist - he is knowledgeable, and never treats me like an
idiot. When he tells me that I know how to adjust my insulin better
that he does, I feel he is treating me as a partner, not a problem! He
has always been responsive to my requests, and even makes very dry
jokes about clinical stuff that lets me know he doesn’t take himself
too seriously! So that’s how the first 32 years of diabetes went for
me.
Last December, I went to bed one night, and I was fine. I wish I had
appreciated it at the time! In the morning, I couldn’t pick my head
up from the pillow. Over the course of the next week, and lots of
ibuprofen, the pain moved from my neck to my hips and knees, and I
felt lousy in general. TO make a long story short, by Valentine’s
Day, I was dx’ed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The rheumatologist put me
on Prednisone, scared to death what would happen to my blood sugars,
with me assuring her that it wouldn’t be a problem with an insulin
pump. And it hasn’t. Then, about four weeks ago, she had me start on
Plaquenil, which is an anti-malarial, which happens to prevent joint
damage in RA. One a day for one week, two a day for one week, and
then I turned into a walking hive. From my neck to my elbows to my
knees, I broke out. So now I am not taking Plaquenil any more.
But my question is this - how many of you have RA? Did you get it
earlier that you would have expected? This is really distressing to
me, because without the meds, my 88-year-old mother gets around better
than I do. Before the Prednisone, I would have to make a decision
when I wanted to go from the computer in the living room into the
kitchen - was it worth stepping up and down one step to save about 10
steps, or was it easier to travel the longer, level surface? And I
mean that I had to consider it! This has been more depressing to me
than DM. Although it is much better since Prednisone. I also got a
frozen shoulder (and the other is about half frozen) that has been
nearly relieved with Physical Therapy. I know the doc will want to
try Methotrexate next, but I understand that it is a more toxic drug
in general than the Plaquenil, at least for most people! Do any of
you take Methotrexate? My cousin has been taking it for 17 years for
RA, with great success, altho she says it is now losing its
effectiveness for her.
I know that I need to go and find an RA group. I will be lucky if it
is as helpful and encouraging, even to a lurker, as this group is.
But I am also wondering how often DM and RA occur together. SO I had
to ask!
Sorry this has been so long…..but then I don’t ask too many
questions! Thanks everyone!
Joan Jakubowski
February 13th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Joan,
Your story is remarkable, because it illustrates again that life isn’t fair.
I used to think that I had my share of unfair stuff, but you have been hit
twice!
I have always believed that you must play with the cards you are dealt. That
worked OK for me, as I have been able to play with what I have been dealt rather
well. (actually, that means ‘lucky’).
But, your cards stink!
I wish I could offer some suggestions, but I really know nothing about your
added problem.
The only thing I can offer from my perspective is that when I was down and out,
about to go blind, I found a solution that has lasted for 20 years. But, that
is no consolation to you —– but, don’t give up; look for the fifth Ace in
the deck!
David
February 13th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Joan,
I am so sorry to hear of this happening to you.
I do have arthritis but not RA. I have some days it is not so bad and like
you say otherdays it has to be an emergency to get me out of my chair. I
have recently started theraputic massages and it has helped greatly with
the pain. I feel the improved circulation has helped this.
I have not been on any of the medication you have, except for prednisone
and it almost killed me.
I have a friend, DMer that has been on medication, don’t know the name and
she ended up in the ER from bleeding ulcers.
Sorry I am not help.
I hope you can get the answers you need.
Gail