Skip to main content

A change of plans...


So I have not been in the mood to do any blogging in a while, but I am ready to get back into it!
My Rheumy doctor went MIA in October and I went into a panic state. I have been on methotrexate injections (chemo) for over a year now and my next appointment we were going to switch to a biologic. I was excited for this because I had heard of people having so much success with it. My doctor had explained to me that insurance companies kinda make you follow a cheaper to most expensive time line when it comes to prescribing medications and biologics are at the most expensive end of the time line. So, I had done my time and tried all the least expensive drugs and none of them seemed to help any.  I got a call the day before my appointment saying that no one knew where my doctor went and that I would have to find a new Rheumatoid doctor. This meant that my almost empty pain killers were all I had left to survive on until I found a new doctor that would prescribe me the medications I need. Since I have been on Norco 7.5 three times a day for the the last two years, I was a little nervous about quitting cold turkey. I was also scared to death of having to feel the pain I have full force again. As luck had it my primary care doctor helped me out and filled my prescriptions because he knew that taking them was not an option for me. Long story short, I went to a new Rhemy doctor and HATED the experience. He looked at my records for exactly 5 minutes and straight up told me that he didn't think I had RA. I just looked at him and said "Well that is the best news I have heard in a long time!" (sarcasm inserted here) He also told me that it is VERY rare for someone to have more than one autoimmune disease. (I have several for those of you who have not read my first post.) EVERY SINGLE article I have read about autoimmune diseases states that one is VERY likely to have more than one autoimmune disease once diagnosed with one. Lets just say I fired that doctor and am currently waiting for my fabulous MIA doctor to reappear.  So here is where my life has changed. The last two months I have decided to slowly take myself off all medications that I have been taking for the last two year. I mean, they aren't working and they have had some MAJOR side effects. I have had constant diarrhea, nausea, headaches, numbness, dry skin and eyes, fatigue, and my favorite weight loss. I am telling you the diarrhea was debilitating. My A-hole was so raw and burnt that I couldn't even tolerate to wipe anymore! I had to rinse my ass off every time I went poo. It was awful. I know TMI, but I like to share ALL my unpleasant experiences with you because you may be going through the same thing. I finally got to a point where I just couldn't take it anymore. So now I am ONLY taking my thyroid pill and half the dose of Cymbalta every day. I was taking 20+ pills and injections every day, along with a weekly Butrans pain patch.  I have also started a 21 day sugar detox and am going to see a alternative  medicine doctor in February. I have done tons of research and feel like I need to give this new approach a chance. I have tried modern medicine for the past three years and have not had ANY relief other than the temporary relief from the pain pills. I just want to say that so far, I feel better than I have in years. I started having NORMAL poops again! It is WONDERFUL!!! Anyways, I am posting some links to some of the videos I have watched that have given me hope of feeling better. I hope you take the time to watch them. They are long, but AMAZING. I will keep you updated with my new journey and let you know if this new approach works for me. Here's to a NEW YEAR and a CHANGE OF PLANS.

http://www.veritasmedical.com/for-new-patients

http://21daysugardetox.com/?hop=21dsdsales

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

RA... Say what?!?!?!

My name is Beth. I am 35 years old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. The purpose of this blog is to educate, advocate, and provide a look into what it is like to have autoimmune diseases as a mother, wife, and person in general. I would like to take a step back and reflect on how I was diagnosed. It was 2012 and I was pregnant with my third child. I was sick with strep throat for the like 8th time in a year. I went into a walk in clinic and the Doctor looked at me and said "I would like to do some blood work on you. You are sick way to much and something is not right." That blood work was the answer to so many unanswered questions that I had had in my past. Long story short, I was referred to a Rheumatologist and found out I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. I also have a list of other issues that are autoimmune related such as a blood clotting disorder, thyroid disease, anxiety, and mild depression. The diagnosis, while awful, was an answer to 3 miscarriages

What I Want You To Know...

Like most that suffer from chronic diseases, I feel like people typically do not understand what it is like to walk (or not to walk) in our shoes. While I do not want to constantly focus on my ailments, I think it is important to spread awareness. It is crucial that we educate and provide basic knowledge for the general public. I chose this picture for this post because it hit home for me personally. I have lots of friends with Rheumatoid Disease that do indeed have severe arthritis. While I look at them and see strength, hope, and courage,  you can also see the pain and suffering through their disfigurements. My sister and I have many health issues, but one can not visibly see any deformities as of yet. While I am grateful that all my extremities are characterized as normal so far, this can make it hard for others to realize what type of struggles we go through on a day to day basis. I wanted to post some symptoms here that go hand in hand with Rheumatoid Disease. These were co

THE CHAIR

     I am having one of my HARD weeks this week. So hard in fact, that I can not bear the pain of standing up in the shower to bathe in the morning. I get so weak and dizzy from the shooting/throbbing/stabbing pain i want to faint. Like I have said before, I do get a little down and out, but I try to always see the good in every situation. So here it is...      When you have a disease like RA, it is essential to have supportive and loving people surround you. I just happen to have several in my life. Thanks be to God. My husband is at the top of the list. He isn't always perfect, but when I am hurting really bad, my husband really comes through for me. After complaining about how hard it is to stand in the shower, I asked my hubby to run to the store to buy me one of those chairs you put in the bath or shower to sit on. You know, the kind old people have to use... I woke up the next morning to find this chair put together and waiting for me. Instead of feeling sorry for myse