Going on a rampage here...:)

Lots of pain these past couple of days...My pinkie does not want to shrink back down! Can't straighten it out. Swollen, red and warm. Last night I had my husband feel my pinkie...hot. Then I had him feel the rest of my fingers on that hand...ice cold. The pain in the pinkie goes from the very tip of it to the base of it...through my palm right down to my wrist. The wrist pain is on both sides (inner and outer). The pain from the wrist runs up the bottom of my arm to my elbow. Had a lot of trouble before bed last night, getting comfortable. Woke up at 5:30 this morning in so much pain...couldn't get back to sleep. I got up, hubby made me some toast, took my prednisone and 4 ibuprofen. Went back to sleep around 9:30...pain is more tolerable... but still awful.

The pain in my feet and toes has also been awful. Noticing I can't seem to lift my feet very well...have to be really careful about things on the floor...including throw rugs. I can't lift and step over things like I used to...now I'm shuffling to the side and going around. Had a lot of left hip pain and neck and shoulder pain this morning too. So glad I'm going back to the doctor on Tuesday. (Knee pain seems to be the only joint pain that has not worsened)

I have not been eating well at all. Have not been drinking my V-8 or my water like I started out doing so well. I'm sure this could have a lot to do with how I feel. Finding showers don't feel as good as they used to either...it seems the longer I'm in water, the worse my legs feel. I get out of the shower extremely weakened and shaky. I've been putting off water aerobics for this reason as well. Standing for almost any length of time is difficult. Food preparation takes a lot out of me...may be part of the reason I am not eating as well. Have also had a lot of nausea and just in general stomach "upset".

Tonight I have asked my husband to help me wash and prepare some fresh veggies for snacking through the weekend. Hopefully if they're ready in the fridge, I'll grab for them. Started reading The Sugar Solution...going to try to follow it's guidelines for awhile...can't hurt!

For some reason the blog won't allow me to post comments...so to Kami and Jack, thank you for your comments, concern and support! I do appreciate it! And thank you Jamie...I know you're reading and following my journey...your support is also appreciated. A little down these last couple of weeks...Spring is coming and I want to be out there walking and gardening and enjoying things! Hopefully I'll get there soon!

My 3 gratefuls: 1. Sunshine and Spring! 2. Supportive friends! 3. Gardening catalogs and magazines!

Still waiting to get better...

Still have the swollen pinkie on the left hand. The pain is in the whole hand now. Whereas it used to be on the outside edge and top of my left hand...it is now in the palm, along the thumb, both sides of the wrist. I can not straighten my pinkie out. The pain is also in the second knuckle on the pinkie now.

Right foot, little toe is still swollen as well. Pain on the underside of the feet as well. Left foot big toe still very sore as well...noticing the last few days a shiny red tender spot on side of foot just below the big toe. Very frustrating. Still taking meds like I'm supposed to. Also still taking the vitamins.

Appetite is off. Often feel hungry, but nothing tastes good or don't feel like eating. Wish I could say I was losing weight!

Hot and Chubby...

Day 3 of the "chubby finger". Left pinky is swollen so fat. It hurts a lot too...all the way into my hand. Hot to touch. Feet are very painful also. Right foot little toe isn't as swollen, but still a little puffy and painful. Also pain on the bottom of my feet closest to my toes that have pain. Pain on the tops of my feet too...up to my ankle. Pain on the back of my right foot (heal).

I go back to the doctor in Omaha on the 30th. Trying to make sure I note all my changes so I can let her know everything. In my opinion, it seems like it's getting worse...frustrating. Been doing a lot of reading...everything I can find on the internet and all the literature from the doctor again.

It's 3:33 am. I can't sleep. So much pain in my feet and legs. Very tired...pain and restlessness is keeping me awake. Pinky is not as swollen, although I can feel it stiffening up again, so assume I'll wake up with it swollen again.

1 Step Forward and 2 Steps Back...

Yesterday it felt so good to have made some progress by going down the stairs. Today things are the worst they've ever been. My left hand/wrist pain is awful...I can not straighten my pinky...the whole wrist, hand is swollen. When I try to turn my hand it trembles. I can barely bend any of my fingers on the left hand.

Started having hip pain late last night again. Now my right foot is swollen completely smooth and tight...my little toe is swollen huge and very painful. Very hard to walk with all the pain in my toes. These are all new problems...very frustrating!

The stairs no longer intimidate me...

Wednesday...the dreaded day of the methotrexate dose!!! Today was one of the worst days for nausea I've had so far...luckily I took the first 1/2 of the dosage early with some breakfast and my other meds and went back to sleep during the worst of it! lol Still having some stomach issues...food isn't sounding so good...basically ate soup for lunch and supper. Had a baked potato later to take my night meds with. Doing well taking the vitamins and meds...not so good with the rest. :(

My left pinky is horribly painful today...along with the rest of my left hand. I'm noticing that pinky seems to have a crook in it and their is a slight bump in the knuckle closest to the tip of my finger on the outside edge. That does worry me a bit...I'm hoping it isn't permanent damage already. I blame the pain on the strain I put on it when I pushed down on it to get out of the tub the other day. Other than that today wasn't too bad pain wise. Beautiful weather outside today...opened up some windows and the patio doors...the fresh air felt great! Did some light cleaning...

I realized I had nothing planned for supper this afternoon...with no one around to check the freezer in the basement for me I decided to give the steps a try! To my surprise it wasn't too bad! Coming up was even easier! I thought about keeping this success to myself...kinda nice having people run up and down the steps for you when you need something! lol But, I kinda let the cat out of the bag without thinking about it!

Three things I am grateful for today...1. Scanners on the computer...it was fun to post some old pictures of my brother and I and some of our cousins from when we were little tots! 2. I am grateful that I can do the steps again ...this means progress is being made! 3. I am grateful I got to talk to my best friend tonight...we hadn't talked for a few days and I missed that!

Darn Baths...

Yesterday I took my first bath in weeks! Because of my knee and hand pain, I have not been able to get in and out of the tub. (Showers are ok...but I missed my bathtub!) Anyway...it felt awesome! Turned the bathtub jets on and soaked...then I started to realize the warm water did not feel real good on my knees...not sure why???!!! I got in by myself, but I knew I wasn't coming out by myself! lol My husband had to help pull me from the tub...in doing so, I put both hands down on the sides of the tub and pushed myself up...the pain that shot through my left hand and arm was unbelievable...my knees were weak and my left one flew out in front of me. Lesson learned?...no baths for me yet...back to the shower! I woke up this morning in terrible pain. Left arm and hand, back and left calf pain. Got my meds in me...better, but not as good as I should be.

Food today...not much. Nothing tastes good to me. Seriously...the chicken that tasted so good yesterday...tasted horrible today. I had a breakfast sandwich for breakfast, cup of soup for lunch and a baked potato for supper. Stomach is still hurting...I think it has to do with the meds or the vitamins...don't think it's the flu, thank goodness.


My 3 gratefuls for today...1. My 8 year old son...without knowing it, his hugs and concern meant the world to me tonight. His cold little hands made the burn of the inflammation in my wrist feel so good! 2. My husband...I'd still be in the tub without him. 3. I admit it...having a tough time with the third one today...got it! The delete button on the computer. Fixes a lot!

Falling off the wagon...

Hmmmmm...should've gone to the Wellness Center today. Hopefully tomorrow. Didn't sleep well last night at all. Was still awake after 4:30 this morning. Today started off bad...really bad headache and lots of pain in the arm and feet/toes. Ate my breakfast...took my meds and vitamins...took a nap...woke feeling much better. Did laundry today...some cleaning...rearranged the living room (with help).

Not very hungry lately. Stomach has been bothering me...hoping it's just the meds and not something else. Evidently the methotrexate weakens my immune system, so I do have to be careful who I am around.

Breakfast was a toaster thingy. Lunch a subway sandwich and supper was a baked potato. Oh...I did have a sliver of peanut butter pie this afternoon! But, even that didn't taste that great to me. Definitely noticing a change in appetite. Found a snack mix I really like...it has sunflower nuts, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds and raisins in it...and NO sodium. Eat a handful of that a couple times a day...everything in it is supposed to be good for arthritis. Need to have my V-8 juice...no vegies today!! (I know....bad Laurie!!)

Next week WILL be better...going to FORCE myself to eat those fruits and vegies...even if I'm not hungry.

Lesson Learned

Today started out horrible. So much pain...could barely walk across the room. I didn't have to get Wyatt up and ready for school today, didn't sleep very well last night, so I slept in. BIG MISTAKE! Lesson learned...get up on schedule and take medicines on schedule. Once I took my meds and rested I felt a lot better. Still more pain than usual, but is much more manageable now.

My 3 gratefuls for the day... 1. Prednisone...could not function without it. 2. Blankets...love to curl up with one when I don't feel good. 3. My kids are healthy...have had 3 friends' kids have surgery within 10 day of each other! 2 tonsils removed, and 1 appendix.

I admit it...I have failed miserably with my goals this week. Have not been drinking my water, eating my vegies or my fruits! I have been faithful taking my vitamins though. Missed water aerobics all week. I promise...next week I will be better to myself!!!!

Well, this is embarrassing! I lost the link to my blog! Not many changes since then...although I did have some hip pain last night...seems to be gone today...thank goodness! I'd like to at least limit it to the joints it's in and not add anymore.

Today was the 3rd dose of the Methotrexate. Side effects were mild this time...that's good. Still taking all the vitamins, drinking all my water and my V-8 juice! Not doing as well at getting the fruits in...need to work harder on that. Been kinda slacking lately!

I recently learned from a friend that when he takes magnesium it helps his headaches! (Thanks, Jack!) This is good to hear...I have suffered from headaches since the 8th grade. The calcium supplement I take has magnesium in it...so hoping it helps with headaches as well!

I read somewhere that I should find 3 things to be grateful for each day. This could get hard! I did 1 thing a day through the month of November and sometimes had a hard time! We'll see what I come up with! Today I am grateful for health insurance coverage. I think this is going to be a spendy condition! I am also grateful for my mom. She has been an amazing help to me in big and little ways! I am also grateful for the internet...I have met some of the best people here...and their friendship means everything to me!

Friends can be the Best Medicine!

This week has surprisingly gone by quickly! Woke up this morning with quite a bit of pain in my feet and toes. I think this is going to be the area I have the most trouble with. Went back to taking my whole prednisone dosage at once instead of 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the p.m. Seemed to help a LOT!

My wonderful mom came out today, made me breakfast (caramel biscuit ring-a-round...YUM) and washed my dishes, slicked up my kitchen and vacuumed my floors for me!! She then dropped me off at my best friend's house and the two of us headed South to do some shopping! Visited with my brother, picked out the carpet for my basement steps, and made that fun trip to Menard's! We ate supper out at Culver's then headed for home. It was a long day, I tire much easier than I used to...but it was worth it to get out of the house, enjoy the beautiful weather, and spend some time with a great friend!! Needless to say, I didn't do a very good job getting my fruits and veggies in...unless you count the cranberry flavoring in my sprite from Sonic...(a must whenever I'm in a town with a Sonic!!!)

Actually feeling pretty good tonight, besides being tired.

Pity Party!

The morning started off great! No stiffness, relatively little pain except for my toes. I started on my vitamins regimen today. Today was also my second dose of the methotrexate...I take it once a week. Not sure if it was the vitamins or the methotrexate, but felt very nauseated within an hour or two. Today was also the first day of splitting my prednisone dosage. Taking 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the p.m. instead of all it in the morning. Not sure how that's going to go! Probably having the worst pain in my fingers and hand I've ever had today. Have yet to take the second half of the methotrexate or the prednisone...not looking forward to another round of nausea.

Had oatmeal made with milk for breakfast...hard-boiled egg for a snack...baked potato and cooked carrots for dinner. Supper is chicken penne pasta in alfredo sauce and yellow wax beans. Drank a V-8 this afternoon...and LOTS of water. So I'm trying to fit all the vegies in! Will have fruit before bed. It's hard to get all of them!! Not even hungry enough for all the servings you're supposed to have!! lol

Feeling down today...tired of feeling like this...I want instant relief, but that isn't possible. Missed my water aerobics...hurt too much today. Hoping tomorrow is a better day...and I can call off the pity party! :)

Do feel like I'm sticking to most of my goals...aerobics just wasn't in the cards for today!

A Day on the Town...ha!

I remember when making a "day of it" meant the WHOLE day. Today it meant 3 hours. Got my haircut, then went out for lunch and shopping for vitamins with mom. Decided on a multi-vitamin along with a calcium supplement, and Mega Red. Mega Red is an Omega-3 Krill oil. The Rheumatologist said the only scientifically proven vitamin to help with arthritis was fish oil with Vitamin E. Evidently if you take fish oil...you start to smell like fish...and it leaves a fishy aftertaste...NO thank you! The Mega Red is an alternative to the fish oil, and supposed to be even better than fish oil. And, at $23, it better be!! So, tomorrow I will start the vitamins and hope it all starts helping.

While at Wally world, I got the non childproof lids for my prescription meds...This morning I was 4 hours late taking my Prednisone because I had to start a new bottle, and forgot to have Todd open it for me before he left! Things I need to start remembering! It's bad when I have to ask my 8 year old to open the child proof lids for me!

Decided to skip Arthritis Water Aerobics today...walking around the store was my exercise for today...and I was shot. Hate how tired and worn out this stuff makes me!! Tomorrow I'll go back for the regular water aerobics though.

Mom and I ate at DQ. Had the chicken strip basket. Noticing a change in my appetite. Couldn't eat half of what I got. Drank water...really trying to cut out pop. Drinking lots of water, and a daily V-8 juice. Not much of a milk drinker, so am going to start taking calcium supplements as well. Did have milk on my cereal this morning...but that's about all I get in a day. Supper is going to be leftover pizza! Will have some fruit for a snack before bed. It's really hard to get all the fruits and vegies in that they recommend in a day!!! Going to have to work on that.

My goals for this week are to find a way to get those vegies and fruits in me, get in the habit of taking those vitamins, keep up with the water aerobics, and continue drinking lots of water! Really looking forward to Spring!! Can't wait to start walking again!

Water Aerobics- Day 1

Went to my first water aerobics class. Had to laugh as I dropped my 8 year old off...he thought I was going swimming outside!! He said I hope you don't come back frozen like an ice cube! lol

It went well, ready to go back again. Surprised how much it took out of me. Was hoping to come out filled with energy...instead I was exhausted! Legs and left arm were trembling and weak. Hopefully in time that will change as I strengthen my muscles. A friend went with me...so it was nice to have someone there I knew.

Today was a pretty good day. Pain was bad earlier today...but as the prednisone kicks in it gets easier. Managed to vacuum the floors...wanted to dust too, but that will have to wait until tomorrow...ran out of time today. Didn't get all my vegies and fruits in today...Going to try to get a banana and orange in for my snack before bed...I like them mixed! Tomorrow Mom and I are going vitamin shopping. Need to finish my vitamin research so I know what to get!

Me and My Diagnosis

My name is Laurie...I am a 43 year old wife and stay at home mom to two boys. I was just diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I started having pain in my left wrist the first week of January. Then it starting swelling...into my hand and fingers. Next came pain in both knees...followed by, you guessed it...swelling. Then the feet and toes. I had seen an internal medicine doctor who referred me to an orthopedic doctor who referred me to a Rheumatologist. The wait for these doctors is unreal! I ended up traveling twice as far just to get in a month and a half earlier than the closest RA doctor.

February 23, 2010...My diagnosis date. Mixed feelings. Didn't want to leave the office without answers, but didn't want to be saddled with a chronic condition either. I have a wonderful doctor...very thorough and knowledgeable. I am taking Prednisone and Methotrexate. Without the Prednisone, I wouldn't make it through the day. As the Methotrexate starts to do it's job, I will be weened from the Prednisone.

How has this changed my life? I haven't been able to get to my basement family room for almost a month now. The pain and swelling prevents me from using the steps. I have friends and family members who have told me it is probably best I can't get there...2 boys and a husband...you get the picture! I also have a hard time rising from a standard height chair. I can't stand or walk for very long periods of time. Driving is difficult depending on the level of pain in my wrist.

My future plans are to continue on the treatment prescribed. I plan to start water aerobics, and am looking forward to warmer weather to begin walking again. I want to use this blog to help me journal my feelings, my triggers, and my progress. I'm writing purely for myself...I have no experience writing. This is a place for me to vent, laugh, cry and celebrate even the smallest victories. If you are reading this and have experience with PA and want to offer hints, they're welcome.