>Hi LadyK, As unlucky as I am to have RA, I am lucky that prednisone has
>always worked wonders as far as control. It is why I have that
>prescription sitting there if needed and it is needed now.
Oh boy, do I agree with that one. All other treatments have failed for me,
and thanks to Prednisone I'm living a relatively "normal" life. Can't do
higher than 10mgs, tho, since that triggers bad side effects. But a burst
now and then controls the nasty flares.
>It has stopped
>all the pain and swelling everywhere except my shoulders which still bother
>me. I kind of have to do things slowly if it requires raising my hands up
>above my waist. Oh man, combing my hair in the morning is real fun.
That's a toughy. My left shoulders especially is the worst one, and it's a
real challenge to do the same, comb my hair or even blow dry it. I've got
a shoulder sling that gives relief when it's really bad, and at night I
sleep on my side with my arm cradled on top of an extra pillow to take the
strain off my shoulder, which helps a lot.
> I am still taking the anti-biotic drug like prescribed but I also am
>taking my Enbrel shot about every week to week and a half which I want to
>stop all together. In a couple of years when my retirement insurance runs
>out, I will not be able to buy it anymore. So it goes.
Be sure to look into the pharmaceutical company's "patient assistance"
program. That was the only way I was able get Humira, and they were
wonderful about it! They even had me set up for scheduled shipments, in
case I forgot to call when I was due for another three month supply, and
they'd call to make sure I was home on the day it was scheduled to be
delivered, because we're so rural here.
--
DaKittster
(Formerly LadyK)
Nann Bell - 17 Mar 2007 17:39 GMT
> they'd call to make sure I was home on the day it was scheduled to be
> delivered, because we're so rural here.
do I remember rightly that you live in the western UP? I'm wondering as we
are now in the northeastern lower part and I thought about that area several
times through thiss strange winter. We really wanted to snowshoe at Tahq
Falls this winter, but they've had no snow on the ground in Jan & March, when
we had time to go. Has winter been as strange at your end?
(we camped at Copper Harbor last summer and loved it there - for a vacation.
Couldn't last out the winters! Want to get to the Porcupine Mountains now,
but now that the DH has a "real" job, our vacation time is more limited.)

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DaKittster - 19 Mar 2007 06:14 GMT
>> they'd call to make sure I was home on the day it was scheduled to be
>> delivered, because we're so rural here.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Falls this winter, but they've had no snow on the ground in Jan & March, when
>we had time to go. Has winter been as strange at your end?
In Jan., Feb., and Mar. we had more snow than anywhere else in the western
UP, so the local businesses were very happy as the snowmobilers crowded
into our hamlets. Overall, though, we've had a relatively mild winter,
although you couldn't tell that from the raging snowstorm going on outside
right now. :-/
>(we camped at Copper Harbor last summer and loved it there - for a vacation.
>Couldn't last out the winters! Want to get to the Porcupine Mountains now,
>but now that the DH has a "real" job, our vacation time is more limited.)
I love Copper Harbor! Great "birding" place, and the "Porkies" are lovely.
We go up to Lake of the Clouds a couple times each year for me to do
birding, and my SO to do some photography sometimes.
The only thing that drives me batty each spring into summer is the hordes
of mosquitoes and black flies, which think I'm a gourmet feast set out just
for them! I have to stop using any scented personal care products
altogether, but that only helps somewhat. But this is gorgeous country,
and worth the inconveniences. :)
Great to hear from you, Nann!
--
DaKittster
(Formerly LadyK)