Still Not Feeling Better

Well, it was 5am before I finally was able to sleep last night. Slept until noon today. Still hurting all over. My pain level at this moment is about an 8 since my back isn't quite as bad as it was yesterday. Gonna try to shower and do my hair so maybe that will help me feel better.

Everything Hurts! Not a good day at all ):

Woke up this morning and felt sort of "out of it". Not really pain at that time except for my right calf where I had a cramp in it last night. Got ready for work and drove to Greensboro. By the time I arrived there every part of my body was starting to hurt. Even my face. I only stayed at work for about an hour and then I left to come back home.

As I was driving I began fighting an overwhelming feeling to go to sleep. It was really scary. I honestly do not know how I managed to arrive home without having an accident. I came in the door, dropped my bags in the living room and went straight to bed. I slept for over 4 hours. When I awoke the pain was even worse. I'm sitting here in the recliner with my feet up and a heating pad on my neck and back. My upper back feels like it is on fire when you touch it. Like a very bad sunburn. I'm running a low grade fever so I'm having on-and-off chills. I have taken one pain pill but cannot tell that it is helping any at all.

The weather today is fairly warm for this time of the year. The high today was around 60 and it has been raining all day. It's 9pm as I type and the outside temp has only dropped to 59 degrees F.

My doctor is always asking me to rate my pain level from 1 - 10 with 10 being the worst. So I think I will rate it daily on here using that same scale. Today's level is a 10.

Working in Greensboro Again Today

I'm really getting to like working in Greensboro. It's such a change to the hectic environment I'm usually in. And I'm actually in an office with a door, windows, a nice leather office chair and a REAL desk. LOL I'll never understand why some places put workers in the most drab, depressing environments imaginable and expect them to be happy and productive. My RA and Fibro have been much less painful during the days while I have been working here. I almost dread going back to my normal work location. I know the pain will be worse again ):

Anyway...time to get some more work done. But I promise to start keeping this blog more up to date from now on. Even if no one else reads it, I do believe it helps me to have a place to vent.

Wow...it's been a while...

I'm so sorry it has been so long since i have posted on this blog. Mostly medical reasons on my part. I do promise to start blogging regularly. Goodnight for now!

Did anyone get the # of that truck?

Today I feel as if I have been run over by a truck. A really big truck. And I think it backed over me and ran over me again.


Everything is sore - feet, ankles, legs, but, hips, arms, elbows, face, shoulders, back, arms, hands, fingers....you name it and it hurts!!

It's Monday

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Baby Girl

From September 22, 2011

From September 22, 2011

From September 22, 2011

From September 22, 2011

Comedy central roast for charlie is funny.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What are some good iPad apps for a 3 year old?

I'm looking for good iPad apps for a 3 year old. Any suggestions?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Things I Thought I'd Never Say Until I Had a Child

Since giving birth to our daughter 3 years ago there have been several things I have said that I never thought I would. They include:
Don't stick you finger in the dogs nose.
You can not drink out of the dogs water bowl.
Don't lick the door.
Don't lick the house.
Stop eating paper.
Put the bug down.
No, frogs do not like to be petted.
Don't eat the grass.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I think I over did it

Washed my hair this evening and decided I would straighten it instead of just going with the natural curl. Turns out that was a bad idea. Now my back, neck and upper arms are hurting and burning. I took a hydrocodone but it hasn't touched the pain. I also took an ambien about two hours ago and it isn't working either. I have got to get some sleep. I am so tired and my alarm will be going off a 5:30am.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bronchitis

Went to see my doctor this past Friday because the cold I have had was not getting any better. I had been to see her the previous week and she gave me a nasal spray and antibiotic. This visit resulted in a diagnoses of bronchitis. They gave me a breathing treatment in the office and prescribed an inhaler and a stronger antibiotic.

I still have it but feel a little better. I have missed 4 days of work with this so I'm going to try and go to work tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Being Able to Predict the Weather

I miss the days of having to tune into the news to know what the weather is going to be like.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rainy Sunday Morning

Finally slept a little last night. Woke up to a rainy morning. Which of course means feet are swollen, red, and burning on the bottoms. Decided to fix spaghetti sauce this morning so we will have it for dinner. Now my back, neck and shoulders are hurting. Seems like I can't do anything without it causing additional pain. Very frustrating.

Going to rest a bit and then I have to put up a new curtain rod in our daughter's room and hang two pictures. We'll see how all that goes! Hopefully, it all will be easy and my body won't get angry with me.

And the insomnia continues.....So glad I have tomorrow off because there is no way I would be able to function that early in the morning with no more sleep than I'll probably get tonight. I'm so anxious to see what the results are from my sleep study on Tuesday. I think I'm going to give in now and take a sleeping pill. Nite all!

I'm Back!!

Wow, I see it's been a long time since I have posted. The past few weeks have been busy and painful. We signed our daughter up for 2 classes at a local dance studio - Creative Movement and Acrobatics. So I've been pulling my hair out trying to find the required shoes. I never knew it would be so hard to find a pair of canvas Keds. Ended up having to order them on the Internet.

Note to self: buy up lots of canvas Keds and set up on the sidewalk across the street from the dance studio when they hold their sign-ups.

I had a sleep study done Friday night. I get the results Tuesday afternoon. I sure do hope they can find a reason I can't sleep. I want a good night's sleep REALLY bad.

Thursday I have an appointment with my PCP. She is the one that diagnosed me with fibro and depression. I'm hoping she will agree to increase my zoloft. It has helped a lot and I, along with my husband (haha) can tell a difference. I just think I need a little increase to help even more.

Attendance Record

Missed 15.5 days being sick last year.

Balance carried forward:
Annual leave: 30 days
Sick Leave: 18 days
Bonus Days: 1 day


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, July 13

Felt nauseous all day. Toes are red and swollen. Toes on the left foot are the worst. Feet have a burning feeling in them. Butt and legs ache. I have been so very tired all day and just felt disconnected from everything. Hard to concentrate at work.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday Evening, July 12

I have felt absolutely lousy today. Stayed home from work and slept most of the day. Have had chills on and off. Feeling some better as it gets later in the day. Hopefully I will feel well enough to go to work tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday Morning, July 12

Not a good start to the day. Hands are a little swollen and so are the feet. Feet are also burning. Neck and back are hurting too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, July 11

Just got home from work. Both feet are swollen and hurting. Neck and back are also hurting.

Sunday Night, July 10

Everything is all achy now-- Back, arms, wrists, hands, even my butt aches. Feels like the muscles have had a workout but I have done hardly anything today. Feet still hurt and have that burning feeling. I have taken all my meds today plus had a hydrocodone this afternoon and another one about 30 minutes ago. They help my feet but not the other pains.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday Afternoon, July 10

Got dizzy and then got a bad headache about 15 minutes ago. Pain is right behind my eyes ad my eyesight is a little blurry. Muscles in upper arms ache as well as lower back and legs below the knees. Feet are still burning, toes a little swollen and toes are red--especially around the joints.

Sunday, July 10

We went to walmart this morning and now my feet are hurting ad burning. Just took a pain pill. Took a Lyrica this morning and will take another one tonight.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, July 9

Slept ok last night. Doing laundry this morning/afternoon. Ready for a nap.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, July 7

Back wasn't as bad today. I slept like 9 hours last night so I wonder if that made a difference? There's no way I will be able to get that much sleep tonight though.

Right now I'm at the hair salon. I always enjoy coming here (:


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Finally Home

So glad to be home. Laying down makes my back feel much better! Just took my meds too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Uggghhh....back pain AGAIN

Back was fine until I got to work today. Only after about an hour it started hurting and is killing me. I've tried walking around, stretching, etc... and nothing is helping. I just broke down and took a cyclobenzaprine (flexeril). It's the least effective thing I have to take that I could still take and be able to do my job and drive home. Please hurry and let this work day end.

Can't Sleep

Unable to sleep. Tossing and turning. Got up and just took a sleeping pill. Left foot is swollen more and toes are red. Hopefully some good sleep will help. Clock will be going off at 5:15am.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Something Odd

Noticed about an hour ago that sometimes the veins in my hands are enlarged and sticking up. Seems to happen when I stand up and move around. Oh, still have the sore throat. Pain in back is much better now. On 1-10 scale it's only about a 2.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Home from work

Just got in from work and took the daily dose of the new meds. I cannot take twice a day as prescribed because I would not be able to drive to work or do my job at all. Laying back in a recliner now with a heating pad on my back. I hope relief comes soon. Feels some better just to be able to lay down. Woke up this morning with a sore throat and it is still sore. Only hurts when I swallow though.

And it gets worse....

Now along with my back it is my neck, arms and upper legs. Geez...4:30pm can't get here quick enough!

July 5th - Hurting at Work

First day back to work after the 4th holiday. Since about 11am this morning my back has been killing me. Hurts to sit or to stand. Can't wait to get home and take something for this pain. On a scale of 1 - 10 it is at least about an 8. :-(

Sore Throat

Woke this morning with a bad sore throat. Hurts to swallow. Toes on left foot are swollen too and elbows feel tender.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sleep...

It doesn't seem like sleep is going to happen without a sleeping pill ):

Monday Night

So glad to see the rain this evening. I love a good thunderstorm. Nothing is hurting or swollen at this time. I took the new meds about 3 hours ago and they haven't hit me as bad as the past nights. Hoping I am able to sleep well tonight. 5am comes awful early.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday Night

We had some of the neighbors over and we all sat in our driveway watching fireworks. I must have over did it or maybe it was the heat but my feet are both swollen and hurt and my neck and back are hurting. This is like 2 hours after taking the new meds. Sure hope it's better in the morning.

Sunday Morning

I slept great again last night. A little "foggy" feeling this morning but nothing hurts and nothing is swollen.

Blurry Vision

Well I made it through the daily relatively pain free. Haven't really done a lot though. Went to the grocery store this afternoon and when we got home my feet were a bit swollen and my toes were red. I put my feet up for a while and it was ok. Took a little nap around 5pm. Just took my new meds about 30 min. ago. For the past 20 minutes I've been experiencing blurry vision in my right eye. This has been occurring seemingly random over the past few weeks. I took the dog out and being in the dark it went away. But when I came back into the house it started again. I will call next week to get an appointment to have my eyes checked. It's time for my yearly exam anyway.

A Hot Saturday Afternoon

Looks like it's going to be another hot day. I'm still feeling the meds in my head. Beginning to get  somewhat use to it though. We took the car through the car wash and then made a run through the drive-thru at McDonald's to get Taylor a Happy Meal. She's a happy little girl! My husband's boss and his wife are going to be staying at my in-laws vacation home just down the road from us this weekend. I think we may cookout or do something with them later this afternoon. Would be very nice if I could get a nap in this afternoon before then! :-)

My Daughter

I just have to share some pictures of our little girl.

Morning 2 of being on the new meds. My body actually feels pretty good. Nothing is hurting and I slept like a baby. My head feels very heavy though and I still have that 'disconnected' feeling. Hopefully, in time, my body will adjust and this will get better.

Effects Finally Wearing Off

Well, it is 6:30 p.m. and the effects of the new meds are FINALLY wearing off. Just in time for me to take the next dose. hahaha I actually do believe I feel somewhat better today. However, it's difficult to tell if it's the drugs or because I just haven't done anything really 'physical' today and the humidity is lower today as it was yesterday.

Morning After the New Meds

Wow! Still feeling the effects of the new meds this morning. I kind of feel disconnected as if everything around me is happening but I'm not a part of it. Does that make sense? Strange feeling. I was extra careful driving in to work this morning. Thankfully there was hardly any traffic.

New Meds

Well, I took the new meds about an hour ago. Feeling it now for sure. Hard to describe how it feels. Kinda reminds me of back in the day when I would smoke pot. Same kind of feeling. LOL If that's what this is going to do I think it would be cheaper to just smoke a joint. Probably less side effects for sure. We'll see how the night goes. Hopefully I will find sleep soon since I have to be at work at 7:30 a.m.

Today's Doctor Visit

Today I had an appointment with my family doctor. She has put me on Lyrica and Sertraline for my Fibromyalgia. I go back to see her in 3 weeks.

My current medications in addition to the above are:

• Enbrel sure-click injections weekly
• Methotrexate 3 pills weekly
• Folic Acid daily except for Enbrel injection day
• Weekly B12 injection
• Hydrocodone for pain
• a muscle relaxer
• Ambien as needed
• and Oxycodone when needed for kidney stone pain

I don't think I left anything out. I'll check later and update if I did.

Background Information

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2009. Since then I have also been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. This blog will document my journey through these diseases as well as serve as a way for me to vent my anger and frustration at times :-)

Follow along with me and feel free to comment!