Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Methotrexate and it's Scary Side Effects

Okay so I had a rheumy appointment today; it was a make up day because I missed my last appointment because I was too busy cleaning my classroom. Anyway they made it very clear I would only see the PA because the doctor was booked until August so I was really only expecting refills.

Now, I am fairly new to Lupus and I have often left my appointments with more questions than answers. So, I was ready to talk to the doctor about the last shots he gave me: I felt so much better almost immediately after!  Here is the really stupid thing about this: I have no idea what he injected in my body!  All I knew is that I was in pain and wanted relief and I blindly asked 0 questions! 
This time, I asked him right away because I wanted him to know it qas helpful for about 3 weeks and then I was back to normal. Guess what it was...

Methotrexate and some pain killer I already forgot the name of! Damn this Lupus fog!!!!

Okay, so we talked about the health care crisis and the decline of education in the US (He loves to talk) and then he checked me and walked out of thw room. So I am sitting there waiting for my prescriptions and a guy comes in and informs me I am getting 5 shotsif I am willing to pay $57 out of pocket.  Okay! So when he comes back, I ask the tech what I am getting (This time I am asking damn it!) and he says four shots of methotrexate (2 on my hot spots on mu upper back and 2 on my lower back) and a pain killer on my arm.

Wow! That was three more injections than last time and I know absolutely nothing about this medication.  By the second injection, I was about to pass out. I started to feel hot, light-headed, and nauseous! I had to sit and take a break because I was afraid I would pass out!

So when I got home I looked it up and WebMD had some extremely harsh precautions.  Johns Hopkins Medical Center was a little less scary. So I hope all goes well because lately my life is spent in bed. I love my kids and am grateful for my life but pray to God every day my life changes. Let's hope and pray this works for me!

So far I have felt a little nauseated but that's hopefully it...we'll see! Please add any insight or experiences!!!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Summer is here!

Okay so I have had been feeling pretty good for about two weeks that I was taking higher doses of prednisone. I even went camping at Garner State Park in Texas for 4 days. I was out tubing on the river with my kids every day and I even had enough energy to cook for them twice a day. It was so much fun and I felt like a "normal" mom.  I expected it to kick my ass since I was out in the sun so much but nothing. I felt as great as a person with Lupus could feel!

Then the day before yesterday,  I went bowling with all the kids for my mom's birthday. Believe me that it is not normal for me to have the energy for so many activities.  Anyway,  the next day I woke up with so much joint and muscle pain I could barely move! I also got sciatica!  Now Lupus kicked my ass! The pain is not going away; not with Vicodine or Tramadol! I didn't even think I was exerting myself.

It sure was nice while it lasted! I have to say that at least I don't have to go to work! It's summer: the teacher rehab!