I have had symptoms for Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 24 years old. Formal diagnosis came at age 25. I've been living with the disease for 40 years, as I turn 65 late this year.
For approximately 35 years I lived, relatively pain free. I had a great doctor, who aggressively treated my arthritis early and my physical life has been pretty darn good expect for occasional flair ups, 2 to 4 times a year. But generally physically good.
Over the past 4 years I've been living in near constant pain. Started taking Humira, which worked for a little while, on that for almost 2 years. Then failed. Switched to Cymzia, that never worked. The problem is you have to be on something for roughly 6 months before they determine if it works or not, and you have to clear out the old meds for a full month before you start a new med. So 6 months really is a minimum of 8 months without medicine working and then there are insurance delays. So I was stuck with Cymzia for about a year. Now on Enbrel, exactly 51 weeks with Enbrel today.
Also, for the past several years, low level opioids combined with over the counter high doses of ibuprofen. I post a lot about coaching fencing and being active, but to be honest it all hurts. It hurts to type this. I've done almost nothing today but have taken 3 ex-strength tylenol, 9 ibuprofen, and 2 tramadol. And I skipped coaching at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) tonight but I am blaming not going there on snow that is falling and bad roads. Really, it is the pain that is the reason I skipped coaching.
So yesterday, due to an insurance change, I saw a new Rheumatologist. I went in with a bad attitude thinking I would stick with my prior guy and just pay the higher deductible. I walked out pretty optimistic and will be changing my drugs again.
New drug, and I'm not sure which one I will be switched to, is a different class that affects a different set of inflammation receptors that may help arrest the pain. So I'm thrilled with that. This guy may just be the 'fresh eyes' I needed to get me healthy again?
Downside is the new drug comes with worse side effects, but we can worry about that later. It would be nice to have a few pain free days again.
For approximately 35 years I lived, relatively pain free. I had a great doctor, who aggressively treated my arthritis early and my physical life has been pretty darn good expect for occasional flair ups, 2 to 4 times a year. But generally physically good.
Over the past 4 years I've been living in near constant pain. Started taking Humira, which worked for a little while, on that for almost 2 years. Then failed. Switched to Cymzia, that never worked. The problem is you have to be on something for roughly 6 months before they determine if it works or not, and you have to clear out the old meds for a full month before you start a new med. So 6 months really is a minimum of 8 months without medicine working and then there are insurance delays. So I was stuck with Cymzia for about a year. Now on Enbrel, exactly 51 weeks with Enbrel today.
Also, for the past several years, low level opioids combined with over the counter high doses of ibuprofen. I post a lot about coaching fencing and being active, but to be honest it all hurts. It hurts to type this. I've done almost nothing today but have taken 3 ex-strength tylenol, 9 ibuprofen, and 2 tramadol. And I skipped coaching at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) tonight but I am blaming not going there on snow that is falling and bad roads. Really, it is the pain that is the reason I skipped coaching.
So yesterday, due to an insurance change, I saw a new Rheumatologist. I went in with a bad attitude thinking I would stick with my prior guy and just pay the higher deductible. I walked out pretty optimistic and will be changing my drugs again.
New drug, and I'm not sure which one I will be switched to, is a different class that affects a different set of inflammation receptors that may help arrest the pain. So I'm thrilled with that. This guy may just be the 'fresh eyes' I needed to get me healthy again?
Downside is the new drug comes with worse side effects, but we can worry about that later. It would be nice to have a few pain free days again.
