OH my achy bones!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week! I have had some serious elbow issues and I tried not to cause them to flare up any worse than they already were by typing a lot. I've also been running around all week with doctor appointments. Therapy on Tuesday, New Rheumy on Wednesday and Ortho surgeon on Thursday....morning, early! ha! Anyway, I am so excited about my new rheumatologist! She is awesome. I have had less than good rheumies since I moved here. The first one I had he was passive, an oh well kind of guy. He never ran tests on his own, he always said the same old thing every time. How are you and see you next time. When I had the rash on my knuckles, elbows, knees and shins, he wasn't concerned but told me if I was he would send me to a Dermatologist. Well thanks, so I took him up on that offer and thank God I did because she found the Sjogren's. She asked me if my rheumy ever tested me for any of these things and I said no, wonder why he wasn't concerned? She said she wanted to refer me to a great Rheumatologist but me being stubborn and not wanting to change doctors once again, told her I would wait. Well my rheumy never got better and in fact, he wondered what made the dermatologist test me for Sjogren's and I was wondering why he didn't. I should have told him that. Well he left the practice and left me with a P.A. Now I have no problems with a P.A. but I think with a specialist, I want to see the specialist not the P.A. every time. Well the network they are in, I guess they decided not to have a new rheumy and just keep the P.A. My first time seeing her, I asked her what she knew about Sjogren's and she said enough! I thought well that's rude, so from the get go I was turned off by her. I like to have an open and honest relationship with my Drs. I don't like those who think they are better than me because they are doctors. So I made the appointment for this great new rheumy and I am so happy I did. It took me 3 months to get in, but so worth the wait. She came in, asked me all sorts of questions, poked around on me, checked me out, took 7 vials of blood and had them X-ray every joint in my body. Now to me, that says, I am interested in your health and I am going to check everything I can. She said she thought I may need a stronger medication than Plaquenil for my Sjogren's. I looked up some of the stronger meds and they scare me. Plaquenil can take my sight, a rarity, but it happens. So what can be worse than that? DEATH! Oh my goodness one of the strongest warnings about the intravenous treatment is some people have died with the first infusion! What the heck? Why would anyone risk that? The pain must be worse than mine because as bad as mine is, I don't think I can do that. Then there is Methotrexate, a cancer drug. It doesn't have the greatest side effects either. What is one to do? I'm just not going to worry until she says what she has in mind. Then I will have a really heavy decision to make. Then she gave me a very strong sleeping pill which I won't say what but she looked at me and said you're not getting enough rest. I can tell you aren't sleeping well, not in a deep sleep. Man she hit that nail on the head! Wonder if it was my sleepy demeanor or the circles under my eyes?(yes I wore make- up!) Anyway, I haven't tried it yet because it seems scary too. I will save that for when I can tell I am going to need it and can afford to sleep for hours! My ortho Dr. wants to see me in 6 weeks so we can keep an eye on my new symptom of my tailbone now causing me a lot of pain and the phantom sensation of peeing myself. Yeah, new one! Just sitting here one day and that happened, I looked, I felt, I checked in the bathroom and nothing! No pee, no wetness, nothing! I've had that feeling before on my leg like warm water is trickling due to nerve damage but never felt anything like peeing on myself. I know it's arach related because it's nerve related. I really think my body hates me! Anyway, I am trying to keep on keeping on! James 1: 2-4 says, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Love to you all,
Cindy