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I realised today that such a place was missing from our current incarnation, so here is one for use when necessary.
Remember to keep things kabiu, and keep in mind The Goddess' dictum to avoid discussing politics, religion or fashion with strangers.
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Thanks ‘tac:
My sleep is terrible!
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Good, I'll vent here.
My elbow STILL HURTS. 16 months after the second surgery to repair and remove arthritic bone tissue. Surgeon said 10 - 12 months, well, that was 4 months ago. He ground out a ton of tissue, and said the next time, he'll have to do an elbow replacement, which will end most of my outdoor activities. No more kayaking, no more competitive shooting, possibly make it difficult just to do normal yard work or gardening, or housework. On top of all of the osteoarthritis, there's rheumatoid arthritis, and last summer, they diagnosed gout, as well, caused by my blood pressure medication. So, they prescribe Allopurinol (Zyloprim), 100mg, and then upped it 3 months later to 200mg, and 3 months ago to 300mg. The gout will take time to go away, as the body reabsorbs the uric acid crystals, but in the meantime, T-cells are attacking the crystals, which causes the flare-ups of pain in my feet. They give me colchicine for the flares, but it causes diarrhea, and that's what dehydrated me last year and put me in the hospital for 3 days. So, I'm down to 1/2 tablet every night, from 2 tablets per day, and no untoward effects. The rheumatoid arthritis is mainly in the knuckles of the hands, where the fingers join the back and palm of the hand. I'm still taking Humira (adalimumab) injections, but now every 10 days instead of every 2 weeks. These I give myself with the autoinjector pens. It seems to be helping, and my flares from the RA are less and further between. That leaves the osteoarthritis treatment, and right now, nothing is working. Of course, I don't really expect a cure, because like RA, there is no cure. So, I'm taking 500mg of naproxen day and night, 1300mg of acetaminophen day and night, hydroxychloroquine (for the RA), and occasionally, tramadol for pain. Tramadol is a mild opioid, not as strong as oxycodone or hydrocodone, or acetaminophen with codeine, and it's really not working very well.
I see the rheumatologist on the 27th of this month, and I am going to ask about a referral to a pain management specialist. In Ohio, opioids are heavily regulated, and physicians can prescribe only a 7 day supply, with no refills and no rewrites. In order to get more, you must be seen by a pain management specialist, who can then prescribe a 30 day supply, and no refills, but can rewrite on subsequent evaluations. What I'm finding funny is that my father was taking Tramadol, and had to see the specialist after his primary care doctor gave him a 7 day supply. My rheumatologist gave me a 60 day supply, with 3 refills, and the pharmacy didn't blink. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that he's on a federal reserve (an Air Force base), or the fact that the law has been relaxed, or what.....regardless, it's not doing what it should, and so I'm going to ask for something better. I know what works, but I doubt they'll let me have it in the same quantities. Their biggest concern is abuse. Well, I take it when I need it, and I don't plan to sell it on the street for an exorbitant profit, either. I just want the pain to ease up enough so I can get a decent night's sleep every night. I tossed and turned all night last night because either my elbow, or my hands, or my feet were hurting. Oh, and I'm not even sure about my spine at the L4 vertebra, because IT hurts, too, and years ago, an electroneurogram and bone scan showed issues at that point, too.
Getting old ain't for the weak at heart. See what you spring chickens have to look forward to? Hopefully, by then, they'll have developed better treatments for this stuff.
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joekc6nlx wrote:
Getting old ain't for the weak at heart. See what you spring chickens have to look forward to?
You are completely correct there Joe (speaking as someone else who is officially no longer a spring chicken having reached Age Pension minimum age). We all start to break down in our individual ways.
Hopefully you will get the treatment you need.
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Ouch, Joe! I'm so sorry. My brother (77 years old) has rheumatoid arthritis, and comes to my city (big university hospital/clinic) twice a year for checkups, but he doesn't seem as affected as you, and so far it's not getting rapidly worse. I don't know what his medications are, but I know he takes them regularly. He never was athletic, but walks daily for exercise.
I realized this morning that I've been focused on events in my real life and haven't checked in here for some time. Nothing to rant and vent about, really. I just got back from France, where masks are required inside as well as showing a government vaccine pass. (Not sure what the unvaccinated are allowed to do.) Two surprising things I noticed on my return: all the bare faces, and all the people who are well beyond pleasingly plump.
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I got a call from my younger brother (he'll be 61 in 2 weeks). He's been diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare form of bone marrow cancer that affects the ability to generate red blood cells. He is currently getting transfusions every few days, but the doctors say he needs a marrow transplant. According to the national bone marrow registries, I'm too old. One registry says 41 is the top limit, the other says 55 is the top limit. I'm 69, so either way, I can't help him with my marrow.
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*yikes!*
Bro sounds like he's in a bit of a bind. Good wishes for both of you.
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That doesn't sound good, Joe. Hopefully there are other options than a familial donor being found.
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good luck to your brother, Joe.
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Joe, best wishes to your brother, and I hope that a marrow donor can be found (I'm even older than you, so I can't offer anything more than supportive thoughts).