Not far from the truth. I took up cigars back in my military days ( I was one of those fools who jumped out of airplanes and had a Ranger patch, the wore a funny hat teaching new soldiers to identify an objective) I gave up the cigars February 12, 2011 at 9:20 am. Its okay to have a problem and vent about it, but its not a good idea to let that problem move your eye even a little bit from the objective. I gave some ways that work for others, but this disease is not for the fragile, it important to get past that point. It would be cool to have shots not hurt, so when you have done what you can to make them not hurt, its done, Its iNOT cool to not use the meds or have them. This disease will cripple you and its avoidable. It can and will attack your other organs and that can kill you. You can get into a flare that you miss much of what happens in your life or loved ones lives.
The bottom line is the objective is to fight the disease (and win) Its doable, but it involves pain. pain from shots, pain from stretching and moving, pain from therapy and pain from failures. There is little success in life that doesn't involve pain. whether athletics, child birth (child rearing) ataying behind in the library to study when your buds are going clubbing in college, or taking a shot.)
Okay its blunt, but heres the thing, in the last few months alone there have been no fewer than 200 posts from folks who would do just about ANYTHING to have the opportunity to have a shot of Humira "burn like lye" I never said it didn't hurt me, or that the shots I give my granddaughter with huge bore needles and oil-thick meds don't hurt her. I told you the things that helped and things that didn't help, but importantly the blunt fact is there are way too many folks who let the temporary side effects of treatment stop them from treatment. MY grandaughter has heard more than once if "you think this hurts your butt, just try and get away again.... (BTW its never come to that)
Maybe I'm a glass half full guy, but it hard to miss (for me) that way back when I didn't have biologics MTX made me throw up, I was able to make to the toilet to do it, instead of a bucket for someone else to empty because I couldn't get up.
There is a lot to be said for scotch on the rocks and cigars (dang i miss cigars) BUT if you are going to fight this disease, its not for the fragile and meek. Yeah, Yeah, "the lamb" is mean (you should of heard my soldiers back in the day) but remember I have fought EVERY battle (and continue to fight every battle) you do. I have a few phrases for for "outsiders" who have the nerve to suggest we are imagining it, or something isn't quite as wrong or their uncle Al has some arthritis in his big toe, fortunately this is NOT an "R" rated board (NC-17 if I'm really "angry") But coming from me here understand, I do understand, do care, but also understand what battles matter.
There are believe it or not, folks who risking EVERYTHING because of unreasonable fear of side effects, or minor and temporary side effects of meds and ceased taking meds than can help them (most go away or we learn to live with in time)
michael in vermont said:
Lamb doesn't bother me at all. I think I read his posts in my mind like there is a cigar in his mouth. Part Groucho Marx, part Gene Hackman!
Please don't leave this post for anyone person. This board is made for and of lots of folks. When I read one that doesn't "speak" to me in any way I move on to another. There is a lot of nuggets for all.
I injected Humiria, have an auto injector for the Enbrel I take now. Nothing made a difference the Humira burned like lye for the whole year I took it. Both seemed to work in the begining but wore off. I may try the Remicade next. I have heard good things about that one and it is the only one I haven't tried yet. Warm hugs and prayers to us all. We are all suffering the same disease.
(Enbrel)