Well, I’m please to say that, after dalliances with sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine and MTX, we appear to have finally hit the jackpot with Benapali, and I’ll be starting the year in a position where I can walk short distances outside unaided for the first time since 2014 (except when on steroids, which don’t count!). So there is hope, after all.
So, I wish you a happy 2018 and the hope that your conditions all improve over the next year!
Happy New Year to you too darinfan! Awesome timing with the Bengali!
It’s years since I was last unable to walk … but I still enjoy, well, just walking. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone & all that. Hope you go from strength to strength in 2018.
And Happy New Year to everyone here!
Absolutely awesome news @darinfan about the Benapali working so well for you!!! Hasn’t it only been a short while since you started it too?
Here’s hoping the improvements continue for you!! Wow, what a way to start a new year!! I imagine you are feeling extremely positive as to what 2018 might have in store for you, I know I would be, given that level of improvement 
Here’s to an awesome 2018 for everyone!!
Thank you both. And yes, I’ve only just had my fourth injection, but it’s been working since a day after the first one. And steroids are down to 5mg every other day at the moment, just as I finish tapering them off. So, it’s not the effect of them as they normally stop working when I’m down to 5mg a day.
It’s all quite exciting but, bizarrely, it’s also rather unnerving! It’s odd suddenly having something you haven’t had for so long (and yes, I AM talking about the pain and movement - you folks have filthy minds!)
Wow… it’s amazing how quickly the right med seems to work for some… I am so pleased to hear you’ve found what is right for you!! Keeping fingers crossed you have a very long and happy relationship with the Benapali!!!
I thought maybe I was having similar luck with the Leflunomide… ah… but it seems maybe not this time (or at least not yet)… it is always inspiring to hear positive results with meds… It helps me to keep faith that it is just a matter of time til we find the right one/combination for me, and others out there too. Thanks soo much for sharing!!
Yes, it must feel odd being without the pain and movement issues that you have had for so long… my guess would be you will find yourself doing things without thinking, and then realising afterwards that that’s the first time you’ve done that in a long time… I can almost see the massive smile on your face each time that happens 
As for my filthy mind… if that ever returns I guess I’ll being saying the meds are finally working 
Well, I have to say I didn’t have much in the new meds. Even the steroids were rather lacklustre this time around, and so I was getting rather miserable. But it is very strange - and, oddly, has made my bipolar start acting in rather odd ways, but that happens quite a bit when changes occur in life. But I’ve been getting out and about every day. I can do about half a mile without a stick - possibly more if I pushed myself, but I find I haven’t got the strength up in my legs yet. The knees might move, but the muscles are non-existent.
Meanwhile, hope yours work soon and that your dirty mind comes back along with pain free joints!
Well at least you know this. I was slow to realise it. I couldn’t lift my damn feet and literally tripped over little twigs and so on. Knee exercises may be one of the most boring activities on the planet but if I could go back in time I’d do them religiously.
My problem exactly! Any discussion with your doctor about metabolic myopathy? It makes your muscles tire very quickly…I can make it about a block before I need to sit down and rest for a few minutes.
So glad for you the Benapali is making such a difference! Happy days ahead in 2018!
I’m so pleased for you darinfan - that’s just brilliant. Don’t worry those muscles will come back too. 