I just returned from my quarterly visit with my rheumy - the first after my secondary diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. The Cymbalta has certainly helped to minimize the constant burning and pain - that is the good news. The side effect of sweating - I can live without that one but appears to be very common - but again I will live with living as a sweat puddle if it continues to reduce the pain. I asked rheumy about hand swelling, cramping in hands all night, feeling like my meds run out of gusto by day 5 - all normal normal normal for a person with PsA and Fibro. Got steroid shot in shoulder - hoping it helps with the very limited mobility and pain.
I dared to ask the $50,000 question: is this my life - every day - for the rest of my life - the best it is going to be? The hurt, the pain, the burning, the aches, pains, sleepless night? Answer: yes. Worse if I ever stop taking my meds.
I knew this before I asked but have you ever got the answer and the words just about knock you off your feet? I try so hard to stay optimistic and take one day at a time. I just do not remember signing up for any of this. I would love to wave a magic wand and it all is gone. Then i can run, jump, play, and sleep without a moan, groan, creek, or pain.
this is my 5 minute pity party. I guess we are all allowed them. So someone out there - tell me how to snap out of this? positive affirmations???? What do you folks do when the grim reality just seems to be too grim? First clue: I probably should not have asked that question. Lessoned learned. LOL
I am sorry Breckstar, I know how much this hurts. My "wind knocked out of me" moments have happened too. One was at DMV when I picked up my handicap parking tag. I asked why it was orange instead of the blue I had seen. She said "because you are never going to get better". I guess that was her tactless way of saying it was a permanent tag not temporary. The other was when I received the PsA diagnosis. I took myself to Rheumatology and asked if this was PsA so I am not sure why I felt punched in the stomach.
I am sorry you are feeling so low. I do know as I have come to accept my limitations and have gotten use to managing this disease I have still found joy and beauty. I hope this happens for you too.
HI Sonna, I'm so sorry for the news you received. I try to find something to look forward to and be around fun people who make me laugh. Laughter does make you feel physically better.
Oh, Sonna, that’s miserable. I remember times like that, oh yes. THe last time was when the poeple at the PsA clinic said my disease was severe, not mild as my rheumie had said. You hear the words and there’s just this vacuum, and everything and everyone in the room fades into the haze while you absorb the words. I’m so sorry this was the bottom line for you.
BUT … it’s early days, and you haven’t really figured out what works for you yet. And remember, there are new therapies coming online all the time. Hope that one of them will give you comfort!
I think the occasional pity party is a good thing. I indulge too. And then you just have to get down to the day-to-day reality of living with it.
LOL, you want to know how to snap out of this? ROFL (ouch, that hurts!)
Oh, Sonna, that’s miserable. I remember times like that, oh yes. THe last time was when the poeple at the PsA clinic said my disease was severe, not mild as my rheumie had said. You hear the words and there’s just this vacuum, and everything and everyone in the room fades into the haze while you absorb the words. I’m so sorry this was the bottom line for you.
BUT … it’s early days, and you haven’t really figured out what works for you yet. And remember, there are new therapies coming online all the time. Hope that one of them will give you comfort!
I think the occasional pity party is a good thing. I indulge too. And then you just have to get down to the day-to-day reality of living with it.
LOL, you want to know how to snap out of this? ROFL (ouch, that hurts!)
Thank you so much. You all are so right and I do appreciate letting me to have my pity party. I have found the folks that REALLY get it are members of this website. I am sooo glad I found you all. I will give ROFL a shot but not sure how long it will take me to get up off the floor. LOL. Thank you.
Just an idea Sonna, I use a chair to climb up off the floor though I have not had a good ROFL in a while. Here's hoping we all have more ROFL in our lives!
YES, I've had many times where I was just rocked back with my reality. I should tell you it's not just once, but many times over this disease. I've had it 31 years, and every once in awhile some extra miserable day or some new limitation will cause me to think "This can't be my life, can it? This sucks". I have dreams about running and jumping and doing fun things, and then I wake up and haul my aching body out of bed.
You will have better days, you will achieve a new normal. Humans are great at adapting to challenging situations, otherwise there wouldn't be people spread into every environment on this planet! You will adjust. But yes, once it awhile, you will get knocked off your feet. But you'll get up again, and again, and things will get better.