House Arrest

Living with RA or as I recently found out, AS is no fun sometimes.  Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of RA that causes calcification and fusing of the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints.  Looking at the Xrays I only have the beginning stages but for three weeks I have been in pain from inflamation in these joints that are unable to move the way they should.

I went for four straight years and never missed a day of work, and then last school year, I had health issues I couldn't ignore and this year, only in November, I have missed numerous days. To be specific, 7 of the last 15 school days and I will be out all next week trying to get an epidural to stop the low back pain. Then we have a week for Thanksgiving, so hopefully two straight weeks will get me back on my feet.

I am surrounded by supportive friends and coworkers that may not understand the joint issues, but they do understand that I am in pain.  They even sent an edible arrangement.   Yummy!

I am truly thankful for them as well as a doctor that thoroughly went through my test results and wants me to be pain free and live well.  I am going to visit an endocrinologist about my thyroid and hopefully start physical therapy in addition to the epidural.

I am hopeful!

Weekends...

I try everyday to be positive and care more about others than my disease, but everyone tells me to take care of myself.  I try to do both. How can I when I feel awful?  I want a clean house, I want the laundry hung up and clean, I want to be pain free. Weekends are a much needed time to rest and for me to recuperate but my personality doesn't function well just doing nothing.  It is such a constant cycle.  

Fortunately, Dr. Nik is concerned about my pain.  The shots are painful, but the relief is well worth it.  Next week I get to go back to Dr. Nik again and to Dr. Griffin.  I am hoping for Dr. Griffin's wisdom to guide my treatment.  As much as I hate the pills, I am truly open to more meds if it means a decrease in pain.

I am on year number seven of teaching and for 5 years I never took a day off, even with this chronic disease.  It is truly a progressive disease.  I hate being out.  Teachers understand that being out is more work than being sick and at work.  Unfortunately, as I  explain to my sweet kiddos, the doctors don't work after school.  It creates even more anxiety for me having to be at the doctor. I hold out hope that the pain will be gone sometime soon...

Back to the foot doctor tomorrow

Tomorrow I go back to visit one of my newest and one of my best doctors.  He is a podiatrist and is very understanding of my pain and the importance of getting rid of it.  I am very happy I made the switch.  I am also changing Rheumatologists soon.  Current doctor is not understanding of the pain and managing it. The steroid shots are not a positive of tomorrow's visit, but the relief outweighs the temporary.  Bible study today was great, it always is.  Another blessing He has brought into my life.  I am so fortunate to work with such wonderful women.  We learn from one another constantly.  God is good all the time!