On the bright side…

 My hand looks deformed.  It hurts to use it and aches when it’s still.  I’d say it is an 8 on a 1-10 pain scale.  My ankles, knees and hips are also hurting.  Nothing severe (probably a 5 out of 10 on a scale), but enough to make me limp and struggle with stairs.

Three weeks ago, I started my 6th biologic drug after almost a year of roller coaster health.  Since then, life has been fairly busy and insane: A concert after work, parent/teacher conferences, a part-time job, multiple doctor appointments, constant errands after work, and attending the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington DC.  Before starting this latest biologic drug, I would not have been able to get out of bed after these two insanely busy weeks.  Honestly, I’d never be able to do 1/2 of these activities.  Since starting this new treatment, I still feel pain, but it’s not making me feel sick.  Instead of having both hands swollen and achy, I have one hand in rough shape and the other is hanging in there.  My ankles and knees are swollen, but the pain is manageable.  I’m definitely seeing a reduction in pain, and a slight reduction in swelling.  Dare I hope that this drug is working?  Is feeling so-so the best I can hope for?  I guess time will tell.  Until then, I’ll keep looking on the bright side, because it can always be worse.