Investing in me…

A few weeks ago, I wrote about taking time to focus on getting healthier. My pain levels have been excruciating. So much so, that I requested an x-ray to make sure nothing is wrong inside (other than what I know is already wrong). I’m hoping to get that done next week. Until then, I thought I would share somethings that are helping me cope with pain instead of succumbing to pain.

First up, the best purchase I’ve made in a long time: Compression/massage boots. It is cumbersome but provides me with a considerable about of relief. Lately, I’ve literally craved compression on my legs. It’s 20 minutes of my day that bring me a lot of relief.

Manuka honey: Now I’ve been known to try a few snake oils over the years. Recently a friend mentioned to me that she started taking a spoonful of Manuka honey when she had covid to help with her cough. After having both pneumonia and COVID, I was desperate to try anything to get rid of the residual cough. Did it help? Maybe a little bit, but it’s hard to tell. What I did notice, is that if I took a small amount of honey about 2 hours before bed, I slept like a log. Sleep is something that does not come to me easily. I’m not making any grand claims, but since I added Manuka honey into my life, I’ve been sleeping a whole lot better.

Vitamins: I’ve taken vitamin D for a long time because my levels are always off. Medication, menopause, and thyroid issues have done some damage to my hair, so I added biotin. With the threat of upper respiratory infections due to medication, I added C and Zinc along with a daily multivitamin. It is a lot. Recently, I found a liquid vitamin. I’ve taken it daily for the past month and I’m feeling better than I have in a long time. I’m sleeping better and I’m surviving the germ factory that I work in.

Lidocaine patches: I work in a school, so my sick time ranges from September to June. Due to pneumonia, I used almost all of my sick time before the end of September. I woke up this past Monday in so much pain that I threw up. I posted on my blog page and a reader mentioned that on bad days, she uses lidocaine patches. Ironically, after 22 years of living with autoimmune arthritis, I never considered trying a pain patch. It was a mini miracle. Using the combination of lidocaine patches and an ankle brace, I survived the day. Ironically, my friend, who is a nurse, felt the need to question my use of lidocaine saying, “You know that isn’t going to fix the problem.”…….ah….I’ve been living with this disease for 22 years. I’m fully aware there is not “fix”. I’m just trying to make it through the day.

After meeting with my rheumatologist, I’m adding an additional immunosuppressant drug to my treatment plan. I already get a biosimilar infusion every 6 weeks. This is a systemic drug that will hopefully help manage my disease more effectively. Am I nervous to add another drug? Yes. Will it stop me? No. Side effects are negated by what I live with daily. I am mostly nervous about the potential increase in depression symptoms. I alerted by therapist and will watch closely.

This journey is never easy, and I’m grateful for all the readers and friends who offer advice to get me through to a better day. xx