I am taking a new medication for RA. It is called Diclofenac and it is the pill form of a topical gel that I've been using for some years. The gel works well if you have one or two aching places...but when you start having pain in say 10 joints...well you'd pretty much have to take a bath in it. So I thought I would try the oral form. After my second pill I reported gleefully on FB and to my Rheumatologist via email, that it was a miracle. That pill combined with some lovely sandals that have a very cushy sole made my feet almost able to walk without crutches. And my neck and back pain and pain in my hands was all markedly lessened.
The pill is not however, a panacea for all my pain. After day 2 on the med, I started having a lot of breakthrough pain. And I also have some troubling side effects: gas and bloating and retaining fluid. I'm in the process of losing weight and none of these side effects are welcome. So I decided I wouldn't take it anymore. Starting this morning. Well I woke up in pain...shoulders and feet most notably. I endured it for a couple of hours and then thought "it's stupid to suffer when you don't have to--all for the sake of vanity." So I took the pill. It has helped my shoulder but my feet are still not happy. I suspect that this will be one of those meds that works for a while and then....doesn't.
Also please pray for my dad. He was just diagnosed with a raging case of Lyme Disease which went undiscovered for at least a year. He will be on long term antibiotics and probiotics. He turns 80 in June but has continued to be active and vigorous. He is my hero, father, and friend. It is very distressing to me, knowing some people who have suffered greatly from this disease, to think of him being ill with it also. I am thanking God that he is seeing a doctor who is treating the disease as it should be treated--with LONG term ABX. So many docs pooh-pooh that and give a short course and declare it gone..when it is not gone at all.
Thank you for keeping my family in prayer.
The pill is not however, a panacea for all my pain. After day 2 on the med, I started having a lot of breakthrough pain. And I also have some troubling side effects: gas and bloating and retaining fluid. I'm in the process of losing weight and none of these side effects are welcome. So I decided I wouldn't take it anymore. Starting this morning. Well I woke up in pain...shoulders and feet most notably. I endured it for a couple of hours and then thought "it's stupid to suffer when you don't have to--all for the sake of vanity." So I took the pill. It has helped my shoulder but my feet are still not happy. I suspect that this will be one of those meds that works for a while and then....doesn't.
Thank you for keeping my family in prayer.
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