Need Some Advice Regarding Med Therapy & Work

March 31, 2005

Hello.

As stated in a previous post, I had a tonsillectomy a week ago today.

Due to the fact that I would not be able to swallow most of my meds

(on 8 different kinds!) post-op, I was slowly weaned of or reduced my

doses of most with the guidance of my Rheumatologist. On the date of

surgery, I was given Cortisone and Prednisone via IV, but no other

meds were taken. Also, I was told to miss my Friday dose of

Methotrexate that was due the next day because they wanted to give

my body some time to heal before taking it again.

Here's my dilemna:

Since surgery, I have been able to get down my reduced dose of

Prednisone daily...and am still scheduled to reduce it even more this

coming Wednesday. I haven't been taking ANY of my other prescribed

RA meds.....because they aren't small enough to get down....or they

can't be cut up (capsules). Overall....I'm not doing too bad at all. I'm

sure the reason I'm feeling so good with my joints is that I had the

Cortisone a week ago by IV. I know it takes a while for it to wear off.

I am really struggling with whether or not I should start up my RA meds

again, because honestly....they weren't really working at all. Prior to

surgery, I had been on my second coctail of meds....and still no big

improvement. The Prednisone seems to be helping, but I would like to

get off of it eventually. I have an appointment with my Rheumy in 3

weeks.....but am really considering not taking anything right now that

I'm feeling " okay " . Don't get me wrong....I'm not ready to run a

marathon....I still have some joint pain, but it's limited. Is this

considered remission??? How long can it last?

The other thing I am that I am worried about is that even though I will

still be recovering for another 3 weeks for my throat, my body feels well

enough that I could work a desk job maybe part-time for now. It took

me 3 months to get my benefits through work all figured out with the

paperwork, assesments, etc. so that I could be off when I needed to

be. I am so worried that if I go back now and then start getting ill again,

I am going to have go through the big long process of applying, etc. I

don't want to screw up what I've worked so hard to do. I don't want to

be refused by my insurance company because I am " fine " now....but

then become sick again later. I am going crazy staying at home.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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