Re: Happy New Year-

[Guest guest]

Well, I did see a nephrologist when I was inpatient. My urologist

set that up. I do go see my urologist in 2 weeks. That's because

of my schedule, not his. Thanks for the reply. Happy New Year to

you and your family.....Marina

>

> Marina, that's a terrible update. I'm so sorry. It's

understandable that you

> are beginning to feel frustrated.

>

> Maybe you should go see a nephrologist?

>

> Here's to hoping that 2006 is much better for you!

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> [ ] Happy New Year

>

>

> > Hello, everyone!! First Iw ould like to welcome all the new

> > members. You are in good, no, great hands in here.

> >

> > Well, I'm still off the Enbrel. It's been about 6 weeks now. To

> > recap: my rheumy had me stop the Enbrel to see if it was the

cause

> > of the vasculitis. TNF-inhibitors can cause it. Well, a few

days

> > after I stopped it, I ended up hospitalized for 5 days with

> > pylonephritis. Running a temp of 103, nausea, dry heaves, the

> > abvsolute worse flare I had ever had. Anyway, after 5 days of

IV

> > antibiotics every 6 hours, I was finally discharged with a 10 day

> > supply of antibiotic pills. Well, when I finished them I had a

> > follow up appointment with my rheumy and he ran some tests.

Well,

> > the infection was still there. My choice of antibiotics was

either

> > take one of the listed pills that I am allergic to or go for IV

> > antibiotics. I chose to take my chances with the pills I was

> > allergic to. I increased my prednisone and took a lot of

benadryl.

> > Well, I just had another test done Tuesday and guess what!! I

still

> > have the kidney infection. The thing is, all 3 antibiotics I

took

> > should have taken care of it. They were listed on the report of

> > what the antibiotic would sensitive to.

> >

> > So, now I have to go see my urologist. I go in 2 weeks. Now, in

> > the middle of all that I had my knee scoped. The RA is really

> > damaging the connective tissues in my right knee. The articular

> > surface looked amazingly good!! I thanked God for that!! There

> > were a few tears that were easily fixed. The underside of my

patella

> > was a disaster!!. He shaved and heat treated it. It does feel

> > better, but it is going to take a long time to get it well.

Funny

> > thing is, when I saw my surgeon one week after the surgery, he

told

> > me what exercises to do. Just simple ones to strengthen the

> > quadriceps. He also " pre-yelled " at me for over doing it. He

knows

> > me too well!! LOL

> >

> > Well, I'm getting frustrated. I was going to restart the Enbrel

if

> > my tests came back negative. So much for that!! Thing is, I

> > haven't worked since I've been off the Enbrel because of all the

> > crap I've been going through. I didn't realize how little

fatigue I

> > was having ON the Enbrel until I stopped it. I thought the pain

and

> > fatigue was barely tolerable on Enbrel. Well, I have had a

reminder

> > of how bad it can be and how bad it was!! Funny how easily we

> > forget how bad we felt pre-medication.

> >

> > Well, I'm supposed to go back to work on Tuesday. I am a little

> > concerned. My rheumy was going to have me start back on the

Enbrel

> > and see what happens with the vasculitis leasions. See, they

> > started to get better when I came off the Enbrel, but the problem

> > is, I had to go on pretty high doses of steroids over the last 6

> > weeks because of the flare and the surgery. So, we don't really

> > know if the leasions got better because of the steroids (which is

> > the treatment for vasculitis) or if it was the Enbrel. Thing

is, I

> > think it was due to the steroids. Even off the Enbrel I

developed

> > new leasions and they think I have them on my kidneys as well!!

> >

> > I have been drinking lots of water and cranberry juice. Hasn't

> > really helped. Well, maybe it has been helping. My temperatures

> > have stayed at about 101 or less. So, that's a good thing.

> >

> > Another thing that happened is phlebitis. I have two veins in my

> > right arm that have hardened. I hope they recover. I they are

as a

> > result of two different IV's going bad and causing phlebitis.

The

> > one starts at my wrist and does up to the middle of my upper arm.

> > The other one is in the middle of my right forearm. It starts

there

> > and goes up to the inner elbow. That one hurts so much. There

is

> > also a leasion where the IV was inserted. So, that's just one

more

> > skin leasion to add to the list and that I have to dress

everyday!!

> > I really hope those recover. They were my two best veins. I'm a

> > very difficult stick. I dred getting blood work because it never

> > happens with just one stick!! So, with all this, and the recent

> > phone call with the lab results, I've just dropped into a state

of

> > self pity. I'm just so sick and tired of being sick and tired.

> >

> > Well, I think I should end this novel here. I hope that this

makes

> > some sense. I took two Percocet about an hour ago and it has

fogged

> > the brain a little more than it usually is and my eyes are pretty

> > blurry!! Thanks for reading and listening to my whoa's. I

believe

> > that 2006 is the year of the dog in the Chinese New Year. I was

> > born under the year of the dog so maybe next year will be my

year!!

> > I can always hope and pray!

> >

> > Well, I hope everyone has a great New Year. And that it is as

> > painfree as possible.

> >

> > a, , thank you for your support and for all the wonderful

> > information you post. I can't believe how big this group has

> > gotten. And I haven't been here that long!! The people here are

> > the best and everyone is so thoughtful, helpful, and spiritually

> > uplifting and supportive.

> >

> > God Bless!! Gentle hugs and love from your RA sister, Marina

>