Saturday, December 29, 2007

Emotional Rescue

Happy Caturday!

AoHELL just ate my entry... so, here we go AGAIN!

Since my hands are sore, I am now going to just type the short version...

Today, I started to inject ENBREL again for my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus.  I had tried it a few years back, and didn't have any luck after about 4-5 months. 

I did have luck with Remicade, which works the same way (blocking the same pathway of inflammation), but the concentration of active medicine was stronger in that, but I developed an allergy to it. 

The allergy problem is common with Remicade, as it is made from a mouse protein.  Enbrel is made from a synthetic human protein, and therefore has much less sensitivity/allergy type problems.

My rheumatologist wants to get me back onto a drug that will prevent joint damage.  She is hoping that since this time I am on Methotrexate and Plaquenil, that may give me more success.  If not, we will try to get my insurance company to approve doubling the Enbrel to twice a week.  I do know of two people whose insurance have approved this.  We will see.

So, today I did my first injection, in my stomach.  The skin there is less sensitive than that on your thigh.  Wish me luck.

Also, wish Dan luck.  He is trying to get his insurance company to approve the Enbrel for him.  This following them stopping payment on the Remicade that was working on his psoriasis/arthritis great.  Damn insurance companies.  The things they do to us in the name of the almighty dollar, and wreck our health and add pain to our daily lives.

This has been an emotional week.  Coping with the loss of Kim was difficult.  This has been a very difficult year, in many ways for me as you know, and I have been revisiting it all in my head.  I kind of nostalgic look back at the 'year that was', I guess.

However, I am trying to keep a hopeful eye on 2008.  I am hopeful that the future will be so bright I 'gotta wear shades'!!!

::: fingers crossed :::

be well,
Dawn

 

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ouch! You are a brave woman... God Bless you ... May 2008 bring strength, and may you have duration to get through the new meds ... and the insurance company issues. I do hope there will be less pain for you on the Enbrel. Peace to you. bea

Anonymous said...

good luck

Anonymous said...

Good luck, Dawn.
(more great cats!)
--Cin

Anonymous said...

My boss has RA also and he is going though all this bs also!  I feel so bad for him watching him trying to walk around work all morning!  He always tells me to take him for walks so he will feel better. He claims that walking makes him feel better since his joints get "lubricated" that way?  Is that true?  Linda

Anonymous said...

I've been so busy lately--I haven't put in an entry an over a week!  My kids are leaving for NJ tomorrow morning.. How is the weather ?  Julie

Anonymous said...

Definitely wishing you the best of luck, Dawn!  And let me share something with you - several years ago I had a horrible, horrible year...  it started in January and wouldn't let up until December.  I remember thinking I could not wait for the year to be over and prayed, prayed, prayed that the new year would put it all behind me - and it did!  I will never forget that year because it gives me strength to remember it...  to know I bucked up and chinned up and made it thru.  I now know I can keep my wits about me and get thru anything again.  Just hoping I don't have to...

:)

Believing in you!
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn,
It makes me feel badly just hearing about that alphabet soup of medicines you have to take, let alone the aggravation from the insurance company which only adds insult to illness.  I keep asking myself how we ended up with the kind of medical system we have, a system where insurance companies dole out our right to treatment rather ... err ... sparingly.  The system itself is sick ... badly in need of a cure.  Hang in there!
Best,
Marty

Anonymous said...

I hate insurance companies!!!!  
d

Anonymous said...

This really has been a very rough year for so many.  I also keep focused on 2008.  I'm praying your new med works for you.  You are so brave to inject yourself.  Hugs  Chris

Anonymous said...

i hope your new med works for you this time.

Anonymous said...

Oh, hope that it works for you. It is so miserable that the insurance companies take money so fast but they balk on giving back...hate them...I'm still sad and I guess I will be that way for a while. Love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

Aww...  Thanks for the good thoughts Dawn.  It's been a rough winter, hasn't it?  Our climates are pretty similar, so when I'm hurting, I know it's heading your way and you'll be hurting because the weather this year seems to have gotten a little rude.

I do hope that Enbrel works for you this time around.  My guess is that you, as a woman, are not into synthetic things, and you prefer the real and expensive original Gucci handbags and Prada and whatever those shoes are that cost a million dollars or whatnots, and since I'm a guy, like I have a freakin' clue about pricey girly stuff.  

Aside from that, giggle now!  NOW!  

-Dan
http://thewisdomofadistractedmind.blogspot.com/  
 

Anonymous said...

You -- of all people -- deserve to have a very good 2008....filled with good news and good feelings.  I wish that for you!

Russ

Anonymous said...

Keeping prayers up for you and for Dan.... I hate the thought of insurance companies controlling so much of our lives!! GRRR!!!  

Feel better,
Joann

Anonymous said...

Keeping you in my thoughts. Hate insurance companies too. I don't think I could inject myself in the stomach, but then again, when in pain, I'll try anything! Have a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous said...

My fingers are crossed !! Good luck with that
Hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Good luck and a very good New Year to you and yours.

Linda x.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindaggeorge/GeorgeMansions/


Anonymous said...

Hope the RA meds do work this time round, Dawn

Anonymous said...

I hope they work Dawn....and yes the insurance companies make living hard don't they.

Michele

Anonymous said...

Our insurance company doesn't think I'm high risk for Breast Cancer, even though they know my mom has had it twice, my grandmother had it, and a great Aunt.  I get the mammograms every year, but they won't pay for them.
Missie

Anonymous said...

I haven't thought about the song Emotional Rescue in years!!!!
I hate that you are having such a rough time.  NOT fair.  Hopefully this next year will really rock for you!!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Best wishes for a healthy new year.     Hope this works for you.     Dawn

Anonymous said...

this has been the worst year of my adult life.....so i can relate....i will cross my fingers that injection works for you and that you are feeling well today. Health care in the US is shameful...i pay quite alot for medical ins and still can not afford to use it.
hugs, lisa

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, now see, I give myself shots for Migraine Headaches and I have three approved zones to stab myself with, top of the thigh, stomach and back of the upper arm. I for one choose the thigh EVERYTIME over the other two. Doesn't seem to hurt as much there. On the whole I suppose giving oneself shots sucks any way you stab it. I really do hope it helps you. Double, triple and the full on dog dare it better help kind of hoping!

Thinking of you,
Rebecca Anne

Anonymous said...

You are going to have to share how the shots are working for you.  I have been taking Plaquenil for years and I still get joint damage on a regular.  Oh well.  Take care of yourself and have a great day.  Hugs.  Tish G.

Anonymous said...

Yes it sure has been a difficult week here in J Land and losing our Kim.  I hope this new medication works wonders for you and that you both can get it!!  I know what you mean about the things they do for the almighty dollar and messing up our lives and our checkbooks.  
Wishing you the very best in 2008!!!!!!
Lisa  

Anonymous said...

if it's not the gas and utility companies stealing our money it is the insurance companies and then they don't want to pay for certain tests and medications. I wish you the best and hope 2008 is a good year for you. (((((((hugs)))))
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I love that last one! HA!

I know 2008 will not be the same knowing Kim will not be with us.

Anonymous said...

I give our receptionist at work her Enbrel shots...she suffers terribly with RA...
wanted to wish you a very happy and healthy new year and to thank you for all the memes...;-)
hugs
Lyn

Anonymous said...

Oh, I have to stop reading these Lolcats being unprepared,  I just burst out laughing and got the dirtiest look from some "precious" older lady.  ;(~   Here's wishing you all the best in the New Year, kiddo, and good luck with the new medicine!
                                        Hugz,  Leigh

Anonymous said...

I hope the Enbrel works for you ~ I give you props for being able to give yourself injections.  I guess you do what you have to do but it sounds so scary to me.  I loathe the insurance companies, they don't give a hoot about the health or welfare of the patient, they are only looking out for their interest.  I'm sorry you are hurting so bad,  I wish I could wave a wand and take your pain away.  My thoughts are with you.
xoxo
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hope the Enbrel works.  I have a freind who has Psoratic Arhirtis.  And his skin has cleared up amazingly well.  I am hoping Rheumy will prescribed something like Embrel.  I've had enough of he rial sudies I've been on.  sorry...only hoping.  I hink he embrell will help you feel better.

lots of luv,  Bethe

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