Injections for arthritis.

No medication out there is free of side effects, and, unfortunately, no disease is free of side effects if left untreated. This is where my doctors and I made the choice that with how rapidly fast my symptoms were growing, that putting me on injections for my arthritis made sense.

I run risks by taking it, but the ability to move again, even if it's not full ability, is a marvelous reward. During the fall I had three months where I was going from one cold to another, and then another. I can't inject during these times because I run the risk of having pneumonia, or another type of bad infection. I have to take every precaution when I get cuts to avoid bad infections, and I have a special prescription for antibiotic ointment. So far the ointment has worked well, as does keeping the house stocked with oranges. The three month cold worried me, mostly because I couldn't inject though. While the colds were bothersome, they were just colds. The effects I was feeling from arthritis though were at times beyond bearable. About once a week I wasn't able to get out of bed, and spent much of the time walking with my cane. A few weeks ago I was able to inject again, and thankfully I haven't gotten any more colds. I had a small little infected sore above my ear, but just with some Bert's Bee's remedy, I've cleared that up and it's healing. I'm very thankful. I just got my second injection tonight, and looking back to a few weeks ago, I can definitely tell the difference. My back still wrenches up, and my hips still click, but I can move freer and my periods of sever inflammation are a lot less. Controlling the inflammation is key, because the inflammation is what does joint and tissue damage. I need to get it under control more because I've lost a lot of muscle strength from the inflammation eating away my muscles. But it's a balancing act because if I work too hard I can make the inflammation worse instead of better, that's what my physical therapist was telling me. R.A. is different then just working out a damaged area, it's an ongoing thing.

Today was the first time in a long time that going grocery shopping didn't totally wipe me out. I did pretty well! I was very pleased, especially considering how much of a task it was just a few weeks ago. I know it might not always be this way, but I'll take the benefit as long as I can.

Now my goal is to get more of the home in shape, to start pricing fencing, get some home maintenance things done and some other things to prepare for adoption. Fencing the property looks like it'll need to be top priority, safety measure from the state and all. I look forward to this being done, but I'm not sure just how soon it can happen yet.

I almost feel antsy, because of my ability to move better again. My strength and energy still is not like I was when I didn't have arthritis, but it's better than laying in bed wanting to will my body to move and not being able to. I'm anxious to get things done around the home. I feel like I'm ready for some Spring Cleaning, and it's only just the start of January. This is a very good thing. I need a head-start. I need to get stuff done while it's cold so that when it gets too hot to think straight I'll be able to sit and read a book and not feel so bad about things. 5 months, I might be able to do that, so long as I keep staying cold free and can continue to inject!