Christmas is done, and the move into the new house is 99.99% complete. Just a few items remaining at the old house at the moment, mostly due to the need to make room here so one doesn't feel hemmed-in. While the move itself wasn't 'that' bad, it became a little easier when I began the first week of Prednisone--a drug I'd had to use in the past for something else and learned to both loathe and love equally. This particular drug honestly needs to be held in reserve for the most extreme of circumstances. The side effects of using and withdrawal are usually brutal.
How quickly those first couple of days became something to remember-but in a very good way. My energy changed within 2 days, and nearly all of my symptoms ceased. But the timing of this drug is tricky as one begins on high doses, then tapering to lower until remission (in my case) is obtained and held. For the record, remission can take from 12 months to 2 years, depending on many factors.
So there I was in absolute heaven, though not feeling 100% it was SO drastically different (how I felt) that it instilled such hope and anticipation as to how much better I just knew I'd feel by the time this month of high-to-low dosing would take me. Well, things changed quickly just a few days ago as I tapered down that first 10mg. Dammit.
40 to 30, 30 to 20, 20-10, then 5mg for another month before the follow-up appointment. That is, until within about 2 days of that 10mg taper I can crashing down HARD. Phone call to the doctor and he moved my followup appointment from March 28th to January 25th, and he said to go back up to 35mg/day for a couple of days then to the 30mg. So far, it's not taken much of the edge off the symptoms. Ugh.
Sitting, standing, laying down, you name it... all very difficult yesterday and today. And I've had some things to deal with on the computer most of the day so have been sitting upright for a few hours at a time. And BOY does my upper right abdomen hurt.. all the way through to the back. I'm really hating this at the moment.
That's where things are basically. Wish I had more energy and stamina, was in less pain... so I could talk about all the other stuff. But I have to listen to my body and go with what I know. It's rather time to chill for a bit, regardless.
More to come...
More to catch up on...
Damn, crazy life...
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