arthritis

[indysteel]

I apologize for the pity party I was having when I first posted about this. Part of the problem is that the doctor was not communicating very well--or at all--about this. He still hasn't, so I'll likely check in with my GP instead. I was POed to say the least. I'm also having some issues with my vision that have me depressed, as well as seasonal (and by seasonal, I mean all 12 months of the year) allergies that are just out of control. Add in migraines and my braces, which hurt like heck every couple of weeks, and I sort of flipped out. None of the issues are that bad, but taken together, I felt overwhelmed. I'm better now. PT seems to be helping quite a bit. I'm hopeful that so long as I keep at my exercises and regaining some strength, I should be okay, at least for the time being. Working with the PT has been a much-needed wakeup call as to what I need to add into my exercise routine.

The kitties help, too. It's hard to be sad when you have a four-month old kitten to entertain you!

[jessmarimba]

I'm glad the kittens are helping! It sounds like all of that together can get really crappy - it's funny how something that seems so small can mean so much misery on top of a bunch of other little things! I can't imagine putting up with braces now. With allergies. And migraines. And everything else.

Hang in there...and don't take any crap from your doctor.

[indysteel]

I am SO over the braces. I started treatment in October of 2007 and had four teeth extracted last Septmeber--a week after I moved into my current home with my now husband. Stressful, right? I have adjustments almost every two weeks, so it's both painful and time intensive. I tell ya; this year has been one thing or another.

That said, I humbled by those among you who have had some serious things going on. Breast cancer, broken backs, the loss of a loved one. Notwithstanding my meltdown, I haven't totally lost perspective.

[Catrin]

Kitties help so much, they bring rays of sunshine when they start bouncing around chasing those invisible creatures they seem to find I am glad they are helping. You've a lot on your plate, and that was before the arthritis started acting up. I cannot imagine having to deal with the braces, you are a stronger woman than I am!

Any option to change doctors?

[sundial]

Notwithstanding my meltdown, I haven't totally lost perspective.

It still hurts though when you are battling so many painful episodes that converge at one point. Pain can wear you down and make you depressed. It can affect your perspective when you aren't getting enough respite from the pain. A good GP will assist you with pain management by prescribing medications or physical therapy to help diminish your current level of pain and increase your level of activity. If you can stay ahead of the pain, that will serve as a major victory in your recovery process. And don't feel guilty if you have to resort to taking strong pain medications, even if it's short term. If it helps you to have a better quality of life than it's worth it.