tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33821576.post-32238199186560044812007-05-20T19:11:00.000-07:002007-05-20T19:24:22.760-07:00I've been wanting to post all week, but every time I go to the computer to do so, Scratch is doing his homework. Gah! I hate having one computer for two people, especially when we both rely on it to get our work done. <br /><br />This week I went to see my rheumatologist. I told her about all the pain and stiffness I've been having lately. She thinks that the pain is coming from joint damage and not inflammation, but we're going to try me on Naproxen and if it doesn't work within a couple of weeks, we'll stop it, since it can raise blood pressure levels. I hope it works, because if it doesn't, that's it. There are no more arthritis drugs that can help me if it's joint damage. I've already tried most of them, and now I'm on the super-expensive Enbrel, which one needs government approval and financial support to take. She gave me a prescription for morphine and told me to take it on the super-bad days. Here I am again. Before the last hip replacement, codeine and morphine were the only drugs that helped me. That is why, when people ask me if I've ever tried herbal remedies or this and that, I tell them that opioids are the only medication that truly helps with pain. The other medications help with halting the disease, but they don't do anything for pre-existing joint damage.<br /><br />In the meantime, I need to figure out how I can exercise with my very useless feet. I can't really do many things that involve standing, walking, dancing, etc. I guess it's time to look into Aquafit programs. I must also check around and see if there are any aerobic activities one can do off their feet....wait a minute! *smirks* I know one I can do with Scratch's help. *leer* <br /><br />Seriously, I need to add a bit of aerobics to my fitness regime. It'll help with the hypertension and fatigue.<br /><br />Other than that, I haven't been very busy. Tutoring is winding down and I still haven't found another job. It's pretty frustrating. I may have to reconcile myself to being very poor for the summer. At least I can work again in the fall.<br /><br />I feel like I should end this post on a happy note, but I don't have one right now. Maybe tomorrow.<div class="blogger-post-footer">This is my footer.<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33821576-3223819918656004481?l=arthriticyoungthing.blogspot.com'/></div>Zephyrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13020297752831113924noreply@blogger.com0