Arthritis Flare - Day 6 + Rheumatology Apppointment

Well, I had a pretty awful day yesterday and ended up calling my doctor to set up an appointment. I really felt like I was run over by a truck, almost flu like without the fever/chills but just absolute fatigued and in a lot of pain. I have to give a huge shout out to my rheumatologist at the UW, Dr. McKown who is the head of the department. He is an excellent physician who discussed my plan of care and always helps me makes decision that will meet my goals. We ended up deciding to move onto a systemic steroid injection to help me get things under control and feeling back to normal more quickly. He also could tell how awful I was feeling as soon as he walked in the door. As a future physician, I hope I am able to remember my patients as well as he does.

I have to say it was a first for me today in terms of treatment haha, but now I can say I know what it is like to get a shot in the good old cheeks (yep, in my @$$). I feel pretty jittery and got a headache shortly after the injection. He said I'd probably have increased energy, appetite (as if my IM appetite wasn't enough) and insomnia. I get insomnia when I just take the pills so I'm sure it'll hit me pretty hard but I should feel better in 48-72 hours. Thank goodness--I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I have to say this is probably the worst flare I've had since high school/beginning of college when my knee was drained the last time and I was on crutches for a week. Yesterday, I was moved to tears I just felt so awful so I am grateful for the medicine today.

The best part of the appointment (and probably the conversation I was the most scared to have) was that he told me I still have the green light to train and compete at Ironman Racine 70.3 in 12 days and Ironman Wisconsin. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I had been starting to lose sight of why I was training so hard day in and day out for this race. This flare up, for whatever reason, is an amazing reminder of how fortunate I am that the medications allow me to be as mobile as I am able to be. I think back to when I was on the Juvenile Arthritis Family Network Panel, listening to a young high schooler discuss her mobility issues and joint replacements... I am a lucky one. I'm not doing Ironman just for myself, but for all those patients who have arthritis or anyone who is physically disabled due to pain and who struggle to complete simple daily activities like brushing your teeth or washing your hair. At the peak of my flare this week, I started to experience some of those devastating limitations....honestly, it doesn't get any more motivating than that.

For now, finally watching the show Dexter on Netflix and lots of rest and relaxing until the injection takes effect. Thank you for all the well wishes, prayers, and positive thoughts. They have been heard.

"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't--you're right."