During my hospital stay from 2/11-14, I was able to get an emergency appointment with my Rheumatologist on the 15th. I mistakenly went to work and then made my way to my 4:30 appointment. Within the first hour of my shift, I instantly regretted it. My arms to the tips of my fingers were burning and I felt like my body was going to shut down. Thankfully I made it and went straight to my doctor.
By the time I got there, I was pooped probably because I did not eat. My appetite was nonexistent and the smell of food had me queasy. The medical assistant took my vitals and took my weight. A gut wrenching surprise: I lost ANOTHER four pounds since I was last weighed Monday the 12th. That means since February 1st, I lost a little under 15 pounds. That is not okay.
After waiting a bit and getting lost in my head, my Rheumatologist comes in. We debrief about the last time I saw her (1/26) and what led up to me going to the ER. I explained what happened and the hospital stay and the meds that I was treated with. She did a physical exam and pretty much everything was still swollen: my fingers were extremely inflamed and she saw the bump on my right hand by my wrist. I believe it is called a ganglion cyst. What’s crazy is that the cyst randomly appeared February ’23 and here we are a year later and it returns same spot and time frame.
In conclusion, my Rheum said to taper down the Prednisone but do not go lower than 40mg until I see the kidney specialist (2/22). Before the ER, I was on only 15mg of prednisone then I was admitted, I was given 60mg. That is such a huge spike in a quick time frame but I know it is the best for my body to level out. I am just looking forward to my appointment with the kidney specialist to get a answer on what’s next. For the past few months, the talk of taking an alternative medicine has been spoken on and I think it may happen since this past hospital stay. It is a bit nerve racking because it is the unknown of how my body will react. Will I get worse? Will the new med(s) really control my flaring? It is a whirlwind of questions that will drive you crazy if you let it. I am doing my best to take one day at a time. This has all been so much in so little time and I am ready for a break.
In The Lup With Munah 