The DU Lounge

Last edited Mon Oct 6, 2025, 11:56 PM - Edit history (1)

.. I went through almost a year where I had various pains/limited mobility. Hip flexor one week. A couple weeks later, rotator cuff. The next week, a knee. Then wrist pain.

I was a pretty active person and just wrote off as "I pulled something." Or "I'm getting older, I should be more careful."

Then it was less and less time between episodes of this or that. Then multiple joints at once, and then, it seemed like overnight, I was rolling myself to the bathroom on my office chair because walking was too painful and the aching in my wrists was unbearable. I couldn't sleep. I remember just crying at times in the middle of the night. I couldn't even open my own door or reach a kitchen cabinet.

Fortunately, I was rapidly referred to an excellent Rheumatologist. I had all the Rheumatoid indicators*, which usually translates to severe disease. I was put on Enbel (weekly injection) 15 mg Methotrexate weekly, and 400 mg Hydroxychloroquine daily. The pain resolved completely in a few weeks. I've generally been in remission now for about 15 years, albeit, with a few flare ups and medication changes. And when I do have a flare up and the pain is back, I can't believe how bad it is. It's strange. We are very good at forgetting pain until we re-experience it.

* Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), Anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), high Erythrocyte sed rate... and I think other indicators I don't recall.