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Posted 4/27/2006 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I'm rejoining everyone with pain once again. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hands and was prescribed piroxicam. It was working great until I flipped out at my boss one night and then was depressed the next day (felt like crying from the time I got out of bed). Glad I have a very understanding boss!! Now that that's out of my system I'm trying ketoprofen. I hope this one works as well at eliminating the pain without the depression. What I wanted to ask was while the piroxicam was working I was able to do just about anything without pain and as it left my system I realized the extent of the pain, am I doing more damage to the joints (excessive wear and tear) by not being aware of the pain or is the 'exercise' good for them? I don't want to do more damage and be worse off later by not resting my hands periodically now. I go back to the rheumy on May 5 so I can check then, but didn't know if anyone had any idea the best thing to do. Thanks.
Posted 4/27/2006 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hey dubjean... sorry you are having a hard time.. I was on piroxicam for a while, it's also called feldene... that was one of the few meds I could take that actually took the edge off of my pain... sorry you had such a problem with it... As far as doing more damage to your joints... Exercise and day to day activities is good for you (I think) you want to keep your mobility up and keep things stretched out and working... The healthier the joints are, the less damage that can be done... Know what I mean? If you just sit and don't do anything for fear of deterioration, it will get a lot worse, quickly... But if you keep up the mobility and exercises, it can slow things down... I would say, do what you can when you can, but try not to over-do it.. how do you know when you've over-done it? Well, your body will tell you when you've done enough or too much... good luck to you and let us know what the rheumy says... Duck
Posted 4/28/2006 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ducky,
Thanks for the response. There are a few things I won't do at work anymore (like mop the floors) because I know I'll be hurting afterwards, but otherwise I have a tendency to do whatever is needed, sometimes until I'm in pain, so I think I'd continue anyway. I'll post again after I see the rheumy and see what she has to say.
Posted 4/28/2006 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hey dubjean... yup, why do we do it to ourselves? We know we're gonna be hurting later, but we do it anyway... hhhmmm...nature of the beast? We get so excited that we feel "normal" and we want to go go go... You take care of yourself and let us know what the rheumy says... Rest easy - Duck
Posted 5/6/2006 1:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Duck,

   Saw the rheumy today...she answered my question.  She said I should not be lifting any heavy weights alone and rest my hands frequently.  Unfortunately, I work in a grocery store where heavy lifting is required to stock shelves, and ringing on the cash register doesn't allow for frequent breaks.  There are other things I can do in the store, which I've been doing (stocking lighter weight stuff, taking care of the front end (counting money, doing voids, etc.) BUT we have a new assistant manager that just started and he's by the book, so when I told him about the limitations he started with needing to contact human resources about my "limited" job functions.  My job description does state I need to be able to do these things, but if there are other things I can do then I don't see a problem.  I contacted human resources (I refused to give him the opportunity first) and need to have my rheumy fill out a "back to work form" that states my capabilities, and the limited functions must be no longer than 45 days, and they will take it under advisement!  I explained I haven't been out of work at all so why do I need a back to work form...and this was a problem I will have for the rest of my life and will no way get better in 45 days!!  I'm pissed off, worried, and every other emotion you can think of!  Because I can't lift a box or ring a register, could I end up unemployed? Don't all the other things I do count for anything?  BTW, been working for the company for 8 years and had my quarterly review the other day and averaged a 4.2 out of 5.0...should count for something!  Thanks..needed to vent...

Posted 5/8/2006 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Boy do i hear you on this one i was at a store for 28 years and i got a new boss and she didn't care about my arthritis or my fm either  i was on 3rd shift had to do the whole store in and out  then i fell in walk in cooler and they offered to pay my doctor visits and mri and hear iam almost 2 years later and had to get a lawyer and this is the thanks i get after 28 years so i just said the heck with it all they care about is there selfs so here iam at 49 years old arthtritis so bad dr says i will be in a wheel chair soon but one think all thr drs agree with is all the standing i did didn't help so i said hell with it it isn't worth it  take care of your self first DEB
Posted 5/8/2006 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb,
Thanks for the response. Sorry about your problems, but I'm with you. I've decided that if I need to get a "back to work" form filled out, then I'm not working...screw them. I know, screws me a little financially, too, but I'm scheduled for vacation next week so I'm only losing 3 days. Can't go 'back to work' if I never stopped. The light duty work is lifting 10 pounds, 25 occasionally and repetitive work for at least 2 hours then after 45 days I must go back to full duty....sure...can't even do the light duty! Well, I can if I want to do further damage sooner rather than later. I want to be able to zip my pants, tie my shoes and wipe my own a** as long as I can! Now that I pushed my way out of the depression (only cried for 2 days so far), I need to figure out my next step which is probably short-term disability from my work which will cover me for a year. How bad does it have to be for SSDI? My dad works at home, so I'll learn how to help him and be able to work and rest as needed while still supplementing my income, but I'm worried about insurance.
Take care of yourself! Hope you stay out of the wheelchair as long as possible without doing further damage.
WENDY
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