A Barrel O' Meds

"Routine" visit with my rheumatologist last week - or so I hoped.  The last blood work I had showed elevated glucose levels.  It looks like diabetes, but it's medication (prednisone) induced - can't be controlled with food or exercise.  So my family doctor (who did the blood work) put me on a new blood sugar medication.

My rheumie doesn't see that as a satisfactory solution.  He says that I need to get off of the prednisone.  Riiiiiiight!  I just tried that and it didn't go so well.

SO... we are going back to the methotrexate (which I've been off of for 2 years).  He hopes that will allow us to slowly decrease the prednisone and that I will be finished with prednisone by August.  Of course, that also means that because I'm taking methotrexate, I now have to take folic acid (a B vitamin, I think - may be a good thing).

I was a little discouraged to be starting methotrexate again, but the positive spin I'm putting on this is:
1.  I will be finished with prednisone and hopefully, my body will begin producing its own steroids for the first time in years.  A good thing.
2.  Once I get off of the prednisone, hopefully my blood sugar will return to normal and I can get off of THAT drug also.

There are more good things - positive things - and so I'll focus there.  I would be SO happy to be finished with prednisone for a thousand reasons!

So!  Status quo this week until Friday.  Friday I start methotrexate, decrease prednisone and add folic acid.  And then the ride begins. 

Happy trails!

I Click

... or rather, I "clink" - like the sound of a piece of flatware gently tapped on the side of a glass. 

Of course, no one can hear this "clink" except me.  The "clink" comes from inside my neck.  (No... not like a voice inside my head.  It's a "clink" - in my neck)

Sounds suspicious, eh?  You're wondering what other noises I might be hearing, right?

Turns out... this "clink" really is legitimate!  I went to the surgeon today (Dr. Todd Albert) who did the spinal fusion in my neck about a year ago - just a check up.  (and apparently I'm going great - just fusing and fusing).

I cautiously asked the doctor about the said "clink" and he never flinched.  He showed me on the x-ray what is causing the clink - where it comes from.  I have to admit there was a part of me that was just plain delighted that he was right on board.  I think I half expected him to narrow his eyes... look at me strangely, and say slowly.... "a clinnnnk???"

Whew!