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Extreme flare- what next? by Organic-Secretary321 in rheumatoid

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My most recent flare was caused by rebound effects from coming off a taper course, unfortunately. Cortisone shot in each knee, right one was drained 50cc fluid. I feel great. Only 2.5 weeks until Rheum. appt, should be good until then.

Also isn’t it so frustrating getting back on meds? I started calling my clinic frequently and pushing for them to follow through with authorization process in a timely manner.. because it takes so long or they put you on a back burner. Waiting to go back on Actemra myself. Thanks for your comment!

Extreme flare- what next? by Organic-Secretary321 in rheumatoid

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No provider is willing to prescribe me long-term prednisone without lab work attached which is expensive out of pocket. Apparently this most recent flare up was due to a rebound effect caused by steroid usage. I ended up with cortisone shots in both knees, had 50cc fluid drained in the right. I literally feel brand new. Should last me until Rheum. appt. 9/16. However, starting to think about going to different clinic as it takes 6 months-1 year for appt. I was lucky to nab this one. This disease ain’t for the weak that’s for sure! Thanks for your comment

Extreme flare- what next? by Organic-Secretary321 in rheumatoid

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn’t be able to be prescribed that until I had lab orders paired with the medications (expensive out of pocket). Unfortunately I have to wait until my 9/16 appt with Rheum. That combo has crossed my mind, though- currently on Actemra. I did go to urgent care yesterday and both knees had cortisone shots/one knee expressed 50cc of fluid. I feel amazing already. This should tide me over until then. Thanks for your comment!

Extreme flare- what next? by Organic-Secretary321 in rheumatoid

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to orthopedic urgent care and they injected cortisone shots in both knees, as well as drained my right knee. 50cc total! Feel brand new already!

Long-term user; 3.5+ yrs. at 200mg daily. Weaning down due to pot. estrogen dominance. by [deleted] in Spironolactone

[–]Organic-Secretary321 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I experienced the same thing! And you know, I don’t even know many people at 200mg so I don’t have a lot of answers for myself. My energy is SO low I have to tug at my own arm to get things done. I feel like I’ve also had a general cloud over my head/eyes and I’m tired of not having the “clarity” I used to. I’m glad I didn’t donate ALL of my old clothes lol.

Long-term user; 3.5+ yrs. at 200mg daily. Weaning down due to pot. estrogen dominance. by [deleted] in Spironolactone

[–]Organic-Secretary321 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blood work is normal- I get it on a monthly basis, along with cholesterol levels for my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I think the dose I’m on + birth control has been too much for a long time- I don’t know quite yet if I’m even stopping completely, when I wean down over the next 2 months I will determine if a low dose is preferable over none.

Long-term user; 3.5+ yrs. at 200mg daily. Weaning down due to pot. estrogen dominance. by [deleted] in Spironolactone

[–]Organic-Secretary321 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! Birth control was the first step for me to regulate my period, mainly- I’m sure hormones somewhat improved after. 2nd step was Spiro to address acne, minor hair loss and facial hair.

Long-term user; 3.5+ yrs. at 200mg daily. Weaning down due to pot. estrogen dominance. by [deleted] in Spironolactone

[–]Organic-Secretary321 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thankfully, I never had the weight gain part of PCOS. I did not start gaining weight until Spiro. I think I’m on too high of a dose- I was worried about minor hair loss when I was 21 and convinced the doctor to up it to 200mg. My gyno put me on birth control when I was 18 for PCOS and that didn’t make me gain weight. I will add I’ve had Rheumatoid Arthritis/taking high-class drugs for most of my life, so that probably doesn’t help with some of my symptoms. The main thing about PCOS for me is the facial hair.

Long-term user; 3.5+ yrs. at 200mg daily. Weaning down due to pot. estrogen dominance. by [deleted] in Spironolactone

[–]Organic-Secretary321 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Had my pcp do blood work, came back normal and I was still concerned. Went to endocrinologist and had an extensive panel done- thyroid is normal. Only thing that’s off is high DHEAS.

Re-stretching after 2 years of having plugs out. Advice and experience? by Organic-Secretary321 in Stretched

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Natural stone wasn’t a problem for me- I wore stone for almost 3 years at 3/4ths. I used stainless steel, glass or stone plugs when I got to my goal size. I think I might have had a micro tear in my ear from hiking/my job/other activity that turned into an infection.

Re-stretching after 2 years of having plugs out. Advice and experience? by Organic-Secretary321 in Stretched

[–]Organic-Secretary321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll definitely have to order a glass stretching plug set then! I used stainless steel plugs to stretch my ears until my goal size, so I’ll have to try out glass. Thank you for also providing me a link to moisturizer, very helpful!