Liberal Forum

Fuelman » 04 Nov 2024, 3:25 pm » wrote: ↑

04 Nov 2024, 3:25 pm

I appreciate the info, the wife will most likely check out the alt medicine guy.

It gets a little murky when taking in all the variables. The blood screen for 150 autoimmune disease came back negative, we'll just call it RA. 

We went to the University of Colorado to see a pulmonologist who has been studying the relationship between RA and ILD for 10 years. She told us the amount of scarring in the lungs tells her this has been going on for years. Much longer than the time on RA drugs. Next month will be two years I've been on the RA suppressor.

Strange how life rolls sometimes. We self moved ourselves to Colorado, moved Mom from New Mexico to be with us, built a house and 30 days after moving in basically become immobile due to RA. It is painful and debilitating. Never really had any symptoms prior except an occasional flare which we attributed to carpal tunnel or pulled this or that the wrong way.

Humira does what it's supposed to. It blocks the inflammation markers in the immune system and have 100% mobility with no pain.

The ILD is another story. Enough damage has been done where it's difficult to keep oxygen saturation up above 88 with physical activity. Got me one of those fancy $4000 pulse oxygen units for a little boost when out and about.
The next step is a infusion that will supposedly keep the RA under control and slow the fibrosis in the lungs.

 We have known for about 6 months now and mostly recovered from the reality slap. It's a good day to be alive, the inevitable will come someday just NOT YET!