If it isn’t one thing…

On Monday I saw the rheumatologist, good visit.  We are going to try reducing the prednisone again.  Fingers crossed that the other meds she added will help my body tolerate the lower dose of prednisone, and I’ll be happy with that for now.

One thing I brought home with me from the retreat in November was a runny nose.  It ran and ran and ran and then stopped running, which was almost worse.  I would wake up unable to breathe through my mouth or nose which was pretty scary.  Pills pills and more pills and I hate taking pills. 

On top of that, I had a few sensitive teeth all of a sudden.  No reason at all they would attack me with pain that went from my mouth up my head and sometimes I swear my toes curled up.  I could rinse my mouth with warm water and it would go away… for a while.  But they couldn’t do anything about it because of the nose.  Had to be able to breathe for the dentist to do any work.

Mid week the pain became unbearable, but I realized I was almost breathing normal again, so I called the dentist and got an appointment the next day.  I should explain that more than I hate doctors I hate dentist… long story and I’m not going into it, but I would rather stand in the middle of a busy highway then go to the dentist.  I explained this to the nurse on the phone every time I called, and she made note of it. 

I took my anxiety meds before going for my appointment, but it didn’t help.  The second I sat in the chair I started shaking and crying and couldn’t stop.  The nurse sat down and talked me though it, and without me hardly realizing it the dentist was in, had looked in my mouth, and I was heading out again… so that was over.

Of course I had to make another appointment for the surgery and the first opening was January 21st.  I immediately started to panic again and then something miraculous happened.. the clerk on the phone hung up and said (pointing to me), “she can have this appointment” pointing to the computer screen.  There had JUST been a cancellation for the next day, the last surgery of the year… and I got it!

Through the magic of medicine, thiopental sodium aka sodium pentothal and all those pills I so hate taking, I am doing ok.  Three fewer teeth in my head, nose is working fine and in a day or two, knock on wood, this will all be over.