An STD never sounded so good!

I never thought I would hope for an STD!! Yeah, I know. Much like you are shaking your head and re-focusing your eyes to read that and make sure it doesn't say what you think you just read...I too am shaking my head at the fact that I typed that. But alas, it's true. And sometimes, just sometimes, you wish it was an STD. Like instead of an auto-immune disorder per say. I think I'll take the STD.

Why you ask? Why does this little momma of two wish she had had an STD? Simply because if it had been an STD which caused my joint problems, it would be fixable. I.e..curable.

Ok, I'll explain more. Because you are dying to know. I know. You see, there are a couple different types of arthritis that this could be. The Rheumy (that is arthritis lingo for Rheumatologist-yes, i'm 28 years old and I now use arthritis lingo!!) thinks I have one of a few different kinds of arthritis. One type is called Psoriatic Arthritis, bingo-this is what I diagnosed myself with several posts back. Basically that one just sucks and you have it forever. The other one is Reactive Arthritis. This is the STD one. Or it could be caused from a past infection of any kind (bladdar, samonella,ect). It seems to me in all my diagnostic internet searching that the Reactive one would be better to have becaue in lots of cases it goes away. It could still come back but I think it's just not as bad.

However, I do not have the luxury of ever have contracted an STD. That would make my diagnosis a slam-dunk. However, there is still a chance that it was caused from an unknown infection that I have had anytime in my life. I've had a normal amount of run-of-the-mill infections. It just can't be pinpointed if the joint pain was caused by this or not. So, we are left in the wait and see mode. Wait and see what the ravaging immune system I hate to call my own, will do or not do next.

So, I go on like a trooper. Hey, who ever said troopers don't cry? At times I'm a crying trooper because I'm sick of pain. Especially the recent bursitis that developed in my shoulder cuff. That happens at night when I'm sleeping and about makes me cry. But, it does ease up during the day. Some of my other joints are actually a little better. My lower back is doing pretty good. And my hip isn't horrible. My 4th toe is still pretty swollen and the ultrasound showed fluid and inflammation. That and my shoulder can be relieved with a cortisone shot (I've had a few of those in the eye in the past). However....I'm nursing so it's questionable. The Rheumy thought it would be ok but said it's ultimately up to me if I want to put my baby at risk. So I said, "Geez, just add insult to injury here and make me feel like a horrible mother while you're at it- huh doc!" Just kidding, I didn't say that,I just said, "let me think about it." Now I'm just waiting to hear back from Chase's doc to see if it would be OK.

There is another step beyond a local shot. It's a drug therapy called Methodextrate. It's given to patients who are undergoing chemo. But I guess it's very helpful with arthritis. It would address my entire immune system. But while it was "addressing" it, it would go right ahead and suppress it too. So...that one though pretty much scares the crap out of me. Plus, there no way I can take it while I'm nursing so it's not an option until I quit nursing. And even then, I think I'll pass on it.

And that' s pretty much it.

Yep, I looked at the doctor the same way. Like, "that's it?" I'm at a very high specialty doctor and there is nothing else they can do for me?

Now I just deal with the pain using Aleve and wait and see what happens. I am totally a believer in the natural side of things. Although the Rheumy pretty much foo-foo'd me on that, I think I will just keep doing what I am doing, add some more anti-inflammatory spices into my cooking and be on my way to recovery.

Until then, if I can't blame it on an STD, I will just hope that it was an unknown infection that whacked out my immune system. And pray and believe that it will get better. SOON!