Still Itchy

Last week Wednesday the doctor upped my medication for the HSV because I continued to breakout and was getting no relief from the itching.  Finally I am seeing the first spots to erupt are now beginning to dry and heal.  Those first ones are no longer weeping.  But the newest ones continue to itch like fire and weep horribly.  Oh, for this to be over soon!!!

New Problems

For two weeks I was on a high dose of prednisone and I am to reduce it by one mg. per week now until I get down to 7 mgs.  Then we will see how I am doing there. 

Friday morning I woke to find a spot on my thigh that was itchy.  I thought it might be a chigger bite.  As the weekend went on I got more of them and they were leaky and big and blistered.  I thought of shingles yesterday.  My rhuematologist said I better get right in to see him today.  I have HSV or Herpes Symplex Virus and it is related to and similar to Shingles.  It is caused by stress!!  Oh great!!  Just get rid of stress.....................

Doctor ordered up some high powered drug for me to take to ease the pain and itching.  I sure hope it works!!  I am miserable right now.

It's not working

Have been having swelling of my hands and feet and lots of aching.  My hips have been hurting.  Spoke with rhuematologist Thursday and he was as disappointed as I to realize the Rituxan is not working.  I did tell him all about last weekend, but he felt that with the Rituxan I should have breezed through all of that.  He upped my prednisone for now and I check back with him early in the week.

Need some energy

Good things are happening, but I am so tired!  Our new granddaughter, Vaeda, was born Friday, May 6.  She is a beautiful little girl.  We are so proud!  Her big sister, Ozaine, stayed with us while mommy was in the hospital.  Her hospital stay which would have been just a couple of days turned out to be much longer due to an emergency C-section. 

I just can't seem to get a blast of energy and have it stay with me.  The past couple of days my hips have been achey, my feet hurt, my hands have been swollen for a couple of weeks now.  Not real pleased with this.  I know that stress plays a huge part in all of this, but I thought the Rituxan would have countered the aches and pains I'm feeling.  For as much as the Rituxan costs, I don't know if it's worth it.  I guess I will have to give it a few more days to get past the stress of this weekend.  Maybe then I will really feel better.

Maybe It's Working.............

I really can't be sure just yet, but maybe the Rituxan is working.  I haven't had really BAD pain.  Over the weekend (and the weekends are always SO VERY busy) I had a little of the aching in my left hip joint, but not bad.  Just a reminder every so often.  I am still experiencing being tired and hoping that I will soon have more energy.  I am so hopeful!!

Thusday's Infusion

Thursday's infusion went pretty well.  I was prepared for all of the same sensations that that I encountered last time, but it wasn't the same.  At about 45 mins. in, I noticed that slight metallic taste and then with the next swallow, it was gone, over, and no more.  I did have the dry throat and mouth, but not quite so badly as last time.  No headache, no swelling at the time of infusion.  I went home pretty happy.  I did fall asleep during the infusion and apparently slept well over an hour (due to the benedryl).  I was thirsty last night and did drink, but it was no more than the normal amount I would any evening.  Went to bed early - I was tired.  The whole ordeal is emotionally exhausting.  I slept a couple of hours and then the rest of the night I was totally wired from the prednisone and could not sleep.  I tossed and turned and watched the clock.  When I finally allowed myself to get up this morning after a terrible night, I was so disappointed to see I had puffed up horribly!  My face is so full, eyelids are very puffy, etc.  The rest of my body is as well.  I am not wearing any rings today because my hands are so swollen.  I have a mild headache which seems to be worsening as the day goes on.  I look like a balloon.  I take satisfaction in knowing that each day it will get better and the swelling will go down a little.

 

On Friday mid morning the headache got worse and worse.  I was disappointed because I didn't think it would happen at all.  But fortunately it was gone Saturday morning!  I slept wonderfully well Friday night.

 

Easter Sunday much of the swelling was down.  I didn't look like a puffed up balloon.  I would have hated that for church this morning!

 

Enjoyed having all of my family here today.  All of us spending time together is just the best thing ever!  I love the grandchildren SO much!!

 

Next Infusion

I think I have nearly recovered from the first infusion and it is almost time for the second round.  That will be Thursday afternoon.  I dread the thought of all the bloating, puffing up, swelling.  Oh great.  But I know I have to do this.  I will get it over with and in a few short weeks should be feeling all the goodness of Rituxan!