Sunday, August 28, 2011

Can't Sleep

I must admit, I'm laying in bed writing from my phone.
I'm excited to start classes tomorrow! Cell Bio, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Native American Lit.
I adore learning.
This will be my first semester at this university. Last year, when I first started back to school, I took classes at a community college to save $$$$.
I am also nervous. Will I be able to find a close enough parking space. Will my pain meds be enough to get me through the day.  I have been having a lot of trouble walking this past week, it's been very painful.
These are things I didn't have to worry about 15 years ago when I went for my first degree.
And then there are the financial concerns that go with being a student at any point in life.  I really need to get a part time job on campus. I had an interview for one last week and have been asked for more info for two others in the last few weeks.
While I am licensed to do a job that pays much more. It would be easier to have something where I don't have to travel further. Sometimes the energy that that takes, takes it all out of me.
I really want to try a different line of meds. I need my energy back. I need to live my life!

MyLot . . .

So as you already know, I am a full time student.
What are full time students?  POOR, of course!!!  Especially when a lot of your $$$$ goes to meds and devices to aid in your comfort and success (like my new Olympus WM-710 Digital Voice Recorder!!!).

MyLot is a way to make a few extra bucks a month! Check it out:
myLot User Profile






How do you make it every day with an autoimmune disease?

I have been battling an autoimmune condition related to Ankylosing Spondylitis, called SAPHO Syndrome, for over a year.  I have been on a DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), Sulfasalazine, since May.  DMARD's take a while to work, as in 4 to 6 months to know if they are truly going to help.

At the 6 to 8 week window, I started having more energy, but it did not decrease my daily pain.

I found some helpful information at spondylitis.org, but the Experience Project was a bust.  They have some interesting posts, but interacting has been impossible to get involved in.

It's a daily thing.  I find it hard to plan too much in advance because I don't know what my pain will be like.

On top of that, I am a wife, a stepmom, full time student and an aquarist.  It is hard to get everything done without overdoing it and knocking yourself down for several days.

This week I have had a lot of trouble walking.  My doctor gave me a script for a handicap placard for times like this, it is embarrassing to use, but it helps.

Please know that you are not alone in your battle to be everything you were before autoimmune disease knocked you down.  There is strength in numbers and we can support each other!!!