Anti-Inflammatories

Back in March my right arm didn't work very well.  I knew what it was because I had the same problem a couple of years ago after falling on the ice.  I went to my awesome ortho guy and got a cortisone shot in my shoulder.  The calcium deposit in my shoulder joint had made a reappearance which had inflamed all the connective tissues in the joint including the rotator cuff tendons.  Once rotator cuff tendinitis sets in it is almost impossible to use the arm.  Hence the shot.

Now, I've lost count but I've had about a half dozen of these shots in various joints due to skating injuries.  This was the first one I've had since contracting CFS.  I had an interesting reaction to the shot; my CFS symptoms lessened.  At first I thought it was all the vitamins I had started but when the steroid wore off my symptoms worsened. 

While I was in steroid bliss I started driving again, taking short walks and cooking!!  I was so happy!  Now they have worn off I've had nothing but setbacks.  I'm doing terrible right now.  If I do anything I crash.  This week has been particularly bad.  I haven't slept well all week and I'm getting really wanky from it.  I've had to use the wheelchair for even short distances.  Hubby has had to help me walk around the house several times.  It has been bad.

I went and saw my holistic doc today.  I meant to get back there sooner but between the insurance crap, the Diet From Hell crash, and the specialist visits I just never made it back there.  This is the doc that diagnosed my CFS and regularly treats CFS patients.

Now I've told my regular doc, my rheumatologist and a pain specialist about the steroid miracle and no one wanted to put me on low dose prednisone even though my ortho doc recommended it for me.  Today I told my holistic doc and he said it was a great idea.  However he uses hydrocortisone instead of prednisone.  I guess it is closer to being bioidentical.  He is having me do another saliva cortisol test and I'm doing my six month fasting blood work next week so with some short term med/supplement adjustments I'm doing the tests and then starting low dose hydrocortisone. 

I'm very excited.  If this works anything like the shot my life is going to get so much better.   I'll be able to get off the couch.  I won't need people to help me walk around or hubby to help me get out of the shower.  I'll sleep better and more normal hours.  I may even start driving again!!