New Dr. Appt on 9/1
Well, I finally have an appt with a new rheumatologist on 9/1. I am in so much pain in many joints. My wrists and hands, my spine, ankles are getting very stiff and now pain in my collar bones and shoulders. I hope he can offer some help. I am struggling to keep doingvmy job. The 3 day 12 hour shifts are especially hard. After I get to the doctor, and finish up with a few other issues maybe I will see if I can go part time. I have to look into the finances of thst though because my insurance costs would basically double. I am signed up for a 5k run (I'll be walking) in TN. Pets are allowed to come so if it won't be raining, I'll take my small dog. I'm going to bring a pet stroller though because she is small and that would most likely be to much distance for her. Plus I will have the stroller for a bit of support too. My mood is absolute crap. From being in pain constantly, I have become very depressed. But I have my 3 dogs to take care of so I keep trying. My doctor added renal insufficiency to my diagnosis at my last visit too. Just one more thing to add to make me keep trying to eat better etc. I'm pretty tired of all the struggle though
, thank you so much for the update. I'm so glad to hear that you have an appointment with a new rheumatologist soon. I hope it goes well, please keep us updated on how it goes!
Working with PsA is tough. Also trying to crunch the numbers and see with insurance if it's possible to go part-time is hard. I hope you're able to figure something out.
Also good luck to you on the 5K! I hope the weather is nice and you'll be able to bring your dog 😀 The stroller is a good idea, not sure if you saw this before, but one of our advocates wrote before how they find a stroller to be very helpful as an inconspicuous mobility aid: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/stroller-mobility-aid.
PsA has such a mental toll, but I'm glad to hear you're trying, that's what counts. Of course, the community is also here for you.
Best,
Minel (Team Member)Thank you
, I appreciate you writing. Unfortunately I don't have a support system at all. It's just me and my pets. I will have an MRI on my lumbar spine on Friday too. I've had a lumbar nerve ablation about 3 years ago but it doesn't help anymore. So my doctor said after I get the mri, he will send me to a doctor that can do another one. The neurosurgeon that replaced some discs in my neck said I would eventually need a spinal fusion. But I will delay that for as long as possible. Take care and hope you have a good day! 
Hi
. You amaze me, the fact that you are still working despite all you have been through. I hope you are able to maintain your insurance at least long enough to get through your appointment and any necessary medical procedures. MRIs are very expensive. You don't want to pay for that out of pocket. If you do have to leave work before then, keep in mind that you should be eligible for COBRA, at least for while. It can be expensive, but far less expensive than paying out of pocket for appointments, tests and treatments. Keep us posted if you are comfortable doing so and enjoy that 5K as best you can. Thinking of you! - Lori (Team Member)
Thank you. I will mostly be walking the 5k I'm sure but I'm going to do it. Work is killing me, the 12 hour shifts, heavy patients and we are getting so many covid patients. This stupid hospital I work in doesn't have any assistants on night shift. The other night we had 9 covid patients, 1 critical care patient and 4 med surg patients. I had done the covid for a few nights so we switched assignments. Tje other 2 nurses did the 9 covid and I did the other 5. The critical care patient looked half dead already. It was just the 3 of us to do everything from emptying the trash, to getting water, taking out food trays and of course taking care of the patients. It's physically too much for me but I need the insurance. It's so depressing because I some days really feel like I am dying but I have no choice but to work full time right now. Maybe once I get the medical problems straightened out, I can go part time. I can't do this much longer though. I'll post how I did after the race on Saturday. Take care!
