Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
My deepest sympathies. I've had surgeries on both hands, two on one and one on the other. All as the result of the motorcycle wreck my wife and I suffered six years ago. I now have rheumatoid arthritis developing in both hands. Currently treating with medication, so we will see how that goes.
The first medication I was prescribed, methotrexate, is actually a chemo therapy drug, but administered in much smaller doses. This stuff is best avoided - at all costs. My doctor indicated "some people might feel some mild side affects"... Bowl sheet - the mood altering properties of this drug left me in a damn near suicidal state of depression, as it does with virtually everyone to whom it is prescribed. Apparently, however, it's a "gate" through which some insurance companies demand we pass, showing an intolerance to it, before more effective (and far more expensive) medication without that nasty side affect will be approved.
I know that has nothing to do with surgery, but I thought I would offer it up as a cautionary tale, in case treating some of your arthritis might involve medication. Have a very frank discussion with any doctor who wants to put you on this stuff. Everyone I have spoken with about the side affects had the same experience, from merely "very bad" to "damn near suicidal".
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I've never tried that stuff because of all the bad side effects, and don't plan to. I currently treat it with CBD, which works better than narcotics, tylenol, or ibuprofen (the last of which I also take). I'm hoping the government gets its puritanical head out of its ass so that proper research and dosing can be figured out for what is obviously a highly effective drug.
When I had knee replacement, the insurance companies insisted I first go through all kinds of black magic, like Sinvisc injections, which involved inserting a long needle under my knee cap to inject stuff derived from a rooster comb. It was a pleasant as it sounds. Went through a year of that foolishness before new research showed it didn't work. Also had a couple of meniscus surgeries that didn't work either. The insurance companies make you go through all this medieval crap trying to save a dime before they agree ty what is obviously needed. My dislike for insurance companies runs deep.
My welding class starts July 1 and runs for 10 weeks, so I'll probably wait til after that for the tightrope.
I knew that with as many craftsmen and such that there would be lots of expertise here. Much appreciated, everyone.