Coming full circle- a miracle happens again
About ten or eleven years ago the arthritis really took hold of me. At the time it was mostly my feet and legs- I was still in my 30s and had already had my left knee replaced. It was replaced a second time five years later.
My doctor decided to put me on Remicade. This was my first miracle- eight hours after my first infusion all the pain left my body, and I was able to function fairly normally from that day on.
Until one day, after I'd had by actual count 60 IV infusions, one every six weeks, I suddenly had a bad reaction to it on the 61st time. They decided to take me off it and try other medications, none of which worked. The pain came back and over the next two years I slowly lost the use of my legs. I'm now wheelchair bound, and without steroids and pain pills my upper body hurts so badly many days I can barely move.
They recently put me on Prednisone, which helps dull the pain immensely. But this is a drug that can't be taken forever due to side effects. Screw that- I'll take anything that works, for as long as I can talk the doctors into giving it to me.
They finally decided to try putting me back on the Remicade. I was elated and scared witless at the same time, but this afternoon they stuck the IV needle into the back of my hand again and turned the drip on.
No bad reaction. None at all. Eight hours after the infusion all the pain is gone. I was able to stand up briefly for the first time in weeks.
Miracle two, and the circle closed. I'm daring to dream that I may just get the use of my legs back if I try hard enough.
Here's hoping.
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I haven't been in the area long enough to find some good stuff. All my contacts are in Texas and I'm now in Indiana.
Guess I'll have to go sans tea for a while... 
Oh, sweetie! I am so hoping that you will get the use of your legs back!
You have really been through the mill, and I applaud your courage. 
Keep the dream alive. I've worked at building my upper body strength and no longer have to crawl to the bathroom or piss off the side of the bed into a plastic beer cup. I still need a cane and back brace when I go out, but it's nowhere near as bad as it was. Perhaps I just got used to the pain. I do use a service dog now. She's a big help.
I remember the "stand up briefly" moment. It's thrilling. Keep the positive thoughts going. They're the best medicine you can get.
... even one you've had to lay off of for awhile.
Prednisone is one of my favorites. For a few days I get to experience life as I imagine most people do. I can breathe and my joints stop screaming at me. Too bad it can't last.
He worries me to pieces, but if he doesn't take it he can't even open his hands. He augments with cannabis and that helps, too.
Glad you can take your favorite med. Here's hoping the bad reaction was from some bad batch that won't happen again.
