Farewell to my CO (Week 28 from Baseline)

This morning, I attended clinic visit number something. My CO greeted me with news.

"I'm moving back to Queensland. This is my last week"

WHAT? *sniff*

Truth be told, I am a wee jealous. Yes, it was the state who gave us Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter and the place is full of rat-tailed bogans. But Queensland also has the best weather and, despite being one stubby short of a six pack, Queenslanders are the most genuine, positively spirited Aussies who give visitors the friendliest welcome and greatest hospitality. And despite my Melbournian heritage and my tendency to get a gleeful when stoking the fires of our interstate rivalries, I can definitely see Sharon of the future living and being very happy up there.

Now, back to the visit.

My CO told me several patients report a 'recently' a severe itch at the site of the injection. And my whining about it is consistent with other reports. I got the feeling by the use of the word 'recently' that this may be a fairly new-ish phenomenon. If that's the case, then one can logically deduce that something in the syringe has changed. My CO hasn't been informed about any changes. So, I would like to take a moment and say to Abbott Technologies, the producers of Adalimumab PLEASE FIX IT! MAKE IT STOP!

I'm going to try out Stingose. But my CO recommended some over-the-counter allergy stuff like Zirtec the day before and the day after I jab. I would rather not really. I'm already feeling like enough of a pill popper as it is.

Week 27 from Baseline *scritch*

Forget earthquakes, tsunamis, global warming and corruption. The real tragedy of importance right now can be revealed by my posing to you, my dear readers, a question.

Are there any other Humira/Adalimumab users get itchy at the injection site after administering their dose?

No seriously. I'm going totally batty.

The last several injections, probably 4-5, have resulted in the type of insatiable itch surrounding the injection site that could drive one into a murderous rampage. On the basis of my moaning misery I am convinced no jury could convict, particularly not after anywhere between five to seven days of tingling, tickling terrorism.

I am the only one? Is this is normal?

As you all were. Nothing to see here. *scritch* *scritch* *scritch* *scritch* *scritch*

Week 25 from Baseline

The arthritis has been quiet.

Very quiet.

Very very quiet.

Good! Wonderful! Excellent!

Unfortunately, the news isn’t all roses. The headaches are still hanging around. They range from mild to raging and last for 2-4 days at a time. It’s been a several weeks now since I have gone a whole week without one. So I’ve been hitting the Panadene Forte and the Nurofin Plus a lot. More than even I am prepared to accept and regular readers know my free-flowing history with the stuff.
So in short, I’m probably going to end up sitting down with Dr Flowers for a little chit-chat. I’nm headache free for now, but if I get another one this week, I’m scheduling an appointment without any further delays.

Here’s hoping for a headache-free existence.

Week 24 from Baseline

Back to K today for another monthly mashup. Today's visit was obviously another major milestone given the number and breadth of tests that was performed on my person. There was the full gammot of surveys, blood tests, pee-in-a-cup tests, joint counts and a physical by a doctor.

All previous tests were normal and it kinda nice to see that hardly any swelling was picked up in any of my joints, including the ever-depressing left ankle.

The last week has been better than the previous week in terms of my SPA. I have remembered all week to take all my prescribed doses of Salazopyrin, and this has made quite the difference with the lower-grade general soreness I get in my ankle. So over all, where my SPA has been concerned, I'm pretty pleased.

But where I am less pleased, is the number of headaches I've bene getting lately. I had a particularly filthy 3-day category hell nightmare bestowed on me a couple of weeks ago, and the headaches have been intermittant ever since. For example right now, as I type this, I have a headache that I'd issue a pain score of around 3. This one popped up on Sunday morning. It was worse then. But I had a day on which I had a ticket to a WordPress event called WordCamp, so I masked it with the usual overdose of Nurofin Plus and carried on. the headache was only gone completely yesterday afternoon. But it has come back today, so more Nurofin Plus has already been had.

And yes, I very much hate this shit and I know I take too much of it. But when Paracetamol doesn't work at all, that doesn't really leave you with a bucketload of other options.

I've started keeping a diary to document the occurances of these latest batch of headaches. I'm recording what I eat, drink, location and the severity/type of pain I am experiencing and if they don't sort themselves out, I will be booking an appointment with Dr Flowers. Do I know where they are coming from? I suppose there are things going on that aren't helping keep them away. But I don't really have any hard evidence that I can point to and give an emphatic "YOU!"