I am not sure if the Stelara had really worked like I thought, or if it was the multiple steroid shots I received, that cleared my skin/scalp until the middle of October. I do know either or both wore off, and now my face is back to being red and scaled and the corners of my eyes are cracking. Also, my chest and underarms are suffering. I am so thankful for my essential oils and the prescribed ointments. Using a combination of them both, I am able to manage the severe itching, for the most part. I see my Dermatologist in the middle of December, so things may or may not change then.
I did find a new Rheumatologist. He is pretty nice, and listens. He also wiped the slate clean, which was nice. I picked him, not just because of the reviews he had, but because he is an Air Force Veteran. I was not displeased. I had blood work done, then followed up with x-rays the other day. My blood is "normal" (I didn't get to see my lab results), and my RF was negative. First time in YEARS it has been negative. So, something is working. I had been off Methotrexate for a month (ran out) when I had blood drawn. Makes me wonder if I really need it anymore. I see him again in January 2018.
I had my annual physical last month, too. Because of the "interview" the doctor did with me (not my normal primary care doctor, she was booked until March 2018), I was referred to a sleep study place, gynecologist, told to follow up with my cardiologist, and follow up with the GI doctor. I have done 3/4 of them.
Sleep Study: I did a two night at home study. The results came back off the chart for obstructed sleep apnea. I am currently waiting for insurance to finish their review of the data so I can get my CPAP mask. That happens to be my only option. This explains my chronic fatigue, which in turn explains my fibromyalgia. It could also be the reason I get heart palpitations. I cannot wait to get my mask.
Gynecologist: I was sent here because of 10 years of menorrhagia. An internal ultrasound discovered a large fibroid in the uterine wall, and that my uterus was not a "deflated" balloon like it is supposed to be. I received my options to control the period, 2 were medicines, an IUD, ablation, or hysterectomy. After a lot of discussion, hubby and I decided the hysterectomy would be the treatment. So, I had another procedure to figure out what was inside the uterus. I have 3 more fibroids in there, plus more they didn't see the first time in the wall. A biopsy of the internal ones came back benign. My surgery is scheduled for December.
Cardiologist: He has me set up for an echo and calcium test this week. Depending on those results, I may or may not have to do another stress test. He is leaning against it because I walk 40-50 minutes 5-6 times a week. We are also going to wait to see how my body/heart react to the CPAP mask, before we do anything major. One thing he did change was lower my high blood pressure medicine. Now, my dizzy spells are a lot less than they had been before.
All-in-all I feel like this has been nothing but positive. I will try to update sooner, next time. :)
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
