Possible Changes
Hi there,
I have a couple of things that are potentially going to change soon. Change can be good, and it can be scary. Sometimes it's a new adventure! Sometimes its something so small that it slips into your life without you really noticing. But either way change happens in our lives sometimes more than we would like.
One major possible change is whether or not I will be staying on Remicade. Now, before you ask, no, I have not had a reaction to it, and yes, it is still working very well for me. So, why am I possibly removing this life changing treatment from my life? Well let me be blatantly honest: money. Some of these treatments that help those of us with chronic illnesses can cost an arm and a leg. They can be (depending on your insurance) a very high expense each time you go in for a treatment. Its sad really. This infusion has given me complete control of my life again. I am able to walk and go about my day with minimal pain most days. But the reality is, it may be too much financially to continue with them.The possibility of the cost becoming too much was always something we had discussed since the day I decided to try Remicade. It isn't at the point where we would be drowning financially if I continue, so don't worry. But it is at the point where that money could be used elsewhere and I am willing to try going off this medication.
This is all just a possibility. I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist very soon and will be discussing options of other treatments to maintain pain and keep it at a manageable level. But it is a bit scary. Sure some of the side effects are not fun, but neither is being unable to walk yourself to the bathroom in the morning. When you rely on something for so long and hope that it will continue to work and make your life easier, its terrifying to consider taking it out of your life. What happens if I go right back to where I was 2 years ago when I started this? What happens if other treatments don't help like this did? My Rheumatologist is optimistic that I will be able to manage pain if we do choose to take me off of Remicade. That is comforting. But we won't know for sure. And once again the unknown is sometimes my biggest fear.
So, keep me in your thoughts and prayers while I take the next step in this journey of my illness. When we decide for sure what we are going to do next I will post an update including that and what is going on in my life.
Nikki De
I have a couple of things that are potentially going to change soon. Change can be good, and it can be scary. Sometimes it's a new adventure! Sometimes its something so small that it slips into your life without you really noticing. But either way change happens in our lives sometimes more than we would like.
One major possible change is whether or not I will be staying on Remicade. Now, before you ask, no, I have not had a reaction to it, and yes, it is still working very well for me. So, why am I possibly removing this life changing treatment from my life? Well let me be blatantly honest: money. Some of these treatments that help those of us with chronic illnesses can cost an arm and a leg. They can be (depending on your insurance) a very high expense each time you go in for a treatment. Its sad really. This infusion has given me complete control of my life again. I am able to walk and go about my day with minimal pain most days. But the reality is, it may be too much financially to continue with them.The possibility of the cost becoming too much was always something we had discussed since the day I decided to try Remicade. It isn't at the point where we would be drowning financially if I continue, so don't worry. But it is at the point where that money could be used elsewhere and I am willing to try going off this medication.
This is all just a possibility. I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist very soon and will be discussing options of other treatments to maintain pain and keep it at a manageable level. But it is a bit scary. Sure some of the side effects are not fun, but neither is being unable to walk yourself to the bathroom in the morning. When you rely on something for so long and hope that it will continue to work and make your life easier, its terrifying to consider taking it out of your life. What happens if I go right back to where I was 2 years ago when I started this? What happens if other treatments don't help like this did? My Rheumatologist is optimistic that I will be able to manage pain if we do choose to take me off of Remicade. That is comforting. But we won't know for sure. And once again the unknown is sometimes my biggest fear.
So, keep me in your thoughts and prayers while I take the next step in this journey of my illness. When we decide for sure what we are going to do next I will post an update including that and what is going on in my life.
Nikki De
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