A Work in Progress

      Last week I went to a new specialists.  I have yet to form an opinion on him yet.  He listened to me when in the office, drew 14 vials of blood for a myriad of tests (most are more comprehensive panels of what's truly going on in my body), performed a brief physical, and wrote me out 2 prescriptions.  The first is essentially an antiviral/anti-inflammatory medication that is commonly used as an autoimmune medication that involves swelling, pain, and damage to joints that are commonly found in diseases such as Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis just to name two.  I won't know if it is working for about another 3-5 weeks, but it gives me a bit of hope.  Even if my labs test negative for the few diseases he ordered, hopefully the panel results will give him and my other doctors a general direction where to look.  I just hate dealing with the "hurry up and wait" part that goes along with most things.  The second medication, however, is in theory temporary.  It's a newer, powerful narcotic.   Except it doesn't contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen in it.  Both medications I have to take twice a day, but while the first builds up in my system, the pain medication provides relief until either the first medication starts to work, or if something is found in my lab results.
         For the first time in I can't remember how long, I spend 10-11 hours almost totally pain free after the first dose, followed by another 10-11 hours of being pain free after the second dose is taken.  There is, however, one serious downside--I can barely function on it.  I'm slowly adjusting to the dose after 4 full days, so I do have the occasion that not only am I pain free, but I can start getting things finished.  It's almost a catch-22.  Either I'm stuck in bed in pain nothing will touch and unable to do even the most basic of chores (although most of the time I'm at least able to read), or I'm stuck in bed because of the side effects of the pain medicine.  I just have to keep reminding myself to do what I can, when I can, and that this is only a temporary solution for whatever the problem is.  That's not to say that when I stop taking the pain medication I will be back to where I started--in too much pain to be of any use.  It's probable my doctor will refill the medication for such times.  It gives me something else in my arsenal to help "survive" a bad flare. 
     I'm still hopeful that someone finds real answers soon so that I can go back to working on my life instead of living it around medication and doctor's appointments.  I've gone through an incredible amount of upheaval in the past year or so, so I'm praying that I am able to maintain the strength I possessed to get through those rough times to get through this.  So for now, all I can do is pray for strength and patience.