More Strength!

I’ve now adjusted to the new levels of Prednisone (7.5 mgs per day) and I am feeling a lot stronger. In fact, I just got done with a 5 day ATVing trip and I did really well. Today I replaced an alternator, did some weeding, shopped for a scout camp for 14 people (for an 1 ½ hours), etc and did fairly well. I did feel drained at points in the day but nothing like I have been.



All in all I really think my strength is returning a little at a time. It’s kind of like that part in the new Superman movie when he flies up into the sunlight and it gives him strength to recover… Well… I’m not Superman, and it isn’t that fast, but I do feel like I am getting stronger. What a great thing!




Michael

Prednisone Going Down!

Down, Down, Down! The Prednisone dose is going down! =) I am now at 7.5 mg! That means 2.5 mg for breakfast, lunch and dinner! The doctor was very happy with how things are going and said that I should reduce the prednisone to 7.5 mg for three weeks and then the week before I see him again he wants me to drop it to 5.0 mg. I am really excited to see progress! I do have to admit that I have been feeling drained and worn out, but that is to be expected I guess. As the prednisone drops my body has to pick up the slack and adjust.

I asked the doctor what happens when I’m off the Prednisone and he told me that we would then reduce the Imuran, Plaquinil, Colchicine and Fosomax until I am off of everything. Than…. Hopefully…. I will be in remission! Here is hoping!

I still don’t know about the Imuran and cancer risk. Everywhere I look tells me that it increases my risks of getting skin cancer but nothing tells me how much it increases my risk. For now I’m just keeping the SPF 70 sunscreen on and hope for the best.

The last little bit (between now and my last post) I got a sinus infection but antibiotics did a great job of kicking it out of my system. One other little bump in the road was a day when I forgot to take my afternoon prednisone. I wasn’t use to taking it three times a day and was just adjusting to the schedule. I was hurting by the time I got home and then when I took two 2.5 mg pills (one to make up for lunch) it flipped me out. I got super wired just like I did when I was on the higher doses, but I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. I’m afraid that my poor tender wife took the brunt of it. (being grumpy and the like) She is such a sweetheart she just smiled and supported me. I really am a luck man, and I sure do love her. (Sorry Blue Eyes!)

This past few weeks have been really busy by the way. Camping with the family, business trip the California, short hike with the scouts, etc, etc. It’s been busy! I am hoping that by the end of next week I will be feeling better and have more energy. For now, lots of sleep and just keep on trucking.

Hang in there everyone! Whatever you’re facing… there is always hope!

Michael

Worries and Sunscreen

The medicine has really been working and I have been feeling good. I have a doctor’s appointment coming up on Tuesday with my specialist and I am hoping that I will be able to reduce the Prednisone again. I don’t know if this thinking is right or not, but in my mind I am hoping that when I am off the Prednisone that means that I have kicked my Sarcoidosis into remission. I don’t know that this is strictly true, but I am hopeful.

I haven’t been able to find out more info on the Imuran despite all of my efforts. I have talked to multiple pharmacists and doctors and all any of them can tell me is that my risk of skin cancer is increased on the medicine. None of them can tell me by how much though and this is what I really want to know. Is it 2 in a million instead of 1 in a million or do I have a 1 in 4 chance on this medicine? I absolutely don’t want to trade Sarcoidosis for Skin Cancer, but no one can tell me how likely this is. For now I am just keeping the sunscreen on and staying out of the sun as much as possible. This is going to be a challenge though because I am a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts and summer is here.