Sunday, January 9, 2011

Doing Great! (Just don’t forget…)

Things are still going very good. This past week or so I missed, or was late on, my evening medications (Relafen & Plaquenil). I noticed a slight redness appear right over my left ankle and it began itching. I was concerned that perhaps I would begin slipping back into the irritation I have felt, but I got more serious about not missing my medication and it has almost completely gone away. I take this as an indication that these medications are important and effective, and that the Medrol (Methylprednisolone) isn’t able to stop all of the symptoms on its own. (At least in my situation)

I have really noticed how important it is to be consistent not only in taking the medication every day, but taking it around the same time every day. I suppose that switching up the times I take my medication is similar to how jetlag messes with my body. It seems to me that our bodies adapt best to consistent patterns and rhythms in life.

I have had Sarcoid a little over two years now. My doctor said that the average time it takes to remit Sarcoidosis is two years, but some take much longer. My dad took ten years, but it is looking like me and my sister may be much closer to the average. Perhaps this is because of newer medications and updated treatment. Or possibly it is due to diet and exercise; maybe a different mix of genes (Thanks Mom!) or answers to heart felt prayer. My guess is that it is a little of everything. Whatever the reason is, I am very grateful.

Well, all in all I am really feeling relief and life is almost completely back to normal, or at least as normal as life was before Sarcoidosis. I have a winter camp with my son coming up this month and it promises to be very cold. In the past cold has actually seemed to help how my lungs feel. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Michael

Ps. Here is a list of the current medications I am taking:

Morning:

4 mg Medrol (Generic name: Methylprednisolone)
200 mg Plaquenil (Generic name: Hydroxychloroquine Sul)
400 mcg Folic Acid

Evening:
200 mg Plaquenil
750 mg Relafen (Generic name: Nabumetone)

PPs. Hang in there, you’re not alone in this! Remember Sarcoid is beatable!