Denied

Got the letter from SSD in the mail a couple days ago and was denied. Now currently in the process of submitting the appeal. I wish these things could just get done for me without putting much effort into them :( Ughhh. There reasons were that based on the medical evidence they gathered i'm responding well to treatment. Lol. Really? My Enbrel hasn't been working as good and I had to switch to two other newer pills that make me feel like throwing up, not to mention the nausea i've been getting every sunday from MTX. But oh no i'm doing great right? Let's jumble in the side effects from medicines in combination with my joint's aching, yep i'm doing great. *rolls eyes*

Decision was made...

So I called Social Security Disability to check on the status of everything and the woman told me a decision was made today and that I will be receiving info in the mail in a few days. I'm really nervous now.. I know many people have to apply more then once before getting approved & that could mean getting an attorney. =/ I'm trying not to get my hopes up but I can't help it. Now I'm gonna be glued to the mailbox for the rest of the week. Gaahhhhh.

Prednisone linked to acne?

I am been having problems with my skin ever since starting the steroids back up again as of a little over a month ago. It's not my face but my chest & back. At first I thought it was just my normal weekly breakout around the time I would have gotten a period (but don't because of my mirena) but it's been giving me problems since I started the prednisone! :( I hate hate hate this stupid pill! I'm taking myself off of it as of this week, since I STILL don't have a rheumy appt! I've been using neutragena acne body wash & this help a little bit to keep it from getting out of control but has not cleared everything up. It's so gross!

Has anyone else had skin problems with prednisone?

I'm on two other new meds as well that I started up around the same time but i'm pretty sure it's the steriods.

Meloxicam (1 a day) which I have been taking regularly
& Tramadol (up to 3 a day as needed) which I havent been taking.

I was taken off of diclofenac because it wasn't helping any.

Anybody else experience skin problems due to prednisone? I don't think it's stress because that's stayed the same and I haven't changed laundry soaps, I use tide free and clear.

HMO vs PPO

I'm glad to say that i'm happy the health insurance plan i'm getting through work will be PPO. Despite having to pay high co-payments to see my rheumy it's something i will GLADLY take so i don't have to deal with referrals anymore! Having to wait months at a time has been so stupid and drives me nuts!!!

Now looking forward to the switch on dec 1. :)

Winter Preperations?

This will be my first winter with my RA. I need to get a list started of what supplies I will be needed to make it through! I loveeee hoodies so i'm looking forward to picking up a few to keep me warm. I got one today from Target & I also pick up some gloves there today too, It came with two pairs for only $1.50! I wanna find some nice slippers for around the house and get a couple pairs of sweatpants too. I have an heating blanket that will be coming out of the closet once I find it also. What else do I need? Hmmm, I also will be needing a new planner for the upcoming year to track all my DR appt stuff.

What else do you guys recommend having for the winter?

Oh & I got the Flu Shot today from Target also, it was free since I work there and it was a special deal they have going on for Team Members. I was kind of iffy about it but after doing some research I figured it was best for me to get it.

Social Security Update

I received in the mail today more updates about my social security disability claim. It's now been sent to medical evalution and they mailed me a "fatigue questionnaire" ... there is only so much explaining that can be done about "fatigue" It consisted of about 10 question that ranged from daily activities to how many naps i take a day etc. I tried to be as detailed as possible when talking about how it effects me each day. I just hope I wrote enough for them. I mailed it out today. *crosses fingers* I'm glad it's coming along though, I know it's a long process.

Dealing with state disability is such a drag i've only received 1 check from them so far and it was only for august 21-26. So i'm still waiting on my next check that should be two weeks this time. I hope it comes soon. I get paid tomorrow but due to me not working so much my check is a dollar short of my car payment, thankfully it's not more then that. So i'm still able to pay it. God i'm so stressed! I was so tired today from working last night that I skipped classes today and went to work tonight because I just couldn't get out of bed this morning.

On a brighter note I called Humira to set up the patient support program and what not. I still don't have an appt set up with my rheumy yet because of my SLOW insurance ugh. && as of dec 1 i will officially be off my dad's insurance and on my own through work. It's going to be about 32 bucks each paycheck but at least I can continue my medications. My rheumy visits will spike up from 15 per visit to 55 freakin bucks. Ouch. Looks like i'll be seeing him as little as possible.

Feeling horrible, I hate you RA. :(