Annie3, nice to hear from you. This achey cold weather is perfect for reading. And baked potatoes or cheese toast. I named my heat pad Sparky. But then it scared me. I changed it to Fanny. Since my hips get it mostly.
We just recently took in my daughter's dog. 6 yr old wire haired fox terrier, terror. Ive lot count of the bites. We are taking her to 2 week doggie training to solve her aggression issues bc our standard poodle doesn't understand and has gotten bitten too. Otherwise, she can be sweet and cuddly. Or suddenly, not. Strangely, some ppl have the same issue. But when we get her back, she will be all happy and snuggly. No one should have to live all touchy and grouchy.

Hi Jayne,

Thank you so much for your encouraging message. Just what I needed to read today as I sit here on the heating pad with compression gloves and an ice pack!

I would love to get a little dog but the condominium building I am in doesn’t allow them. My kids say I should make the case that I need a therapy dog.

I like your analogy of an unwelcome guest. I am ready to kick this one out anytime! Thanks again for your support.

Prednisone isn't a pain reliever. It does help reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain. I disnt have any luck with prednisone pills helping. But injected into my spine and joints it works fast to give relief.
I appreciate compounded anti-inflammatory cream a lot. Baclophen, diclofenac, gabapentin, a couple more in a lidoderm base. It seems expensive but lasts a long time and is great for pain and stiffness. I also use it at bedtime on my neck and lower lumbar to avoid restless leg and sciatica. Transdermal doesn't process through your digestive system and is a good choice.
My mornings are awful as well. Im useless, and have bad brain fog, stiffness, pain, its depressive.
My pain management specialist recently died, unexpectedly, so I have to find a new one in case things jack up again.
Some of us get long remissions. Mine is fairly constant with a few bad flare-up periods. I've lost interest in most everything I used to love doing. I got a poodle dog. He is a great friend and I love him so much that no matter how I feel, we have daily outings and I keep up with his care and training; better than caring for myself and husband. He makes me laugh and keeps me distracted from the misery of RA, fibromyalgia and cronic fatigue. He understands me and comforts me like ppl don't.
Don't despair. I've tried most every therapy and have had side effects and reactions to several.

We have to find something that soothes us or distracts us. RA is an unwelcome guest but it will unexpectedly leave and give you a break. Don't question it- just take advantage of it. In the meantime- I read and do puzzles or crochet. Do some cooking when I can. I hope you get to feeling better and hopefully your rituxin may work for you.

Double edged sword to take the meds or not. Live with pain or chance terrible side effects. I seem to be sleeping my life away as it's the only time I can escape the pain.

Thanks Alex