Rants and Rambles

or is that few and far between?

Wow, it’s more than a week since the last session, my 4th. Filling in from my third, the sharp pains subsided as expected about 7 days after the infusion (after having lasted about 4 days again). But they were replaced by not only the earlier weakness near joints like my knees, but not-quite-sharp pain near the joints as well. When I flexed muscles the tendons at the joints hurt; the more force (like lifting rather than just moving) the greater the pain. Walking wasn’t too bad as it was usually just keeping my feet under me. Climbing stairs was worse. After about 2 weeks from the infusion date things were back to dull aches and the problem with my hands and, to some extent, feet.

Fourth cycle

Now, into the 4th cycle, things are getting worse. The sharp pains haven’t changed. The weakness at joints as well as the tendon pain is now in my arms and hands. Mostly the forearm, both wrist and elbow are having the problem. For a while it hurt to move my arms at all; the weight of my hands pulled the tendons. If I was trying to grip something, I might be able to hold it tight enough but lifting it would hurt enough I found myself dropping things in reaction. As the effects tapered off and the pain level lowered, I could lift things like a glass to my mouth but the odd movement to tilt it would hurt and require both hands to share the load. And oddly, the pain pills didn’t help that type of pain much, at least at the dosage level I’m prescribed.

Today there have been only a few motions that pulled muscles and tendons that were painful. Maybe tomorrow will be good enough I can get out for a break. With the extended leg pains I’ve not even been up the stairs to the office where my PC is. With the arm pain I’d not do well on the keyboard any way, so I’m short on work hours as well as any of my network means of social contacts too.