Guinea Pig: Day 15

Today will be the last "Guinea Pig" titled entry. I had my 2-week follow-up today. So here's the skinny:

1. When I was there 2 weeks ago I had 46 inflamed and painful joints. Today I had no joint pain what-so-ever and only 2 swollen. The joints at my ankles/feet are still swollen BUT they are 1/4 the size they were 2 weeks ago.

2. I developed a small rheumatoid nodule on my right elbow some time ago. A few months ago, the bursa on that elbow filled with fluid. It was pretty big.....about the size of a paintball. Looked gross too. Two weeks ago, the doc said the fluid came because the bursa was trying to protect my elbow from the nodule. Today the fluid is gone. It's unclear whether the meds took care of that.

3. I developed a contracture on my left elbow a few of months ago.....while I was on methotrexate. Keeping in mind that a straight line is a 180 degree angle, two weeks ago I couldn't get my arm any straighter than about 120 degrees. Today not only can I straighten my elbow fully, the contracture is pretty much gone.

4. Two weeks ago I could barely walk. Since the meds started Ihave been bike riding, walked from school to Aquinas (about 2 miles round trip), played soccer & tennis with my students, walk around on the grass barefoot (yes it's a big big deal), walk around the house barefoot (on rugs, wood, and ceramic tile.....eaqually as big as walking around on the grass barefooted), and I can take the 80 thousand stairs at work with a run again.

The doctor, nurse, and phys. asst. were all very impressed and excited about my results. So all in all, I'd say.....Pfizer, you done good! Wonder if I can send them a fruit basket.