Wash Out Period - Day 3 and 4

I am pretty happy with how I am feeling so far through this wash out period.  I am feeling stiff right now but my over pain is probably a 3, with my knee periodically jumping to a 6 or 7. The only thing I took for pain was 2 Tylenol's because I had a headache. 

My energy level is low but it is probably just because I am tired.

Wash Out Period-Day 2

Things went well today.  Of course it is Saturday so I was able to sleep as late as I wanted and just do everything at my own pace. 

I went to the gym in the morning. I rode the bike for 30 minutes and walked for 10.  The biking really didn't hurt but my legs were really tired.  I just went at my own pace.  As for the walking, that is a different story.  I had uncomfortable pain in my left knee and my hips also hurt.   I felt mentally good for going, though.  Ice is really seeming to help my knee so I put it up and iced it when I got home. 

All in all, I think it was a second day without an NSAID.  The only issue I have is a nagging feeling in my brain, like I forgot something.  I have been taking this pill for a year and half every day.  I must be conditioned. I know these aren't addictive but I feel anxious that I am not taking one.  I just keeping thinking about Thursday's appointment when I get to take an NSAID again.  Weird, right?

Day 1 - Wash Out Period

Today is the first day I have gone without my usual NSAID, Mobic.  For the study, I have to wash my current NSAID out and go into a flare. It is better than I thought it would be but I am still achy and stiff.  I also have less energy.  At 6 pm, I hit a wall and came home and napped.  If today was any indication, the next week is going to be painful.  I really hope I don't end up on a placebo.  This is a double blind study so my doctor has no control over what I am given. 

Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Clinical Trial

I was accepted into the clinical trial for Etoricoxib.  The doctor tells me it is a proven drug in Europe but it isn't approved in the US yet because of the controversy surrounding Vioxx. So, it isn't new,  just new to the US. I am still a bit nervous about it but the doctor says the next step is a biologic. I really do not want to take any of those.  The side effects really frighten me.  My biggest fear it that I will not be able to have children because of all the medications I have taken over the years. So, if this works, I don't have to take the biologic.  I also feel like I am doing something to really help the RA community.  By doing this, I could help future RA patients feel better faster.  Someone did it for me with Methotrexate and Mobic so it feels good to do this for someone else.