with a vengeance

Yesterday was the last day for the prednisone. I missed some times so ended up stretching it out a little longer.

Today the rash is back and so is pain in my left leg. I woke with stiffness and pain in my left leg, the calf area, and it has been there all day. I swam a bit at the gym (the Aqua class was cancelled - not enough people came out for it in the rain), hoping the swimming would ease the stiffness. It didn't. I later went to a few places to shop and again, no change.

So I am limping around the house, trying to get things done and just hating it.

Respite of a different kind

I am on the third day of a course of prednisone, prescribed to treat an odd skin rash. I knew when it was prescribed that I would get a break from some of the pain of arthritis as well, and I welcomed it.

Because prednisone reduces inflammation, what I am noticing is the reduced pain that is attributed to inflammation. It does nothing for the built-up fluid in my left knee, nor for the pings and occasional sharp biting pains that are probably associated with bone-on-bone activity. What I notice is that when I am sitting for a little while it is not hard to get up again, and generally I can move more freely and some of the exercises I do are easier. During this rather hard pain time, I am enjoying the break.

It will all go away again, of course, when the prednisone wears out. I may have a few days beyond that end. Might even make it to Christmas. Nice.