Update 30/08/2011

Okay so I tappered off my old dose of steroids and my finger swelled up and all my energy problems came back I was worn down couldn't eat certain foods and my huge sweet tooth grew back overnight ... humm really hoping the methotrexate works on my finger and tummy :) I'm on 15mg dose once a week and folic acid the day after, with another tappering dose of steroids which will be over two months as the methotrexate builds up in my system. There are an impressive 52 possible side effects from methotrexate !

I tried playing piano last night my finger is stiff and sore now.. I'm going to carry on regardless I'll sit my next practical exam ... although after that if my finger keeps giving trouble with piano playing I might be best to let that hobby go... I really don't want to though so we'll see.

I have signed up for the Living well with arthritis course being run by: http://www.arthritisireland.ie/

It doesn't start until the 6th of October.
I'm looking forward to meeting other people arthritis and seeing how they cope.

I'll be out abseiling at dalkey quarry today to see if my finger can handle it .. if not I will be having a reading holiday instead :)

I'd best get back to work :)

Steroids update

Steroids are great - well I have found them to be great !
I didn't get the huge hunger I was warned about. I actually lost my sweet tooth and started to eat better this could be a result of other things but I noticed it around the same time I started the steroids. They helped my finger no end :) the swelling has gone right down and I can use the finger to type, WRITE !! :) and play piano although that seems to annoy it some what. Also I went mountain biking yesterday and my finger was fine.

I've another appointment with the ruhemy tomorrow, I'll be asking her tonnes and tonnes of questions just to have everything straight in my mind before starting methotrexate.