Brother #3 and I went to Philadelphia today. Here we are at Independence Hall. 
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We survived our second week in New Jersey. Monday when David came home from work, he said, “I put in a request to go to a training conference in Virginia. It’s Wednesday through Friday. They’ll never approve it on such short notice.” Tuesday afternoon, David calls me and says, “Pack my bag. I’m leaving in three hours.” [...] What’s the best thing for David when he flares? David soaks in a hot bath with epsom salts every day. When he flares, he takes additional hot baths. Sometimes he will use a heating pad or Therma Heat patches. Often when he flares the doctor will give him an injection of arthritis medication directly into his back. There’s really not a whole lot we can do except wait it out. David has tried acupuncture, but it is a bit expensive, although it does provide considerable relief. What helps your jaw when it’s hurting? Rest and relaxation. I try to eat soft foods like mashed potatoes and yogurt when my jaw hurts, so that my jaw can rest. Relaxation through exercise, massage therapy, playing the piano, etc. helps quite a bit. When my jaw pain was very bad a few years ago, I would sometimes drink hot beverages to relax my muscles. I wish you could have seen me with my mouth full of Chai Tea Latte leaning to one side to hold the hot liquid where I wanted it. David’s ribs and neck have been bothering him a lot. The doctor said that even though the ribs aren’t joints, it is in fact arthritis in his ribs. The rheumatologist said he is seeing improvement in David’s Psoriatic Arthritis, just as we are, and in fact, he recommended that David contact Humira and ask them if they will approve David for injections every ten days instead of every fourteen. I imagine this won’t be an issue since they simply ship us whatever the doctor prescribes. [...] TMJ Disorder is a very broad diagnosis. Dr. Bender has actually diagnosed me more specifically with a sleep disorder and facial pain and some other medical jargon that I can’t remember now. For more information about TMJ Disorder, check out The TMJ Association website.With our current health insurance, we do not get to select our own dentist. The new dentist actually asked me, “Why do you think you have TMJ Disorder?” After I explained my situation to him, he tried to sell me orthodonics to correct my open bite and “infantile swallow” which he said would cure me. I explained that I’ve had two sets of braces, a bite guard, multiple retainers and a recent consultation with an orthodonist who confirmed that it was not in fact anything orthodonically causing my TMJ Disorder.I’ve noticed recently that it’s becoming harder and harder to whistle. It’s not such a horrible thing. I don’t need to whistle. It’s just an example of how my jaw and mouth isn’t working properly. Also, I’ve been having trouble enunciating the past week or so. I’m sure it’s just because David has been in such bad shape and I’m stressed. I just don’t want anyone to think I’m slurring my words ’cause I’m drunk. [...] |
Hi, there! I'm Ashley. I'm a young Christian housewife that drinks way too much Diet Coke. My husband, David, and I have been married for about three years. We have a dog named Henry. Our biggest challenge is David's chronic illness, psoriatic arthritis.
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