chronic pain advice
I have no idea where to start so I apologize if this is a mess. I’m a 20f who has been diagnosed with RA for nearly 13 years now. In January I switched to a bio similar to Humria (because of insurance) and it has been the only medication to work for me. I refuse to go on methotrexate again because the side effects made it impossible to live a normal day to day life. Last summer I tried sulfasalazine but because of the adverse effects I had to stop. My biggest problem is my left wrist. It has been a problem for nearly 4 years now. My previous doctor tried switching my meds, increasing doses, giving me steroid injections straight into the joint (4x), but nothing has helped it always comes back. My new doctor (who I don’t think necessary listens to my concerns in general) just straight up told me it will be that way forever and there is nothing they can do to help. I’m finding it so hard to believe because the profession I want to go into is very much hands on and it’s something I do not want to give up. There are days I can’t even use my wrist to pick small items up. I’ve told my doctor this multiple times and they have done nothing. I guess I just need some reassurance from others who were diagnosed early that it will be okay because right now it’s hard to think about a future with no pain. I’d like to say I’ve had a pretty positive outlook with everything, but it’s even harder as I’ve gotten older as I don’t have a personal community that understands what’s going on. I’ve thought about switching doctors but right now it doesn’t make sense because I’m not sure where I’ll end up after school and it took me forever to get into my current one. I have an appointment coming up but at this point I don’t even know what to say anymore, I feel like I’ve said everything I can. Any words would be greatly appreciated.