Kat's Skyrizi Journey Part 2

[Kat]

I think a re-visit to the rheumatologist is needed.  Maybe Fred's magic French injection substance (he did say he didn't know what was in it) would help.  

When it's worst, does the pain of bearing weight create a fall risk?  Maye a walker or a good cane would help to take some of the weight off the ankle on the really bad days.  Or a heating pad wrapped around the ankle while resting may help?

I don't think it's a big fall risk. Yes when at it's worse I can barely walk as it causes pain. I have a cane and tried it but you still have to put weight on that foot when walking so it doesn't help much. At home I usually stay near the wall or furniture so if I need a second I have some support as the wall and cane serve the same purpose of just helping with balance. But I can still just put weight on the other foot without holding on to anything or feeling like I will fall.

When it was a constant off and on, I did take cane with me (and of course didn't need) when out so I stopped with that. I never know when it will come on. Actually I have thought about where the pain actually is.... I have stiffness in the back of my ankle BUT the sharp pain I get is more in the front of the ankle. It usually lasts about 5 minutes and then goes away. I have had times when it lasts for a couple of hours and times it lasted only one step and I've had days where it's not present.

The doctor gave me a topical ointment... it's a gel for arthritis to help with pain. However, since I never know when it will come on and the ointment can take 7 days to even start working, I didn't see the point unless I wanted to use it daily as a precaution and I'm not fond of that idea. And honestly since it doesn't work at the time of the pain, I had forgotten I even have it. I felt it was his way of putting a bandaide on it. Hopefully that saying translates. If not then I meant I think he couldn't offer any suggestions so gave me an ointment so it would appear like he did something to help.

Usually it goes away quickly so I haven't really tried icing it or heat. Early on when I thought I had sprained it (before realizing it would go away, come back, go away) I iced it. Since it does come and go it doesn't appear to be an injury type thing unless it is an old injury coming back to haunt me at times. Age is funny that way.