Patricia "Melly" Boerner
Hi, my name is Patricia and with the Still's group my nickname is Melly.
I was born in 1958 and was very healthy as a child except for a couple of things. These were overactive lymph glands, sun rash and fever blisters on my mouth as a teenager.
In 1977 at the age of 19 I suddenly had symptoms of pneumonia without the signs on my ex-rays. A bit later I also had an inflammation episode at an old injury site in my foot. The doctors diagnosed it as bursitis. Later the next year I displayed many symptoms such as having the flue, swollen glands, muscle pain, a rash and fevers that came and went. Within one week my knees were swollen the size of softballs and I could not even lift my head from the pillow without assistance. I was referred to an internist and hospitalized 3 times within the first year with fevers spiking to 105, averaging 102, and joints freezing in position when bent. At times I could not even feed myself. My doctors were very diligent in my care; making sure I got physical therapy, occupational therapy, and anything else to keep me from being crippled. The doctors also stressed the importance of rest and quiet. I would like to add I was a single mother at the time of a two and a half year old little girl and needed much assistance from my family. I was blessed to have such a good family but many aren't and I would like to tell them there are organizations and groups such as we have at our web home here to help others in need of assistance.
The first year and a half was the worst. My main medications were Prednisone (60mg) daily at first and a host of other drugs that go along with treating the side affects of the disease as well as the medications. There were also medications to be tried for months at a time but failed. By the second or third year I was weaned off the Prednisone with a new drug at that time called D. Penacillamine (Cupramine) and a daily anti-inflammatory of prescription Naproxin.
As I felt better, and because the medicines hid the damaging affects of the disease, I was increasingly active. I lost my self-consciousness about dancing and went back to playing sports such as volleyball and baseball on weekends. Soon my hips were deteriorated. I had no idea this could happen. I spent the next 4 years in and out of therapy up to 3 times a week, using a cane and platform crutches while I waited for UCLA medical center to get the approval to start using new hip implants without cement (especially for someone as young as myself. I was 27 I believe.) When I did have the hip replacements I had them both in the same year of 1984. They are extremely successful. Since then I have also had my right knee replaced. The moral to this part of my story is that medications can hide the affects the disease is still playing within our bodies so avoid high impact activities on your joints and ask your doctor about activities before starting new sports or programs.
Today my Still's disease is in remission overall but I am left with residual joint damage. I live with bi-polar disease as well and need medications for depression but the Still's disease has never been as active as the early years. Today my primary arthritis medicine is Naproxin and pain management.
I cannot stress how important it is to rest with this disease and have good open relationships with your doctors. If you can get your doctors to work together that is all the more in your best interest and will help you tremendously in the long run. I work closely with our foundation's support group of which you can find the link on the first page of this site. Please feel free to join because half the battle of winning a better life with this disease is not being alone.
I hope this information is inspiration to others. Thank you for your interest.
Melly
This history was recorded October 26, 2001
Revised July, 2008
