Living with Sarcoidosis

I have chronic systemic sarcoidosis The arthritis caused by the disease has affected my feet, ankles, shins, knees, elbows, hands, wrists and fingers. i am currently taking Enbrel and it may have helped but only a small amount in the reduction of pain.

I now have the arthritis in my lumbar back confirmed by an MRI The inflamation is irritating the nerve roots at L3/4 and L4/5. I am scheduled to have a bone scan to see the progression of the disease and condition of my skeleton. I am hoping that the epideral injections will provide me with some temporary relief.

On bad days the pain is severe and debilitating. It is very difficult and effects my mobility. Weakness and pain is an every day battle. Sarcoidosis has effectivly ruined my life. I was diagnosed in 2005 though i have had symptoms for several years. I am refractory to prednisone and all of the anti immune drugs have not worked. I have damage in my lungs but the nodules have stablized thus far. The biologic drugs such as Enbrel is my last hope.