Adrienne

[Guest guest]

K,

So sorry to hear that Adrienne is having a bad spell. She

seemed to be doing so well for awhile.

You said:

She has even had a couple break downs, to tears and and the 'why me'. It has

been a rough fall. While filling out this latest form, She asked if the

break downs, which lasted an evening each and one really scared me, counted as a

nervous breakdown. I told her, I don't think so... But maybe I am wrong? What

is the difference between a nervous breakdown and an emotional break down?

Don't know that there is much difference between 'nervous' or 'emotional'.

Both are inexact terms used for anything from mild distress to psychotic

break. If you really get worried, let the doctor decide what it is and

what to do.

But.... Main point here is that predisone or any steroid medication can

cause quite a roller-coaster with emotions. I like prednisone because

it makes my body feel better, but .... I also get screaming fits, crying

jags, uncontrolable laughter, hyper states and severe depression. Depression

really is a problem as the dose is lowered and for several weeks, even

months after.

Sounds to me that Adrienne isn't having a 'breakdown' of any sort, just

reacting normally to the frustration of having these physical problems

and perhaps some side effect of the various meds.

Regarding tremors:

For the two years preceeding my worst spell and finally getting diagnosed

(in 2000), I gradually developed tremors, first in only my left arm, then

both arms, then feet and head. Now that my inflammation is more or less

under control and I'm having fewer problems, the tremors are mostly gone.

They appear only sometimes and usually only when I'm tired or overdone

something. Don't have any idea of cause, I saw a neurologist, had an

MRI and tests and nothing.

Good luck to Adrienne, hope she finds a better time soon. I get the

feeling they only do enbrel, etc, as a last resort??? But, perhaps

it's time for you/Adrienne to lobby for it.

--

kjg@...

Canberra, ACT Australia

[Guest guest]

Adrienne -

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for you to feel like a failure. We

have all felt that way too much in our lives with past diets that didn't

work - or worked and then WE did something wrong to gain it all back, etc. I

started out at 283 5 years ago. (JUly 20 was my " b-day " ) I prayed I would

lose at least 100 lbs - I just wanted to be 175. After 1 1/2 years I had

passed my goal and I was on my way to , what I believe to be, my personal

set weight. By 2 years I had lost about 150 and since then I have only been

up or down 5 lbs from 130. I would never ever in a million years have set my

goal that low, as I never thought it would be possible for me to be that

size. I can assure you I didn't work any harder than you did, I didn't eat

ricecakes and carrots, and I didn't ban myself from any cardbs or sugar -

also, unfortunately, I didn't exercise. As I was losing I was certainly more

diligent about the choices I made, but I have never denied myself 100%,

except with my beloved soda! I didn't have soda for a year, and then at a

year I decided it was OK in moderation for me. My theory is that if I am

hungry for something have a little to satisfy the hunger. If I would have

practiced the " everything is OK in moderation " my whole life I honestly

don't think I would have a weight problem. Instead, I would eat super strict

healthy then binge and eat a bag of chips and pan of brownies.

What my point is - I truly think everyone has a personal healthy weight. I

don't think we can have a goal and expect that to be our weight just b/c

that is the magic # we have in our minds. Our bodies now have a tool, that

if used correctly, will help us to be where we are supposed to be.

So, please be kind to yourself, enjoy a treat every so often so you don't go

berserk when you finally do allow yourself to indulge - and be happy with

NOT gaining! I always think of how incredibly grateful I am to have had the

mgb and lost all of that weight, but I also think not only of how much I

lost - but how much I WOULD have gained without the mgb. I think having the

mgb is worth it if nothing else but to keep us from getting even bigger! THe

rate I was going I would have been a model for those beautiful cards you

find in Spencers of the nude large women!

So, take care,

July 20, 2000 (Dr. R)

283 / 130- (+/- 5 lbs)

size 26/28 - size 4/6

[Guest guest]

Hi Adrienne, sorry i can't seem to find your email. could you send it to me

again?

happy new year!

amber