Re: Can't Sleep

[Guest guest]

Jeannette-

Glad things went well for your dad. Sorry you are so

down and that liver enzymes are up. I can't remember

what pain reliever you are on. I find that if I have

been on a lot of tylenol that my liver enzymes will be

elevated. I however am still on MTX and if I watch the

tylenol when I take the MTX - Saturday mornings - that

doesn't happen. I can relate to the worry. I had a bone

scan today. Tech didn't say much or joke - generally

does. I guess I will find out soon how crumbly the bones

are.

My sister's friend - the one I saw at Christmas who has

breast cancer and who is 40 & mother to a 4 year old- is

NOT doing well. I think she may be dying- as fast as

they draw off fluid from her lungs -she fills up again.

She refuses to admit she may be dying and unfortunately

that leaves those she loves - including her husband -

out in the cold trying to say the things that really

need to be said. I try not to dwell on her situation- I

just try to pray. It puts what I go through in

perspective.

Had some fun this week. I was a panelist on our local

PBS channel Tuesday night - the topic ageism & age

discrimination. I represented Legal Services. I had only

about 24 hours notice so I didn't have too much time to

get nervous. My fan club at the office told me they

thought I looked good and sounded like I knew what I was

talking about. We got two new Sr. clients as a result

this morning.

Remember the guy you called the e-mailer - Dave. He

wrote to tell me he is having trouble with his hands.

They did blood tests- so I assume they are trying to

rule in or out - RA. I think they could see OA on just x-

rays. An RA diagnosis would be ironic - considering all

the moral support- or lack thereof - that I have gotten

from him. I still feel bad - still care about him and

wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Hope things are going better for you and that the GI guy

has some simple solution. I have not had a liver biopsy-

so don't know what to tell you. I have never had an MRI

either - but am paniced at the thought that if these x-

rays show something - that they will want one. I am

horribly claustrophobic. Elaine wrote to tell of her

problems during an MRI and I guess it reenforced my

fear. I get a little panicy when just in the clear

plastic cylinder for the pulmonary function test.

I hope things get better for you and your dad and that

you can get some sleep.

Love and Peace,

Remember

> The story goes like this...... after all of the hoopla with dad and my being

> tired, I did get some not so good news again about me today and I can't

> sleep. I had my liver enzymes rechecked yesterday. They are still elevated.

> Thus, there is something else going on in my body besides just a reaction to

> MTX and Arava they are thinking. Perhaps my gall bladder is shot too, who

> knows. Anyway, I have rescheduled my appt. with the GI dr. for monday and we

> will go from there. I still dread the possible God awful liver biopsy. I

> will beg, and beg and beg for them to put me out if they have to do one.

> But, seeing as how my dad's whole liver thing went and it turned out to be

> his gall bladder, maybe that is what is going on with me too. It seems I

> have to do everything (or many things) like my father. I have many of the

> same physical problems as he has such as RA, restless leg, insomnia, skin

> rashes and sensitivities and the list goes on. Why not a gall bladder that's

> going defunked. Mom had a defunked gall bladder years ago and had hers out

> the old fashion painful awful way. Many many weeks of recovery for that one.

> Anyway, I will know more or less on monday. Stay tuned to the continuing

> saga of Jeannette and her family crises. At least we are a loving family and

> not too terribly dysfunctional.

>

> By the way, when mom and I arrived at the hospital today, Pastor Chuck was

> there who has been through all of this with our family, thick and thin. He

> likes to sing so mom, dad, Pastor Chuck and I sang Amazing Grace, How Great

> thou Art and ended it with a prayer. Dad's roommate loved it. It was a

> really nice spiritual experience.

> Now maybe I can go to sleep. It is almost 11:30. I guess I will just think

> positive thoughts like I did with dad and maybe everything will work out

> fine. Sometimes that works doesn't it?

>

> Love and Peace, Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Good Morning, Kathy

It seems that the no sleepums are going around this group Big Time! Stacey

had it the other night, I had some last night. Just another lovely part of

this disease. Don't let it continue as sleep is an important part in the

treatment of RA. Call the doctor and let him know if this problem continues.

no sleep = more pain = not a happy camper!

provided some great links to sites that explain the importance of sleep

and RA.

Here is hoping that tonight goes better for you and the pain level decreases

some.

Gentle, tender, sandman angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

<< No sleep ... Here I am at 4.23 am cant sleep . in pain. MISERABLE!!! Is

this disesae always so miserable??? I have only had it about a year and

everytime I go back to the dr. I never get any good news.>>

Kathy, I'm going through the same thing right now. I got about 3 hours

sleep last night Tomorrow I see my rheumy, and we're going to have a talk

about my treatment. I'm just not doing well at all.

I hope you feel better soon, and get a good night's rest tonight.

Hugs,

Carol

[ ] Can't sleep

No sleep ... Here I am at 4.23 am cant sleep . in pain. MISERABLE!!! Is this

disesae always so miserable??? I have only had it about a year and everytime

I go back to the dr. I never get any good news. I am ssure alot of you are

the same way. had to go to my pain management Dr. yesterday , will be going

in the 24th for my ephiderals, sure hope it helps. I take bextra, arava,

predisone and am on the remicade injections. If any of you are on the

remicade , please let me know what you think about it.. I have to go

Thursday for that. it does sem to help but it seems after about 6 weeks i

can tell its almost time for an injection again. I get them every 8 weeks.

well I am just rambling on so I will go ... Would like to hear from any of

you. God bless and pain free days...

Gentle hugs and sweet blessings. Kathy in Fl.

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