Guest guest Posted February 1, 2001 Report Share Posted February 1, 2001 Hi all, Thought it was WAY PAST time to update you all on what is happening in my life: FOOT: My foot is perfect.. no pain at all, as long as I don't do " stupid " things like putting my shoe on without opening the laces all the way, or treat it roughly...obviously, it is not totally healed yet, but is " getting there " . SHOULDER: I definitely have a tear in it, but there is a possibility that it can heal itself. When I saw Dr. (doctor who did both of my foot surgeries and specializes in " diabetic patients) on 1/24, he could not give a definitive diagnosis on the shoulder problems since one whole sheet of the MRI " pictures " were blurred because I woke up and moved during the MRI, and the information that he needed was on that part. So, he wanted me to go to physical therapy to get exercises for my shoulder so that it doesn't " freeze up " , get the records from the hospital containing the surgical and anesthesia reports from the original surgery (3/95) on my right shoulder where a previous doctor did arthroscopic surgery - " debrided the rotator cuff " and did a " clavicle resection " and then come back to see him on Feb. 5 when he said he plans to review the reports, evaluate the shoulder pain and most likely inject the supraspinatus tendon with marcaine because if that relieves the pain, then he has his answer as to what is causing the pain. (He couldn't inject it on the 24th because I drove myself so Ed did not have to take time off). He is thinking that either the clavicle is " regrowing " OR the previous surgeon left a bone fragment in the shoulder which is causing the destruction and pain. [the original surgeon did NO MRI or testing before surgery - just ASSUMED that I had a torn rotator cuff - and was sort of " surprised to discover the clavicle problem and from what I understand from Dr. and my research, anytime bone is cut.. it should not be via orthroscopic surgery, rather, the shoulder should be opened so the whole field is viewable] I DID NOT go to physical therapy as he requested, however, I found the movements and activities that make the pain worse, and by limiting and/or avoiding them, I don't have pain. I started doing some very SLOW, GENTLE range of motion exercises so that I don't loose flexibility while giving it time to heal. We are picking up the surgical records on Monday morning and will bring them to Dr. the afternoon of Feb. 5. I also have decided that my body is NOT up to another surgery right now, so even if he recommends it, I will delay it until April, at which time the SNOW will be gone and I will be able to drive the JEEP to the physical therapy sessions that would be required following shoulder surgery since the PT office is about 1 mile from my home. I'm not sure how Dr. will feel about the above decision, but it is one that I have MADE and don't intend to change. I will let you know what occurs on Feb. 5. FIBRO: Good days and bad... I think I've discovered some " clues " to ways to decrease the " bad " days. I have not been " doing e-mail " much lately, instead trying to " tame the fibro and shoulder beasts " . I had two PAIN FREE days Mon and Tues - several days after I had stopped eating simple sugars and also MILK (which I CRAVE when I'm stressed). Then, Tues when I found out that Ed was going to work leaving here at 4:30 AM and returning at 11:30 PM Tues and Wed and Thurs, then 4:30 - 6:30 on Fri and all day Sat.. with NO COMP time - AND that he was going to have to take 8 vacation hours on Feb. 5 to take me to the shoulder surgeon, I ALLOWED myself to get more and more uptight.. AND Tues night while I was downstairs doing some of the kitchen tasks that Ed usually does - including straightening out the freezer so I could put stuff from the refrigerator into it, I found a piece of cheesecake... ate that with some blackberry jelly.. and a HUGE glass of milk in addition to turkey and very salty gravy that we had leftover from the weekend AND some wheat biscuits.. (a bit over my allotted calories? - believe it or not, I used to LEAD a Christian Overeating group.. as well as being a member.. in my pre-fibro days) Anyway, to try to shorten this... My glucose went out of sight.. fell asleep, and forgot to take one of my meds Tues night..discovered it Wed. am, which was too late, so skipped it.. and then yesterday was EXTREME Pain, didn't take any extra pain meds, but allowed myself to go to bed early and get extra sleep, and it is decreasing today. Now, I have to try to figure out what had been helping and what caused the repeated flare.. I WILL.. I guess it would help if I STAY on my DIABETIC DIET, which limits simple sugars anyway, and it wouldn't hurt to stop MILK again for a few days.. AND go back to setting the timer so I take my MEDS on time!! This is my plan, anyway. Writing everything down, setting timers, planning food - all takes TIME, and I guess sometimes I resent it!! I NEED to be with PEOPLE for a while.. Ed is working so many hours, he is understandably " not here " when he comes home. Because of my multiple chemical and scent sensitivities and prednisone dependence lower immunity), I can't go TO meetings or meeting places, nor can I have people come IN my home. Ed is going to take me to Mobile, AL, the weekend of Feb 16 and I plan to stay with my daughter and her family until the end of March when Ed will come stay for several days in Mobile and then we will stop in Atlanta to see my mother and sister and possibly my son and his family on our way back to Chicago. SIX weeks with my daughter, () and son-in-love, () and (6), Brittany (4), and (2)!!!!!!!!!!! found a 3 bedroom (master bedroom, computer room and " grandchildren bedroom " ), 2 bath, handicapped accessible mobile home in Mobile that we are in the process of purchasing and putting on and 's land in Wilmer, AL. We will use the mobile home when we visit there before Ed retires in 2 years and then live in it part of the year - cooler parts - after he retires, while, hopefully doing some traveling during the balance of the time. While I am at 's, it should be delivered and set up and the power and water and septic systems installed. Anyone have any comments or suggestions on the " sugar & milk " issues? The pill that I " forgot to take " by the way, was Covera.. a Calcium Channel Blocker.. which helps control blood pressure.. and by not taking it, I most likely slowed down the blood flow to my limbs thereby increasing my pain. Nothing is EVER simple, is it?? May God continue to provide us all with a measure of strength, wisdom and peace. Love elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2001 Report Share Posted February 2, 2001 Hi Elaine, I'm glad your foot is healing so nicely. I wish your shoulder was doing as well as your foot. I don't blame you for not being ready for another surgery so soon after two surgeries on your foot. I hope you can tolerate the range of motion exercises to keep it from freezing. Your trailer sound absolutely perfect. I know how much you will enjoy being with your family. I'll bet your grandchildren will also enjoy having their grandma and grandpa there with them. As far as the milk/sugar issue, there is only one way to find out if either is a trigger for you. Eliminating them for a week and then seeing what happens when you eat them again, will answer your question. If you suspect that milk may be a problem, maybe you should eliminate ALL dairy for a week and see if you feel and better. I immediately noticed a decrease in gas and bloating. I used to be able to clear a room, but don't get to even give my husband a " covered wagon " anymore. I've bloated since childhood, and just though it was normal. After eating I always had to undo my button on my pants. I never suspected dairy because I ate so much of it. Why not give it a try and see what happens? I have to say the same thing about sugar. You really won't know until you try eliminating it. No, nothing is ever simple. If it were, I think life would be boring. hugs, a 2/1/01 4:44:00 AM, " Elaine " <elainer@...> wrote: >Hi all, > >Thought it was WAY PAST time to update you all on what is >happening in my life: > >FOOT: My foot is perfect.. no pain at all, as long as I don't do > " stupid " things like putting my shoe on without opening the laces >all the way, or treat it roughly...obviously, it is not totally >healed yet, but is " getting there " . > >SHOULDER: I definitely have a tear in it, but there is a >possibility that it can heal itself. When I saw Dr. >(doctor who did both of my foot surgeries and specializes in > " diabetic patients) on 1/24, he could not give a definitive >diagnosis on the shoulder problems since one whole sheet of >the MRI " pictures " were blurred because I woke up and moved >during the MRI, and the information that he needed was on that >part. So, he wanted me to go to physical therapy to get exercises >for my shoulder so that it doesn't " freeze up " , get the records >from the hospital containing the surgical and anesthesia reports >from the original surgery (3/95) on my right shoulder where a >previous doctor did arthroscopic surgery - > " debrided the rotator cuff " and did a " clavicle resection " and >then come back to see him on Feb. 5 when he said he plans to >review the reports, evaluate the shoulder pain and most likely >inject the supraspinatus tendon with marcaine because if that >relieves the pain, then he has his answer as to what is causing >the pain. (He couldn't inject it on the 24th because I drove >myself so Ed did not have to take time off). > >He is thinking that either the clavicle is " regrowing " OR the >previous surgeon left a bone fragment in the shoulder which is >causing the destruction and pain. [the original surgeon did NO >MRI or testing before surgery - just ASSUMED that I had a >torn rotator cuff - and was sort of " surprised to discover the >clavicle problem and from what I understand from Dr. and >my research, anytime bone is cut.. it should not be via >orthroscopic surgery, rather, the shoulder should be opened >so the whole field is viewable] > >I DID NOT go to physical therapy as he requested, however, I >found the movements and activities that make the pain worse, >and by limiting and/or avoiding them, I don't have pain. >I started doing some very SLOW, GENTLE range of motion exercises >so that I don't loose flexibility while giving it time to heal. >We are picking up the surgical records on Monday morning and will >bring them to Dr. the afternoon of Feb. 5. > >I also have decided that my body is NOT up to another surgery >right now, so even if he recommends it, I will delay it until >April, at which time the SNOW will be gone and I will be able >to drive the JEEP to the physical therapy sessions that would >be required following shoulder surgery since the PT office is >about 1 mile from my home. I'm not sure how Dr. will >feel about the above decision, but it is one that I have MADE >and don't intend to change. I will let you know what occurs >on Feb. 5. > >FIBRO: Good days and bad... I think I've discovered some " clues " >to ways to decrease the " bad " days. I have not been " doing >e-mail " much lately, instead trying to " tame the fibro and >shoulder >beasts " . I had two PAIN FREE days Mon and Tues - several days >after I >had stopped eating simple sugars and also MILK (which I CRAVE >when >I'm stressed). Then, Tues when I found out that Ed was going to >work leaving here at 4:30 AM and returning at 11:30 PM Tues and >Wed and Thurs, then 4:30 - 6:30 on Fri and all day Sat.. with NO >COMP time - AND that he was going to have to take 8 vacation hours >on Feb. 5 to take me to the shoulder surgeon, I ALLOWED myself to >get more and more uptight.. AND Tues night while I was downstairs >doing some of the kitchen tasks that Ed usually does - including >straightening out the freezer so I could put stuff from the >refrigerator >into it, I found a piece of cheesecake... ate that with some >blackberry >jelly.. and a HUGE glass of milk in addition to turkey and very >salty >gravy that we had leftover from the weekend AND some wheat >biscuits.. >(a bit over my allotted calories? - believe it or not, I used to >LEAD a >Christian Overeating group.. as well as being a member.. in my >pre-fibro >days) > >Anyway, to try to shorten this... My glucose went out of sight.. >fell asleep, and forgot to take one of my meds Tues >night..discovered >it Wed. am, which was too late, so skipped it.. and then yesterday >was >EXTREME Pain, didn't take any extra pain meds, but allowed myself >to go >to bed early and get extra sleep, and it is decreasing today. >Now, I >have to try to figure out what had been helping and what caused >the >repeated flare.. > >I WILL.. I guess it would help if I STAY on my DIABETIC DIET, >which >limits simple sugars anyway, and it wouldn't hurt to stop MILK >again >for a few days.. AND go back to setting the timer so I take my >MEDS >on time!! This is my plan, anyway. Writing everything down, >setting >timers, planning food - all takes TIME, and I guess sometimes I >resent it!! > >I NEED to be with PEOPLE for a while.. Ed is working so many >hours, >he is understandably " not here " when he comes home. Because of my >multiple chemical and scent sensitivities and prednisone >dependence >lower immunity), I can't go TO meetings or meeting places, nor can >I >have people come IN my home. Ed is going to take me to Mobile, >AL, >the weekend of Feb 16 and I plan to stay with my daughter and her >family until the end of March when Ed will come stay for several >days >in Mobile and then we will stop in Atlanta to see my mother and >sister and possibly my son and his family on our way back to >Chicago. > >SIX weeks with my daughter, () and son-in-love, () >and (6), Brittany (4), and (2)!!!!!!!!!!! > > found a 3 bedroom (master bedroom, computer room >and " grandchildren bedroom " ), 2 bath, handicapped >accessible mobile home in Mobile that we are in the process of >purchasing and putting on and 's land in Wilmer, >AL. We will use the mobile home when we visit there before Ed >retires in 2 years and then live in it part of the year - cooler >parts - after he retires, while, hopefully doing some traveling >during the balance of the time. While I am at 's, it >should be delivered and set up and the power and water and >septic systems installed. > >Anyone have any comments or suggestions on the " sugar & milk " >issues? The pill that I " forgot to take " by the way, was >Covera.. a Calcium Channel Blocker.. which helps control >blood pressure.. and by not taking it, I most likely slowed down >the blood flow to my limbs thereby increasing my pain. Nothing >is EVER simple, is it?? > >May God continue to provide us all with a measure of >strength, wisdom and peace. > >Love >elaine > > > > >Chat room: chat/ >Web pages for our group: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ >http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/ >Change subscription options: > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2001 Report Share Posted February 4, 2001 Elaine, Your update was overdue. Thank you for letting us know what's happening. Good news about your foot. Keep babying it, please! Bad news about your shoulder. I sincerely hope that your physician can figure out exactly how to help you best. I found that physical therapy for my shoulder was extremely painful. I do have a rotator cuff tear. At the time of my PT, the diagnosis was tendonitis, but I suspected a tear. Even the physical therapist thought my shoulder was torn. As careful as we were, I left the hospital in agony on several occasions - and I exercise regularly. It's not as if my muscles weren't used to exercise. A frozen shoulder is a serious complication of disuse due to pain, so you've got the right idea in doing the gentle ROM exercises for now. The mobile home sounds like a great idea. You'll have a wonderful visit with and her family, I'm sure. I've eliminated most dairy products and sugars. I think most adults are much better off consuming little to none of these items. And I love milk products. You would think that I grew up in the Dairy State and not the Land of Lincoln. But, I my body feels better now that most milk products are not in my regular diet anymore. Please take care, Elaine. ----- Original Message ----- From: " Elaine " <elainer@...> " RA " <RA-Support > Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 2:44 PM Subject: [ ] UPDATE from Elaine > Hi all, > > Thought it was WAY PAST time to update you all on what is > happening in my life: > > FOOT: My foot is perfect.. no pain at all, as long as I don't do > " stupid " things like putting my shoe on without opening the laces > all the way, or treat it roughly...obviously, it is not totally > healed yet, but is " getting there " . > > SHOULDER: I definitely have a tear in it, but there is a > possibility that it can heal itself. When I saw Dr. > (doctor who did both of my foot surgeries and specializes in > " diabetic patients) on 1/24, he could not give a definitive > diagnosis on the shoulder problems since one whole sheet of > the MRI " pictures " were blurred because I woke up and moved > during the MRI, and the information that he needed was on that > part. So, he wanted me to go to physical therapy to get exercises > for my shoulder so that it doesn't " freeze up " , get the records > from the hospital containing the surgical and anesthesia reports > from the original surgery (3/95) on my right shoulder where a > previous doctor did arthroscopic surgery - > " debrided the rotator cuff " and did a " clavicle resection " and > then come back to see him on Feb. 5 when he said he plans to > review the reports, evaluate the shoulder pain and most likely > inject the supraspinatus tendon with marcaine because if that > relieves the pain, then he has his answer as to what is causing > the pain. (He couldn't inject it on the 24th because I drove > myself so Ed did not have to take time off). > > He is thinking that either the clavicle is " regrowing " OR the > previous surgeon left a bone fragment in the shoulder which is > causing the destruction and pain. [the original surgeon did NO > MRI or testing before surgery - just ASSUMED that I had a > torn rotator cuff - and was sort of " surprised to discover the > clavicle problem and from what I understand from Dr. and > my research, anytime bone is cut.. it should not be via > orthroscopic surgery, rather, the shoulder should be opened > so the whole field is viewable] > > I DID NOT go to physical therapy as he requested, however, I > found the movements and activities that make the pain worse, > and by limiting and/or avoiding them, I don't have pain. > I started doing some very SLOW, GENTLE range of motion exercises > so that I don't loose flexibility while giving it time to heal. > We are picking up the surgical records on Monday morning and will > bring them to Dr. the afternoon of Feb. 5. > > I also have decided that my body is NOT up to another surgery > right now, so even if he recommends it, I will delay it until > April, at which time the SNOW will be gone and I will be able > to drive the JEEP to the physical therapy sessions that would > be required following shoulder surgery since the PT office is > about 1 mile from my home. I'm not sure how Dr. will > feel about the above decision, but it is one that I have MADE > and don't intend to change. I will let you know what occurs > on Feb. 5. > > FIBRO: Good days and bad... I think I've discovered some " clues " > to ways to decrease the " bad " days. I have not been " doing > e-mail " much lately, instead trying to " tame the fibro and > shoulder > beasts " . I had two PAIN FREE days Mon and Tues - several days > after I > had stopped eating simple sugars and also MILK (which I CRAVE > when > I'm stressed). Then, Tues when I found out that Ed was going to > work leaving here at 4:30 AM and returning at 11:30 PM Tues and > Wed and Thurs, then 4:30 - 6:30 on Fri and all day Sat.. with NO > COMP time - AND that he was going to have to take 8 vacation hours > on Feb. 5 to take me to the shoulder surgeon, I ALLOWED myself to > get more and more uptight.. AND Tues night while I was downstairs > doing some of the kitchen tasks that Ed usually does - including > straightening out the freezer so I could put stuff from the > refrigerator > into it, I found a piece of cheesecake... ate that with some > blackberry > jelly.. and a HUGE glass of milk in addition to turkey and very > salty > gravy that we had leftover from the weekend AND some wheat > biscuits.. > (a bit over my allotted calories? - believe it or not, I used to > LEAD a > Christian Overeating group.. as well as being a member.. in my > pre-fibro > days) > > Anyway, to try to shorten this... My glucose went out of sight.. > fell asleep, and forgot to take one of my meds Tues > night..discovered > it Wed. am, which was too late, so skipped it.. and then yesterday > was > EXTREME Pain, didn't take any extra pain meds, but allowed myself > to go > to bed early and get extra sleep, and it is decreasing today. > Now, I > have to try to figure out what had been helping and what caused > the > repeated flare.. > > I WILL.. I guess it would help if I STAY on my DIABETIC DIET, > which > limits simple sugars anyway, and it wouldn't hurt to stop MILK > again > for a few days.. AND go back to setting the timer so I take my > MEDS > on time!! This is my plan, anyway. Writing everything down, > setting > timers, planning food - all takes TIME, and I guess sometimes I > resent it!! > > I NEED to be with PEOPLE for a while.. Ed is working so many > hours, > he is understandably " not here " when he comes home. Because of my > multiple chemical and scent sensitivities and prednisone > dependence > lower immunity), I can't go TO meetings or meeting places, nor can > I > have people come IN my home. Ed is going to take me to Mobile, > AL, > the weekend of Feb 16 and I plan to stay with my daughter and her > family until the end of March when Ed will come stay for several > days > in Mobile and then we will stop in Atlanta to see my mother and > sister and possibly my son and his family on our way back to > Chicago. > > SIX weeks with my daughter, () and son-in-love, () > and (6), Brittany (4), and (2)!!!!!!!!!!! > > found a 3 bedroom (master bedroom, computer room > and " grandchildren bedroom " ), 2 bath, handicapped > accessible mobile home in Mobile that we are in the process of > purchasing and putting on and 's land in Wilmer, > AL. We will use the mobile home when we visit there before Ed > retires in 2 years and then live in it part of the year - cooler > parts - after he retires, while, hopefully doing some traveling > during the balance of the time. While I am at 's, it > should be delivered and set up and the power and water and > septic systems installed. > > Anyone have any comments or suggestions on the " sugar & milk " > issues? The pill that I " forgot to take " by the way, was > Covera.. a Calcium Channel Blocker.. which helps control > blood pressure.. and by not taking it, I most likely slowed down > the blood flow to my limbs thereby increasing my pain. Nothing > is EVER simple, is it?? > > May God continue to provide us all with a measure of > strength, wisdom and peace. > > Love > elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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