Re: Update and more questions

[Guest guest]

I dont really know what they will be lookin for Kirk but the CT scan is no big deal,when in the hospital they injected the dye right in my IV (it did seem as if i could taste it was like when a pen explodes in your mouth LOL.) I find that i am very mean after a VISIT too,i know you wanna know whats goin on and your doctor doesnt have an answer,But HEH ill tell ya there usually are no EASYanswers with stills found it very frustrating for long time too,new pains poppin up then going away with no explaination rhyme or reason.Im glad your in a much better mood,acually i phoned the hotline for the Zyban its 24 hour and real nurses answer your call,she was very interested in my Irritable mood caused by the drug,maybe they have to add another sideffect lol it really was bad,and just one simple thing sparked it Weird.Take care. d.Canada

Update and more questions

I saw my rheumatologist today. Right off the bat, my blood pressure is up again. A short history on this is my pressure used to be consistently around 128/84, but in March shot up to 160/100. I was put on Metroprol (sp?) and when I wound up in the "resort" again at the end of March, my pressure was always normal or even a little low. My pressure today was 128/96? I think. I know it could be worse, but can't understand why it is up again. I have a prescription for Verapamil now....great, another pill to add to my breakfast! The first time my pressure was up in March I asked my PCP what could be causing it. He told me pain can be a factor. I just hope this is not an indication of another resort vacation, I don't think I can handle that at the moment. Being there in the winter is bad enough......I would rather be back in Army Boot Camp @ Fort Benning in July than to be there in the summer.

I also told my rheumatologist about some "new" pains I have been getting, and I have to go for an abdominal CT scan with Iodine. Anyone able to enlighten me to what may be found there? I am finding these "surprises" to be difficult to take. I have been hurting quite badly lately, but have been in an amazingly good mood considering. Tonight I was not too nice, and even caught myself being "mean". At least I now recognize when I am being "mean" to people who don't deserve it.

I still have not had any real answers given to me regarding the headaches. My rheum wants me to stay with my current meds for one more month, and then go from there. I was hoping to have the steroids reduced, but suppose I could deal with them a while longer. I can't imagine what shape I'd be in without them and all of the other S*** I am taking.

The one thing that did make me happy is that I am no longer on Vioxx, as my prescription ran out and my rheum didn't renew it. My PCP might, but I don't see any benefit in it, as I have been going backwards the last 4-5 weeks and was on that the whole time. I guess time will tell.

Well, have a good one. Kirk.Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirk,

I went for one of those CTs a while back. Nothing to it ! I have deep veins or hardly any like Caroline so it was a challenge to find one to insert the I.V. needle. Once they do, it's a breeze. The only thing that was a little odd was that they told me that I'd feel "warm, down there" and it would feel like I had wet my pants. Sooooooo true..... ) But, it's just a feeling. My CT came back "Clear" and knock on wood, yours will also. I don't remember drinking anything but then, I don't remember what I drank this morning...... (

Good luck and I hope your blood pressure stabilizes. Mine goes up and down all the time also.

Mi. Carmen

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirk,

I really don't keep track of my blood pressure but I do ask what it is when they take it. I've noticed that it's been 120/80 and then the next time it's 148/85 and I still feel the same. I do take blood pressure pills, though. Do you? Mine are called Toprol 50. I used to take Toprol 25 and my doctor increased it but I don't notice any difference in the readings or in the way I feel. I have no idea why it fluctuates. What are they looking for in your tummy?

Mi. Carmen

[Guest guest]

Kirk;

I wanted to let you know that often the vicodin can drive a migraine to be much worse, also codeine. Just a heads up so to speak in hopes it will help. One time try going without the pain med when you get one. Might not ease it but might keep it from getting worse. I have been told this by doctors and found it to help me. Also have had radical blood pressure over the years going up and down where need medication for a while and then not. The doctors tell me when the bottom one gets high is really when they are concerned. Good luck, Melt

----- Original Message -----

From: Kirk Bonanny

I ate 1 Vicodin at 3:30, layed down, and ate two more no more than an hour and a half ago. I am tempted to eat the whole bottle, but unfortunately, I am not dumb enough to try.

My headaches started with this in January. I have had a few migraines before, but nowhere near as bad as these. They were also spaced out in months and years, if memory serves me correctly. So far I have had Betabutyl (I take these four times a day) , Imtrex (total waste of time) and Vicodin. I have also tried Darvocet (sp?) which did zero.

[Guest guest]

I have had three CT scans in the hospital, so the scan itself doesn't scare me. What does scare me is that they are now looking in a different area so to speak.

How much does your pressure vary? Mine goes from almost perfect to pretty high. I don't feel it, so can not pattern it. I do know that I am in more pain than I have been, and wonder if that is the reason.

Thanks for the reply. Kirk.

Re: Update and more questions

Hi Kirk,

I went for one of those CTs a while back. Nothing to it ! I have deep veins or hardly any like Caroline so it was a challenge to find one to insert the I.V. needle. Once they do, it's a breeze. The only thing that was a little odd was that they told me that I'd feel "warm, down there" and it would feel like I had wet my pants. Sooooooo true..... ) But, it's just a feeling. My CT came back "Clear" and knock on wood, yours will also. I don't remember drinking anything but then, I don't remember what I drank this morning...... (

Good luck and I hope your blood pressure stabilizes. Mine goes up and down all the time also.

Mi. CarmenVisit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

I don't think they are looking in my tummy.....move a bit south from there.....this is why I am more than a little concerned. Sorry I didn't post anything more specific, this is a bit embarrassing. What I mentioned to my rheumatologist (my wife had to almost force me) is what this disease is..... "a pain in the ***** " (part of the male anatomy, of which there are two)

Sorry for this "off center" post. My head is rocking, and I am hovering between fear and embarrassment. I know I shouldn't be, but it is what it is, I guess.

Kirk

Re: Update and more questions

Hi Kirk,

I really don't keep track of my blood pressure but I do ask what it is when they take it. I've noticed that it's been 120/80 and then the next time it's 148/85 and I still feel the same. I do take blood pressure pills, though. Do you? Mine are called Toprol 50. I used to take Toprol 25 and my doctor increased it but I don't notice any difference in the readings or in the way I feel. I have no idea why it fluctuates. What are they looking for in your tummy?

Mi. CarmenVisit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

I have gone without Vicodin quite a bit lately, as I won't take it at work....my job is dangerous enough and I like my fingers and hands where they are. he one consistent thing with these headaches is that they get worse at night, with or without medication. Ice sometimes helps, Vicodin helps 50% of the time. Aspirin, Excedrin migraine and Advil don't touch them at all.

Thanks for the reply, Kirk. I am off to try and sleep again.

Re: Update and more questions

Kirk;

I wanted to let you know that often the vicodin can drive a migraine to be much worse, also codeine. Just a heads up so to speak in hopes it will help. One time try going without the pain med when you get one. Might not ease it but might keep it from getting worse. I have been told this by doctors and found it to help me. Also have had radical blood pressure over the years going up and down where need medication for a while and then not. The doctors tell me when the bottom one gets high is really when they are concerned. Good luck, Melt

----- Original Message -----

From: Kirk Bonanny

I ate 1 Vicodin at 3:30, layed down, and ate two more no more than an hour and a half ago. I am tempted to eat the whole bottle, but unfortunately, I am not dumb enough to try.

My headaches started with this in January. I have had a few migraines before, but nowhere near as bad as these. They were also spaced out in months and years, if memory serves me correctly. So far I have had Betabutyl (I take these four times a day) , Imtrex (total waste of time) and Vicodin. I have also tried Darvocet (sp?) which did zero.

Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.