New to the group

[Guest guest]

,

Sorry, but I posted to you earlier before I read this post. I'm

wondering since hepatitis C can cause all kinds of auto-immune

diseases (Fibro, Sjorgren's, RA, rapid accelerated Osteo., etc.) if

other cirrhosis can also cause these same things.... Wonder if it's

loss of function with the liver that is the primary cause of all

these problems. Does this sound likely to you?

I do have early cirrhosis from the HCV & also have Reynauds Syndrome,

osteoarthitis, FMS, vasculitis & peripheral neuropathy to name as

many as I can remember that I've been diagnosed with.

I hope things get better for you.

Take care,

Bev

wrote:

I had bypass surgery, a year later a hepatologist Dx me with PBC,

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, another year passed diagnosed with

Fibromyalgia, Sjogren's, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo arthritis.

> In 2000 Dx with osteoporosis 50% of bone density in the spine,

because of Sjogren's I went blind with cataracts so thick I could not

see the TV. Operated and regained my sight again.

since my rheumatologist diagnosed me with Chronic Pain 2 months ago.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Ana.

Kaylene

>But I am learning from this group and others that I belong, to cope with

>everything that comes my way because I see people in worst circumstances

>that I am.

>

>I admire you all so much and hope to learn since my rheumatologist

>diagnosed me with Chronic Pain 2 months ago.

>

>Ana Holz, 60 years old, going on 80.

>

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[Guest guest]

Jan wrote <<< Does the Rheumatologist see ayway of combining some of these

medicinal therapies? For example would somethign like Vioxx help the RA, OA and

Fibro rather than taking 3 separate meds for each?>>>

The problem with my medications is that I can't take anti-inflammatory

medications because of stomach problems the only combination that works so far

is the one that I am in now, until my body rejects it, everything goes thru the

liver and that will be the cause of changing anything right now which I had

managed to have less pain, when she added the neurontin, I am taking 4 a day

that caused me to lower the percocet and zanax combination, doxepin is an old

antidepressant but if you take small quantities like ten drops which I take it

works as a muscle relaxant, and so far nothing that I take has bother my liver

except a pill that I was taking Lipitor for high cholesterol I had to stop

taking it. But my cholesterol went up when I stop.

You see I have to take medications for the heart disease, liver disease,

Sjogren's, and for pain. She gives me Prevacid one a day to be able to take so

many pills.

Caroline:

You really say it as it is I agree so much with your posting about (Spouses and

kids) I have three kids two boys and a girl. The boys are married and have

their own problems. The girl is 26 and is still living at home, it's cheaper.

She works for Delta Airlines, she is always traveling and we can too because she

is not married. But we have problems coming from her not putting enough

attention to the housecleaning and leaving things behind.

You don't know how many times I had told her that she should be looking for her

own apartment. In other things she is very responsible like taking me

when I go to doctors offices and now the 20th I am going to have surgery to fix

my rotator cuff injury, I also broke the tip of the bone, and the Doc. is going

to clean my joint of calcifications she took vacation to be with me. I am going

to be unable to do a lot because it's my right arm as it is now I can't do many

things with it.

My husband (right now) is an angel according to my psychologist, he is very

supportive and caring. Do I know if he is going to change in the future, no.

I have my mother but she has cancer and she is very sick, that's another story.

She used to take care of me everytime I was in the hospital or in bed with all

my health problems but I can't count on her anymore.

By the way I live in Miami, it means hot and humid all the time. But we went to

Maine 2 years ago but with my problems I'll take Miami. The cold was numbing I

have Raynauds Syndrome. The pain started in my toes and fingers and ended up at

my hips and shoulders, was unable to move.

Ana Holz

[Guest guest]

Ana,

Can't you take a natural product for your hi cholesterol? No sense in taking

Rx meds for that. I've been eating oat bran, soy lecithin & soy protein in a soy

milk drink every a.m. Haven't had a bit of hi cholesterol or hi triglycerides

since I started it. But years before this I did. Was on Lipitor myself for a

while until I found out about the natural stuff. It works!!! So I keep doing it

& never had a negative blood test since for that.

It also does all kinds of other wonderful things for the body. Soy is

protein/amino acids. Very much needed for all kinds of musculo-skeletal disease.

Oat bran also cleanses & regulates the bowels & keeps it all healthy in there.

So it can't miss. Sure helps me, specially with ground flaxseed...full of

essential oils & bowel cleaners.

Calcium formulas taken at night on an empty stomach before sleep actually gets

rid of scads of muscle spams. I did it for me in 2 days & working ever

since....except in my low back which is the worst area of misalignment & trauma.

I still have sore muscles from the exercises the dr. gave me but that's not

spasms & is different. However even that's lessened considerably since I did the

calcium nightime thingie. Also Valerian helps nerve pain tremendously too &

helps muscle spasms as a side issue but not hugely. I take that every night b4

sleep too. I'll do any of the more inexpensive herbal or natural remedies I can

find instead of Rx drugs which can be very dangerous & cause more diseases. I

also soak up vitamin D for the bones, teeth & skin, etc. in the sun for at least

an hour every day just by watering my gardens, front & back, sitting on a

lightweight folding chair I drag around with me.

I know about cold weather...Hate that. Numbing all over indeed & aching to the

bone so bad. I just cannot handle it. I was like that 2 years ago in Oregon for

2 weeks staying at my daughter's in the icy cold, wet weather every single day

in December. Spent most of my time in the bathtub, in bed with hot water bottle

or in living room on recliner with warm blanket & heating pad on me. Not much

fun, huh? I'm in absolutely no hurry to go back there at all. They tell me it's

still raining off & on all summer. My daughter who moved there 4 years ago says

it's very depressing for her & her husband after living in sunny California most

of their lives. Both my son & other daughter who moved there over 12 years ago

are always depressed. My younger daughter's even suicidal. Not now tho since

she's been on Prozac she sez. Their dad moved there about 10 years ago & he's

even more depressed & has bad arthritis now. He gets cortizone shots for his.

Very dangerous. But he's been suicidal too,

so.......... But they all have each other & see one another often & play with

all the grandkids, & all help one another & lots of hugs & love. That's the

biggee right there.

Well, you've been really lucky so far with either your mom b4 her illness, your

hubby or daughter helping you. You haven't a clue what it's like not to have a

soul to help with a thing...not even give sympthay or a hug if nothing else.

It's the absolute pits & then some. Thank your lucky stars & if your daughter's

paying you rent, don't bug her about the housework. I surely wouldn't. At least

she's there for you otherwise & nicely so. Plus you get low cost or free air

travel....what a great bonus!!

I hardly ever do any major housework. Haven't vaccumed for months or dusted. Not

much to do cuz there's only me here & it doesn't get very dirty. Dust mites

aren't a problem either, tho I am allergic to them, because I have two big air

purifiers that extinguish them & keep the dusting to a minimum too. Wash floor

spots sometimes on hands & knees only cuz can't use mops. I swish the toilets

with a brush, some cleanser & bleach & flush them & wipe out sinks/faucets,

countertops after using them. That's it.

I have to wipe the bathtub inside after the water drains out tho before I leave

the tub. Not often tho as I'm pretty clean. Laundry, there's only me &

occasional bedding & towels...washer & dryer in my laundry room I use. I hardly

use any dishes cuz I don't eat much. Have scads of paper & plastic picnic

plates, cups, spoons, forks, etc from years ago that I've never used. So am

going to start using them & have no dishes at all if I can. Mostly drinks like

tea or water or fruit or veggie juice. Veg, fruit or nuts snacks 'tween meals. I

rinse out the cups or glasses after drinking anything with a squirt of liquid

soap & a bottle brush I leave on top the sink. I have a 4 cup coffee maker I

fill with water for tea so never have to wash that. I use my small microwave

mostly so no pots & pans either for cooked foods & wipe that out after use too.

Changing the bed is my biggest problem. I hate that like mad. It hurts to do

that a lot. I don't even like to make it up every day. Don't have to really with

only myself here & never any company. Who cares? I can just fall down into it at

night & not have to turn the covers down or mess with the bedspread. Just cover

myself up I'm done for the night. That's after I've opened the window next to my

bed & turned on the fan, shut off the air purifier, turned on the nighlight,

closed down the computer, turned on the living room night light in case I

stumble around the house at night to get a drink or whatever or if I can't sleep

which is hardly ever.

I have no tv service, only videos & radio & this computer, no visitors so no

company or love. Very infrequent phone calls even. None at all for about a week

now in fact. That's about it. That's my life...just about all of it in a

nutshell. This is a life? Not!!

Caroline

annagreg wrote:

Jan wrote <<< Does the Rheumatologist see ayway of combining some of these

medicinal therapies? For example would somethign like Vioxx help the RA, OA and

Fibro rather than taking 3 separate meds for each?>>>