Long Post ! Update Re: wow its true Melly is back!

[Guest guest]

Dearest Marty,

Thank you for the welcome back! I have had a very hard couple of months and

gotten some news about my arthritis that I wasn't quite prepared to hear. I've

had lower back pain pretty constant all summer long, along with increasing

periods of sciatica getting to be on a weekly basis so my RA did a lower lumbar

X-ray series and they came back with results of Advanced disc degeneration of

L4-5, L3-4, L5-S1 with marginal osteophytes at L3-L4, L4-L5, whatever that

means.

I was pretty devestated as I have already had severe degenerateve damage of my

cervical spine for years and having a really tough time emotionally.

As ann OT, my Dad's only brother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain

cancer in the spring this year and he died October 15th and my family didn't

even tell me because I wasn't doing well at all.

So, because of doctor appointments, that I had rescheduled twice already and the

drive being too long to Arizona for me and right now. We had to miss his

services and I have been very sad.

My RD increased my Norco pain meds by one in Sept. when I saw him but as we

know, that doesn't take our pain away and we must learn alternative ways to live

with pain. I have been using the ice/heat 3 times a day, EVERYDAY and at some

point will go back to physical therapy to help keep my muscles strong to take

some of the stress off those areas. I am going back to re-learning and doing

again those old coping skills and group sessions to help cope and find a balance

again so as not to keep overdoing too much and to find enough rest whithout

becoming a vegetable and causing more harm. It is a hard thing to learn or

re-evaluate as it changes daily/hourly and of course, we must listen to our

bodies and not ignore what the pain is telling us. I don't want to scare the new

members but learning these skills early on is what will save you many years down

the road, because my disease has been in remission for quite a few years now

although I fear the last 3-5 years of stress has been showing signs of it

creeping back. Lymph involvement, red infammed sore throught for weeks now. My

new GP, bless her heart, prescribed me some anti-biotics but I'm not sick but

took them anyway because she sends all reports to my Rheumy and I will see him

on Dec. 9th again. Feverish during the night, with sweats many night. So, I'm

just hanging back for now and trying not to overdo.

I miss you all dearly!!! Like you will never know. You have always been my

lifeline and my purpose to helping others. I guess it's time to accept the help

from all of you as well a little more.

I am around, just not posting as much but please don't hesitate to write because

then I don't feel it's another thing I have lost out on becuae of this disease.

It helps me be distracted to be in touch with others!

Till soon with love,

In Stillsdisease , Marty wrote:

>

>  just wanted to say glad to see ya back posting some missed ya

 

> The Redneck

> Marty G.