Re: Introduction...Norah

June 15, 2004

Hi Nora,

Welcome to the group. Wow you do have a lot going on don't you. I need to lose

weight too. Maybe we can work on it together. Keep each other motivated. Hang in

there (((HUGS)))

Tina Earley

babydoll0719@...

Introduction

Hi,

My name is Norah. My husband and I live in Burlington, Ontario Canada. I'm

a 47 years old and currently not able to work. I used to be a AS/400

Computer Operations Analyst, but now the only things I analyze are my pets

(5 insane cats and 1 dog). I've had Osteoarthris in both knees since I was

around 15 years of age. I've always been a little on the heavy side but not

too bad. I had a wreck with my Pick Up truck in 1998 and suffered whiplash,

lower back trauma, and other soft tissue injuries. I have never completely

recovered from the accident. I will try to make this story as short as I

can, but so many developments arose just after the accident.

While going for physio-therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic

services... my motor vehicle insurance company decided that I was taking too

long to recover and sent me on " so-called " un-biased 3rd party medical

assessment. I'm not sure how they can call it un-biased when the insurance

company is paying the tab. But anyway, they sent me on 2 of these and they

deduced that I was fit to go back to work, even though I had a massive

painful lump on my neck. So I saw my family doctor and told her what they

said and she was completely against it. It's pretty hard to fight an

insurance company in Canada unless you have big bucks. My family doctor

wrote a note to my employer that I could come back to work on a limited

schedule and part-time until I recover. They said fine and made an

appointment in 2 weeks to see how they could rearrange my work schedule.

I wasn't very happy with my employer and was hoping to find a better job

anyway, so I took a peak on the internet to see what was out there. Lo and

behold I saw an ad from my employer for my job. I thought that a little

strange when I was still on long term disability. When I went in for our

appointment, they laid me off work and said: " This is a fast paced company

and we don't feel that you can keep up with the pace. " After 5 years of

work with them, I was in a complete state of shock. Then came the long

legal battle between my lawyer and them. They eventually settled out of

court as they knew they had committed a " Wrongful Dismissal " . I probably

could have gotten better satisfaction had I taken this to the federal

government, as all telecommunications companies are governed by a different

set of rules from the general public. The body is called the " Canadian

Radio Telecommunications Commission " , and they would have loved this case,

but I needed the money so I went the other route.

Once this battle was over, I fell into a very deep, dark pit of depression.

After being treated with drugs and therapy, 6 months later I was back to

myself... an even better self. Then the Fibro hit. I had no idea what it

was and the doctors didn't diagnose it until summer of 2003. My medical

situation is pretty complicated right now. Seems the years of arthritic

drugs and all the weight I have put on since my accident.... is causing my

kidneys to leak protein, so I can no longer take any pain medication other

than Tylenol #3's. Now I also have cholesterol problems and my blood sugar

is on the high end of normal. I'm told if I don't lose weight, I'm looking

at kidney disease, diabetes, knee and hip replacements, and heart problems.

Of course depression set back in again. I'm also taking Amitriptyline

100mg. every night. That's pretty much it for any oral medication that I

get.

I said to my doctor... ok.. .we know what the problems are... how do I fix

it? All he could tell me was lose weight. Sheesh... I thought I told him I

needed help to achieve that. I insisted on see a Rheumatologist and a

Nutritionist. It was clear this new family doctor wasn't going to do me any

favors. I took it upon myself to start acupuncture treatments. I'm in my

3rd week and I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. This has

been the only doctor that I've seen that is giving me the help and advice I

need. I've lost 2 pounds this past week, my pain level is easing up a bit,

and my mood is definitely picking up.

I'm hoping I can get the support I need from this group. And I hope to give

back to the group as much as I can.

Thanks for reading this long-winded introduction. I just didn't know how to

explain all the variables any other way. Thanks again for your patience.

Norah Bleazard

1. While it is wonderful to share our experiences with everyone on the list as

to what treatments do and don't work for us, pls always check with your dr.

Some treatments are dangerous when given along with other meds as well as to

certain health conditions or just dangerous in general.

2. If you are in a difficult situation (doesn't matter what it is) pls don't be

afraid to ask for help. It is the first step to trying to make that situation

better.

Have a nice day everyone.

June 15, 2004

Hi Norah,

Welcome to the group. I'm sorry to hear of your many health problems. I

understand the feeling of anger, betrayal etc when an employer does that to

you though. The same thing happened to me except I was told I had no legal

recourse here in the U.S.. I know that I need to lose weight too and that

would help, however, it is really hard to lose weight when you are so

restricted in your activities. I can hardly do anything without bringing on

severe pain. In addition to the fibro I also have a chronic neck and back

problem.

gentle hugs,

Sundra

-- Introduction