Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

[Guest guest]

Pat,

Thanks for the welcome. The PMD Rx an antidepressant, and I've

started taking multivitamins, also a Vit B complex, and CoEnzyme Q10

100mg daily. Tomorrow I see the neurologist. Have you had this DD for

long?

LMJ

--- Pat Crofts wrote:

> LMJ, welcome. I'm still in healthcare and working but I don't know

> for how long. I've learned a lot here. The people have been very

> helpful. What kind of treatment are you on now, if any?

>

> Pat

>

>

>

> > I've been lurking for a couple weeks now, and thought I'd better

> > introduce myself. I'm fairly new to all of this, but have been

> doing

> > heavy research for about 4 weeks now. I've not yet been diagnosed

> with

> > FMS, but everything I read seems to coincide with what I am going

> > through. (Pain all over, BRAIN FOG!, fatigue, poss Raynaud's, dry

> > eyes, all extremities frequently fall asleep...) My PMD did the

> tender

> > points exam - but I don't think he had a clue what he was doing,

> since

> > he left the room 1/2 way through and got a body map with the points

>

> to

> > finish... His tentative diagnosis was depression. I KNOW it is

> more

> > than that. Hopefully the Neurologist or Rheumatologist will have a

> > better idea of what to do. Possibly relevant is the fact that my

> Dad

> > was diagnosed w/ CFS about 4 yrs ago.

> > I have a husband, 3 kids, ages 2-7, that I love madly. Until 4

> weeks

> > ago, I had a full time job - scheduling for an MD office. Right

> now I

> > am on disability, and the pay stinks!

> > Hope to learn a lot from you all, and maybe even contribute

> something

> > of value occasionally!

> > LMJ

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Hang in there Pat....

Be thankful that you have a great DI policy. I'm really glad I got one

before all the own-occ. clauses. I just may need to draw on mine one day too.

I was diagnosed w/FMS about one month ago, but have been symptomatic for

years now. I'm seeing a PT and we're starting with some basic nerve-glide

exercises. It seems to help some, but this may just be one of my " better

days. " It's so hard to tell. I also have TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome) and

CTS (carpel tunnel). I work all day long on the computer which helps ZERO

and my boss (a dentist) isn't being very understanding of my need to have

multiple dr. appts myself! Isn't it funny how we just assume all our

patients will take time out of their schedule to come see us, yet THE WHOLE

WORLD stops when I'm not here???!?!?

Men.....can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em!!!

Try to have a great day!

Mink

[Guest guest]

I hope I'm menopausal at 27!!! LOL!!!

I was just diagnosed last month, but have been symptomatic since age 20.

My sister has SLE (REALLY severe case....diagnosed at 6 yrs, very young for a

lupus diagnosis) and from what I've read, an FMS diagnosis isn't too terribly

unlikely considering my family history. I'm exhausted all the time, have

pain in neck, shoulders, arm, numbness in R hand at night, back pain, etc.

I'm seeing a PT now and that seems to be helping somewhat. I'm also taking

Elavil at night to help me sleep (yeah, right....sleep, what's that??) and

Ultram for pain. Sometimes I need to take Vicodin or something stronger,

depending on the day.

On a personal level, I'm married, have 4 golden retrievers and am OBSESSED

with them! I'm a very active volunteer for GOLDEN RESCUE, and have been very

successful getting donations for our fundraisers via EBAY. You can read

about rescue at:

www.GRRMF.org

It's a wonderful cause and it makes me HAPPY!!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Mink

Proud Member, Volunteer and for GRRMF, Inc.

Proud Member MFGRC

Proud Member GRCA

Proud Member Upper Suncoast Dog Obedience Club

Prancer Man-(aka Pizza Man)-our Heartdog

Princess Saharah- Alpha bitch #2-next to Mom, of course

Gentle Ben-10 month old foster boy

Teenie Indy-sweet 8 month old curly red girl

(aka Bran Muffin)-waiting for us all at the Bridge

[Guest guest]

They are the best medicine, that's for sure!!

[Guest guest]

Jill,

It's not unusual for FMS patients to see several doctors before getting an

accurate diagnosis. I'm sorry you have met some uncompassionate doc's in the

past. I have heard the same " fad diagnosis " theory with FMS but I just don't

buy it. And luckily, neither does my rheumatologist.

Try to stick to your guns with the metholtrexate issue. My sister was on it

for years and it an ugly drug, to say the least. That and Prednisone are the

worst!!! (my sister) has had both knees and one elbow replaced at 32

yrs old from the prednisone!

Take Care,

and the Mink Zoo

[Guest guest]

Jill,

I'm in the Tampa area. It's beautiful here today!!! And TGIF!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

I feel somewhat dense here as I am new but do not know anyone here...and don't

often see mail from people.....on a personal level. Yours is the only one. Your

fog reminds me of menopause symptoms. Don't laugh. I do not know what age you

are, but the ladies I know going through this complain this is like their major

symptom, along with mood swings, depression, etc.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Jill

Re: De-lurking for a moment...

Hi, I was formally diagnosed 15 mos. ago but the DD has been with me

at least 12 yrs. Hind sight is 20/20. And yesterday was one of those

pivotal moments. I went to the IM/PCP with a list of my concerns and

she told me that I needed to take a couple of weeks off work. I was

really in shock. I just expected to get some meds changed or

something. When I look at the note I gave her I can see that I set

myself up, what else could she do. I pretty well said that I was at

high risk for a major malpractice move. I told her of my inability to

concentrate and the thickness of the fog. She knows that I shouldn't

be in a position to potentially hurt anyone. So she put me on some

Zoloft and sent me to counseling. I guess I wasn't handling things

alone as well as I thought. I was fortunate to be able to get into a

wonderful psychologist yesterday. I must be pretty bad off because

she's glad I'm taking some time to get it all together, too. Maybe

you all are reading this and saying the same thing, too!<G> So now I

am in the position of trying to play a chess game while juggling -- I

want to get better because I love my work. Bit IF I shouldn't be

working anymore (I'm FT salaried) I want to position myself to get

optimal benefits from my disability plan.

Thanks for listening, I know this is too much info to process but at

least it's helping me get a handle on things, Pat

> Pat,

> Thanks for the welcome. The PMD Rx an antidepressant, and I've

> started taking multivitamins, also a Vit B complex, and CoEnzyme Q10

> 100mg daily. Tomorrow I see the neurologist. Have you had this DD

for

> long?

> LMJ

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

A Golden Rescue person, eh? My in-laws are die-hard GR's and have two

beautiful golden's themselves...Casey was their first adoptive baby. Then

they fostered Abbey...she came from a terribly abusive environment and was

so sick and weak. They nursed her back to physical and emotional health,

then adopted her. She has made amazing progress. We will be going to CA

this weekend and will see the " girls " . They are sooooo affectionate. I am

a cat person, but if I were to ever get a dog, I think it would be a Golden.

Peace,

--

" If you are planning any activity at which you don't want to be interrupted,

feed the cat first! " --

[Guest guest]

, so nice to meet you. Sorry about all the suffering...I know how it is,

believe me. I've never had an understanding doctor......well, I take that

back.....there were a couple along the way......but their diagnosis were wrong.

I came down with something at age 19-20. Started with a pain in my hip. I had a

hard time explaining it, and saw one doc who showed me pictures of old crippled

people with RA and said I would look like that if I didn't take gold shots. I

declined the shots, but felt my life was over. The pain went from hips, to jaw.

Then to elbows, wrists were the worst!!!

Much later, I realized the hip pain was a mucle thing, like charlie

horses,....more in the big buttock muscle.(But way deep inside)

Went to chiropractors, and rheumatologists through the years....had a diagnosis

of RA then it was Ankylosing S., then it was sporiatic arthritis, then it was

inflammatory bowel disease, (I had colitis) well......the list goes on and on.

Now even if I have a hangnail, the doc will look at me and say it is " my

arthritis " and tries to push methotrexate on me. Actually I took Indocin for 30

years, then vioxx and now I get by on 3 excedrin in the morning, and 2 advils at

night. I also take elevil as it does seem to help the pain (and my sleep).

My latest trouble has been something with my feet. The tops of my feet KILL me.

Top and sides actually. Again, went to all the docs, they said it was arthritis,

and orthopedist said it was Lupas,none of the arthritis blood tests show

positive....never have. Mostly it is a sore stiff feeling all over like I ran a

marathon the day before. But this feet thing is the pits. Terrible shooting

sharp pains, as well as ache. It has been since last August that it has been

bothering me. I feel it will play itself out eventually, if I can just clench my

teeth hard enough:-)

Went to a podiatrist, he said one of my tendons was torn...and is making me some

shoe inserts....so we'll see how that goes.

If nothing else, it was good to see a doc who actually could tell what was

wrong, and do something about it. Wheather it will work or not remains to be

seen.

Sorry to rattle on here, but really I wanted feedback about pain, and especially

this foot thing, if anyone experienced anything like this. To all of you who

have got good doc service, I applaude you.......I'm very disallusioned with the

medical proffesion, and feel like I still am not diagnosed. When ever I mention

fibro they always tell me it is not a real illness.....just a catch all for

stuff they can't diagnose.....so I am really anxious to read some of your

stories regarding symptoms and healthcare.Thank you.

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

I hope I'm menopausal at 27!!! LOL!!!

I was just diagnosed last month, but have been symptomatic since age 20.

My sister has SLE (REALLY severe case....diagnosed at 6 yrs, very young for a

lupus diagnosis) and from what I've read, an FMS diagnosis isn't too terribly

unlikely considering my family history. I'm exhausted all the time, have

pain in neck, shoulders, arm, numbness in R hand at night, back pain, etc.

I'm seeing a PT now and that seems to be helping somewhat. I'm also taking

Elavil at night to help me sleep (yeah, right....sleep, what's that??) and

Ultram for pain. Sometimes I need to take Vicodin or something stronger,

depending on the day.

On a personal level, I'm married, have 4 golden retrievers and am OBSESSED

with them! I'm a very active volunteer for GOLDEN RESCUE, and have been very

successful getting donations for our fundraisers via EBAY. You can read

about rescue at:

www.GRRMF.org

It's a wonderful cause and it makes me HAPPY!!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Mink

Proud Member, Volunteer and for GRRMF, Inc.

Proud Member MFGRC

Proud Member GRCA

Proud Member Upper Suncoast Dog Obedience Club

Prancer Man-(aka Pizza Man)-our Heartdog

Princess Saharah- Alpha bitch #2-next to Mom, of course

Gentle Ben-10 month old foster boy

Teenie Indy-sweet 8 month old curly red girl

(aka Bran Muffin)-waiting for us all at the Bridge

[Guest guest]

LMJ....

You asked if anyone gets better? Well, there is no cure if that is what you

mean, but there are ways you can make life a little better.

In my case, I get Vit B1/B6/B12 combined into 1 shot weekly. Usually the

shot routine is 1x/week for a month, then every 2weeks for a month, then

monthly as a maintenance dose. We tried this and I couldn't do it. After

3weeks I was so stiff once again in the mornings. I went back to my Dr

begging for the shot weekly once again. So, for me I will be on weekly shots

forever which is fine by me because I know it helps. It has literally taken

away my stiffness (worst spot is lower back and down to tailbone) by 90% and

if a drastic weather change (like sudden rain or snow) it works up to 80%.

We started the shots in my upper arm which hurt so bad I almost couldn't take

it, but because it helped the stiffness I endured the pain. Now tho, we use

my hip area. My Dr first pushes down on the spot she wants to use, if I feel

pain she moves to another spot until I feel no pain. The trigger points for

me are not exactly in the same place they should be, but with me my appendix

wasn't either it was hiding behind my bowel. LOL So, once we find the

right spot she gives me my shot and I don't feel a thing. Never get a shot

in a trigger point area. Make sure you know where they are because by

accident my 2nd hip shot went into the corner of a trigger point and the pain

shot up my spine.

I also use Flexeril (10mgs) 2-3x/day. At night I take 50mg Imipramine. I

was on Elavil 50mgs in AM and 150mgs in PM (it wasn't really working anyway

to aid in my sleep) and all it accomplished for me was to gain 40+ pounds

which really upset me. I made the switch 2 or 3weeks ago can't remember

cause of the fibro fog, but I have lost 10lbs already. So, I know it is not

what I have been eating. If I am having a big problem sleeping I will take

9-12mgs Melatonin, which a friend in the US sends me because it is banned for

sale in Canada at least in Vancouver, BC, but you can bring 3months worth

into the country. Crazy to me!

If you can exercise it will help you a lot and I have read swimming is a very

good way if you can find a pool. I cannot exercise due to other illnesses I

have such as primary (born with) lymphedema. If I exercise my lower legs

will get bigger due to the excess fluid settling in my lower legs due to

gravity. In lymphedema the lymphatic system is either missing or

malfunctioning. I do not have the ability to have my lymph system remove the

toxins normally. I have to sweat them out but not in an exercise situation.

I use herbs to aid in the sweating process or to help cleanse my system

naturally. The only problem is that I was diagnosed at the age of 35yrs (am

39) and my lower legs are most likely stage 4 now, which means the tissue has

hardened and non of the known treatments will help reduce their size. My Dr

measured my lower legs on Wednesday when I went for my shot and they are 17

3/4 " on the right and 17 1/2 " on left. I drink a lot of water and got a

water machine for my last birthday from my Mum because tap water made me sick

due to all of the minerals, chemicals to clean the water and flouride in the

water. On a hot day I add slices of lemon or lime, which helps reduce the

water content in the tissues. Good thing I am close to the bathroom because

the lemon sure makes you pee a lot. LOL Diuretics are one of the biggest no

no's for anyone with lymphedema. They do not reduce the size of the limbs

they rob your system of potassium in a big way. I totally go nuts on anyone

who is told by their Drs to take diuretics. I am on the band wagon to drink

plain water with lemon in the summer heat. It shows how little Drs know

about lymphedema as well as fibro.

I also have osteoporosis in my spine and is centered in the same place where

the fibro is bad. I had some bad falls and broken ribs, and toes and

fingers. We only found out late last year when I had an xray of my lumbar/SI

joints (lower back and tailbone) area to make sure I hadn't broken anything

back there because I was in so much pain that didn't go away. I was eating

Tylenol 3 like they were candy without relief. The xray report came back

saying " thinning bones, bones are flat, and NO change since 1996 " . I had NOT

been told by any of my previous Drs nor been put on any treatment. This was

a big shock to me and my new family Dr who I trust totally and is a 1/2 block

from home. So, we discussed the available treatments and I agreed to use the

Didrocal because a dear friend of ours said it worked well for her. I take

Didrocal once at night for that but it takes a long time to kick in I was

told. I have moved to the couch to sleep so it lessens the room for tossing

and turning. I cannot sleep on my back at all and as soon as I go from my

side to my back I wake up from saying " owe " in my sleep. Between the fibro

and the osteo I sleep on an average of 3-4hrs and 4-6hrs when using the

Melatonin.

I also have panic attacks and take 15mgs Buspar 2x/day and 1mg Clonaxepam

2x/day. I have not had a bad attack in a year now. I was being misdiagnosed

by ever Dr I had and was put on almost lethal amounts of depression drugs.

One of my Drs had decided I was clinically depressed and sent me to a

psychiatrist. I went and he said I was not clinically depressed because I

knew what I had (panic) and I knew the solution(reduce the triggers) and use

meds. At that time we did not have Buspar here (we still only have the 10mg

doses) and he originally put me on .50mgs of Clonazepam. It didn't work and

I had to demand my last Dr to increase it to 1mg to try and it is a blessing.

My new Dr is fine with these doses and if I know I am going to be in a very

stressful position she orders me sublingual Ativan to use. She is wonderful

and I am sure GOD lead me to her. The other Dr I saw in the same office was

a jerk, he never looked at me when I talked to him. He had this thing of

putting the chart on the side of the sink and just made notes. He then sat

on his rolling chair with his arms folded over his chest and told me point

blank " I am not willing to give you anymore pain meds " . He made one more big

mistake he went to Scotland for a month and I was given to the woman Dr. The

receptionists knew that he was not treating me right and they would keep me

abreast of when he was returning. I asked the woman Dr if she would take me

as a patient the week before he came back. I told her what he was doing with

me and she had read his notes. She at the time was not taking new patients,

but she looked at me and said " because it is you yes I will be your Dr " . It

was like a building was removed from my shoulders. She immediately changed

my meds and gave me Percocet (newly available here) for my pain which works

wonders. She also found he was giving me the wrong shot combo which is why

my upper arms were black and purple from bruising. This was the summer and

people looked at me like I was a battered woman. We unfortunately had to use

up what was left and then she ordered the right combo and I had not had 1

bruise or discoloration yet. His version didn't help the stiffness either.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is keep trying things until you find the

right combo of meds and exercise etc til you feel relief. You will have good

days and bad, altho I have been in a bad flare since last April when I had

kidney stones. I have 1 in each side right now waiting for them to move

lower down in the kidneys, so my specialist can remove them via a scope thru

the bladder and into the tubes leading from the kidney down to the bladder.

He uses a little basket attached to the scope and he pushes the kidney up and

down til the stone falls into the basket and thus removed.

Well, guess I should step down from the soap box now and I am sorry once

again things got long. One of my problems I let my brain go when I am

writing and it just tumbles out. LOL

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark

[Guest guest]

Sorry about the blank email had a mouse problem....

Whoever it is with TMJ I highly recommend the surgery which isn't that bad.

I was down to peanut butter sandwiches and Ensure meal replacement for almost

a year my jaw was at its worst. I had mine done in 1995 and since I have had

the odd pain with weather but nothing bad.

I will tell you tho you first go thru 1 1/2 - 2yrs of braces, which I was

like a kid cause I always had the colored bands to fit each holiday. LOL

Most adults I was told try to hide their braces. When it came time to take

mine off I really missed them. Seems odd I know. They first align your

teeth prior to any surgery and once they have the teeth in the right

placement then you go for the surgery.

You go in the day before the surgery and home the day after the surgery. You

wake up or I did with a bandage wrapped around my chin and over my head for

the first 24hrs. This reduces after surgery swelling. Ice is a must and the

hospital gave me these ice holders which resemble the face masks in the OR

but doubled. You put the ice inside the middle and then with the ties. It is

tied around the side of your face. It works really well especially to lay

on. I had 2 extra bands inside my mouth holding my jaw secure. The next

morning I had to eat my cream of wheat with a plastic knife because at first

it is hard to open your mouth. You get the bandage removed and a steriod

shot which lasts for 2weeks and then you go home.

My TMJ surgeon did all of the work thru 2 small holes under my chin and

inside where the joints sit. I had 1/2 " removed from my bottom jaw bone,

realignment of the jaw, and he pulled out and turned out my chin. I have a

more promident chin. The second day after surgery I saw my orthodontist and

I had minimal bruising down my jaw to mid neck.. got lots of odd looks. The

biggest thing is keep icing the area and do not get up and move around too

fast or you will find your face will swell. I used a small plastic spoon for

about 3weeks until the exercises I had to do allowed me to open my mouth

farther. By week 6 I wanted pizza so bad and had niece and nephew here and I

threatened them with death if they told Grandma. Good thing Mum was out that

night so she didn't see anything. (for those who are newbies I have the

basement suite of parents house) LOL I ate and suffered silently because

pizza is chewy.

I continued the braces I think for 6months after the surgery and then moved

to the retainers. It has been 6yrs now and my teeth are still straight and

TM joint is still painless.

I hope this has helped some who are considering the surgery. Look for a good

maxiliofacial<sp> surgeon who does TMJ surgery not an oral surgeon;

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark

[Guest guest]

I used to have to take pred, but it has been a long long time ago......

Yes, the methotrexate....I hate it cuz this rheumatologist always goes off into

this selling speel about how bad it is, but......

I've decided to not even go to him anymore. Problem is, he is the only one

around here.

Jill

ps. , where abouts do you live?

I'm in N.Calif.

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

Jill,

It's not unusual for FMS patients to see several doctors before getting an

accurate diagnosis. I'm sorry you have met some uncompassionate doc's in the

past. I have heard the same " fad diagnosis " theory with FMS but I just don't

buy it. And luckily, neither does my rheumatologist.

Try to stick to your guns with the metholtrexate issue. My sister was on it

for years and it an ugly drug, to say the least. That and Prednisone are the

worst!!! (my sister) has had both knees and one elbow replaced at 32

yrs old from the prednisone!

Take Care,

and the Mink Zoo

[Guest guest]

Jill,

There used to be quite a lot of mail going through here but some left to form

another group where they could discuss more personal things as well as

fibromyalgia. I don't know why they did as no one was objecting to that on

this list. So if you want to talk about any thing, please do. I might even

discuss my chili cooking.

My name is Irene and I am from San , Texas. I was told that I had FMS

about 6 years ago. I think that I have had it longer than that but it was

after a bad fall that it really become bad. I have my good and bad day.

This last week has not been good but I only hope for the good one. It will

come sooner or later. Talk to you later.

Take care,

Irene

[Guest guest]

I am glad you didn't take my comments as a ........well......scapegoat for all

that ails ya. I know these other illnesses, diseases, or whatever the hex they

are, are REAL.....and I sure don't want to minimize that.

I also went through a facial pain...clenching my jaw muscles.....what is this

about? Doctors just wanted to give me muscle relaxants.

Jill

Re: De-lurking for a moment...

Thanks and Jillie,

I'm sure that menopause has a part in this, too. I am on HRT (hormone

replacement therapy). I hit the big 5-0 last year. But I'm sure it's

worse with the FMS.

> > Pat,

> > Thanks for the welcome. The PMD Rx an antidepressant, and

I've

> > started taking multivitamins, also a Vit B complex, and

CoEnzyme Q10

> > 100mg daily. Tomorrow I see the neurologist. Have you had

this DD

> for

> > long?

> > LMJ

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pat, thank God I found someone with foot pain!!! Sorry for your suffering

tho:-(

Mine started along the outside of my foot.(like from the little toe back to the

ankle bone) It got swollen, hot, and painful. Then it switched to the

top....kinda at my ankle joint. There was a swelling there, but I could palpate

it around...it was not bone. It seemed to be the root of the pain. Then the pain

moved to the inside of the foot....(big toe to the ankle bone on side of ankle)

The bottom and the heel is the only thing that doesn't kill me. Well, when it is

hurting bad,...I have to walk on my heels, and that makes them painful. (no,

duh)

Anyway.....I was concerned it might be a nerve thing......your story is

scarey......how old are you again?

I know I'm just sittin around eating....can't stand for too long. It is funny

cuz I know 2 people who have this top of the foot pain.....I was starting to

think it was some undiscovered new illness or something. What doctor is treating

you for it?

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

>

>

> I hope I'm menopausal at 27!!! LOL!!!

>

> I was just diagnosed last month, but have been symptomatic since

age 20.

> My sister has SLE (REALLY severe case....diagnosed at 6 yrs, very

young for a

> lupus diagnosis) and from what I've read, an FMS diagnosis isn't

too terribly

> unlikely considering my family history. I'm exhausted all the

time, have

> pain in neck, shoulders, arm, numbness in R hand at night, back

pain, etc.

> I'm seeing a PT now and that seems to be helping somewhat. I'm

also taking

> Elavil at night to help me sleep (yeah, right....sleep, what's

that??) and

> Ultram for pain. Sometimes I need to take Vicodin or something

stronger,

> depending on the day.

>

> On a personal level, I'm married, have 4 golden retrievers and am

OBSESSED

> with them! I'm a very active volunteer for GOLDEN RESCUE, and

have been very

> successful getting donations for our fundraisers via EBAY. You

can read

> about rescue at:

> www.GRRMF.org

> It's a wonderful cause and it makes me HAPPY!!

>

> I hope you have a great weekend!

>

> Mink

> Proud Member, Volunteer and for GRRMF, Inc.

> Proud Member MFGRC

> Proud Member GRCA

> Proud Member Upper Suncoast Dog Obedience Club

>

> Prancer Man-(aka Pizza Man)-our Heartdog

> Princess Saharah- Alpha bitch #2-next to Mom, of course

> Gentle Ben-10 month old foster boy

> Teenie Indy-sweet 8 month old curly red girl

> (aka Bran Muffin)-waiting for us all at the Bridge

>

>

[Guest guest]

My feet do that. Not all of the time. But enough. The whole foot. I have

Vicodon that I take for pain. Nothing else helps and I have to take it quite

a bit lately.

Take care,

Irene

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, hind sight is 20/20 - for sure. Best of luck, Pat, with your

Disability benefits. I was having trouble at my job, too. (Scheduling

appt for 6 MD's) I'd put people on hold & forget about them, or why I

put them on hold, or I'd be talking to someone and get them confused

with the last person I talked to... etc. Right now I am off just

because I just can't function in that capacity right now. Does anyone

ever get BETTER with this disease? I've been off for 5+ weeks now,

with no improvement. (Zoloft is what my MD gave me, too)

LMJ

--- Pat Crofts wrote:

> Hi, I was formally diagnosed 15 mos. ago but the DD has been with me

>

> at least 12 yrs. Hind sight is 20/20. And yesterday was one of those

>

> pivotal moments. I went to the IM/PCP with a list of my concerns and

>

> she told me that I needed to take a couple of weeks off work. I was

> really in shock. I just expected to get some meds changed or

> something. When I look at the note I gave her I can see that I set

> myself up, what else could she do. I pretty well said that I was at

> high risk for a major malpractice move. I told her of my inability to

>

> concentrate and the thickness of the fog. She knows that I shouldn't

>

> be in a position to potentially hurt anyone. So she put me on some

> Zoloft and sent me to counseling. I guess I wasn't handling things

> alone as well as I thought. I was fortunate to be able to get into a

>

> wonderful psychologist yesterday. I must be pretty bad off because

> she's glad I'm taking some time to get it all together, too. Maybe

> you all are reading this and saying the same thing, too!<G> So now I

> am in the position of trying to play a chess game while juggling -- I

>

> want to get better because I love my work. Bit IF I shouldn't be

> working anymore (I'm FT salaried) I want to position myself to get

> optimal benefits from my disability plan.

>

> Thanks for listening, I know this is too much info to process but at

> least it's helping me get a handle on things, Pat

>

>

>

> > Pat,

> > Thanks for the welcome. The PMD Rx an antidepressant, and I've

> > started taking multivitamins, also a Vit B complex, and CoEnzyme

> Q10

> > 100mg daily. Tomorrow I see the neurologist. Have you had this DD

>

> for

> > long?

> > LMJ

> >

> >

> >

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

That is panic or anxiety attacks. I do that when I have panic attacks.

Take care,

Irene

> I also went through a facial pain...clenching my jaw muscles.....what is

> this about? Doctors just wanted to give me muscle relaxants.

>

[Guest guest]

That is panic or anxiety attacks. I do that when I have panic attacks.

Take care,

Irene

> I also went through a facial pain...clenching my jaw muscles.....what is

> this about? Doctors just wanted to give me muscle relaxants.

>

[Guest guest]

As far as a muscle relaxant for TMJ or jaw clenching or grinding of tteth at

night... I do not think it would help you any.... since it is stress related

and you tend to grind teeth at night without realizing until you may break a

tooth which I have done.

You can try a inexpensive mouth guard used for sports, which you put in hot

water to soften and then let it cool enough so you don't burn your mouth,

insert it on the top teeth and mold it to your teeth. You wear it at night

and it helps to reduce the pain of clenching or grinding of teeth. Any

sporting goods store will have them and they are cheap. You could also have

an acrylic mouth guard made but they cost an average of at least $500.

Hope this helps some. If you have any questions feel free to email me

privately.

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark (SparklH2O = small L & cap O not zero)

[Guest guest]

As far as a muscle relaxant for TMJ or jaw clenching or grinding of tteth at

night... I do not think it would help you any.... since it is stress related

and you tend to grind teeth at night without realizing until you may break a

tooth which I have done.

You can try a inexpensive mouth guard used for sports, which you put in hot

water to soften and then let it cool enough so you don't burn your mouth,

insert it on the top teeth and mold it to your teeth. You wear it at night

and it helps to reduce the pain of clenching or grinding of teeth. Any

sporting goods store will have them and they are cheap. You could also have

an acrylic mouth guard made but they cost an average of at least $500.

Hope this helps some. If you have any questions feel free to email me

privately.

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark (SparklH2O = small L & cap O not zero)

[Guest guest]

Angel, thanks for writing about yourself. I am so interested in all of this. So

you take these shots for fibromyalgia? How did you reach the conclusion/idea to

take the shots? I need to find a doc who is open to new kinds of treatment I

think, instead of wanting to give me methotrexate:-(

Thanks again,

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

LMJ....

You asked if anyone gets better? Well, there is no cure if that is what you

mean, but there are ways you can make life a little better.

In my case, I get Vit B1/B6/B12 combined into 1 shot weekly. Usually the

shot routine is 1x/week for a month, then every 2weeks for a month, then

monthly as a maintenance dose. We tried this and I couldn't do it. After

3weeks I was so stiff once again in the mornings. I went back to my Dr

begging for the shot weekly once again. So, for me I will be on weekly shots

forever which is fine by me because I know it helps. It has literally taken

away my stiffness (worst spot is lower back and down to tailbone) by 90% and

if a drastic weather change (like sudden rain or snow) it works up to 80%.

We started the shots in my upper arm which hurt so bad I almost couldn't take

it, but because it helped the stiffness I endured the pain. Now tho, we use

my hip area. My Dr first pushes down on the spot she wants to use, if I feel

pain she moves to another spot until I feel no pain. The trigger points for

me are not exactly in the same place they should be, but with me my appendix

wasn't either it was hiding behind my bowel. LOL So, once we find the

right spot she gives me my shot and I don't feel a thing. Never get a shot

in a trigger point area. Make sure you know where they are because by

accident my 2nd hip shot went into the corner of a trigger point and the pain

shot up my spine.

I also use Flexeril (10mgs) 2-3x/day. At night I take 50mg Imipramine. I

was on Elavil 50mgs in AM and 150mgs in PM (it wasn't really working anyway

to aid in my sleep) and all it accomplished for me was to gain 40+ pounds

which really upset me. I made the switch 2 or 3weeks ago can't remember

cause of the fibro fog, but I have lost 10lbs already. So, I know it is not

what I have been eating. If I am having a big problem sleeping I will take

9-12mgs Melatonin, which a friend in the US sends me because it is banned for

sale in Canada at least in Vancouver, BC, but you can bring 3months worth

into the country. Crazy to me!

If you can exercise it will help you a lot and I have read swimming is a very

good way if you can find a pool. I cannot exercise due to other illnesses I

have such as primary (born with) lymphedema. If I exercise my lower legs

will get bigger due to the excess fluid settling in my lower legs due to

gravity. In lymphedema the lymphatic system is either missing or

malfunctioning. I do not have the ability to have my lymph system remove the

toxins normally. I have to sweat them out but not in an exercise situation.

I use herbs to aid in the sweating process or to help cleanse my system

naturally. The only problem is that I was diagnosed at the age of 35yrs (am

39) and my lower legs are most likely stage 4 now, which means the tissue has

hardened and non of the known treatments will help reduce their size. My Dr

measured my lower legs on Wednesday when I went for my shot and they are 17

3/4 " on the right and 17 1/2 " on left. I drink a lot of water and got a

water machine for my last birthday from my Mum because tap water made me sick

due to all of the minerals, chemicals to clean the water and flouride in the

water. On a hot day I add slices of lemon or lime, which helps reduce the

water content in the tissues. Good thing I am close to the bathroom because

the lemon sure makes you pee a lot. LOL Diuretics are one of the biggest no

no's for anyone with lymphedema. They do not reduce the size of the limbs

they rob your system of potassium in a big way. I totally go nuts on anyone

who is told by their Drs to take diuretics. I am on the band wagon to drink

plain water with lemon in the summer heat. It shows how little Drs know

about lymphedema as well as fibro.

I also have osteoporosis in my spine and is centered in the same place where

the fibro is bad. I had some bad falls and broken ribs, and toes and

fingers. We only found out late last year when I had an xray of my lumbar/SI

joints (lower back and tailbone) area to make sure I hadn't broken anything

back there because I was in so much pain that didn't go away. I was eating

Tylenol 3 like they were candy without relief. The xray report came back

saying " thinning bones, bones are flat, and NO change since 1996 " . I had NOT

been told by any of my previous Drs nor been put on any treatment. This was

a big shock to me and my new family Dr who I trust totally and is a 1/2 block

from home. So, we discussed the available treatments and I agreed to use the

Didrocal because a dear friend of ours said it worked well for her. I take

Didrocal once at night for that but it takes a long time to kick in I was

told. I have moved to the couch to sleep so it lessens the room for tossing

and turning. I cannot sleep on my back at all and as soon as I go from my

side to my back I wake up from saying " owe " in my sleep. Between the fibro

and the osteo I sleep on an average of 3-4hrs and 4-6hrs when using the

Melatonin.

I also have panic attacks and take 15mgs Buspar 2x/day and 1mg Clonaxepam

2x/day. I have not had a bad attack in a year now. I was being misdiagnosed

by ever Dr I had and was put on almost lethal amounts of depression drugs.

One of my Drs had decided I was clinically depressed and sent me to a

psychiatrist. I went and he said I was not clinically depressed because I

knew what I had (panic) and I knew the solution(reduce the triggers) and use

meds. At that time we did not have Buspar here (we still only have the 10mg

doses) and he originally put me on .50mgs of Clonazepam. It didn't work and

I had to demand my last Dr to increase it to 1mg to try and it is a blessing.

My new Dr is fine with these doses and if I know I am going to be in a very

stressful position she orders me sublingual Ativan to use. She is wonderful

and I am sure GOD lead me to her. The other Dr I saw in the same office was

a jerk, he never looked at me when I talked to him. He had this thing of

putting the chart on the side of the sink and just made notes. He then sat

on his rolling chair with his arms folded over his chest and told me point

blank " I am not willing to give you anymore pain meds " . He made one more big

mistake he went to Scotland for a month and I was given to the woman Dr. The

receptionists knew that he was not treating me right and they would keep me

abreast of when he was returning. I asked the woman Dr if she would take me

as a patient the week before he came back. I told her what he was doing with

me and she had read his notes. She at the time was not taking new patients,

but she looked at me and said " because it is you yes I will be your Dr " . It

was like a building was removed from my shoulders. She immediately changed

my meds and gave me Percocet (newly available here) for my pain which works

wonders. She also found he was giving me the wrong shot combo which is why

my upper arms were black and purple from bruising. This was the summer and

people looked at me like I was a battered woman. We unfortunately had to use

up what was left and then she ordered the right combo and I had not had 1

bruise or discoloration yet. His version didn't help the stiffness either.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is keep trying things until you find the

right combo of meds and exercise etc til you feel relief. You will have good

days and bad, altho I have been in a bad flare since last April when I had

kidney stones. I have 1 in each side right now waiting for them to move

lower down in the kidneys, so my specialist can remove them via a scope thru

the bladder and into the tubes leading from the kidney down to the bladder.

He uses a little basket attached to the scope and he pushes the kidney up and

down til the stone falls into the basket and thus removed.

Well, guess I should step down from the soap box now and I am sorry once

again things got long. One of my problems I let my brain go when I am

writing and it just tumbles out. LOL

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark

[Guest guest]

Angel, thanks for writing about yourself. I am so interested in all of this. So

you take these shots for fibromyalgia? How did you reach the conclusion/idea to

take the shots? I need to find a doc who is open to new kinds of treatment I

think, instead of wanting to give me methotrexate:-(

Thanks again,

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

LMJ....

You asked if anyone gets better? Well, there is no cure if that is what you

mean, but there are ways you can make life a little better.

In my case, I get Vit B1/B6/B12 combined into 1 shot weekly. Usually the

shot routine is 1x/week for a month, then every 2weeks for a month, then

monthly as a maintenance dose. We tried this and I couldn't do it. After

3weeks I was so stiff once again in the mornings. I went back to my Dr

begging for the shot weekly once again. So, for me I will be on weekly shots

forever which is fine by me because I know it helps. It has literally taken

away my stiffness (worst spot is lower back and down to tailbone) by 90% and

if a drastic weather change (like sudden rain or snow) it works up to 80%.

We started the shots in my upper arm which hurt so bad I almost couldn't take

it, but because it helped the stiffness I endured the pain. Now tho, we use

my hip area. My Dr first pushes down on the spot she wants to use, if I feel

pain she moves to another spot until I feel no pain. The trigger points for

me are not exactly in the same place they should be, but with me my appendix

wasn't either it was hiding behind my bowel. LOL So, once we find the

right spot she gives me my shot and I don't feel a thing. Never get a shot

in a trigger point area. Make sure you know where they are because by

accident my 2nd hip shot went into the corner of a trigger point and the pain

shot up my spine.

I also use Flexeril (10mgs) 2-3x/day. At night I take 50mg Imipramine. I

was on Elavil 50mgs in AM and 150mgs in PM (it wasn't really working anyway

to aid in my sleep) and all it accomplished for me was to gain 40+ pounds

which really upset me. I made the switch 2 or 3weeks ago can't remember

cause of the fibro fog, but I have lost 10lbs already. So, I know it is not

what I have been eating. If I am having a big problem sleeping I will take

9-12mgs Melatonin, which a friend in the US sends me because it is banned for

sale in Canada at least in Vancouver, BC, but you can bring 3months worth

into the country. Crazy to me!

If you can exercise it will help you a lot and I have read swimming is a very

good way if you can find a pool. I cannot exercise due to other illnesses I

have such as primary (born with) lymphedema. If I exercise my lower legs

will get bigger due to the excess fluid settling in my lower legs due to

gravity. In lymphedema the lymphatic system is either missing or

malfunctioning. I do not have the ability to have my lymph system remove the

toxins normally. I have to sweat them out but not in an exercise situation.

I use herbs to aid in the sweating process or to help cleanse my system

naturally. The only problem is that I was diagnosed at the age of 35yrs (am

39) and my lower legs are most likely stage 4 now, which means the tissue has

hardened and non of the known treatments will help reduce their size. My Dr

measured my lower legs on Wednesday when I went for my shot and they are 17

3/4 " on the right and 17 1/2 " on left. I drink a lot of water and got a

water machine for my last birthday from my Mum because tap water made me sick

due to all of the minerals, chemicals to clean the water and flouride in the

water. On a hot day I add slices of lemon or lime, which helps reduce the

water content in the tissues. Good thing I am close to the bathroom because

the lemon sure makes you pee a lot. LOL Diuretics are one of the biggest no

no's for anyone with lymphedema. They do not reduce the size of the limbs

they rob your system of potassium in a big way. I totally go nuts on anyone

who is told by their Drs to take diuretics. I am on the band wagon to drink

plain water with lemon in the summer heat. It shows how little Drs know

about lymphedema as well as fibro.

I also have osteoporosis in my spine and is centered in the same place where

the fibro is bad. I had some bad falls and broken ribs, and toes and

fingers. We only found out late last year when I had an xray of my lumbar/SI

joints (lower back and tailbone) area to make sure I hadn't broken anything

back there because I was in so much pain that didn't go away. I was eating

Tylenol 3 like they were candy without relief. The xray report came back

saying " thinning bones, bones are flat, and NO change since 1996 " . I had NOT

been told by any of my previous Drs nor been put on any treatment. This was

a big shock to me and my new family Dr who I trust totally and is a 1/2 block

from home. So, we discussed the available treatments and I agreed to use the

Didrocal because a dear friend of ours said it worked well for her. I take

Didrocal once at night for that but it takes a long time to kick in I was

told. I have moved to the couch to sleep so it lessens the room for tossing

and turning. I cannot sleep on my back at all and as soon as I go from my

side to my back I wake up from saying " owe " in my sleep. Between the fibro

and the osteo I sleep on an average of 3-4hrs and 4-6hrs when using the

Melatonin.

I also have panic attacks and take 15mgs Buspar 2x/day and 1mg Clonaxepam

2x/day. I have not had a bad attack in a year now. I was being misdiagnosed

by ever Dr I had and was put on almost lethal amounts of depression drugs.

One of my Drs had decided I was clinically depressed and sent me to a

psychiatrist. I went and he said I was not clinically depressed because I

knew what I had (panic) and I knew the solution(reduce the triggers) and use

meds. At that time we did not have Buspar here (we still only have the 10mg

doses) and he originally put me on .50mgs of Clonazepam. It didn't work and

I had to demand my last Dr to increase it to 1mg to try and it is a blessing.

My new Dr is fine with these doses and if I know I am going to be in a very

stressful position she orders me sublingual Ativan to use. She is wonderful

and I am sure GOD lead me to her. The other Dr I saw in the same office was

a jerk, he never looked at me when I talked to him. He had this thing of

putting the chart on the side of the sink and just made notes. He then sat

on his rolling chair with his arms folded over his chest and told me point

blank " I am not willing to give you anymore pain meds " . He made one more big

mistake he went to Scotland for a month and I was given to the woman Dr. The

receptionists knew that he was not treating me right and they would keep me

abreast of when he was returning. I asked the woman Dr if she would take me

as a patient the week before he came back. I told her what he was doing with

me and she had read his notes. She at the time was not taking new patients,

but she looked at me and said " because it is you yes I will be your Dr " . It

was like a building was removed from my shoulders. She immediately changed

my meds and gave me Percocet (newly available here) for my pain which works

wonders. She also found he was giving me the wrong shot combo which is why

my upper arms were black and purple from bruising. This was the summer and

people looked at me like I was a battered woman. We unfortunately had to use

up what was left and then she ordered the right combo and I had not had 1

bruise or discoloration yet. His version didn't help the stiffness either.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is keep trying things until you find the

right combo of meds and exercise etc til you feel relief. You will have good

days and bad, altho I have been in a bad flare since last April when I had

kidney stones. I have 1 in each side right now waiting for them to move

lower down in the kidneys, so my specialist can remove them via a scope thru

the bladder and into the tubes leading from the kidney down to the bladder.

He uses a little basket attached to the scope and he pushes the kidney up and

down til the stone falls into the basket and thus removed.

Well, guess I should step down from the soap box now and I am sorry once

again things got long. One of my problems I let my brain go when I am

writing and it just tumbles out. LOL

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark

[Guest guest]

whoops, that was to carrie, not Angel......see, my vision and my mind is

going......along with everything else...

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

LMJ....

You asked if anyone gets better? Well, there is no cure if that is what you

mean, but there are ways you can make life a little better.

In my case, I get Vit B1/B6/B12 combined into 1 shot weekly. Usually the

shot routine is 1x/week for a month, then every 2weeks for a month, then

monthly as a maintenance dose. We tried this and I couldn't do it. After

3weeks I was so stiff once again in the mornings. I went back to my Dr

begging for the shot weekly once again. So, for me I will be on weekly shots

forever which is fine by me because I know it helps. It has literally taken

away my stiffness (worst spot is lower back and down to tailbone) by 90% and

if a drastic weather change (like sudden rain or snow) it works up to 80%.

We started the shots in my upper arm which hurt so bad I almost couldn't take

it, but because it helped the stiffness I endured the pain. Now tho, we use

my hip area. My Dr first pushes down on the spot she wants to use, if I feel

pain she moves to another spot until I feel no pain. The trigger points for

me are not exactly in the same place they should be, but with me my appendix

wasn't either it was hiding behind my bowel. LOL So, once we find the

right spot she gives me my shot and I don't feel a thing. Never get a shot

in a trigger point area. Make sure you know where they are because by

accident my 2nd hip shot went into the corner of a trigger point and the pain

shot up my spine.

I also use Flexeril (10mgs) 2-3x/day. At night I take 50mg Imipramine. I

was on Elavil 50mgs in AM and 150mgs in PM (it wasn't really working anyway

to aid in my sleep) and all it accomplished for me was to gain 40+ pounds

which really upset me. I made the switch 2 or 3weeks ago can't remember

cause of the fibro fog, but I have lost 10lbs already. So, I know it is not

what I have been eating. If I am having a big problem sleeping I will take

9-12mgs Melatonin, which a friend in the US sends me because it is banned for

sale in Canada at least in Vancouver, BC, but you can bring 3months worth

into the country. Crazy to me!

If you can exercise it will help you a lot and I have read swimming is a very

good way if you can find a pool. I cannot exercise due to other illnesses I

have such as primary (born with) lymphedema. If I exercise my lower legs

will get bigger due to the excess fluid settling in my lower legs due to

gravity. In lymphedema the lymphatic system is either missing or

malfunctioning. I do not have the ability to have my lymph system remove the

toxins normally. I have to sweat them out but not in an exercise situation.

I use herbs to aid in the sweating process or to help cleanse my system

naturally. The only problem is that I was diagnosed at the age of 35yrs (am

39) and my lower legs are most likely stage 4 now, which means the tissue has

hardened and non of the known treatments will help reduce their size. My Dr

measured my lower legs on Wednesday when I went for my shot and they are 17

3/4 " on the right and 17 1/2 " on left. I drink a lot of water and got a

water machine for my last birthday from my Mum because tap water made me sick

due to all of the minerals, chemicals to clean the water and flouride in the

water. On a hot day I add slices of lemon or lime, which helps reduce the

water content in the tissues. Good thing I am close to the bathroom because

the lemon sure makes you pee a lot. LOL Diuretics are one of the biggest no

no's for anyone with lymphedema. They do not reduce the size of the limbs

they rob your system of potassium in a big way. I totally go nuts on anyone

who is told by their Drs to take diuretics. I am on the band wagon to drink

plain water with lemon in the summer heat. It shows how little Drs know

about lymphedema as well as fibro.

I also have osteoporosis in my spine and is centered in the same place where

the fibro is bad. I had some bad falls and broken ribs, and toes and

fingers. We only found out late last year when I had an xray of my lumbar/SI

joints (lower back and tailbone) area to make sure I hadn't broken anything

back there because I was in so much pain that didn't go away. I was eating

Tylenol 3 like they were candy without relief. The xray report came back

saying " thinning bones, bones are flat, and NO change since 1996 " . I had NOT

been told by any of my previous Drs nor been put on any treatment. This was

a big shock to me and my new family Dr who I trust totally and is a 1/2 block

from home. So, we discussed the available treatments and I agreed to use the

Didrocal because a dear friend of ours said it worked well for her. I take

Didrocal once at night for that but it takes a long time to kick in I was

told. I have moved to the couch to sleep so it lessens the room for tossing

and turning. I cannot sleep on my back at all and as soon as I go from my

side to my back I wake up from saying " owe " in my sleep. Between the fibro

and the osteo I sleep on an average of 3-4hrs and 4-6hrs when using the

Melatonin.

I also have panic attacks and take 15mgs Buspar 2x/day and 1mg Clonaxepam

2x/day. I have not had a bad attack in a year now. I was being misdiagnosed

by ever Dr I had and was put on almost lethal amounts of depression drugs.

One of my Drs had decided I was clinically depressed and sent me to a

psychiatrist. I went and he said I was not clinically depressed because I

knew what I had (panic) and I knew the solution(reduce the triggers) and use

meds. At that time we did not have Buspar here (we still only have the 10mg

doses) and he originally put me on .50mgs of Clonazepam. It didn't work and

I had to demand my last Dr to increase it to 1mg to try and it is a blessing.

My new Dr is fine with these doses and if I know I am going to be in a very

stressful position she orders me sublingual Ativan to use. She is wonderful

and I am sure GOD lead me to her. The other Dr I saw in the same office was

a jerk, he never looked at me when I talked to him. He had this thing of

putting the chart on the side of the sink and just made notes. He then sat

on his rolling chair with his arms folded over his chest and told me point

blank " I am not willing to give you anymore pain meds " . He made one more big

mistake he went to Scotland for a month and I was given to the woman Dr. The

receptionists knew that he was not treating me right and they would keep me

abreast of when he was returning. I asked the woman Dr if she would take me

as a patient the week before he came back. I told her what he was doing with

me and she had read his notes. She at the time was not taking new patients,

but she looked at me and said " because it is you yes I will be your Dr " . It

was like a building was removed from my shoulders. She immediately changed

my meds and gave me Percocet (newly available here) for my pain which works

wonders. She also found he was giving me the wrong shot combo which is why

my upper arms were black and purple from bruising. This was the summer and

people looked at me like I was a battered woman. We unfortunately had to use

up what was left and then she ordered the right combo and I had not had 1

bruise or discoloration yet. His version didn't help the stiffness either.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is keep trying things until you find the

right combo of meds and exercise etc til you feel relief. You will have good

days and bad, altho I have been in a bad flare since last April when I had

kidney stones. I have 1 in each side right now waiting for them to move

lower down in the kidneys, so my specialist can remove them via a scope thru

the bladder and into the tubes leading from the kidney down to the bladder.

He uses a little basket attached to the scope and he pushes the kidney up and

down til the stone falls into the basket and thus removed.

Well, guess I should step down from the soap box now and I am sorry once

again things got long. One of my problems I let my brain go when I am

writing and it just tumbles out. LOL

Angel Hugs+Love

aka Spark

[Guest guest]

An MRI for my foot? LOL

I'm laughing because when I went to see my rheumatologist, he said it was

probably arthritis..(I'd been to orthopedist, and he said the bones looked

great....x-ray...and to see my rheumatologist because he suspected some

auto-immune thing like Lupas) Anyway, as my rheumatologist went off into

lalaland about methotrexate (again), I asked if we could get an MRI or something

like that. He sat there, rubbing his chin and said, " that would be a good idea, I

never thought of that....but don't really know how we would go about it. "

My husband and I just looked at each other......

well.....I sure appreciate your feedback. You know, I was suffering greatly last

April with a shoulder/arm thing.....I did have an MRI and it was 2 bulging

discs in my neck putting pressure on my arm nerves. Man! It hurt bad! I saw a

surgeon, the best, and he recommended surgery. I left the office that day

figuring I would get the surgery. One of my friends happened to send me a

website of some man who had had the same problem, and his cured w/o the surgery.

I decided to look around, and did find evidence of this, even tho the surgeon

assured me I could do home remedies and all the quackery stuff I wanted and I

would still have the pain. Well, I gambled and got by w/o surgery. My strength

returned and everything. I love the internet and groups like this to spread

peoples' experiences with health concerns....I get much more out of this than

the doctors. sad but true.

Anyway.....after this problem cleared up, the feet thing started.

I've been putting up with this since last Aug.

Thanks again for talkin to me about all this.

Jill

Re: Re: De-lurking for a moment...

> >

> >

> > I hope I'm menopausal at 27!!! LOL!!!

> >

> > I was just diagnosed last month, but have been symptomatic

since

> age 20.

> > My sister has SLE (REALLY severe case....diagnosed at 6 yrs,

very

> young for a

> > lupus diagnosis) and from what I've read, an FMS diagnosis

isn't

> too terribly

> > unlikely considering my family history. I'm exhausted all

the

> time, have

> > pain in neck, shoulders, arm, numbness in R hand at night,

back

> pain, etc.

> > I'm seeing a PT now and that seems to be helping somewhat.

I'm

> also taking

> > Elavil at night to help me sleep (yeah, right....sleep,

what's

> that??) and

> > Ultram for pain. Sometimes I need to take Vicodin or

something

> stronger,

> > depending on the day.

> >

> > On a personal level, I'm married, have 4 golden retrievers

and am

> OBSESSED

> > with them! I'm a very active volunteer for GOLDEN RESCUE,

and

> have been very

> > successful getting donations for our fundraisers via EBAY.

You

> can read

> > about rescue at:

> > www.GRRMF.org

> > It's a wonderful cause and it makes me HAPPY!!

> >

> > I hope you have a great weekend!

> >

> > Mink

> > Proud Member, Volunteer and for GRRMF, Inc.

> > Proud Member MFGRC

> > Proud Member GRCA

> > Proud Member Upper Suncoast Dog Obedience Club

> >

> > Prancer Man-(aka Pizza Man)-our Heartdog

> > Princess Saharah- Alpha bitch #2-next to Mom, of course

> > Gentle Ben-10 month old foster boy

> > Teenie Indy-sweet 8 month old curly red girl

> > (aka Bran Muffin)-waiting for us all at the Bridge

> >

> >