New to group.....

[Guest guest]

Hi my name is Elsa. I'm 30 years old and was first daignosed with PA in

1993. I have been through the gamet of meds, steroids, immunosuppressors,

NSAIDS, Embrel etc. I'm only on 2400 mg of Ibuprophen and 2 Darvocet a day.

I know... the darvocet doesn't solve anything but it's the only thing that

stops the aches and pains enough for me to get anything done. Everything

else either makes me fat or sick. ( I'm sure a few of you can relate) I went

to a new Rhumey today, here in San Diego, CA. He put me back on

sulfasalazine, amatryptiline at night (sleep) and sent me off to have xrays

and blood work. He said since I had only pain and no swelling that it was

fybromyalgia and that my PA was ok because there was so skin rash. Hello! I

never have had any on my skin, just 3 toenails that are quite sexy looking.

haha gross! Anyway, he gave me that look when I said I was in pain and took

pain meds. Ya know it drives me nuts but I want some quality of life here,

ya know. I keep beating myself up because I wonder if this is all in my

head. Crazy? But since I had my first flare which attacked everything and

laid me out for about nine months, I've just never been the same. It took 2

years to diagnose, most people thought I was a hypochondriac. Once it really

set in though it was obvious I wasn't making it up. On and off over the

years it flared but there is always a few joints that are pissed off. I'm

back to night sweats, stiffness and pain in my neck, ribs sternum, sacrum

and right hip, but no real swelling or redness. So then, the doctor says I

have a pain disorder, which made me feel even crazier. But he did the 21/2

hours worth of x-rays and the blood work. My blood work rarely if ever

shows anything, more proof I'm nuts! No, I just wish I didn't worry

everytime I felt pain or fatigued that I've done something wrong or if its

all in my head.

Its so self absorbing and annoying. People always ask are you under stress?

haven't you been taking care of yourself? or tell me I need to slow down.

Slow down, how much slower? When I first got sick I was working as a

firefighter/ EMT and now I find it hard to manage sitting in class all day.

Walking across campus to my car is an ordeal, somedays. I feel like a whiner

here but my level of frustration is high. I asked the doctor and nurse if I

was crazy and they said no, but I wanted more, I don't know what but, its

almost like I wish I would have a huge flair rather than just this low grade

krapy feeling. Maybe some of you can relate. Its like they can do something

with the big stuff, but the moderate stuff is what drives me nuts. We'll

have to wait and see about the test, April 27, to be exact for the next apt.

If anyone knows anything about fybro- whatever let me know. I've been

surfing aroun annonymously and its good to know that I'm not the only one

out there. Thanks for reading my diatribe. Peace,

Elsa

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[Guest guest]

Hi Elsa...I just wanted to tell you that your post sounds exactly like my

story...I for a long time thought I was nuts..and drs didn't believe

me....now I don't care...Got that mad as hell attitude...PAIN is real. I am

taking anti - imflammatory Daypro, and pain meds Ultram. My bloods

are always normal...My right hip and sacrum are shot...although an xray would

tell you different...(no damage) My neck is stiff and burns

constantly... My pa diagnosis is questionable. I have a history of

psoriaisis..but normal finger and toe nails....I am tired all the time, gets

colds and sinus infections often. I see a reumy every three months...and pa is

on my chart.. but who knows. I know I need meds to get me thru

the day...and I refuse the dmards...they scare the hell out of me. I am 34

years old with two kids...stay at home mom. I feel like 74. I am sure

someone in the group can help you with your questions...I just wanted to drop

you a note and tell you your post sounded so familiar. Welcome to

the group.

Jayne

elsa nutter wrote:

> From: " elsa nutter " <drnut2002@...>

>

> Hi my name is Elsa. I'm 30 years old and was first daignosed with PA in

> 1993. I have been through the gamet of meds, steroids, immunosuppressors,

> NSAIDS, Embrel etc. I'm only on 2400 mg of Ibuprophen and 2 Darvocet a day.

> I know... the darvocet doesn't solve anything but it's the only thing that

> stops the aches and pains enough for me to get anything done. Everything

> else either makes me fat or sick. ( I'm sure a few of you can relate) I went

> to a new Rhumey today, here in San Diego, CA. He put me back on

> sulfasalazine, amatryptiline at night (sleep) and sent me off to have xrays

> and blood work. He said since I had only pain and no swelling that it was

> fybromyalgia and that my PA was ok because there was so skin rash. Hello! I

> never have had any on my skin, just 3 toenails that are quite sexy looking.

> haha gross! Anyway, he gave me that look when I said I was in pain and took

> pain meds. Ya know it drives me nuts but I want some quality of life here,

> ya know. I keep beating myself up because I wonder if this is all in my

> head. Crazy? But since I had my first flare which attacked everything and

> laid me out for about nine months, I've just never been the same. It took 2

> years to diagnose, most people thought I was a hypochondriac. Once it really

> set in though it was obvious I wasn't making it up. On and off over the

> years it flared but there is always a few joints that are pissed off. I'm

> back to night sweats, stiffness and pain in my neck, ribs sternum, sacrum

> and right hip, but no real swelling or redness. So then, the doctor says I

> have a pain disorder, which made me feel even crazier. But he did the 21/2

> hours worth of x-rays and the blood work. My blood work rarely if ever

> shows anything, more proof I'm nuts! No, I just wish I didn't worry

> everytime I felt pain or fatigued that I've done something wrong or if its

> all in my head.

> Its so self absorbing and annoying. People always ask are you under stress?

> haven't you been taking care of yourself? or tell me I need to slow down.

> Slow down, how much slower? When I first got sick I was working as a

> firefighter/ EMT and now I find it hard to manage sitting in class all day.

> Walking across campus to my car is an ordeal, somedays. I feel like a whiner

> here but my level of frustration is high. I asked the doctor and nurse if I

> was crazy and they said no, but I wanted more, I don't know what but, its

> almost like I wish I would have a huge flair rather than just this low grade

> krapy feeling. Maybe some of you can relate. Its like they can do something

> with the big stuff, but the moderate stuff is what drives me nuts. We'll

> have to wait and see about the test, April 27, to be exact for the next apt.

> If anyone knows anything about fybro- whatever let me know. I've been

> surfing aroun annonymously and its good to know that I'm not the only one

> out there. Thanks for reading my diatribe. Peace,

> Elsa

> ______________________________________________________

> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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[Guest guest]

Hi Elsa, Jayne, and all

Hello Elsa! Welcome to the list. I know what you mean about the little

stuff - Sometimes I wish I had one big problem to solve instead of all the

things that seem to keep me down but can't seem to catch the interest of

concern of doctors. My blood work is pretty much always normal too, so it

is hard to get anywhere.......Keep looking for support through this list and

anywhere else you can find it. That's the best way to get through...Easier

said than done because it is so hard for people to understand what it is

like.... Look forward to keeping up with you. Don't stop questioning!

Jayne, I too am a 34 year old stay at home mom who feels 74. It is all I

can do to keep up with my 2 year old and seven year old. Thanks for

letting me know there are others out there. I also suffer from constant

fatigue and frequent colds.... Have you ever been given a pa connection for

that? I keep getting told it is allergies, but I don't think so.

Peace

Ada

demlow@...