Recent Dr. visit

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear that someone else isup at this time. I woke, couldn't go back

to sleep and the paper hasn't come yet. AIH 8-97 at 57 years. Spent the

next few years full care of my dear husband, who died last Christmas week. I

AM in remission and have been for over a year, still taking 2mg pred and 100

imuran. Live in SCarolina and have 7 grands, 4 of whom live in town. My

children have been wonderful during these years and seem to understand my

limitations, most of the time. But one of my daughters retired from work to

stay home with her 5 and 3 year olds, and now calls on me to babysit more

than I am able, The fatigue factor is enormous if I have to keep them in the

afternoon. Also, the 3 year old boy is most energetic and I bruise like

crazy! I love them all dearly and hate to say no, but right now I am

suffering from a cold which I know that I caught from one of them over

T-giving. With any luck, this will only last 2 weeks! But my daughter has

helped me get through these past 4 years with such grace on her part, that I

always hate to say no to her.Because I have absolutely no outward appearances

of AIH not even extra weight, etc., I truely think that sometimes even she

forgets.

So you do have someone out there in cyberspace who completely understands

your dilemma with those adorable grandchildren.

ginger (inSC)

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanna,

I have been given the group quite a few blast myself........and they keep telling me not to worry about it....... :-)

I am sorry your feeling so lousy.......that can make one want to (blast).. :-)

You're so sweet to do so much for your grand-babies..... :-)

Maybe your son-in-law didn't realize how bad you are feeling?

Have you tried talking with him about it?

I know that I get so used to being sick that I don't really show it for the sake of others.....

I know it's hard to say no....I have 3 boys.....and 3 step-boys every other wkend....

and believe me.....I say no a lot!

Sometimes, you just need to say no......you just have to!

he will understand later, don't worry........ :-)

never feel bad for taking care of your health.... :-)

Best wishes..hope you feel better soon....

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

BERT. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hello Ginger, Sorry you are feeling so lousy... :-(

It seems to be going around here...me too...

I don't have any grandchildren yet! :-)

my oldest is 14.....we will see what he does over the next few years! :-)

I am sorry to hear about your husband......BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

I can't give advice about the grand-kids part......but I still have my own kids at home...and let me tell you..I say no.....a lot.....have to!

don't feel bad for that..I understand your daughter has helped you so much...

(sounds like a very sweet daughter)...I think she will continue to understand... :-)

Take care....

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

BERT. :-)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/1/01 4:57:42 AM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes:

I'm so depressed that I just want to hide from everyone. Talking with everyone here helps.

Hi Ann......I feel just like you do sometimes....more often than I care to say....

wish I could take anti-depressants, but I get real sick from them.. :-(

not that I enjoy taking drugs..of course, I just need an extra boost sometimes..

I had taken them years ago, and they worked wonders for helping me sleep....but now of course.....its out of the question....

about telling family members how you feel? me too......I think they get tired of it sometimes.....at least mine seems to anyways, especially my husband...

sorry you feel that way too..... :-(

Do you have kids? I don't remember if you metioned it before....

and you are right about this group...they are all wonderful here..... :-)

although, yesterday...I almost unsubscribed.....

because of Ed.....I felt ssooo....bad for not having all the info. before blasting the poor old guy!... :-( :-(

Best Wishes to you....

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

BERT. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Just thought I would let you know how things are progessing with me.

This last Wednesday I visited my PCP physician and my gastro Dr.

After discussion with both drs. several weeks ago about the ACE

inhibitors causing the bone marrow depression when taken with Imuran,

they decided to raise my Nadolol to 80mg a day and give me a

diruetic. My blood pressure is 187/100 as of Wednesday. Much higher

than it has been in years. It is usually 143/80. This bothers me

alot, but we are monitoring it daily at home. The gastro dr. started

me on the Imuran, since I finally got rid of the bronchitis after 4

weeks. The only side effect so far is a nausea and my mood swings

are terrible. I pray constantly for calmness and totally lose it

over simple little things.

I guess I just need to blow off a little steam right now. So if you

don't want to hear this hit NEXT. This last week was conference time

for my granddaughter's school, so she has been getting out at 1:00

everyday. I have had her here all week, am tired and sick, and my

son-in-law called me tonight to see if I could watch her for 8 hrs

tomorrow (saturday). I sometimes wonder if they realize how

exhausted I get or if they just don't care. Normally, this wouldn't

be a problem as I love to have my granddaughters here. But, these

are not normal times for me. I fear that I have alienated my son-in-

law which would devastate me. It has always been hard for me to say

no, but this time I felt I had to for my own sake. Does anyone else

have to deal with these types of things too?

Sorry about the blast!!

Joanna

AIH 8/01

[Guest guest]

No, Bert, I really don't feel lousy at all. Only problem at the moment is

that I am starting a cold that I sure don't need right now with all that will

go on in Dec. And the fact that I can't always take care of the grands when

their mothers need me to .

Hugs to all, ginger (SC)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/1/01 7:14:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, vls1939@... writes:

No, Bert, I really don't feel lousy at all. Only problem at the moment is

that I am starting a cold that I sure don't need right now with all that will

go on in Dec. And the fact that I can't always take care of the grands when

their mothers need me to .

Hugs to all, ginger (SC)

Ginger.... I hope you get over your cold soon.....

and I understand about the grand-kids....that can be tough...

take care and best wishes... :-)

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Ginger. I hope you're able to work out some situation that will allow you to take care of your health better and still spend time with your family.

Best wishes.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Jeannette I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I know it must be hard for you to say no, but your family needs to know what is going on. Of course, I don't tell my family half of how I feel so I shouldn't be preaching to you. I don't have any grandkids yet and I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to say no. Right now I'm just on 50mg of imuran and there are some days that I'm so depressed that I just want to hide from everyone. Talking with everyone here helps. Maybe because we are all going through some of the same things. I'm tired alot, but I force myself to keep going. With the holidays coming I don't have time to rest. Hope you feel better soon. You didn't say how old your grandchildren were. Ann [ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit Hi all,Just thought I would let you know how things are progessing with me.This last Wednesday I visited my PCP physician and my gastro Dr.After discussion with both drs. several weeks ago about the ACEinhibitors causing the bone marrow depression when taken with Imuran,they decided to raise my Nadolol to 80mg a day and give me adiruetic. My blood pressure is 187/100 as of Wednesday. Much higherthan it has been in years. It is usually 143/80. This bothers mealot, but we are monitoring it daily at home. The gastro dr. startedme on the Imuran, since I finally got rid of the bronchitis after 4weeks. The only side effect so far is a nausea and my mood swingsare terrible. I pray constantly for calmness and totally lose itover simple little things.I guess I just need to blow off a little steam right now. So if youdon't want to hear this hit NEXT. This last week was conference timefor my granddaughter's school, so she has been getting out at 1:00everyday. I have had her here all week, am tired and sick, and myson-in-law called me tonight to see if I could watch her for 8 hrstomorrow (saturday). I sometimes wonder if they realize howexhausted I get or if they just don't care. Normally, this wouldn'tbe a problem as I love to have my granddaughters here. But, theseare not normal times for me. I fear that I have alienated my son-in-law which would devastate me. It has always been hard for me to sayno, but this time I felt I had to for my own sake. Does anyone elsehave to deal with these types of things too?Sorry about the blast!!JoannaAIH 8/01

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Harper:

Actually I have posted before, and have lurked for several years. I'm really

in such reasonable shape that when I see my GI, he usually walks into the

room clapping.I think that in my very few posts before I might have mentioned

that I am still considered outpatient Duke Univ. Medical Center. I usually

trip up there once a year for a check up; the routine labs, etc, are handled

locally.

Did I pick up that you might live in the SF/Bay area?If so, I spent 9 years

of my early life on Pacific Avenue, betwen Baker and Lyon, and went to the

Hamlin School.. I also have an internist son who lives in Rivermore and works

in Stockton. And, a wonderful college buddy who lives in Novato.

You seem to be one smart lady, and I have also learned much from this caring

and loving group. Perhaps a year ago, I was the one who posted the info on

the book " Coping with Prednisone " which I still highly recommend. It was

published the onth that I was dx with AIH, and the info in it really helped

me immensely, particularly on mood swings and weight control.

This is probably why I lurk rather than participate....once you git me goin',

I can jist chat and chat and chat. In person that can be a problem; in a

group, you can just delete me. Smile now, y'all!

ginger AIH8-97

[Guest guest]

And, of course, I forgot to mention that I am fine as long as I can catch a

few zzzzzzzzs in the afternoon.

ginger

[Guest guest]

hi sunshine,

I can understand. Sometimes you get very depressed and can't seem to get out

of that dark hole. Just know that we all care and this is a great place to

vent. Hope your day improves. It's warm and sunny here in VA. More like a

spring day. That always helps me. I'm new to the group. Just started

reading yesterday but I think this will be a great source of understanding

and a wealth of knowledge which is not easy to find on AIH. I've been

diagnosed since 1999 and have had a lot of ups and downs. Still able to

work. I have a 16 year old son and a 23 year old daughter who just got

married. They are a great source of energy to pull from.

Hope your day gets better. E-mail me directly if you need someone to talk

to.

It will get better.

MFK

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/1/01 10:16:06 AM Pacific Standard Time, vls1939@... writes:

in a

group, you can just delete me. Smile now, y'all!

ginger AIH8-97

Ginger, that was just too darn funny......LOL! :-)

but please do participate....a variety of opinions in all sorts

is welcomed...

Best wishes..

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

[Guest guest]

Thank you MFK....that was sweet of you.......yes...I do get depressed,

angry too......fly off the handle sometimes, thats normally when I am in a lot of pain though....which for a while was all the time.....I just had a bad flare up for about 3 days this past week.....thought my kids and hubby were gonna move out......LOLOL!!!!

I am trying to use that anger energy and turn it into laughter...jokes that sort of thing....somethimes it works, sometimes not......

I am new here...about 3 weeks I guess.....my DX is very recent...Sept/01........It was nice in a way to know that I wasn't crazy.....that all these problems I have are from AIH.....well, haven't had the big biopsy.....yet, but I actually hope that the doc. says let's do it....I want to be sure......

doc. and I are pretty sure its AIH...

The hardest thing for me is......this group IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF SUPPORT I HAVE.....if I didn't have this group......I really don't know what I would do.......even my husband doesn't give me much support at all........in many ways I feel sorry for him, he can't cope I guess.......

I encourage reading these e-mails together....but he doesn't make an effort on his own......

makes me angry too sometimes......but I love him dearly......he just can't understand I guess....

truthfully.......I don't either...sometimes.....

anyways, I am sure I will e-mail you directly...from time to time......

thanks so much for the invite.....

you take care too......

by the way, my kids (6 boys) are 14,13,10,8,7,18 months....

3 are my biological..and 3 are my step.....I really don't like the "STEP"

word...........sounds tacky....nevertheless thats what they are.......

but....I luv'em all!!!!!!!

Best wishes.

Bert. (sunshine)

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

[Guest guest]

((((Joanna)))) Truly you are ill! Even my GI told me that when I whined to her that I was sick and tired of doctors not believing me when I told them I have all of these bizarre diseases! She gently leaned back in her chair and said, "But we know that isn't the case, don't we?" I was so amazed that she really believed me! It made me feel good to know that for once someone believed me!

As for your grandbabies, that is a tough one! I know that when I was younger, I didn't think that perhaps my parents couldn't take care of the rambunctious children like I could. Finally, my mom just had to tell me that she could not take the kids all the time. I felt bad that I had not considered how she felt.

It is difficult for others to realize how sick we are when we don't 'look' that sick. My family has finally given in to me and realize HOW sick I really am! It helps, but I still have to overcome the work problem...they have trouble realizing I am ill but I am patient. I can't be "too" sick there because I don't want to have to take time off...so I just keep quiet and do what I have to do. I am fortunate also because my co-teacher (the lady next door) helps me out lots....we trade off for activities when we get to the end of our ropes!

Well, keep on keeping on! We will all make it!

debby

[ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit

Hi all,Just thought I would let you know how things are progessing with me.This last Wednesday I visited my PCP physician and my gastro Dr.After discussion with both drs. several weeks ago about the ACE inhibitors causing the bone marrow depression when taken with Imuran, they decided to raise my Nadolol to 80mg a day and give me a diruetic. My blood pressure is 187/100 as of Wednesday. Much higher than it has been in years. It is usually 143/80. This bothers me alot, but we are monitoring it daily at home. The gastro dr. started me on the Imuran, since I finally got rid of the bronchitis after 4 weeks. The only side effect so far is a nausea and my mood swings are terrible. I pray constantly for calmness and totally lose it over simple little things. I guess I just need to blow off a little steam right now. So if you don't want to hear this hit NEXT. This last week was conference time for my granddaughter's school, so she has been getting out at 1:00 everyday. I have had her here all week, am tired and sick, and my son-in-law called me tonight to see if I could watch her for 8 hrs tomorrow (saturday). I sometimes wonder if they realize how exhausted I get or if they just don't care. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem as I love to have my granddaughters here. But, these are not normal times for me. I fear that I have alienated my son-in-law which would devastate me. It has always been hard for me to say no, but this time I felt I had to for my own sake. Does anyone else have to deal with these types of things too? Sorry about the blast!!JoannaAIH 8/01

[Guest guest]

Ann, what part of the country do you live in that your husband is a self-employed commercial fisherman?

harper

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/1/01 5:22:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes:

I live in Connecticut right near the water.

Ann

Great! I lived in Boston for 25 years -- I miss that part of the country sometimes.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann.....

I wished sometimes that my kids were close in age too, so they can all go to college at the same time! LOL! But I am sure I will miss them tooooo!!!!! (sshhh....I do now...when there in school!!)

Don't let them know....LOL! Anyways, 4 sisters and 2 brothers huh?

you come from a big family too....and all local..WOW that is good.

AAwwweee...let them smother you...eat it right up, I would....

sounds like they really care about you....thats wonderful!

I guess I would have days too, where I wouldn't want to be smothered...

I am glad you take your illness seriously now....

Ed is fine with it...he e-mailed and said the apology was accepted...

boy I was off base huh?

He still trying to get away from us though....LOL! poor guy, can't get his computer to unsubscribe....guess he stuck with us!

HUGS!

Bert.

**HAPPY**HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

Bert.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/1/01 5:33:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes:

My side is the warmest.

Ann

thats so funny!!!!! ROFLMAO!!!!

you side should be..

sorry guys....

**HAPPY**HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

Bert.

[Guest guest]

Bert. I have 3 children ages 20,23,25. The youngest goes to college at ESCU and the other two go to a community college part time. I have two jobs and my husband is self-employed commercial fisherman. I also have 4 sisters and two brothers. They all live locally so I see them or talk to them every day. When they call the first thing they ask is how I'm feeling. I'm at a point where I just say fine or good. I hate to tell them how I really feel. They tend to smother me. I found out I had AIH about 5 years ago when they took out my gallbladder. My liver counts were high but they thought that after the surgery they would go to normal, they didn't so they sent me to a specialist and lo and behold. I never took it serious until I had to start on the imuran this past year. I felt bad for Ed also, I guess we jumped the gun a little. Hopefully he's gotten things straighten out. Ann Re: [ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit In a message dated 12/1/01 4:57:42 AM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes: I'm so depressed that I just want to hide from everyone. Talking with everyone here helps. Hi Ann......I feel just like you do sometimes....more often than I care to say....wish I could take anti-depressants, but I get real sick from them.. :-(not that I enjoy taking drugs..of course, I just need an extra boost sometimes..I had taken them years ago, and they worked wonders for helping me sleep....but now of course.....its out of the question.... about telling family members how you feel? me too......I think they get tired of it sometimes.....at least mine seems to anyways, especially my husband...sorry you feel that way too..... :-(Do you have kids? I don't remember if you metioned it before....and you are right about this group...they are all wonderful here..... :-)although, yesterday...I almost unsubscribed.....because of Ed.....I felt ssooo....bad for not having all the info. before blasting the poor old guy!... :-( :-(Best Wishes to you....Bert. **HAPPY***HOLIDAYS** **AND WARM HUGS** BERT. :-)

[Guest guest]

I live in Connecticut right near the water. Ann Re: [ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit Ann, what part of the country do you live in that your husband is a self-employed commercial fisherman? harper

[Guest guest]

I have a step brother that lives in that area. Just not sure where. I'll have to check his address. We don't usually write except Christmas cards. We do get together a few times during the year. The weather has been great this past week. You may think its Spring instead of winter. I don't mind the warm weather. I get cold very quickly and my husband can't stand the heat. Decided to get electric blanket with dual controls. My side is the warmest. Ann Re: [ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit In a message dated 12/1/01 5:22:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes: I live in Connecticut right near the water. Ann Great! I lived in Boston for 25 years -- I miss that part of the country sometimes. Harper

[Guest guest]

I am from New Bedford......town of moby dick and lately high school

terrorists..jo

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/2/01 3:45:09 PM Pacific Standard Time, tygrelily17@... writes:

Hi Ginger,Ann,Bert,Debby and all,

I would like to thank all of you for your support to my recent post

about dealing with the exhaustion and my granddaughters. You are a

wonderful group of people.

Joanna in WA

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME!!!!!

I feel the same way about this here group!!!!

Ya'll are STUCK WITH ME FOREVER!!!!

:) and many more smiles!!!!....

too lazy to do all the simles......LOLOL!!!

Bert.

**HAPPY**HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

Bert.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

This is Joanna. My grandchildren are both girls, 13 and 8. The 8 yr

old is the one that I take care of most of the time. She has a short

attention span and needs to be occupied with something all the time.

I try to keep simple craft projects ready for her to do so she

doesn't get bored with them. This last week I had her make a red

felt bird ornament. She had to cut it out, sew and stuff it. She

really like that project and made 3 during the week. They look

really nice on my little Christmas tree. I have her again tomorrow

for 3 1/2 hrs and need to find a new project.

My family does know what is going on. I think it is because I don't

look sick now that they don't give it a second thought about how I am

feeling. I also force myself to keep going but I usually pay for it

in the end. Learning to pace myself is very hard, but I am

learning. Thank you for answering~~~~~~~~Joanna

> Jeannette I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I know

it must be hard for you to say no, but your family needs to know what

is going on. Of course, I don't tell my family half of how I feel so

I shouldn't be preaching to you. I don't have any grandkids yet and

I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to say no. Right now I'm

just on 50mg of imuran and there are some days that I'm so depressed

that I just want to hide from everyone. Talking with everyone here

helps. Maybe because we are all going through some of the same

things. I'm tired alot, but I force myself to keep going. With the

holidays coming I don't have time to rest. Hope you feel better

soon. You didn't say how old your grandchildren were.

>

> Ann

>

> [ ] Re: Recent Dr. visit

>

> Hi all,

> Just thought I would let you know how things are progessing with me.

> This last Wednesday I visited my PCP physician and my gastro Dr.

> After discussion with both drs. several weeks ago about the ACE

> inhibitors causing the bone marrow depression when taken with

Imuran,

> they decided to raise my Nadolol to 80mg a day and give me a

> diruetic. My blood pressure is 187/100 as of Wednesday. Much

higher

> than it has been in years. It is usually 143/80. This bothers me

> alot, but we are monitoring it daily at home. The gastro dr.

started

> me on the Imuran, since I finally got rid of the bronchitis after 4

> weeks. The only side effect so far is a nausea and my mood swings

> are terrible. I pray constantly for calmness and totally lose it

> over simple little things.

>

> I guess I just need to blow off a little steam right now. So if you

> don't want to hear this hit NEXT. This last week was conference

time

> for my granddaughter's school, so she has been getting out at 1:00

> everyday. I have had her here all week, am tired and sick, and my

> son-in-law called me tonight to see if I could watch her for 8 hrs

> tomorrow (saturday). I sometimes wonder if they realize how

> exhausted I get or if they just don't care. Normally, this wouldn't

> be a problem as I love to have my granddaughters here. But, these

> are not normal times for me. I fear that I have alienated my son-

in-

> law which would devastate me. It has always been hard for me to say

> no, but this time I felt I had to for my own sake. Does anyone else

> have to deal with these types of things too?

>

> Sorry about the blast!!

> Joanna

> AIH 8/01

>

>

>

>

>

>