Re: Rheumy Visit.... Should I? thanks

June 22, 2006

-

Oh my goodness what would I do without you ALL?

I really appreciate everyone that has sent a reply. I can talk to my

husband but he really doesn't know where I am with this. He really

knows no more than I do. I am so thankful for this message board. I

know that it has helped so many with PA. I will go on July 3rd to my

Dr. I feel so much better about all of this. I just can't help that

if it's that serious or important that there maybe others that need

to go more than me. For goodness sake when I was pregnant I didn't

want to go to the Hospital when I thought I was in labor because I

was afraid that they would send me home with a false labor!! What a

nut!!(right?) Well when I had my last son I got to the Hospital at

4:04 and he was born at 5:04. The Dr. Wasn't even there yet!! Oh

yes he still got Paid the same and all. Nature took it's course and

the nurse was there waiting for the birth of the baby and just held

out her hands and he slid right into them. So when I have that

SHOULD I attitude I will remember your kind words and do what I am

told so I don't have to go to MY ROOM!!

I work up this morning with stiffness in my back and pain that felt

like I have plursey or something. It hurts everytime I move and take

deep breaths.

Two more days of Bible School. Friday won't be as bad because I can

sleep in on Saturday. Goody! Goody! Gumdrops!

Thanks to all of you

Tammy

PS I promise that I will be supportive for you all once I really know

what this is all about.

-- In , Betsy Jack <itsbetsy@...>

wrote:

>

> Tammy....the worse symptom you are suffering from right now is

FEAR. We all have it baby doll. But you have children to think of so

you have to move past it. Each time you post a letter like this, you

end up answering your own questions. It would be cute if you were not

so distressed over this so I cannot laugh at it. Many of us

have " normal " blood work but it's not " normal " to have all the

symptoms you have. And they ARE symptoms of PA. Symptoms are clues

to what disease you have and not all diseases have a blood test to

prove it's existance. You only need to be terribly afraid if you

don't get treatment. If you had the symptoms of a heart attack, you

could ignore it and work and do VBS for a few days before you

croaked. If you had symptoms of diabetes, you could keep going for

awhile before you ended up having to have your foot amputated. If you

had PA, you could continue on your path for awhile before you ended

up with permanent joint damage, in bed unable to care for

> your kids other than to explain to them how to spread the dang

peanut butter on their own bread. Do you get the picture? If you are

being frightened by all the horror stories on here, then make up your

mind not to become one of them and get the treatment that Peggy and

some of the others who cannot afford health coverage wish they could

get. You are one of the lucky ones Honey. Hard to believe I know but

it's true. And yes...the medication will help the progression of the

disease. That is why it's classified as a disease modifier. It's not

in the same category as Naprosen or Ibuprofen. Those drugs only

relieve pain and inflammation. Have you read about what Humira can DO

to help you? I know you read what it might (small small percentage

there) do to harm you. You've got to read it ALL and take into

consideration that it has helped far more people than it has harmed.

And honestly...when people who are participating in drug trials have

an adverse reaction, the testers can

> never be sure if that person would have had that problem without

taking the medication they are testing. Example: People taking Vioxx

have had heart attacks. Who is to say they would not have had a heart

attack without taking Vioxx? You are afraid. That is normal. At least

that much is normal. You are going to have to use your brain and not

your emotions on this one Honey. Of course, we are all hoping that

you don't chicken out and give up on this once you start IF you

start. I'm sure we are hoping that you try Humira and get great

relief and wonder what took you so long. But we know it might take up

to 3 months for it to kick in. We hope you can give it that much

time. You would not give up on your kids after 3 months of trying a

drug if you thought it could help them...I'll bet on that. The first

time you post a letter about wanting to cancel appointments and not

believing you have PA, you get encouragement (like you would do with

your kids). The second time, you get

> lovingly fussed at (again...like we do with our kids). The third

time, you're grounded kiddo. Seriously....next time I read one of

these posts I'm not gonna give you all these words. I'm going to

reply with four words instead...you get only four next time and they

will be.........GO TO YOUR ROOM. Now go to your Rheumatologist

woman. -Betz

>

> Betsy Jack itsbetsy@...

>

> [Editor's Note and the 4th time, Betz and I will sing show tunes

outside your window. Kathy F.]

>

> [ ] Rheumy Visit.... Should I?

>

> Good evening group!

> I am sorry that I am posting this last tonight. I am working during

> the day and at night I am working Vacation Bible School (VBS) I

> have about 12 5 and 6 year olds. Last night was rough but tonight

> wasn't as bad. I know that last night when we got home I died!!! I

> was so tired, my legs about killed me. Tonight was much better.

>

> My question is I am suppose to go to my Rheumy July 3rd. I really

> don't know if I should keep my appointment. I really don't know

> what to ask her. It is crazy I know. She gave me a DX of Psoriatic

> Arthritis back in May. How does one know for sure that that is what

> they have? I have had ALL other test done and they were all

> normal. I don't want to go to this appt. If there is someone out

> there that may need to get in and may need to go more than me. I

> would like for solutions to the following. What is your input?

>

> 1. How do you know for sure that I have PA?

> 2. When I turn my neck to the left it is very stiff and painful.

> Is that PA? Or is it bacause I am on the phone a lot at work and

> usually have a receiver resting on my shoulder. Even though I am

off

> for the summer, and it is still painful.

> 3. I tire real easliy.. Is this a system of PA?

> 4. My eyes are red and dry.... Is this a system of PA?

> 5. I don't suffer with severe pain, but I do have stiff joints.

> 6. When I do have a flair-up it is severe pain. The most pain that

> I really can't hardly bare. That is usually 4 times per year. Is

> it still PA.

> 7. Even thought that ALL blood work came back normal should I still

> go to the Dr. and have her to go over the results anyway?

> 8. She suggested that I go on Humira, If my pain is not that

> severe should I still consider taking that strong of a drug? Will

> the medicine help the progression or just help the pain. See I have

> so many questions that I really didn't get the answers for. What

> should I do? I think with all of the side effects that taking the

> medication should not be taken unless there is constant pain with

> hardly NO RElief. I am so stressed over this and really don't know

> what to do. Any results that you may have I really would appreciate

> it a bunch

>

> To all the lady friends that Have PA. Do you normally suffer worst

> when it is that time of the Month. What are you side effects when

> that (TIME) enters?

>

> Blessings,

> Tammy

>

> [Editor's Note: Tammy, every symptom you have is a symptom of PA.

BECAUSE you have questions, you should be discussing them with your

doctor until you get answers that make sense for you. How awful do

you have to feel before you are willing to get help for your body?

You are so fortunate to have a diagnosis and have an appointment set

up with a doctor - why do you want to throw that all away? Ignoring a

disease and failing to treat it until it is severe doesn't make it go

away. Imitating an ostrich and sticking your head in the ground and

refusing to take treatments won't make it go away. Tammy, for the

sake of your children, get a grip on yourself, keep the doctor's

appointment and do more research on medication options. If you are

not comfortable with the idea of Humira, start with something else

that you are more comfortable with but for pete's sake, get treated

before you do permanent, painful damage to your body. Kathy F.]

>

June 22, 2006

Atta girl!!!! And you don't owe anyone anything for our support. That's now how

it works Honey. You do things for your kids and for the kids in your church,

right? That's how you pay us back. There's a great movie you might enjoy

watching with your s. It's called " Pay it Forward " . I bet you can rent it.

It's about a young boy who repays a kindness done to him by being kind to

others. It's a great concept. One that reminds me of the spirit of the people on

this site. Let the guilt go baby. It'll make your joints ache more. Love, -Betz

Betsy Jack itsbetsy@...

[Editor's Note: Random acts of kindness are a great way to deal with

everything. Kathy F.]

[ ] Re: Rheumy Visit.... Should I? thanks