New Here

[Guest guest]

I wanted to say hello to everyone as I am new here. Well kinnda new

anyway. I have been lurking around for about a week reading

everyones

posts. So I finally decided it was my time to tell a bit about

myself.

I am 32 years old and live in a small town in east central Iowa. I

work as a Certified Nursing Assistant(CNA) in a nursing home on the

10pm to 6am shift. I have worked as a CNA for 11 yrs now. I was

just

told by my endocrinologist that I need to go see a rheumotologist

(not

sure I have the correct spelling there) I am still waiting to hear

back from my GP about when my first appointment will be. The endo

said I need to see the rheumotologist so they can officially

diagnose

PA. Altho the endo said after asking me a million questions and

looking at my nails that is definately what it is. The way I see it

is that it is something else to add to my growing list of health

problems.

*diabetic since I was 21 which I take several injections a day for

and

test my blood glucose level about 6 times a day

*high blood pressure

*high cholesterol which seems to not improve any when I take meds

for

it

*diabetic neuropothy in my hands and feet/legs

*I have been diagnosed with severe clinical depression at one time

a " shrink " said I am bi-polar so either one I guess; it is hard to

say.

My personal opinion is that a lot of what depresses me is financial

problems. Right now I have insurance through my partner's work but

still the co-pays for meds are a killer. Just in the last 6 weeks I

have paid out 250 bucks in prescription co-pays. Which takes a toll

on our finances cuz we have not been able to pay our house payment

for 4 months and are in foreclosure now. :-( Which obviously does

not help the depression thing either!!

*obsessive compulsive disorder (not sure where the doc got that from

or what my obsession or compulsion would be)

*GERD

*for the last couple years I have had constant cognitive problems

very

much like someone that has posted on here within the last couple

days. I just feel that I am in a fog or " floating " all the time. I

have a hard time figuring things out and can not remember a darn

thing

if my life depended on it. I have a hard time understanding what a

person is talking about and always have the feeling that when I am

holding onto something that I am dropping it.

I am sure there is more I can say but I just can not think of it

right now and I have babbled on long enough plus I have lost my

train of thought.

I hope everyone is having a good day and I hope to hear from some of

you.

[Editor's Note: , it certainly sounds like you and your partner have a lot

on your plate right now. I can't diagnose you, of course, but the nail ridges

and brain fog are a strong indication of PA. You need to see a rheumatologist

(don't worry about spelling) as soon as you can. Some of the pharmaceutical

companies will make arrangements to get you the medications you need at little

to no cost if you financially qualify. Your State Insurance Commission website

might also be able to direct you to sources of low-cost medication (if available

in your state). Not sure what we can do other than give you a safe place to

vent, cry, laugh and learn. Kathy F.]