Good news/Bad news

[Guest guest]

--- ValP74@... wrote:

> From: ValP74@...

>

> In a message dated 99-05-14 02:02:36 EDT, you write:

>

> <<

> >>

> , dsince you have been having the chest pain and

> lages jumping and fevers

> is is a constant thing going on all the time or does

> it kind of come and go?

> Please let me know when you get a chance. Feel

> better Good Luck at the Doc-Val

>

> Hi again Val-

My legs have been jumping off and on since Aug. The chest pain was an

occasional thing until April when it became an everyday thing and then

with the Rocephin it was much more intense. The fevers were also off

and on but since starting the IV it has been constant. Runs between 99

and 100 so guess that means the Rocephin is working.

Talk to you soon

L (MI)

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[Guest guest]

--- J & M McCoy <mlmccoy@...> wrote:

> From: " J & M McCoy " <mlmccoy@...>

>

> Hi ,

> I too have always had a high white blood count,

> almost kept me from

> getting a job once when I had the physical. Yet,

> when I attempted to get

> treated for Lyme and had an even higher white blood

> count, the idiot doctors

> I saw didn't seem to mind it.

> Marta

>

>

> Marta-

For the whole 8 months before i found my LLD every time they would

check my white count it would be between 10.5 and went up to 18 within

2 weeks and then down again and up again. I questioned it but was told

once again that it was " lab error " because there was nothing wrong with

me. And then i made the mistake of telling them my white count usually

runs high and so then it was " normal " for me. What a bunch of ******

I am so glad I have my new doc. Told him I would marry him if he wasnt

married already. He said he would settle for hugs. LOL He is such a

wonderful man it makes the drive 21/2 hrs each way worth every min of

it.ESp. when i drove that same 2 1/2 hrs to hear " there is nothing

wrong it is CFS just have to give it time " from someone else.

Take care. L(MI)

>

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/13/02 1:28:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, magena25@... writes:

I read somewhere that people who have Epilepsy have the same size Brain as a Dog. I there any truth to that???

NO!!!

In fact, when started seizing it was right after his head had gone through a major growth spurt. He still has a bigger head than average.

Why would someone say that?

I think I'm posting too much, I'll go clean now. My boys will be home from school soon.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Lamar,

So people with Epilepsy are also Mentally Ill?? So what's the Bad News?? I read somewhere that people who have Epilepsy have the same size Brain as a Dog. I there any truth to that???

Take Care,

Sharon

Re: [ ] Epilepsy & Genetics

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Epilepsy is a mental affliction. Obviously, if you have electrical

storms going off in your brain from time-to-time, you are not as healthy

as you would want to be. Maybe it is just a matter of symantics,

but when I think of someone as being mentally-ill, I think of a person

who is irrational and cannot function in society. People who are

normally mentally ill are not usually regarded as being very intelligent.

However, some of the most remarkable people who have ever lived had epilepsy

- the Great, Julius Ceasar, Napoleon, Van Gogh, among

many others.

So, what is the bad news about epilepsy? The bad news is that

more often than not people with epilepsy do not take take advantage of

the best treatment options. They do not seek to understand why they

have the affliction. Instead, they seek a quick-fix solution to a

problem which may indeed have a long and involved history. What the

bad news about epilepsy? It's that all too often people lose hope

that the future can be brighter than their past.

What's the good news about epilepsy? The good news is that many

people can and do learn to control their siezures with little or no medication.

I am one such person. The good news is that last November the federal

government for the first time in the history of modern medicine endorsed

alternative therapies for treating epilepsy. The good news is that

the Internet presents a way for you to ask questions of the epilepsy professionals

by simply sending e-mail. The good news is that you are not defeated

when you fail; you are only defeated when you quit. So, don't lose

hope that tomorrow can be a better day. Indeed, school is not out

yet. Therefore, don't bother to ring the bell on your life or the

life of someone with epilepsy.

As for your question about people with epilepsy having the same size

brain as a dog, what kind of a dog are we talking about here? What

not a cat, a bird or an ape? Honestly, I don't think brain size matters

so long as there aren't any pieces missing.

Lamar

magena25 wrote:

Hi Lamar,So people with Epilepsy

are also Mentally Ill?? So what's the Bad News?? I read somewhere that

people who have Epilepsy have the same size Brain as a Dog. I there any

truth to that???Take Care,Sharon

Re: [ ] Epilepsy

& Genetics

[Guest guest]

One can only weep to wonder, how many people diagnosed with

schizophrenia, bi-polar, or borderline personality are folks with

undiagnosed TLE. And many of the drugs used to control the symptoms

of " mental illness " lower the seizure threshold. Crazy making is a

more appropriate term. Lamar, did you ever read " The Myth of Mental

Illness, " by , Szasz? May be a lesson or two in it. It's only

been since 1986 that the last state law legalizing forced

sterilization of epileptics was overturned. The myth is slow to die.

Zoe

[Guest guest]

When we speak of mental illness the first thing that comes to mind is this

maniac running around with a knife in his hand (you notice I say his). But

this is far from reality, there are so many variations and forms of mental

illness.

I for one suffer from occasional depression, I do not, however, have any

thoughts of going out to harm others or myself. On the contrary, it would

take a hand granade under my butt to get me to budge when I feel this way.

I noticed that my deppresion is bad after mental and physical exhaustion.

Which I am assuming stems from not having enough chemicals in my body to

carry on, probably because my idea of healthy eating is far from ideal.

However, the message I am trying to get accros is that, just because

depression or some other mental disturbance that affects normal cognitive

function is a precursor to epilepsy that does not mean we should take it to

heart and feel inferior others. Obviosly we ( DX with epilepsy) are very

intelligent people because we are not willing to just sit back and accept the

neurologist' s prognosis " take this, this will hide your seizures and if you

are seizure free in two years you may discontinue " .

Guys, my child was one of the smartest little girls in her class. The reason

I say " was " is because the seizure meds has dampened her ability to think as

quickly as she used to.

I hope my words of encouragement is felt. Chances are whoever wrote that

article that the size of an epileptics brain is that of a dog, probably was a

neurologist because he looked at the CAT scan and noticed that the brain was

large like a dogs brain unlike his own, the size of a pea. It is envy I tell

you.

Hey God bless,

Tracey

[Guest guest]

I think I keep sending Lamar all my E-mail when I push reply. Sorry Lamar, If

you have any previous ones please forward them to the group. Thanks, Tracey

When we speak of mental illness the first thing that comes to mind is this

maniac running around with a knife in his hand (you notice I say his). But

this is far from reality, there are so many variations and forms of mental

illness.

I for one suffer from occasional depression, I do not, however, have any

thoughts of going out to harm others or myself. On the contrary, it would

take a hand granade under my butt to get me to budge when I feel this way.

I noticed that my deppresion is bad after mental and physical exhaustion.

Which I am assuming stems from not having enough chemicals in my body to

carry on, probably because my idea of healthy eating is far from ideal.

However, the message I am trying to get accros is that, just because

depression or some other mental disturbance that affects normal cognitive

function is a precursor to epilepsy that does not mean we should take it to

heart and feel inferior others. Obviosly we ( DX with epilepsy) are very

intelligent people because we are not willing to just sit back and accept the

neurologist' s prognosis " take this, this will hide your seizures and if you

are seizure free in two years you may discontinue " .

Guys, my child was one of the smartest little girls in her class. The reason

I say " was " is because the seizure meds has dampened her ability to think as

quickly as she used to.

I hope my words of encouragement is felt. Chances are whoever wrote that

article that the size of an epileptics brain is that of a dog, probably was a

neurologist because he looked at the CAT scan and noticed that the brain was

large like a dogs brain unlike his own, the size of a pea. It is envy I tell

you.

Hey God bless,

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Dear e,

What a difficult time this must be. I'm so sorry about the Enbrel. I will be praying for "Joe" to feel well and for the Remicade to work wonders if that is the route you decide to go. I hope you find a great new Doc for her. You are in my thoughts.

How exciting about her drivers permit. That is such a monumental time in a young girls life. Ahhh...I remember it well. Try to stay cool. Big hugs.

Ellie and Riley 4 poly

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ellie. We are still waiting on the Enbrel delivery. Rheumy wants us to "wait and see" not to change anything. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that she does well. I need to look into getting a family swim pass for the local pool tos ee if that will help. Oh and we are definetly cool today. Yesterday was 94 degrees (last time we saw over 90 was in 1998) today it was raining off and on and perhaps high 60's. The joys of the northwest. But I absolutely love it here. Thanks for the thoughts. School was out today so it is time to entertain the troops for the summer. e

skyley8@... wrote: Dear e, What a difficult time this must be. I'm so sorry about the Enbrel. I will be praying for "Joe" to feel well and for the Remicade to work wonders if that is the route you decide to go. I hope you find a great new Doc for her. You are in my thoughts. How exciting about her drivers permit. That is such a monumental time in a young girls life. Ahhh...I remember it well. Try to stay cool. Big hugs. Ellie and Riley 4 poly

[Guest guest]

Bruce,

Hang in there, I'm thinking of you. Good idea to move up the

appointment. I do think others have said it can take awhile to feel

the effects, but its good to get it checked out anyway because your

numbers look good to me.

Any other major stresses going on in your life?

Mark

[Guest guest]

Thanks Phil,

Yep, I checked with the doc about upping abtidepressant. I don't

like changing 2 treatments close together, but it's warranted in

this instance. I agree about reduced need for AD meds with

good TRT.

Best,

Bruce

> Bruce I would have to say it is to soon to tell. I would have let

every thing the same unless your Dr. told you to up the AD meds.

When I first went on TRT I was taking the same cocktail you are

and after two months I started lowering the AD meds. And once I

got past the with draw I felt great. Taking AD meds. that you are

taking will drive your T. levels down some. Here's a link. But like

all links they are not the rule.

> http://www.mhsanctuary.com/rx/testos.htm

> Hang in there I know how you feel. It will get better.

> Phil

[Guest guest]

Hello -

Yes, prednisone seems to be a wonder drug for easing symptoms of

RA. It works quickly and dramatically, and it's cheap too!

Unfortunately, they don't let you take a large dosage for very long

because of potential side effects. I am just getting over a strep

throat infection - in addition to antibiotics, I was given a higher

dose of prednisone for a week. I haven't felt so good in such a

long time - almost no pain to speak of and lots of energy! I take a

lot of other meds. for RA, but nothing compares to the prednisone as

a pain reliever. However, it just treats the symptoms, not the

disease.

I had to laugh at your " Dr. Jerk " comment - I think we might go to

the same rheumatologist!!!!!!!!!! in Texas

- In , " tandarat " <mflinder@c...> wrote:

> Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the head

> and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and things

> started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact that

my

> RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

jumped

> from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

three

> months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have rheumatoid

> arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that. Hmph.

>

> So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the next

3

> weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> those results.

>

> How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

icky...would

> the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My ankles

> are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them. Just

> wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting to

> get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though. I

> took my first dose this morning.

>

> Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If it

> is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out at

a

> strange angle.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello -

Yes, prednisone seems to be a wonder drug for easing symptoms of

RA. It works quickly and dramatically, and it's cheap too!

Unfortunately, they don't let you take a large dosage for very long

because of potential side effects. I am just getting over a strep

throat infection - in addition to antibiotics, I was given a higher

dose of prednisone for a week. I haven't felt so good in such a

long time - almost no pain to speak of and lots of energy! I take a

lot of other meds. for RA, but nothing compares to the prednisone as

a pain reliever. However, it just treats the symptoms, not the

disease.

I had to laugh at your " Dr. Jerk " comment - I think we might go to

the same rheumatologist!!!!!!!!!! in Texas

- In , " tandarat " <mflinder@c...> wrote:

> Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the head

> and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and things

> started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact that

my

> RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

jumped

> from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

three

> months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have rheumatoid

> arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that. Hmph.

>

> So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the next

3

> weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> those results.

>

> How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

icky...would

> the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My ankles

> are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them. Just

> wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting to

> get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though. I

> took my first dose this morning.

>

> Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If it

> is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out at

a

> strange angle.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Heehee...I have other names for him, but I think this is a G-rated

forum, so I can't use them here. What is it with some male

doctors? Oh well, at least he's being " nice " to me, now, at least

for the moment.

I gotta tell you, this stuff is magic. I didn't realize how much

pain I've been in until it was gone. I was still a little stiff

today, but I was able to get on my hands and knees with my daughter

and not use " gorilla knuckles " ...my hands went flat on the floor and

were just a little stiff and sore from it...not agonizing like it

was for god knows how long. AND, I was able to check over my

shoulder when backing out the car today! Woohoo! My ankles

remained swollen, but for about half the day the encapsulated

area where they are the worst felt " deflated " ...it was amazing.

AND, I wasn't even tired until about 5pm! Usually I'm ready to just

throw in the towel by 10am. I couldn't believe it. Of course, I

couldn't do much because this stupid sleep meds he put me on kept me

dizzy and feeling funky until about 3pm, but I'm hoping that gets

better in a few days. Last prescription was fine after about 2

days. I took it early tonight to help combat most of it. I'm

getting sore again this evening...is that normal? Does pred. build

up in your system, or just not give you 24 hour relief? I'm taking

it once a day, and could call to ask if I could split it into two

doses, if that's allowed.

My daughter just started walking, too, so this is great timing...I

was able to keep up with her today . I don't think she's seen me

in such a good mood before...she keeps coming up to me and giving me

big hugs. She definitely is seeing a difference, too.

> > Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the

head

> > and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and

things

> > started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact

that

> my

> > RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

> jumped

> > from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> > ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> > swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> > actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

> three

> > months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> > thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have

rheumatoid

> > arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that.

Hmph.

> >

> > So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> > which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> > prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the

next

> 3

> > weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> > rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> > those results.

> >

> > How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> > effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

> icky...would

> > the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My

ankles

> > are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them.

Just

> > wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting

to

> > get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though.

I

> > took my first dose this morning.

> >

> > Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> > particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If

it

> > is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> > damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> > almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out

at

> a

> > strange angle.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Heehee...I have other names for him, but I think this is a G-rated

forum, so I can't use them here. What is it with some male

doctors? Oh well, at least he's being " nice " to me, now, at least

for the moment.

I gotta tell you, this stuff is magic. I didn't realize how much

pain I've been in until it was gone. I was still a little stiff

today, but I was able to get on my hands and knees with my daughter

and not use " gorilla knuckles " ...my hands went flat on the floor and

were just a little stiff and sore from it...not agonizing like it

was for god knows how long. AND, I was able to check over my

shoulder when backing out the car today! Woohoo! My ankles

remained swollen, but for about half the day the encapsulated

area where they are the worst felt " deflated " ...it was amazing.

AND, I wasn't even tired until about 5pm! Usually I'm ready to just

throw in the towel by 10am. I couldn't believe it. Of course, I

couldn't do much because this stupid sleep meds he put me on kept me

dizzy and feeling funky until about 3pm, but I'm hoping that gets

better in a few days. Last prescription was fine after about 2

days. I took it early tonight to help combat most of it. I'm

getting sore again this evening...is that normal? Does pred. build

up in your system, or just not give you 24 hour relief? I'm taking

it once a day, and could call to ask if I could split it into two

doses, if that's allowed.

My daughter just started walking, too, so this is great timing...I

was able to keep up with her today . I don't think she's seen me

in such a good mood before...she keeps coming up to me and giving me

big hugs. She definitely is seeing a difference, too.

> > Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the

head

> > and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and

things

> > started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact

that

> my

> > RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

> jumped

> > from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> > ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> > swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> > actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

> three

> > months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> > thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have

rheumatoid

> > arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that.

Hmph.

> >

> > So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> > which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> > prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the

next

> 3

> > weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> > rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> > those results.

> >

> > How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> > effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

> icky...would

> > the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My

ankles

> > are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them.

Just

> > wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting

to

> > get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though.

I

> > took my first dose this morning.

> >

> > Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> > particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If

it

> > is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> > damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> > almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out

at

> a

> > strange angle.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

, I have to take Prednisone when needed. I don't take it routinely.

The one thing I don't like about it is it causes you to gain

weight.......Joyce M

[ ] Re: Good news/bad news

Hello -

Yes, prednisone seems to be a wonder drug for easing symptoms of

RA. It works quickly and dramatically, and it's cheap too!

Unfortunately, they don't let you take a large dosage for very long

because of potential side effects. I am just getting over a strep

throat infection - in addition to antibiotics, I was given a higher

dose of prednisone for a week. I haven't felt so good in such a

long time - almost no pain to speak of and lots of energy! I take a

lot of other meds. for RA, but nothing compares to the prednisone as

a pain reliever. However, it just treats the symptoms, not the

disease.

I had to laugh at your " Dr. Jerk " comment - I think we might go to

the same rheumatologist!!!!!!!!!! in Texas

- In , " tandarat " <mflinder@c...> wrote:

> Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the head

> and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and things

> started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact that

my

> RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

jumped

> from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

three

> months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have rheumatoid

> arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that. Hmph.

>

> So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the next

3

> weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> those results.

>

> How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

icky...would

> the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My ankles

> are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them. Just

> wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting to

> get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though. I

> took my first dose this morning.

>

> Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If it

> is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out at

a

> strange angle.

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I have to take Prednisone when needed. I don't take it routinely.

The one thing I don't like about it is it causes you to gain

weight.......Joyce M

[ ] Re: Good news/bad news

Hello -

Yes, prednisone seems to be a wonder drug for easing symptoms of

RA. It works quickly and dramatically, and it's cheap too!

Unfortunately, they don't let you take a large dosage for very long

because of potential side effects. I am just getting over a strep

throat infection - in addition to antibiotics, I was given a higher

dose of prednisone for a week. I haven't felt so good in such a

long time - almost no pain to speak of and lots of energy! I take a

lot of other meds. for RA, but nothing compares to the prednisone as

a pain reliever. However, it just treats the symptoms, not the

disease.

I had to laugh at your " Dr. Jerk " comment - I think we might go to

the same rheumatologist!!!!!!!!!! in Texas

- In , " tandarat " <mflinder@c...> wrote:

> Well, saw " Dr. Jerk " , the rheumatologist who patted me on the head

> and only reluctantly sent me off for more blood tests, and things

> started much the same with this visit (he dismissed the fact that

my

> RF doubled in three weeks and, at first, anyway, that my ESR

jumped

> from 40 to 50 in the same amount of time). Then I showed him my

> ankles. He took one look and said, " WOW, those really are

> swollen! " Uh, Yaaaaa. I didn't bother to tell him that they

> actually looked better in the last few days than they have in

three

> months. He felt around one the right one, which is not a smart

> thing to do (OWWW), and said, " Well, maybe you do have rheumatoid

> arthritis.... " Sheesh. He was very nice to me after that. Hmph.

>

> So, I'm now on a different " sleep med " (still an antidepressant,

> which I don't care for, but it does help me sleep), and 20 mg of

> prednisone a day, which will be brought down to 5 mg over the next

3

> weeks. I also had xrays of my hands, feet, and chest (he said to

> rule something out, but wouldn't say what...), so am waiting for

> those results.

>

> How long does prednisone take to work, and how dramatic are the

> effects? I'm also really dizzy today, and feel kind of

icky...would

> the pred cause that, or should I blame the sleep meds? My ankles

> are not really sore at all, today, even if I press on them. Just

> wondering if the pred can work that quickly, or if I'm starting to

> get a little better on my own. Swelling is still there, though. I

> took my first dose this morning.

>

> Anyway, I'm glad he's taking me seriously, though I'm not

> particularly happy about getting a dx, for obvious reasons. If it

> is RA, I do hope they caught it early enough to prevent severe

> damage...I'm worried about my right ankle, since it is painful

> almost all the time, now, and my foot is starting to stick out at

a

> strange angle.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just returned from another stay at the hospital, 5 days. This time I think it

was just Asthma,

not pneumonia and influenza. I work in old mold ridden buildings, lots of kids

and staff, and

the Dr. reminded me this is the worst time of the year for me, plus fires all

over Oklahoma.

Got my Xolair into me so hope that helps.

The good news is I think I finally quit kicking, screaming, sniveling,

whining,(or not) and

have come to some realizations that no matter how badly I want it, I can't make

my asthma

go away, I can just deal with it. I have a good Dr so he's helping. By the way

the buildings

where I work got re-roofed, including mine, someone said that set them off.

Maybe I'll go to the desert and be a hermit.

Things will be better and the first thing I did when I got home was get on this

site and read

all the " good stuff " , you guys are great!

Ron