New to the group

August 30, 2007

Hello new to group, I started coming here a couple of

months ago for I have just started Xolair injections.

What I am going to say may sound harsh, but they are

things I have experienced personally.

I had childhood asthma, I spent weeks and months in a

respiratory sanitarium in the 1960's. I grew up

hearing " won't she grow out of it? " . I may have had

intermittent years as an adult where my asthma was

minimal, but I wouldn't call that outgrowing it.

I believe what impeded my health improving was my

parents and my environment. I don't fault them for the

small house heated by a propane space heater, the

carpeting on the cement floor, or the contact paper in

the shower that harbored mold. My parents were working

poor and did the very best they could.

What I do resent them for was a childhood inhaling

second hand smoke. And for the chinchilla's they

thought they'd try and breed in the back room. The

doctor at sanitarium threatened to take them to court

to have me removed from the home and placed in foster

care to save my life. The chinchilla's were

begrudgingly removed, but the smoking continued until

I went to college, got married and moved out. I know

nothing about your household or situation... but I

cringe when I see sick children with parents that

smoke and/or have cats/dogs/birds.

Become aware of things that will make them sick - I

don't go to parks or picnics where they have barbque

grills for the smell of lighter fluid will put me

right into an attack. I avoid visiting in homes with

wood stoves and fireplaces. I'm not shy about asking

hosts to not light those candles even if they are

unscented, don't burn potpourri or use air freshener.

Around your home don't vacuum when your child is home,

don't use cleaning products around them, don't use

hairspray in the bathroom. Get rid of houseplants,

pillows that can not be washed and other dust

collectors.

Granted, there are things you will not be able to

change, such as where you live (whether it be pollen

or smog or adverse climate conditions).

I have been on steroids for over 30 years. I am now 52

and have been on disability for twenty years. Please

don't wait for your child to outgrow it. Do everything

you possibly can to improve the environment of your

home so this in combination with medical treatment

will give your child the best chance - I know you are

good caring parents that is why you are coming to this

forum and I applaud you for reaching out.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7

August 30, 2007

--- In , Joy VanSleet <jclutterbuster@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello new to group, I started coming here a couple of

> months ago for I have just started Xolair injections.

> What I am going to say may sound harsh, but they are

> things I have experienced personally.

>

> I had childhood asthma, I spent weeks and months in a

> respiratory sanitarium in the 1960's. I grew up

> hearing " won't she grow out of it? " . I may have had

> intermittent years as an adult where my asthma was

> minimal, but I wouldn't call that outgrowing it.

>

> I believe what impeded my health improving was my

> parents and my environment. I don't fault them for the

> small house heated by a propane space heater, the

> carpeting on the cement floor, or the contact paper in

> the shower that harbored mold. My parents were working

> poor and did the very best they could.

>

> What I do resent them for was a childhood inhaling

> second hand smoke. And for the chinchilla's they

> thought they'd try and breed in the back room. The

> doctor at sanitarium threatened to take them to court

> to have me removed from the home and placed in foster

> care to save my life. The chinchilla's were

> begrudgingly removed, but the smoking continued until

> I went to college, got married and moved out. I know

> nothing about your household or situation... but I

> cringe when I see sick children with parents that

> smoke and/or have cats/dogs/birds.

>

> Become aware of things that will make them sick - I

> don't go to parks or picnics where they have barbque

> grills for the smell of lighter fluid will put me

> right into an attack. I avoid visiting in homes with

> wood stoves and fireplaces. I'm not shy about asking

> hosts to not light those candles even if they are

> unscented, don't burn potpourri or use air freshener.

> Around your home don't vacuum when your child is home,

> don't use cleaning products around them, don't use

> hairspray in the bathroom. Get rid of houseplants,

> pillows that can not be washed and other dust

> collectors.

>

> Granted, there are things you will not be able to

> change, such as where you live (whether it be pollen

> or smog or adverse climate conditions).

>

> I have been on steroids for over 30 years. I am now 52

> and have been on disability for twenty years. Please

> don't wait for your child to outgrow it. Do everything

> you possibly can to improve the environment of your

> home so this in combination with medical treatment

> will give your child the best chance - I know you are

> good caring parents that is why you are coming to this

> forum and I applaud you for reaching out.

>

That was a great post! Thank you for sharing.

After reading your post, I was surfing the news sites

and saw this:

http://news./s/ap/20070829/ap_on_he_me/asthma_guidelines;_ylt=Aq0atQcwU\

6BGTgXXHFS1qYes0NUE

It says a few good things about parental things to do.

Doug

Group founder

August 30, 2007

My dad used to have a brass plate that he would burn a

pill on and inhale the fumes - probably the same stuff

as the powder. Years later my mom, who was a ward

clerk at the hospital, asked about this post WWII

treatment and she was told it was a mild hallucinogen.

We all had a good laugh about that. My dad had very

bad asthma as a child, was housebound and missed two

grades in school before he dropped out. At 18 he went

into the Koren War and had no problems until he

returned stateside. Didn't make any sense.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Need a vacation? Get great deals

to amazing places on Travel.

http://travel./

August 30, 2007

I haven't deployed to Iraq but I hear Soldiers are coming back with asthma and

other breathing problems because of the sand storms. So, yes, soldier wheeze

and sneeze confronting the enemy.

Carol Corley <mybouvs@...> wrote: How do they expect you to perform

your job if you are disabled by asthma and allergies? I can't imagine trying to

confront an enemy while wheezing and sneezing.

Carol

Dineen wrote:

The Army does not assign Soldiers based on their medical needs. They assign

Soldiers based on the needs of the Army or if a Soldier reenlist for a duty

station of choice. I notice when I lived in San ,Texas and Enterprise,

Alabama my asthma and allergies were manageable where as Oklahoma and Kansas, my

asthma and allergies are horrible.

August 30, 2007

Thanks for the truth. I am the sickly one in the house, not my children. I

just bought my first home with wall to wall carpet. I had a RAST test a month

ago and I am highly allergic to dust mites. I am also allergic to some trees,

grass and my dog. I had the skin test today and the dustmites again (of course)

but my reactions to trees and grass didn't reacted as much as the nurse

expected, comparing the RAST test. I did another RAST test, because with the

first one I was taking allergy meds, this week I didn't.

I had carpet in Alabama but my allergies to dust mites are worst here. I

start to get sick just stroking the broom across the kitchen floor 3 or 4 times.

I can't wait to move. The humidity of living neither coast (east or south) help

me also.

Joy VanSleet <jclutterbuster@...> wrote:

Hello new to group, I started coming here a couple of

months ago for I have just started Xolair injections.

What I am going to say may sound harsh, but they are

things I have experienced personally.

I had childhood asthma, I spent weeks and months in a

respiratory sanitarium in the 1960's. I grew up

hearing " won't she grow out of it? " . I may have had

intermittent years as an adult where my asthma was

minimal, but I wouldn't call that outgrowing it.

I believe what impeded my health improving was my

parents and my environment. I don't fault them for the

small house heated by a propane space heater, the

carpeting on the cement floor, or the contact paper in

the shower that harbored mold. My parents were working

poor and did the very best they could.

What I do resent them for was a childhood inhaling

second hand smoke. And for the chinchilla's they

thought they'd try and breed in the back room. The

doctor at sanitarium threatened to take them to court

to have me removed from the home and placed in foster

care to save my life. The chinchilla's were

begrudgingly removed, but the smoking continued until

I went to college, got married and moved out. I know

nothing about your household or situation... but I

cringe when I see sick children with parents that

smoke and/or have cats/dogs/birds.

Become aware of things that will make them sick - I

don't go to parks or picnics where they have barbque

grills for the smell of lighter fluid will put me

right into an attack. I avoid visiting in homes with

wood stoves and fireplaces. I'm not shy about asking

hosts to not light those candles even if they are

unscented, don't burn potpourri or use air freshener.

Around your home don't vacuum when your child is home,

don't use cleaning products around them, don't use

hairspray in the bathroom. Get rid of houseplants,

pillows that can not be washed and other dust

collectors.

Granted, there are things you will not be able to

change, such as where you live (whether it be pollen

or smog or adverse climate conditions).

I have been on steroids for over 30 years. I am now 52

and have been on disability for twenty years. Please

don't wait for your child to outgrow it. Do everything

you possibly can to improve the environment of your

home so this in combination with medical treatment

will give your child the best chance - I know you are

good caring parents that is why you are coming to this

forum and I applaud you for reaching out.

__________________________________________________________

Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7

---------------------------------

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV.

August 31, 2007

Dineen,

If you're not already doing this, I suggest buying paper surgical

masks at a drug store and try wearing one when you clean and for at

least an hour or so after. This may help you tolerate the dust mites

you stir up much better. The discard the mask, don't try to reuse it.

The masks come in two types. The white conical ones are more

effective in excluding particles but not everyone can tolerate them

(I'm allergic to them). The other type is the blue or yellow

rectangular paper type. I hope this will help you. The other thing

you can try is to damp-mop rather than sweep.

Fran

> Hello new to group, I started coming here a couple of

> months ago for I have just started Xolair injections.

> What I am going to say may sound harsh, but they are

> things I have experienced personally.

>

> I had childhood asthma, I spent weeks and months in a

> respiratory sanitarium in the 1960's. I grew up

> hearing " won't she grow out of it? " . I may have had

> intermittent years as an adult where my asthma was

> minimal, but I wouldn't call that outgrowing it.

>

> I believe what impeded my health improving was my

> parents and my environment. I don't fault them for the

> small house heated by a propane space heater, the

> carpeting on the cement floor, or the contact paper in

> the shower that harbored mold. My parents were working

> poor and did the very best they could.

>

> What I do resent them for was a childhood inhaling

> second hand smoke. And for the chinchilla's they

> thought they'd try and breed in the back room. The

> doctor at sanitarium threatened to take them to court

> to have me removed from the home and placed in foster

> care to save my life. The chinchilla's were

> begrudgingly removed, but the smoking continued until

> I went to college, got married and moved out. I know

> nothing about your household or situation... but I

> cringe when I see sick children with parents that

> smoke and/or have cats/dogs/birds.

>

> Become aware of things that will make them sick - I

> don't go to parks or picnics where they have barbque

> grills for the smell of lighter fluid will put me

> right into an attack. I avoid visiting in homes with

> wood stoves and fireplaces. I'm not shy about asking

> hosts to not light those candles even if they are

> unscented, don't burn potpourri or use air freshener.

> Around your home don't vacuum when your child is home,

> don't use cleaning products around them, don't use

> hairspray in the bathroom. Get rid of houseplants,

> pillows that can not be washed and other dust

> collectors.

>

> Granted, there are things you will not be able to

> change, such as where you live (whether it be pollen

> or smog or adverse climate conditions).

>

> I have been on steroids for over 30 years. I am now 52

> and have been on disability for twenty years. Please

> don't wait for your child to outgrow it. Do everything

> you possibly can to improve the environment of your

> home so this in combination with medical treatment

> will give your child the best chance - I know you are

> good caring parents that is why you are coming to this

> forum and I applaud you for reaching out.

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel

today! http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7

>

> ---------------------------------

> Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on

TV.

>

September 1, 2007

A good friend of mine who teaches in the language school was sent to Iraq for

three months. she already had asthma before she went, but it was so bad when

she got back that it took her several weeks to recover and gain some of her

strength back. She thinks it was the dust also.

dineen parker <dineen2323@...> wrote: I haven't deployed to Iraq

but I hear Soldiers are coming back with asthma and other breathing problems

because of the sand storms. So, yes, soldier wheeze and sneeze confronting the

enemy.

Carol Corley <mybouvs@...> wrote: How do they expect you to perform your job

if you are disabled by asthma and allergies? I can't imagine trying to confront

an enemy while wheezing and sneezing.

Carol

Dineen wrote:

The Army does not assign Soldiers based on their medical needs. They assign

Soldiers based on the needs of the Army or if a Soldier reenlist for a duty

station of choice. I notice when I lived in San ,Texas and Enterprise,

Alabama my asthma and allergies were manageable where as Oklahoma and Kansas, my

asthma and allergies are horrible.

June 25, 2008

Kim,

Welcome to the group!

Addy

>

> Hi,

>

> I was just approved for Xolair. I have been on inhaled steroids all

> my life and frequently take oral steriods (prednisone). The result of

> 44 years (first asthma attack at 6 months of age) of this kind of

> abuse is lack of hair on my body, I am shorter than the rest of my

> brothers and sisters, I have a hump on my neck (since grade school)

> and overweight. In the last two years I have had severe winter

> infections and my overall health has declined. I also have sleep apnea.

>

> Is there anyone that has had severe asthma and has been able to leave

> the steroid inhalers behind?

>

> Kim in Utah

>

July 9, 2008

Welcome to the group!

Before starting Xolair I had allergic migraines on a near daily basis

and was taking between 7 and 11 medicines a day, depending on whether

or not I had an active infection, which I had once every 4-6 weeks.

I told my husband that I had to try it. The risk-benefit analysis

for me made Xolair a no-brainer.

I am 40 years old and thanks to years on pred I've got osteoporosis

and very high BP and have to take meds for both. Now I have to take

pred maybe twice a year, as opposed to averaging a taper per month

pre-Xolair.

I have tried long-term antibiotic therapy without significant results.

The treatment of adrenal dysfunction is usually more pred. I did

have mild adrenal dysfunction when I came off pred when the Xolair

started working. I wasn't about to take more pred. That passed

after a couple of months of just sticking it out.

I've been on Xolair for five years, and it's really improved the

quality of my life - drastically.

Good luck making your decision; please let us know what you decide.

Addy

Group co-owner

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I'm not taking Xolair as of yet, however, my allergist is pushing me

> to try it. I've been researching and found this group. I've read

> many of your comments and appreciate the information available

here.

>

> I had allergies as a child and have had, over my 61 years of life,

> three different series of antigens. I only finished one of them and

> it was the first I had as a child. In 1994 I was officially

diagnosed

> with asthma and they recommended I discontinue the antigens

believing

> that they would make matters worse.

>

> I was recently retested for allergies since we have moved from WY to

> OK (yes I know it's almost the allergy capitol of the world and yes

I

> can't believe we moved here either!!). Anyway, I reacted to most of

> the things except mold. Nothing new there.

>

> The truth is, however, that I haven't had many overt allergy

symptoms

> here in OK. I rarely sneeze, or have watery eyes or any of the

> typical symptoms. The times I am most sick are from about NOV to

> MARCH and it was the same in WY. I get sick with asthma after I've

> been exposed to some bug or virus. Usually I go on a course of oral

> Prednisone and sometimes antibiotics, however I can't take most of

> them because of allergy to them or intolerance. Then I'll be back

on

> my maintenance drugs (Symbicort, Singulair, Allegra, Flonase)and

prior

> to this past year I didn't take many of these except Symbicort.

>

> This past year, however, things didn't go that way and I've been on

> oral prednisone a LOT. I'd get over one infection only to have

> another one. Also last May I had complete sinus surgery and four

> weeks after that they found pseudomonas in my sinuses and it was

still

> there in August when it was last cultured. They tried Quinolones

and

> Zithromax. They tried inhaled antobiotics. For the asthma I was

on a

> nebulizer for the first time (Xopenex). They change inhalers from

> Serevent/Pulmicort to Symbicort. Nothing was working very well.

> Finally this spring my pulmonoligist started me on Zyflo CR and that

> was a wonder drug. Only problem is that it can cause liver enzymes

to

> rise and mine did from 19-47 in 24 days. So I came off of that.

Now,

> I am staring Xolair in the face.......

>

> Other problems: BP out of control - taking Cozaar;

>

> Weight on the rise and seemingly out of control especially in the

past

> three months when they doubled my inhaler dosage;

>

> Hypothyroid - Synthroid for this (been on it since late 20's)

>

> GERD - Prevacid

>

> Osteoporosis - Not taking any drug for this yet...they tired and I

> refused for now.

>

> In reading some of your messages, I find that many of you are much

> sicker than I am.....or at least you have been. I question if my

> physicians have completely looked at all of the possibilities

besides

> this drug. Have any of you had 2nd generation macrolide antibiotics

> or 2nd generation Quinolones or Doxycycline therapy that is given

over

> an extended period of time? Have any of you had antibody

deficiency?

> Have you had adrenal dysfunction and treatment for that? These are

> all areas I think should be explored before I put this drug in my

> body. I am very leery of Xolair and this is why:

>

> This drug is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1k monoclonal

> antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing the

> spleen cells from a mouse that has been immunized with the desired

> antigen with myeloma cells. However, recent advances have allowed

the

> use of rabbit B-cells. Hybridoma are cells that have been

engineered

> to produce a desired antibody in large amounts. To produce

monoclonal

> antibodies, B-cells are removed from the spleen of an animal that

has

> been challenged with the relevant antigen. These B-cells are then

> fused with myeloma tumor cells that can grow indefinitely in culture

> (myeloma is a B-cell cancer). This fusion is performed by making the

> cell membranes more permeable. The fused hybrid cells (called

> hybridomas), being cancer cells, will multiply rapidly and

> indefinitely and will produce large amounts of the desired

antibodies.

>

> Being in the medical field all of my life, I've seen a change in how

> drugs are tested and approved. They have been accelerating that

> process and all you have to do is look at all of the drugs recently

> recalled to realize that. I have become exceedingly leery of BIG

> PHARMA. In regard to Xolair, it isn't completely known what IgE

does

> and by eliminating it or reducing it, I could be putting myself at

> risk down the road. Besides that, there is a lack of sufficient

> information on the long-term effectiveness and side effects for

it.

>

> Sooooooooo, I'm open to your comments or anything that will help me

> walk through this process. I know Prednisone is slowly taking my

life

> away and I need to eliminate it...or at least reduce it as much as

> possible. I also realize that I am heading down a hole here if

> something isn't done. I'd also be open to hear if any of you have

> tried homeopathic treatments and if there are any that truly work.

>

> Feeling helpless and in OK,

>

> RIV

>

July 9, 2008

Welcome to OK and the group.

Pre-Xolair I was hospitalized several times for Asthma related

complications, almost died once, maybe twice. Since Xolair I have not

been back to the hospital. The other medications I take have far worse

adverse effects then Xolair. My overall health care is a combination

of various medically recognized and approved treatments. It would be

nice if all of them were 100% guaranteed now and 10 years from now.

However my alternative, not being treated, is not an option for me.

I have been taking Xolair for three years, no adverse reactions, and

will continue to take it as I also feel the risk-benefit analysis is a

no brainer.

Ron

On Jul 9, 2008, at 6:03 AM, pyle456 wrote:

> Welcome to the group!

>

> Before starting Xolair I had allergic migraines on a near daily basis

> and was taking between 7 and 11 medicines a day, depending on whether

> or not I had an active infection, which I had once every 4-6 weeks.

>

> I told my husband that I had to try it. The risk-benefit analysis

> for me made Xolair a no-brainer.

>

> I am 40 years old and thanks to years on pred I've got osteoporosis

> and very high BP and have to take meds for both. Now I have to take

> pred maybe twice a year, as opposed to averaging a taper per month

> pre-Xolair.

>

> I have tried long-term antibiotic therapy without significant results.

>

> The treatment of adrenal dysfunction is usually more pred. I did

> have mild adrenal dysfunction when I came off pred when the Xolair

> started working. I wasn't about to take more pred. That passed

> after a couple of months of just sticking it out.

>

> I've been on Xolair for five years, and it's really improved the

> quality of my life - drastically.

>

> Good luck making your decision; please let us know what you decide.

>

> Addy

> Group co-owner

>

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I'm not taking Xolair as of yet, however, my allergist is pushing me

> > to try it. I've been researching and found this group. I've read

> > many of your comments and appreciate the information available

> here.

> >

> > I had allergies as a child and have had, over my 61 years of life,

> > three different series of antigens. I only finished one of them and

> > it was the first I had as a child. In 1994 I was officially

> diagnosed

> > with asthma and they recommended I discontinue the antigens

> believing

> > that they would make matters worse.

> >

> > I was recently retested for allergies since we have moved from WY to

> > OK (yes I know it's almost the allergy capitol of the world and yes

> I

> > can't believe we moved here either!!). Anyway, I reacted to most of

> > the things except mold. Nothing new there.

> >

> > The truth is, however, that I haven't had many overt allergy

> symptoms

> > here in OK. I rarely sneeze, or have watery eyes or any of the

> > typical symptoms. The times I am most sick are from about NOV to

> > MARCH and it was the same in WY. I get sick with asthma after I've

> > been exposed to some bug or virus. Usually I go on a course of oral

> > Prednisone and sometimes antibiotics, however I can't take most of

> > them because of allergy to them or intolerance. Then I'll be back

> on

> > my maintenance drugs (Symbicort, Singulair, Allegra, Flonase)and

> prior

> > to this past year I didn't take many of these except Symbicort.

> >

> > This past year, however, things didn't go that way and I've been on

> > oral prednisone a LOT. I'd get over one infection only to have

> > another one. Also last May I had complete sinus surgery and four

> > weeks after that they found pseudomonas in my sinuses and it was

> still

> > there in August when it was last cultured. They tried Quinolones

> and

> > Zithromax. They tried inhaled antobiotics. For the asthma I was

> on a

> > nebulizer for the first time (Xopenex). They change inhalers from

> > Serevent/Pulmicort to Symbicort. Nothing was working very well.

> > Finally this spring my pulmonoligist started me on Zyflo CR and that

> > was a wonder drug. Only problem is that it can cause liver enzymes

> to

> > rise and mine did from 19-47 in 24 days. So I came off of that.

> Now,

> > I am staring Xolair in the face.......

> >

> > Other problems: BP out of control - taking Cozaar;

> >

> > Weight on the rise and seemingly out of control especially in the

> past

> > three months when they doubled my inhaler dosage;

> >

> > Hypothyroid - Synthroid for this (been on it since late 20's)

> >

> > GERD - Prevacid

> >

> > Osteoporosis - Not taking any drug for this yet...they tired and I

> > refused for now.

> >

> > In reading some of your messages, I find that many of you are much

> > sicker than I am.....or at least you have been. I question if my

> > physicians have completely looked at all of the possibilities

> besides

> > this drug. Have any of you had 2nd generation macrolide antibiotics

> > or 2nd generation Quinolones or Doxycycline therapy that is given

> over

> > an extended period of time? Have any of you had antibody

> deficiency?

> > Have you had adrenal dysfunction and treatment for that? These are

> > all areas I think should be explored before I put this drug in my

> > body. I am very leery of Xolair and this is why:

> >

> > This drug is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1k monoclonal

> > antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing the

> > spleen cells from a mouse that has been immunized with the desired

> > antigen with myeloma cells. However, recent advances have allowed

> the

> > use of rabbit B-cells. Hybridoma are cells that have been

> engineered

> > to produce a desired antibody in large amounts. To produce

> monoclonal

> > antibodies, B-cells are removed from the spleen of an animal that

> has

> > been challenged with the relevant antigen. These B-cells are then

> > fused with myeloma tumor cells that can grow indefinitely in culture

> > (myeloma is a B-cell cancer). This fusion is performed by making the

> > cell membranes more permeable. The fused hybrid cells (called

> > hybridomas), being cancer cells, will multiply rapidly and

> > indefinitely and will produce large amounts of the desired

> antibodies.

> >

> > Being in the medical field all of my life, I've seen a change in how

> > drugs are tested and approved. They have been accelerating that

> > process and all you have to do is look at all of the drugs recently

> > recalled to realize that. I have become exceedingly leery of BIG

> > PHARMA. In regard to Xolair, it isn't completely known what IgE

> does

> > and by eliminating it or reducing it, I could be putting myself at

> > risk down the road. Besides that, there is a lack of sufficient

> > information on the long-term effectiveness and side effects for

> it.

> >

> > Sooooooooo, I'm open to your comments or anything that will help me

> > walk through this process. I know Prednisone is slowly taking my

> life

> > away and I need to eliminate it...or at least reduce it as much as

> > possible. I also realize that I am heading down a hole here if

> > something isn't done. I'd also be open to hear if any of you have

> > tried homeopathic treatments and if there are any that truly work.

> >

> > Feeling helpless and in OK,

> >

> > RIV

> >

>

January 11, 2009

Hi everyone, my name is Robyn and I am new here and have questions. I

was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but I seem to have all the symptoms of

rheumatoid. Did anyone have the same problem with their diagnosous? I

am having problems with bursitis (my spelling is not very good) I am on

my second bout with my one knee. Has anyone every heard the word

trigger finger to discribe stiffness and my thumb gets stuck in a

bending position? I had a blood test and the doctor ruled out

rheumatoid and said it was fibromyalgia, could I be right in my own

diagnosous.

Thanks

Robyn

April 26, 2009

Hi Robyn, As with others on the list, I only received your email recently.

I'm 31 and have had RA for almost 10 years. It took 13 doctors 2.5 months to diagnose me. One doctor told me he ruled out RA and thought I had lupus. It wasn't until I was diagnosed by a rheumy that I was told tested negative for the rheumatoid factor meant nothing. I was originally diagnosed with carpal tunnel, which later turned out to be my first RA symptom. Also, I had dislocated my knee when I was younger and that was probably my first RA episode. Take care,Steph in VA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~From: <rhenry41@...> Subject: New to the groupDate: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 11:31 AM