New to group

[Guest guest]

It can take a long time for some children to be diagnosed with apraxia

because of the lack of knowledge. For me I was the one who suggested the

diagnosis to the therapist after reading info from the apraxia web site. My

son had all of the symptoms. I have learned more on the web site and from

all of the wonderful parents and grandparents on this list.

THANKS TO YOU ALL!

Sign language has been a life saver for my son. It allowed him to

communicate when he had no verbal communication and decreased frustration.

He started out with just the sign and would then start to say the word with

the sign. It seemed to reinforce the word in his mind. Eventually he

dropped the sign. My husband and I used the signs he knew even when talking

to each other. Our relatives also learned the most basic signs. It really

helped.

Hope this helps!

NOTE Since he has started on the ProEFA and speech therapy he has started

talking more and signing less.

[Guest guest]

Sometimes alot longer. My son is 4.4 now and still isn't diagnosed with

anything. they just say he is severly speech delayed. He has been in

therapy for over 2 years. He is just now being tested for apraxia.

stacy

> I am the mother of a wonderful 2 year old who has just very recently

> been diagnosed with apraxia. He has been in speech therapy since

> April but they have just now decided that apraxia is the root of the

> problem. Does it normally take that long to diagnose the problem?

> They have been teaching him some sign language in therapy which seems

> to have helped with his frustration over communicating; from your

> experience, will sign language discourage him from even trying to

> communicate verbally?

>

> I appreciate any input. I am so happy to have found this group - I

> have felt very lost and afraid for my son for the past few days.

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hey !! Where are you from?? Maybe there are some people in your area

that are on the listserve that would offer you support and help. We all

know exactly what you are going through, and we know it is not easy. But

with friends you will make on this listserve, and the information and

support you will receive, you and your son will be okay. My son also

learned sign language and it was the best decision we made! His frustration

went way down and it actually encouraged him to talk!! Even though you are

signing with him, continue talking with him and exagerate (sp) the word you

are signing. He will soon be trying to say the word why he is signing it!!

Good Luck - and we are all here if you need us!

Carnell

North Carolina

www.verbaldyspraxia.com

CHERAB outreach coordinator

> I am the mother of a wonderful 2 year old who has just very recently

> been diagnosed with apraxia. He has been in speech therapy since

> April but they have just now decided that apraxia is the root of the

> problem. Does it normally take that long to diagnose the problem?

> They have been teaching him some sign language in therapy which seems

> to have helped with his frustration over communicating; from your

> experience, will sign language discourage him from even trying to

> communicate verbally?

>

>

[Guest guest]

<snip>

Does it normally take that long to diagnose the problem?

-- my son will be 3 in Sept and was in therapy (speech

and oral motor) for 7 months before I was told apraxia was the

issue. It took that long for to respond to the therapists and

the therapists to observe what they needed to make the

determination. It was always -- is he not responding because he

CAN'T or WON'T?

Welcome to the group!

Margaret...'s Mom

[Guest guest]

Hi Hillary and welcome to the group! Sounds like you really have gotten the

ball rolling in pursuing treatment for your son - Good job! I wish you good

luck with your insurance appeals - keep after them - that's what we did and

ultimately it worked out for us! (5 months later!!)

I agree that momma does know best when it comes to our babies. No one knows a

baby like their mom and after all, mom is the very best advocate that a child

will ever have!

Keep us posted!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

Hillary:

Hi & welcome to our group! I'm glad Cranial Tech referred you to

us! I'm glad the hard part of these bands is over for you, that

being the casting! I hope that went well. will soon be

having a rounder head! You sure do sound like a very alert mom who

has gone out of your way to assure your son gets the treatment he

deserves & needs.

I can't input any insurance tips to get them to pay. All I suggest

is to never give up. Keep appealing & appealing. They might

eventually get sick of you & fork out the dough!

My daughter was (still is) a huge baby, she was just 7lbs 3oz at

birth, but at 6 mos she was 24 lbs - close to your son.

Your son is at a good age to receive his band.

Please be sure to let us know how his fitting goes & how he adjusts

to the band - I'm sure he'll be just fine in it, it's very rare for

children not to adjust well to it, very rare! Be sure to post some

pictures of him as soon as you get them. I love looking at cute

babies.

Good lcuk & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

> Hi everyone, I was referred to this great board by my clinician at

> Crainial Tech. My 6 month old was casted last Thursday. My husband

> and I were the ones who pushed the Ped to give us a referral to the

> specialist that I found by researching, I found him on the CT

website

> and he diagnosed with Positional Plagio, we know it was not

> from sleeping on his back, he was born that way and slept on the

> opposite side and for 2 months has been sleeping on his side and

> tummy. We got the script for the band when he was 4 months, CT put

in

> the info to my insurance (Cigna HMO of S. Florida), the insurance

> people told me before hand that they would cover the cost if there

> was a script. Well, they turned it down, almost 2 months later, so

we

> went ahead and did it anyway. We are paying out of pocket now and

are

> in the process of the 1st appeal. I know that two cases were

approved

> 2 weeks ago, so there is hope. There is also someone else on the

same

> insurance (works with my husband) He had his in person appeal

> yesterday, so I am waiting to find out his outcome.

>

> Never listen to your peds if they say it's mild, you know your

child.

> 's head is flat in the back on the left and pretty square and

a

> little pointy, he also has a pretty big head (he's a very big baby,

> 23lbs, 28 " long at 6months) so that doesn't help. We get his band

on

> Jan 2nd. We are also pretty lucky, the drive is only 45minutes due

to

> the traffic so it shouldn't be too bad. I will be posing pictures

> when I get the copies CT took for my insurance appeal. They also

took

> measurements and there is definate asymetry, so hopefully this will

> help my appeal.

>

> Thanks for all your posts, it has really helped us dealing with

this,

> it's so stressful sometimes and we have also had other health

> concerns with him, he has been hospitalized 2 times since his birth

> for a virus and then RSV and pneumonia 3 weeks ago for 6 days in

the

> hospital. We had to take him out of day care and get a nanny

because

> his immune is so bad and he still has a cold and is on the

nebulizer.

> So we are hoping the band will help his other problem.. He

> otherwise is a happy bright baby, ahead in all his milestones, eats

> great and sleeps great. I just hope he won't get too upset to have

> something on his head all the time.

>

> --Hillary, mom to

[Guest guest]

Hi Hillary and welcome to the group! That was so great of CT to tell

you about us. I would have been lost without this group while my

twins wore their bands, the parents here are wonderful and share so

much!

It sounds like has kept you very busy, and you are doing a

terrific job doing what is right for him. I couldn't agree more with

you about us knowing our child. It frustrates me to no end when a

doctor came waltzing in and after 10 minutes thinks he knows more

about my child then I do,whatever. But I digress.

I'm sorry that I can't be of any help with the appeals process. Be

sure to document all conversations that you have with the insurance

people that way you have names dates and topics to go with your

appeal. Thats just so wrong that they told you it would be covered

if there was a scrpit and then turn around and say no it isn't. I

hope you have some success with your appeals and please don't give up!

I checked out the pictures of that you have uploaded, he is

adorable!!! I love the picture of him in the bath with the plaster

all over him, his expression is priceless! How long did it take to

get the plaster out of all that hair?!

Good luck to you Hillary, and again welcome to the group!!

Niki

Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

> Hi everyone, I was referred to this great board by my clinician at

> Crainial Tech. My 6 month old was casted last Thursday. My husband

> and I were the ones who pushed the Ped to give us a referral to the

> specialist that I found by researching, I found him on the CT

website

> and he diagnosed with Positional Plagio, we know it was not

> from sleeping on his back, he was born that way and slept on the

> opposite side and for 2 months has been sleeping on his side and

> tummy. We got the script for the band when he was 4 months, CT put

in

> the info to my insurance (Cigna HMO of S. Florida), the insurance

> people told me before hand that they would cover the cost if there

> was a script. Well, they turned it down, almost 2 months later, so

we

> went ahead and did it anyway. We are paying out of pocket now and

are

> in the process of the 1st appeal. I know that two cases were

approved

> 2 weeks ago, so there is hope. There is also someone else on the

same

> insurance (works with my husband) He had his in person appeal

> yesterday, so I am waiting to find out his outcome.

>

> Never listen to your peds if they say it's mild, you know your

child.

> 's head is flat in the back on the left and pretty square and

a

> little pointy, he also has a pretty big head (he's a very big baby,

> 23lbs, 28 " long at 6months) so that doesn't help. We get his band

on

> Jan 2nd. We are also pretty lucky, the drive is only 45minutes due

to

> the traffic so it shouldn't be too bad. I will be posing pictures

> when I get the copies CT took for my insurance appeal. They also

took

> measurements and there is definate asymetry, so hopefully this will

> help my appeal.

>

> Thanks for all your posts, it has really helped us dealing with

this,

> it's so stressful sometimes and we have also had other health

> concerns with him, he has been hospitalized 2 times since his birth

> for a virus and then RSV and pneumonia 3 weeks ago for 6 days in

the

> hospital. We had to take him out of day care and get a nanny

because

> his immune is so bad and he still has a cold and is on the

nebulizer.

> So we are hoping the band will help his other problem.. He

> otherwise is a happy bright baby, ahead in all his milestones, eats

> great and sleeps great. I just hope he won't get too upset to have

> something on his head all the time.

>

> --Hillary, mom to

[Guest guest]

Hillary,

Just wanted to say welcome to the group- and - say that our experience seems so similar- including the hospital stay for RSV- not fun! We are also in So. Florida and found CT in Kendall to be fantastic and very caring! They were always very professional and would fit me in at a moment's notice. Good luck and keep us posted!

' Mom (DOC grad)

P.S. I agree with the parent instinct- my ped said he was mild to mod. also, didn't see the need for the band, but now agrees that we did the right thing- boy would I be mad if I hadn't listened to my mommy instinct and let my ped tell me this a year later, it wouldn't have been pretty! Always go with your gut, the Docs sometimes feel that pacifying anxious parents is the best route, instead of educating themselves and their patients.

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group and believe me - you were not ranting! I think virtually

everyone here has shared or is sharing your feelings about plagio and tort.

It can be so very frustrating dealing with all of the different doctors and

even worse - insurance!

One thing for sure - if ph is still tilting then he needs PT! I would

also suggest joining the torticolliskids group if you haven't already -

they will be able to give you all sorts of advice and suggestions on the tort.

As far as the helmet goes - you are definitely on the right track. Do not let

your insurance company get away with not paying for the CT scan for sure.

That scan is done to rule out craniosynostosis and they most certainly should

pay for that no questions asked! The band is another story. Insurance will

often pay for the band, but not without a fight. Appeals are often necessary

to get the insurance co to pay, sometimes multiple appeals. I would suggest

keeping a very detailed folder of everything involving the treatment of your

son's plagio and tort. Keep a call log of everyone you call (date, time, who

you talked with, what you discussed) and keep a copy of absolutely every

piece of documentation involved. This will all help you in the appeals

process if necessary. Check out our files section for insurance help if that

becomes necessary.

You are doing all the right things. I know that it is very difficult, but

once the appoitment with the orthotist occurs things will start becoming more

clear and more focused. Stick with us and let us know how things are going -

vent if you need to - that's what we're here for!!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

New to group

Hi ,

My son, is also 6 months old. Try not to beat yourself up about wishing that you had taken action sooner. I am in the very same situation as you! Our doctor kept telling us not to worry. She never explained to us that there were other options (such as getting the opinion of a specialist). Like you, I finally got fed up, and took action on my own. I've heard from several people that it is very common for doctors to act like plagio is no big deal. I know exactly what you mean about precious time being wasted. If felt that our doctor let us down, and I also felt like I let my son down by not looking into this problem sooner. Just in the last few days though, I have been trying to let go of some of those feelings and focus on what I can do now. At least our sons our only 6 months old, some people don't become aware of their options until their babies are even older.

Good luck dealing with your insurance company! My son is seeing a specialist next week, but I've been procrastinating about calling the insurance company. I'm not sure I'm ready to start that battle yet.

I'm new to this board, but so far the people here have been great. Just knowing that as questions arise, I can post her, makes me feel so much better. Many people here are much farther along in this process than me ( many of their babies have graduated from helmut therapy). They are a great resource. But, it is also nice to have someone like you here who is like myself, and just beginning to deal with all of this. Please keep in touch!

Gladieux

Hi! My son, ph (now 6 months), and I are new to the group. He was diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephaly at 4 months. However, our pediatrician didn't think it was serious and only recommended stretching. After I became concerned that things were not improving (as I had been assured they would), I asked for a referral to a neurologist who, after our meeting, referred me to a plastic surgeon group. We had a CT scan done on Friday and, from what I understand, a cranial banding clinic is next on the agenda. I feel like I am running around in different directions and precious time is being wasted. I met with a physical therapist (for the torticollis)when was 4 months old but she didn't feel he needed regular sessios because it would improve as his neck became stronger. However, 2 months later, can hold his head up but it is still very much tilted. Two whole months have passed during which we could have accomplished so much more. And, we have found out that our insurance will be uncooperative with the CT scan and banding. I am discouraged and scared for my son!I apologize for ranting so much my first time in the group but it feels comforting to know that others understand. Thanks for listening! StilesFor more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi & welcome to our group

Unfortunately, your story is all too common amongst our group. SO

many of our members have gotten the same story as your ped. gave

you. You are doing all the right things though to get your son the

attention he needs & deserves.

Also, uncooperative ins. companies are the norm in our group as

well. my only suggestion, is to keep fighting. I am surprised

though that your ins. company would give you a hard time on the CT

scan as well. The CTscan is a definite necessity to rule out

craniosynostosis. On what basis would they deny coverage for that?

Your son is still at a very good younger age to begin any type of

helmet therapy if that is the route you would decide to take. He

still has many growth spurts coming up - so you would see good

improvement.

I hope his torticollis improves. My daughter did not have tort., but

from what I've heard it can be very frustrating.

Good luck with everything. Be sure you keep us updated on your

decisions also let us know the results of his CT scan as soon as you

find out. Welcome again.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCgrad

MI

> Hi! My son, ph (now 6 months), and I are new to the group. He

> was diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephaly at 4 months.

> However, our pediatrician didn't think it was serious and only

> recommended stretching. After I became concerned that things were

> not improving (as I had been assured they would), I asked for a

> referral to a neurologist who, after our meeting, referred me to a

> plastic surgeon group. We had a CT scan done on Friday and, from

> what I understand, a cranial banding clinic is next on the agenda.

I

> feel like I am running around in different directions and precious

> time is being wasted. I met with a physical therapist (for the

> torticollis)when was 4 months old but she didn't feel he

needed

> regular sessios because it would improve as his neck became

> stronger. However, 2 months later, can hold his head up but

it

> is still very much tilted. Two whole months have passed during

which

> we could have accomplished so much more. And, we have found out

that

> our insurance will be uncooperative with the CT scan and banding.

I

> am discouraged and scared for my son!

>

> I apologize for ranting so much my first time in the group but it

> feels comforting to know that others understand. Thanks for

> listening!

> Stiles

[Guest guest]

Hi, !

I'm a spanish mother (from Madrid, Spain). I'm new to this group too,

and it is very helpful to hear from people with the same trouble like

me. My son is now 5 months and 22 days. Our ped recommended us

to use the DOC band when he was 3 months, but in the hospital said he

was too young. Finally, we have put the band in his head 20 days

ago.Our ped assures that in 3 or 4 months the problem will go

away.Our climate here is a bit hot, so doesn't bear the band

very well. Tonight, he has slept the whole night with the band

without waking up. Yeeehaaa!

In Spain, our Public Health System pays for the whole price of the

band, so we pay for it when the treatment begins and after 2 months

the Government returns the money to us. But, as I can see, in the

States there is no way of returning the money. Anyway, you must go on

fighting for thing will change. Be courageous!

Estrella Esteban

> Hi! My son, ph (now 6 months), and I are new to the group. He

> was diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephaly at 4 months.

> However, our pediatrician didn't think it was serious and only

> recommended stretching. After I became concerned that things were

> not improving (as I had been assured they would), I asked for a

> referral to a neurologist who, after our meeting, referred me to a

> plastic surgeon group. We had a CT scan done on Friday and, from

> what I understand, a cranial banding clinic is next on the agenda.

I

> feel like I am running around in different directions and precious

> time is being wasted. I met with a physical therapist (for the

> torticollis)when was 4 months old but she didn't feel he

needed

> regular sessios because it would improve as his neck became

> stronger. However, 2 months later, can hold his head up but

it

> is still very much tilted. Two whole months have passed during

which

> we could have accomplished so much more. And, we have found out

that

> our insurance will be uncooperative with the CT scan and banding.

I

> am discouraged and scared for my son!

>

> I apologize for ranting so much my first time in the group but it

> feels comforting to know that others understand. Thanks for

> listening!

> Stiles

[Guest guest]

International

support! How wonderful! Another example of just how small the

world really is. Best of luck with

your son and I’ll keep you posted on mine.

Could you

please send some heat this way?

This morning it was 20 degrees here with snow possible tomorrow night!

J and

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Stacey. I'm fairly new here, and have found this to be a

wonderful, warm group.

I ran the gamet with medications...started Remicade about 3 months ago

and it has worked so well. I am dealing with a herniated disk right

now, so am familiar with the back pain. I know it is frustrating &

discouraging at times. I hope you will express yourself here. People

here really understand.

With Hope...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Stacey!

Sorry you are having such a rough time, but I'm glad you stumbled upon

our group. If you care to divulge your geographical location, you may

find that one of us lives near you. I'm sorry you are feeling isolated.

Dealing with your disease and doing all the things you want to with your

son is difficult, I'm sure. Your health may improve - don't give up

hope. And even if you can't do all of the physical activities you think

you should with your boy, you and he will find other ways to develop

your relationship. He will grow to realize that there are many other

facets to interaction that are very, if not more, rewarding.

Sorry to hear about your divorce. Mine was final last July. I'm 42, have

three kids: (17), (15), and (10).

Now, what about your unrelenting pain? Do you take any pain meds?

[ ] New to group

> Hi,

> I'm new to this. I found this group through a search on AOL. My name

is

> Stacey. I am 35 yrs old, divorced and a mother of a 6 yr old. I was

> diagnosed with RA 2 yrs ago. I had to quit working as a medical asst

last

> year and just got my approval for disability. I have been having many

> problems lately. Just stopped Enbrel and tried Kineret which gave me

> terrible blood red welts all over my abdomen and legs. So I just

stopped

> that last week. I take Methotrexate 25mg injections once/week.

Prednisone

> 15mg/day, Actonel 30mg/week, Zoloft 100mg/day, folic acid, calcium,

and so

> on. It seems that my RA just isn't responding to anything lately.

I'm

> finding it increasingly difficult to keep a positive attitude. The

pain

> never stops. I have recently developed sciatica and low back pain.

MRI

> scheduled for next week. My son has adapted rather well to the

situation.

> His father is not around (thank goodness). I feel so guilty sometimes

when I

> have to tell him, " Not now honey, maybe when mommy feels better. " He

is in

> kindergarten and plays T-ball. I tried volunteering at the school,

but just

> couldn't keep up. He seems to be well adjusted though. I have

contacted

> many support groups in my area, but they are mostly older people whose

> children have grown and do not have any of the same interests that I

do.

> Well I just wanted to check in and get acquainted. Thanks for

listening.

> Sometimes that means the most.

> Stacey

[Guest guest]

Welcome Stacey. Glad you could join us. Sorry to hear about all of your

problems with the RA. Most of us know what it is like and we are there for

you.

On a side note to everyone...I am going to a neurologist on April 15th to

rule out a seizure disorder. Wish me luck. I don't know if this is related

to my RA. But we will soon find out.

Colleen

>From: staceycrwfrd@...

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] New to group

>Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 19:28:42 EST

>

>Hi,

>I'm new to this. I found this group through a search on AOL. My name is

>Stacey. I am 35 yrs old, divorced and a mother of a 6 yr old. I was

>diagnosed with RA 2 yrs ago. I had to quit working as a medical asst last

>year and just got my approval for disability. I have been having many

>problems lately. Just stopped Enbrel and tried Kineret which gave me

>terrible blood red welts all over my abdomen and legs. So I just stopped

>that last week. I take Methotrexate 25mg injections once/week. Prednisone

>15mg/day, Actonel 30mg/week, Zoloft 100mg/day, folic acid, calcium, and so

>on. It seems that my RA just isn't responding to anything lately. I'm

>finding it increasingly difficult to keep a positive attitude. The pain

>never stops. I have recently developed sciatica and low back pain. MRI

>scheduled for next week. My son has adapted rather well to the situation.

>His father is not around (thank goodness). I feel so guilty sometimes when

>I

>have to tell him, " Not now honey, maybe when mommy feels better. " He is

>in

>kindergarten and plays T-ball. I tried volunteering at the school, but

>just

>couldn't keep up. He seems to be well adjusted though. I have contacted

>many support groups in my area, but they are mostly older people whose

>children have grown and do not have any of the same interests that I do.

>Well I just wanted to check in and get acquainted. Thanks for listening.

>Sometimes that means the most.

>Stacey

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey. Welcome to our group. It's to bad the kineret has such severe side

effects. I had hopes

that it would be our miracle drug to stop this desease. I hope you find

something that helps.

I know how hard it is to keep a positive attitude especially when the meds just

aren't helping.

Living with the daily unrelenting pain get old. We just have to keep hoping

that there will be a

breakthough that will help us all.

I raised 2 children with this desease and know how challenging it can be. I

didn't do it alone, so

I am sure your challenges are greater. I'm glad your son has adjusted. I did a

lot of stationary

things with my kids like reading, coloring and playing games. My bed was a

playground it seemed,

but it worked out well and the kids loved to help me. My son would come down

every morning to

help me put my socks on. I know how bad it feel so not be able to do things

with him, but it is not

your fault. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Just do the best you can.

a

[ ] New to group

Hi,

I'm new to this. I found this group through a search on AOL. My name is

Stacey. I am 35 yrs old, divorced and a mother of a 6 yr old. I was

diagnosed with RA 2 yrs ago. I had to quit working as a medical asst last

year and just got my approval for disability. I have been having many

problems lately. Just stopped Enbrel and tried Kineret which gave me

terrible blood red welts all over my abdomen and legs. So I just stopped

that last week. I take Methotrexate 25mg injections once/week. Prednisone

15mg/day, Actonel 30mg/week, Zoloft 100mg/day, folic acid, calcium, and so

on. It seems that my RA just isn't responding to anything lately. I'm

finding it increasingly difficult to keep a positive attitude. The pain

never stops. I have recently developed sciatica and low back pain. MRI

scheduled for next week. My son has adapted rather well to the situation.

His father is not around (thank goodness). I feel so guilty sometimes when I

have to tell him, " Not now honey, maybe when mommy feels better. " He is in

kindergarten and plays T-ball. I tried volunteering at the school, but just

couldn't keep up. He seems to be well adjusted though. I have contacted

many support groups in my area, but they are mostly older people whose

children have grown and do not have any of the same interests that I do.

Well I just wanted to check in and get acquainted. Thanks for listening.

Sometimes that means the most.

Stacey

[Guest guest]

hi stacey and welcome to the group. sorry to hear you are having such a rough

time of it. my son is 18 now and i still feel bad for him sometimes. i went

to bed at 8pm last night!!! i was just tired of fighting it. my son is a

very good hearted, helpful guy and i'm sure yours will be too. my symptoms

didn't start until he was about 13 so i really didn't go thru what you are

going thru now. i know what you mean about the volunteering. whatever it is.

volunteering, meeting a new person. doing something fun. i'll end up running

a fever and feeling like crap. the few friends i have left pretty much know

if they are wanting to see me, they'd better come over because i am not going

to make it out. i've tried the drugs and felt better, until the side effects

kick in for me. so i just try to be happy that i get another chance at a

" good day " . i wish you luck on enbrel. it did help. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. Its a great area,

but the winters can be harsh. I live in a country setting, lots of farms

around and I love to look out the back windows and watch the deer, squirrels,

rabbits, etc. run around the yard. This is comforting for me. I take

Vicoden for my pain. It takes the edge off but doesn't eliminate all pain.

Easter was very painful for me. It took several hours to be able to move

around " comfortably. " Family was very understanding though. I didn't have

to cook or clean up. Maybe there is some benefit. My divorce was final

June/99. That was my independance day!!! My ex and I had different needs.

I needed to be loved and cared for, and he needed to cheat on me, write bad

checks, gamble, and hire prostitutes, among other things. After I threw him

out, he continued to stalk me for two and a half years before he found a girl

to move in with. Everything calmed down for a little while and then I

started with the RA. So its been a lot of adjusting around here. I find it

hard to keep my bearings sometimes, but I always seem to land on my feet

somehow. I thank God every day for my son. On some days, he is the only

reason that I get out of bed. He keeps me going. (or tries to sometimes)

He is truly a joy in my life.

Stacey

[Guest guest]

Welcome Stacey, This is truly a great site for sharing our aches & pains, and

our successful tries with the different medications; as well as the ones that

causes more problems than good. This is hard time for you with a child that

young but I'm sure there are some here that can give you support. I didn't

develope my RA symptoms until I was 55 yrs. of age, I'll be 60 in July; I'm

now taking Remicade and it is working for now, will have 5th infusion this

Friday.

Be Blessed,

Becky

[Guest guest]

Hey Dianne. Welcome. I, like you, just stumbled across this absolutely wonderful group. My twin sons just turned 7 months and are being casted on Monday for their DOC Bands. Well, I'm being paged, again...

Bonnie (Mom to , Winn & Lilly)

[Guest guest]

Dianne,

Welcome to the group!!! Congrats on your twin babies! Sounds like you've

already seen great correction going on- awesome! Wishing you continued

success and please keep us posted so we can get to know you better

' Mom

[Guest guest]

Hello Dianne and welcome! Boy are you having going to be in good company! We

have soooo many parents of twins in this group! What kind of band is our son

wearing - DOC or STAR? Sounds like you have already seen some good improvement -

Yippee!! Seeing that improvement makes it all worth it.

I look forward to getting to know you better and hear of our story!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

HI Dianne!

Welcome to our group! So just one of your twins is wearing a band

currently? It sounds like he's had terrific progress already! Is he

wearing a STARband or a DOCband? Would you mind sharing a little

more of your twins' plagio story with us all? We'd love to hear it!

Welcome again, we look forward to getting to know you more too!

Debbie Abby's Mom DOCgrad

MI

> Hello all,

>

> Just happened to stumble across this group. My name is Dianne and I

> have almost 7 month old twins. My son currently wears a band, he

> started at 17mm and is now down to 7mm. He started wearing the band

> on March 1, 2002. I look forward to getting to know all of you!

>

> Dianne

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bonnie, I was wondering what day your little ones were born,

mine were October 10! Good luck with the casting..I hope you do not

have to go alone to the appointment!!

Dianne

Massachusetts

-- In Plagiocephaly@y..., frimadesignsinc@a... wrote:

> Hey Dianne. Welcome. I, like you, just stumbled across this

absolutely

> wonderful group. My twin sons just turned 7 months and are being

casted on

> Monday for their DOC Bands. Well, I'm being paged, again...

>

> Bonnie (Mom to , Winn & Lilly)