Hi All

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Marie. It sounds like your journey has been a

wonderful experience for you. I can hear the " smiles " ! Take care.

Melonie, Va

11/17/03 Dr. R-Statesville

384/375/295 heaviest/surgery/now

5'11 " 170 lb goal

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Marie and I had my MGB three years ago this

month. I can't

> begin to tell all of you how wonderful I now feel compared to back

then. I

> would have this surgery again in a heart beat. I weighed 291

pounds when I had

> surgery and I know weigh 177. I would still love to lose another

20 pounds

> but 177 is good. I am extremely proud of the way I look now (with

clothes on

> that is). I haven't had any plastic surgeries yet but I'm

beginning to

> investigate them now. After three years, I still find that I

can't eat alot of

> food at one time but I can " graze " all day long. I have actually

gained 7

> pounds in the last year because of this " grazing " habit of mine and

have tried

> really hard to stop it. Hamburger is the only thing that gives me

a problem....I

> still can't eat a hamburger....but ...I can give up hamburger for

this new

> life I have.

> My energy level is so high these days but I can still remember

the days

> of hurting legs, being out of breath walking from the car to the

store,

> snoring myself awake (yes I have actually woke up hearing

myself " snort " ). I used

> to hate to shop...now I love trying clothes on and they actually

fit AND look

> good. No more loose fitting clothes for me!! My husband has

become a

> different man since my weight loss. My confidence level has

quadrupled and with it

> came a better attitude about myself and he noticed and now I AM the

apple of

> his eye.

> I would love to help others with this surgery...if anyone

knows a person

> who needs a contact, has questions ...anything at all...please

contact

> me...I'd love to help " spread the good news " about Dr. R and this

surgery. You can

> all contact me at PittmanFamily03@a... for listening....

>

> Marie P

> Florida

> Surgery Date 3/08/01

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

My Rheumy ordered an HIV test as well - but he did it preliminary to starting me

on methotrexate. (Methotrexate is commonly used to treat arthritis) Everything

I've read says that while ReA can in some cases be an HIV introduction, ReA is

far more commonly caused by bacterial infections. If your doctor is considering

starting you on methotrexate (as mine was) it is just wise to rule out HIV

before proceeding to a drug that will modify your immune system.

That has been my experience with it. Hope you get to feeling better.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi

Most of us have heard the same over the years. Fortunately the diagnostic tools

available today are much improved over those of 30 years ago.

By all means, tell the doc you want to se a psychiatrist. I did and ended up

with a good pain control regimen.

+Dave

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

" Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've

stayed alive. "

23010.75 days and counting

[Guest guest]

> I know you guys haven't heard from me in awhile. All my doctors

have

> been going rounds with my case. I'm now under the care of a new

pain

> clinic doctor.....long story short me and the last one had a big

> falling out about my care. Anyway, I really like my new doctor, he

> listens and is working with me. He put me on Topamax and it seems

to

> be helping. But, he wants me to see a neurosurgeon. Have an

> appointment this week.

>

> Okay, my BIG question to all you RSD suffers.....does this spinal

> stimulator help with the SWELLING AND BURNING as well as the

> pain???? I'm all for anything that will get me back to work, I was

a

> data entry operator. Thanks guys!!!!!

Hi ,

I am new to this group. I have the stimulator for RSD in my hand and

arm. It dosn't touch my burning and deep bone pain I feel.I wish it

did I have been trying so many different meds to get rid of the

burning and my hand just gets so ice cold it is never ending at times

it seems.

I really hope you can find some kind of relief for your pain this

disorder is just horrible.

Best of luck.

[Guest guest]

hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then cahnge

to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie " <yellowswan_2000@...>

writes:

>

>

> Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I was

> awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

> sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> thanks

> Bobbi

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi I tried it once..and no way for me!! gave me a panic attack and I was

up all night. but I am super super sensitive. plus I admit I was

concerned abotu putting more meds on top of meds. This drug works very

well for many people. Mine is just one odd experience. alison

On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 07:33:38 -0800 (PST) " Me \(Moi\) " <elyeji@...>

writes:

>

> Hi all

>

> I have been on Lex for over a year and always have insomia. My

> therapist gave me trazodone (SP) to help me sleep and it is also an

> anti depressant. I only take it when I think I need it. Anyone

> know about this medication?

>

> alisonjoan@... wrote:

> hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

> wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then

> cahnge

> to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

> On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie "

> <yellowswan_2000@...>

> writes:

> >

> >

> > Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I was

>

> > awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> > morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

> > sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> > thanks

> > Bobbi

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi all

I have been on Lex for over a year and always have insomia. My therapist gave

me trazodone (SP) to help me sleep and it is also an anti depressant. I only

take it when I think I need it. Anyone know about this medication?

alisonjoan@... wrote:

hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then cahnge

to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie " <yellowswan_2000@...>

writes:

>

>

> Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I was

> awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

> sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> thanks

> Bobbi

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was on trazadone for a while, but it gave me terrible nightmares. That is why

I no longer take it.

" Me (Moi) " <elyeji@...> wrote:

Hi all

I have been on Lex for over a year and always have insomia. My therapist gave

me trazodone (SP) to help me sleep and it is also an anti depressant. I only

take it when I think I need it. Anyone know about this medication?

alisonjoan@... wrote:

hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then cahnge

to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie " <yellowswan_2000@...>

writes:

>

>

> Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I was

> awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

> sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> thanks

> Bobbi

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I see. well I think it does cause some people insomnia. I know it does

me. I am all funky time wise. I get insomnia ,then I get fatigue, and

then I am just exhausted, and then I have a panic attack. it is insane

over here. Do you think the lex is helping you? alison

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 18:48:23 -0000 " Bobbie " <yellowswan_2000@...>

writes:

>

>

> ---Ive been on it about 6 or 7 months,,and I was taking it in the

> morning,,just tried last night to change .

> In Lexapro , alisonjoan@j... wrote:

> > hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

> > wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then

> cahnge

> > to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

> > On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie "

> <yellowswan_2000@y...>

> > writes:

> > >

> > >

> > > Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I

> was

> > > awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> > > morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

>

> > > sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> > > thanks

> > > Bobbi

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

---Ive been on it about 6 or 7 months,,and I was taking it in the

morning,,just tried last night to change .

In Lexapro , alisonjoan@j... wrote:

> hi Bobbi did you just start on the lex? A side is insomnia.. I am

> wonderign if is best to take it in the mornign to start and then

cahnge

> to night. I take mine in the morning. alison

> On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:35:47 -0000 " Bobbie " <yellowswan_2000@y...>

> writes:

> >

> >

> > Well last night I took my lex. first time,,and within a hour I

was

> > awake and still am,,I guess I will have to take mine in the

> > morning.Im different then alot of you.I be glad when I can go to

> > sleep.It had me wired up,,but I tried, !!!

> > thanks

> > Bobbi

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey Patty, welcome aboard you have made a very wise choice picking Dr Aceves you won't be sorry. Dr Aceves is a wonderful man as well as a great Doctor you will be in good hands. You will also love Nina she will be with you every step of the way. My surgery was March 7 and I flew in from Oklahoma City I've had no problems and have lost 21 pounds so far. Everybody's journey is different but put your mind at ease knowing that you have chosen a great team. The only advice I can give you is do at least 90% of what your told and everything will work out ok. If you would like more info you can e-mail me at mamolinder@.... Thanks Belinda

HI all

My name is Patty and I am so glad this web page is here. Nina, thank you for allowing me to join even before I have been approved for surgery. So people, i am just getting started with the process and hope I will be approved for surgery. I am scared and yet excited. I hear Dr Aceves and staff are very good. That is so encouraging. So any info for before and after if approved would be appreciated.. Thank you and have a great and wonderful day!!! Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue

You've come to the right place for support. We have all been there! It is frustrating the ctoma thing, however there is a large success rate, and many of us are symptom and side effect free after surgery. The recovery process depends a lot on the size and extent of damage caused by the ctoma before surgery. It sounds as though you have a history of ear issues and most likely have been under excellent care over the years. I had ctoma surgery twice on the left side and once on the right side. The first left surgery was very extensive, long recovery, and slow healing. The ctoma reoccurred on the left and that surgery was more radical but got the root of the thing and I've been symptom free for 35 years. The one on the right was nipped in the bud with the first surgery, reconstruction was completed and I've been functioning fine ( well by my expectations) ever since. Now due to age and the fact that nothing lasts forever, I'm facing some new work to try and boost the hearing in ears that function with way below par levels.

Ctoma is just something that can't be prevented. Apparently there is no rhyme or reason for it's existence. We all know it does seem to follow a path of striking those of us who have had childhood histories of ear infections. I was told by a chrometologist, that there is a chromatic trait for the condition as well. However, it usually manifests along with other certain chromatic conditions. In my case, I underwent a chromosome analysis, prior to having my first (and only) child. I'm adopted, and knew very little about my bio background. Having a medical background, I knew that many syndrome/diseases can be passed on by the mom to the unborn child. I wanted to rule out any that may have been in my bio makeup. The discussion about my ctoma and ear history came up and through this I learned the information I've passed on above. It's sort of like earthquakes and volcanoes, we know they are coming too, but can't stop them either! Good luck with your surgery, we're all here for you if you need us. Sort of like an extended family!

Sandi

Lochner

[Guest guest]

Hi Molly!! You are going great!! I hope I am as successful as you and the others here. (DOB 4/28) Thats a lot of weight you have already lost!! Keep it up!! Tammy I.

[Guest guest]

Ruth-I wish you all the best with your upcoming tests and hope and pray they

don't have to do exploratory surgery. So, you said that you feel the

stimulator working in your abdomen-is this painful? Is this why they think

something

else might be going on? Or is the testing something different from the sensation

you are having of the stimulator " buzzing " in your belly region?

Praying for the best outcome!

Kathy W. in KY

[Guest guest]

Ruth, Im sorry that no one can figure out why you have stim in your stomach. Ill

be sending positive thoughts out to ya. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP! (((RUTH))) Keep us

updated!!! =)

[umpoopydo@...] wrote:

Hi everyone,

Well I went to the pain dr. and he said that the leads were where they

are suppose to be and he doesn't understand why I am getting

stimulation in my stomach. No-one does at this point. He also said

that the unit was not overly hot - yeah. I was concerned about that and

that it itches. He said that was from the healing still. So all seems

okay with the unit and leads. So now I'm off to have a small bowel

series to see if the pain might be from adhesion or some other thing.

If they don't find anything there I'm not sure what the next step might

be other than exploratory surgery. YUCK, even the thought of that makes

me ill.

Bernadette - glad you are having such a great response with the scs.

How wonderful for you! It must be wonderful to have your life back

again.

Take care everyone,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I am glad that your stim is starting to work better for you. I had

stimulation in areas I shouldn't, my Doc said it was from the immense

inflammation around the spine from just putting the leads there. Mine should

have only been for my entire right leg and hip, but at first it was in both

legs and my entire buttocks ( and that was weird). If you remember, my 1st

surgery, all my leads slipped, and they had to redo. Anyway, Even though you

might not have much noticeable swelling, from what I was told, this surgery

causes sever deep inflammation. You might try using ice packs in short

intervals. It might help. But my doc was right, once the swelling started to

go down, little by little, the stimulation was only in the places it was

meant to be.

Also sweetie, I am really sorry about your stomach problems. I was positive

mine could have been caused by the huge amount of medication we ALL have to

take just to get through the day. I was taking the absurd amount of 56 a

day. Seriously, the protective coatings and the capsules dissolving would

give anyone a stomach ache. According to me anyway! So I went to my doc, he

sent me to a group called Digestive Care Assoc. First the did a small bowl

upper GI series. Then the lower bowel GI, those were just when you drink a

bunch of Barium and they take x-rays and follow it down. I guess they saw

something, but not enough. That's when I also thought they would have to do

exploratory, but instead they put me under anesthesia and did an Endoscopy

and a Colonoscopy. While in there they took 3 biopsies. First I want you to

know, It did not hurt at all! The prep was the hardest part. They make you

drink a bunch of horrible tasting things, in order to clean you all the way

out. These two procedures allowed them to check my entire digestive system,

they went down my throat with this camera attached to a thick tubing cord.

Then they went the other way with the same thing. So they saw me from one

end to the other. The only thing I felt afterwards was a little bit of a

sore throat and gruff voice. We waited 2 weeks for the results, I have

Lymphocytic Microscopic colitis. Apparently it is when you have a severe

over abundance of white blood cells in your entire digestive system and

colon. The entire area, they said, was extremely inflamed and obviously

severely painful. They started me on meds(like I needed more) that you have

to take 12 per day, and also a huge dose of steroids. I have to take both

for 6 months, then they will do those procedures again to see how I am

doing. I guess when it rains... it pours!

But, thanks to you, and all our friends at stimulator, plus my husband, you

just go on.

I will be praying for you as always, but this time I will have your tummy

added. I 'll make a call to all the prayer lists also. The more we have the

better, right.

If you need to call, please don't hesitate. And please send me your number

again, my housekeeper threw it out by mistake.

Lots of hugs and prayers,

Amy

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for the wishes. I just had the small bowel series today.

YUCK. Took 2 1/2 hours for that barium to work its way thru. I was so

tired and sore from that hard x-ray table after that. The tech said

that my scs was right over the area that my pain was in so that they

may not be able to see what they needed to see!!! I guess I'll find

out Fri. or Mon. what's what. I'm sorry that you have that WBC

problem. I hope the meds help. That's one medical problem I've

never heard of. Is it common? What are the symptoms besides the

pain? Does it go away? I hope so for your sake.

Take care sweetie. Thanks for the prayers. I'll add yours to mine

too.

Hugs,

Ruth

-- In Stimulator , " Amy Wren " <awren@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Ruth,

> I am glad that your stim is starting to work better for you. I had

> stimulation in areas I shouldn't, my Doc said it was from the

immense

> inflammation around the spine from just putting the leads there.

Mine should

> have only been for my entire right leg and hip, but at first it was

in both

> legs and my entire buttocks ( and that was weird). If you remember,

my 1st

> surgery, all my leads slipped, and they had to redo. Anyway, Even

though you

> might not have much noticeable swelling, from what I was told, this

surgery

> causes sever deep inflammation. You might try using ice packs in

short

> intervals. It might help. But my doc was right, once the swelling

started to

> go down, little by little, the stimulation was only in the places

it was

> meant to be.

>

> Also sweetie, I am really sorry about your stomach problems. I was

positive

> mine could have been caused by the huge amount of medication we ALL

have to

> take just to get through the day. I was taking the absurd amount of

56 a

> day. Seriously, the protective coatings and the capsules dissolving

would

> give anyone a stomach ache. According to me anyway! So I went to my

doc, he

> sent me to a group called Digestive Care Assoc. First the did a

small bowl

> upper GI series. Then the lower bowel GI, those were just when you

drink a

> bunch of Barium and they take x-rays and follow it down. I guess

they saw

> something, but not enough. That's when I also thought they would

have to do

> exploratory, but instead they put me under anesthesia and did an

Endoscopy

> and a Colonoscopy. While in there they took 3 biopsies. First I

want you to

> know, It did not hurt at all! The prep was the hardest part. They

make you

> drink a bunch of horrible tasting things, in order to clean you all

the way

> out. These two procedures allowed them to check my entire digestive

system,

> they went down my throat with this camera attached to a thick

tubing cord.

> Then they went the other way with the same thing. So they saw me

from one

> end to the other. The only thing I felt afterwards was a little bit

of a

> sore throat and gruff voice. We waited 2 weeks for the results, I

have

> Lymphocytic Microscopic colitis. Apparently it is when you have a

severe

> over abundance of white blood cells in your entire digestive system

and

> colon. The entire area, they said, was extremely inflamed and

obviously

> severely painful. They started me on meds(like I needed more) that

you have

> to take 12 per day, and also a huge dose of steroids. I have to

take both

> for 6 months, then they will do those procedures again to see how I

am

> doing. I guess when it rains... it pours!

>

> But, thanks to you, and all our friends at stimulator, plus my

husband, you

> just go on.

> I will be praying for you as always, but this time I will have your

tummy

> added. I 'll make a call to all the prayer lists also. The more we

have the

> better, right.

>

> If you need to call, please don't hesitate. And please send me your

number

> again, my housekeeper threw it out by mistake.

>

> Lots of hugs and prayers,

>

> Amy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron, glad you joined us. Nope, you are not alone with your disease.

Welcome to our family.

Fr. Dave

born a Brummy

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ron!

How long did it take your doctor (s) to make the Reiter's diagnosis?

What meds are you taking (if any)? How are they working?

Thanks. Welcome again.

*Unnecessary amounts of quoted message removed by moderator for poster.

[Guest guest]

It took quiet a while for the doctors to diagnose that I had

Reiter's, mainly due to the fact that there was a short time delay

between all the symptoms i.e. Arthritis, Uretheritis and Irisitis

and especially taking into account I diagnosed it was 20 years ago

when information was not so readily available.

I first thought I had strained/broken my foot while playing rugby,

but the next day my other foot also experienced the same pain and it

quickly spread to my knees, hips, hand, wrist and elbows all

becoming extremely painful and swollen.

For the Irisitis I was injected in the eye with morphine and given

drops.

I cannot remember what I had for the uretheritis but I remember

being extremely embarrassed as I had to go to the VD (now STD)

clinic for blood and urine tests and due to this association I did

not tell anyone about the illness.

For the arthritis I was given anti-inflammatory tablets and loads of

paracetamol.

I also tried every herbal remedy under the sun from nettle tea to

lemon balm baths; but I found what appeared to help most and I

believe cured the arthritis was covering the infected area with a

crepe bandage and then soaking the bandage with whisky (remember to

put a bowl underneath so that you can re-use the whiskey). It may be

coincidence but I felt that once I started doing this the pain and

swelling subsided.

In total I was off work for six months, my weight drops from 13

stone (182lbs) to 8st (112lbs) as a result of which my metabolism

has changed and I keep putting on weight and I am currently 20 stone

(280lbs) which I know is not good for my joints.

Since then I have has little of what I class as flare ups for which

I take diclophenic each day for control purposes. And I feel very

stiff first thing in the morning and prior, during and after a

thunderstorm (who needs weather men).

Also since reading this site and various other articles I have noted

that I have suffered other minor tell tale ailments that are all

related to Reiter's but I have never associated them before.

Considering what some of you have gone through i.e. hip replacements

etc I consider myself very lucky indeed

Bless you all

Ron

[Guest guest]

We are blessed to have insurance yes but the catch is we won't see any

money until the very earliest October. So in the mean time we have to

try and recoup some of our normalcy, clothing, household items,

personal items ect without the help of insurance. It is so

overwhelming that I can not even express the emotions floating around

in my head. Thank you for the note. God Bless

>

> B-garoo, Carla & Penny You all look fantastic!!

> Dawn, OMG..is everyone ok? That burned out house looks aweful scary.

> Thank God for Insurance right? Hope youu & your family are all ok.

>

> Sorry I haven't posted in a while..been on Vacation.. again :-)

> Picyures to follow after I read 400 som'thin e-mails..lol Dana

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana

I figured you must be vacationing again!!!! Hope you had fun!

We are coming to MD soon! We leave for BMI on Aug. 25 and will be

there for almost a month. We are coming home on Sept 22. So

hopefully we can get together with Betty and you and whoever else

wants to join us in that area (your daughter maybe?) Kim's baby is

due around Aug. 31 so it will be fun to see the new one and of course

do fun things with the two little girls.

I think I still have your phone number so I'll be calling after we get

there.

See ya soon, Penny

>

> B-garoo, Carla & Penny You all look fantastic!!

> Dawn, OMG..is everyone ok? That burned out house looks aweful scary.

> Thank God for Insurance right? Hope youu & your family are all ok.

>

> Sorry I haven't posted in a while..been on Vacation.. again :-)

> Picyures to follow after I read 400 som'thin e-mails..lol Dana

>

[Guest guest]

It might Sian - we are in such a rush at the moment, we haven't been able to go through all the functions, but we will have a look into this later. Thanks for the suggestion.

Luv - Sheila

HI ALL

Hi Allback again!Pity doesn't allow the messages to be put into groups like thelast forum. Nevermind thou.Hope you all copinglove sian

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.13.2/983 - Release Date: 01/09/2007 16:20

[Guest guest]

I thought that it was because everything was in groups and nobody could find the group and messages that the web forum became so confusing.

The very reason people like the way is because it isn't put into groups. We can weed out what we want to read or not by the subject heading. If everyone keeps to the correct heading when answering a message and if they are going to discuss something new remembers to change the heading there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

LilianPity doesn't allow the messages to be put into groups like thelast forum.

[Guest guest]

Also, if you could please please delete all but a little of the message you are responding to, it makes our lives so much easier and better for those who are on digest. This morning there was a message that would not be edited no matter what I did and it had to go out in its entirety which will drive those poor people mad.

Thanks

Luv nne

I thought that it was because everything was in groups and nobody could find the group and messages that the web forum became so confusing.