A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

[Guest guest]

>>Lee Ann, how can you step down or up into your van? Guess your

legs aren't like mine....lucky you! My hips, knees, ankles, toes

and back do not allow me to do anything like that or stairs.

Feels like I am being stretched apart or going to fall or

something. <<

Our van has running boards so that helps. I am 5'6 so I think

that helps too I am tall enough that it is not that big of step

up. Getting down is what I have the hardest time with after

sitting and driving I get stiff and I hate having to step down

out of the van. And I am not as far advanced in this as many of

you are. I can still go up and down steps. I do have pain with

it but at this point have no choice in the matter because we are

a family of 7 and need the large sized van and our home is a quad

level. We will be looking at ranch style homes in the near

future! If I had known what I would be dealing with at this

point in my life we never would have bought this house last year.

My symptoms have really become much worse since having to go up

and down these stairs this past year. Thank goodness my Dr.

decided to do a biopsy. I would still not have a clue as to what

was wrong with me if he hadn't. I was thinking I was seriously

out of shape!

Lee Ann

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/04/1999 2:45:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

barnabyq@... writes:

<< You know, I think my condition is progressing more quickly even though I'm

on Enbrel. >>

I am on Enbrel and MTX and think the same thing.

Annette

[Guest guest]

Interesting with the anxiety. My husband has PA and just this Sunday he

said he gets feelings in his ankles (one of his worst PA spots) like the

description of a panic attack. I take medication for panic attacks and he

is very helpful to me with it - so he also really knows what the

description of panic feels like. He rarely " complains " so for him to

mention this, my ears really perked up. The description he gave was like a

creepy crawly feeling in his ankles. Anyone have that?

>From: barnabyq@...

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] A little bit of everything

>Date: 4 Aug 1999 06:18:48 -0000

>

>From: barnabyq@...

>

>Okay....where do I start?

>

>XxMarchxX mentions anxiety--I have started having panic attacks in the last

>year or so. Crowds and invasion of my personal space are also a big

>problem. I don't like to go out much anymore.

>

>Amy Deel mentions the weight issue--I think I mentioned a couple e-mails

>ago that I am getting close to 300 now, to my dismay. Can't exercise, can't

>even move--and this isn't meant to be an excuse but my depression has led

>to the point where I am eating for comfort and that is contributing

>mightily. I need to take control of this.

>

>Lee Ann, how can you step down or up into your van? Guess your legs aren't

>like mine....lucky you! My hips, knees, ankles, toes and back do not allow

>me to do anything like that or stairs. Feels like I am being stretched

>apart or going to fall or something.

>

>I'm not on pain meds, only mtx and Enbrel and folic acid....as far as I

>know I have no thyroid problems....oh and by the way I was informed

>yesterday that I was approved for Social Security! I was diagnosed in April

>and after bone scan, x-rays and physical exam, I'm approved. Don't know how

>much yet, will know next Monday. (Someone asked me already is why I mention

>how much. And I live in Florida if that's wondered, too.)

>

>Oh, and I'm an underachiever. Or maybe just an achiever. You know, I think

>my condition is progressing more quickly even though I'm on Enbrel. My

>neck has given me problems off and on and my back also, but now it is all

>the time and very badly. Or maybe that isn't progression, but it's a recent

>change.

>

>

>, I am very sorry for your loss. I hope that your time away will

>help you recover somewhat.

>

>Sorry this is so long. Take care, all.

>

>

>

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

I have been reading your wonderful input for the past

couple of weeks since I joined our group. I had

gotten to the point that I felt I was alone in the way

I feel most of the time. I have gleanned a lot of

information from you all and it will be helpful when I

finally make an appointment with a

Rheumatologist. I am still in the need of finding a

good one in the San Diego area - does anyone know

of any good ones here(or bad ones to steer clear of)?

I am taking quite a bit of the information that I

have gathered here and have started a history of all

that ails me. There is so much that is similar to the

things I have gone through for years. And I do

sympathize with all of you that have been told " it is

in

your head " or " you need to lose weight and all these

things will retify theirselves. " I have heard these

things and others for so many years, I almost want to

scream when it said again to me. It goes clear

back to when I was 18 and was having gall bladder

attacks and didn't know it. There was extreme

pain and the doctor said " you're wearing your bra too

tight " and I believed him because he was the

doctor. I had several attacks over the next few years

until I was 26 and ended up with Hepatitis and

emergency gall bladder removal. There have been many

more such incidents over the years. Also,

a, I know how the grocery store trips can be bad.

I sometimes put off going for days and as I am

by myself, have to pick a " good " day. I lean on the

basket and try to hurry as being there too long can

be disastardly! I work every day but somedays feel

like I just don't know how much longer I can do

it. No one at work knows how I feel - they might just

think I'm a little slower some days. I think

sometimes I'm pushing on pure will to get through the

day. On my worst days, I go home and

collapse. But enough of my moaning. I want you all to

know I really appreciate this group.

FYI: There are two research study groups starting up

here in the San Diego area if anyone is

interested. !. For diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis

- San Diego Arthritis & Osteoprosis Medical Clinic

619-287-1966. 2. In connection with National

Osteoporosis Awarness Month - Radiant Research

619-209-6551.

I wish you all happier days down the road. Jan

(Momacat)

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