Intro

[Guest guest]

Hi Jefersea

It took a lot of pushing and insistence on my part for Doctors to take my

condition seriously but once they did a blood test and found the Rheumatoid

Factor and all my symptoms they concluded I have Seropositive Rheumatoid

Arthritis and soft tissue rheumatism. I have had a lot of problems with both my

shoulders and both have been frozen, my right one has just defrosted after over

a year of constant pain. I had a steroid injection and that was agony, never

ever again, when my left one froze I had physio which consisted of deap heat

treatment and gentle exercises a far better treatment.

The weather here in the UK is very chilly and damp today, although we have had

some lovely weather this June but it has turned must be because Wimbledon Tennis

starts on Monday so it is bound to rain. I find like others have said that the

damp and humidity makes my RA far worse, I feel much better in a warm dry heat

as my doctor said what a shame they can't prescribe sunshine.

I hope you get your diagnosis soon and can start treatment and begin to feel

better.

Judith

Re: [ ] Intro

Hi Judith,

Welcome back Judith! I haven't been diagnosed yet, but I have pain in the

hands and feet too, as well as bone area of both shoulders and behind my knees.

Some days I feel a heck of a lot older than 57 ! I pray you will be able to

feel better soon. How is the weather where you are? Is it damp? Any way to

insulate from it?

Jefersea

[Guest guest]

Judith,

This was very interesting about your frozen shoulders. I had frozen

shoulders as part of my RA when it first began. I hadn't been diagnosed

with RA yet, and I was sent to physical therapy, which was torture.

Later, I was diagnosed with RA and put on methotrexate. It did not do

enough for my RA, but it did get rid of my frozen shoulders. What a

relief that was. Were you ever on methotrexate? Just curious. Sue

On Sunday, June 20, 2004, at 04:24 PM, judith brimsden wrote:

>

> It took a lot of pushing and insistence on my part for Doctors to take

> my condition seriously but once they did a blood test and found the

> Rheumatoid Factor and all my symptoms they concluded I have

> Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis and soft tissue rheumatism. I have

> had a lot of problems with both my shoulders and both have been

> frozen, my right one has just defrosted after over a year of constant

> pain. I had a steroid injection and that was agony, never ever again,

> when my left one froze I had physio which consisted of deap heat

> treatment and gentle exercises a far better treatment.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 20/06/2004 07:41:12 Central Standard Time,

judith.brimsden@... writes:

> moggies

What's a moggie? Cary

[Guest guest]

> > had a lot of problems with both my shoulders and both have been

> > frozen, my right one has just defrosted after over a year of

constant

> > pain. I had a steroid injection and that was agony, never ever

again,

> > when my left one froze I had physio which consisted of deap heat

> > treatment and gentle exercises a far better treatment.

Swimming helped mine.

Sierra

[Guest guest]

HI Judith,

Gosh, I don't know how you manage to be able to do things. It must be very hard

for you. How long have you had Arthritis? Did it come upon you suddenly or was

there little signs that made you wonder? Do you feel that in time you will have

to find a warmer place to move to?

" Wimbledon Tennis starts on Monday so it is bound to rain " ...it always seems

that way, doesn't it?

I've been going through assessments with my local vocational rehab counselor

since last Dec. to see what I can do physically as well as mentally, as I have

ADHD and a few other assorted " goodies " as well. Today I was told by another

doctor that he didn't think I had RA, but OA (Osteo Arthritis) instead. Now I'm

confused, frustrated again, and just emailed my voc.rehab counselor to get her

opinion.

(Question: Do medical doctors find Arthritis that difficult to diagnose that a

person suffering (like yourself) can get so many different medical " answers " and

yet you are left to suffer an uphill struggle, because they still " miss " what

you are telling them? The more I read from fellow suffers, that seems to be the

case. That's terrible.)

My youngest brother just had a blood test for RA, and was told that he has the

characteristics for RA, but at this point, doesn't have it. (Hopefully never

will, although he is experiencing pains too). I tried to do some research on OA,

but it's so hard to really have a clear cut knowledge of what I really have now.

Both types are described as degenerative and they both hurt. I'm tired so often

too, but I don't know if I'm just tired from so many years of working or if it

really might be RA as was originally thought? Meanwhile, it's " rub in " the

pain zappers!

Take care,

Jefersea

Re: [ ] Intro

Hi Judith,

Welcome back Judith! I haven't been diagnosed yet, but I have pain in the

hands and feet too, as well as bone area of both shoulders and behind my knees.

Some days I feel a heck of a lot older than 57 ! I pray you will be able to

feel better soon. How is the weather where you are? Is it damp? Any way to

insulate from it?

Jefersea

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni, welcome to the group.

Does your husband see a rheumatologist? I understand why side

effects are a concern, but quite often if the RA is active, the RA is

much much worse than any drug side effect. He needs to be discussing

this with a rheumatologist so at least he's making an informed

decision.

I am on a number of drugs, but the biggest side effect is bone loss

from prednisone. It puts me in the high risk category for

osteoporosis and I'm only 33. A friend asked me why did they put me

on a drug that can do this? My reply was that 1) the risk of bone

loss was low because I was on a low dose and not long term, 2) bone

loss can be treated with calcium supplements and weight bearing

exercises to prevent further bone loss and 3) the damange from

untreated, active RA is much worse than having some bone loss.

Your husband is obviously a strong person. But the RA is winning and

if he doesn't see a doctor then it will keep getting worse. They

have drugs today that are nothing like what they had 30 years ago.

RA is often treatable, but he needs to want treatment.

It's not just a question of what side effects a drug has, but what

are the odds that you would experience one of those side effects and

how does that compare to guaranteed pain, suffering and permenant

joint damage from not trying the drug.

Jennie

> Hi,

>

> My name is Jenni. I am wife to and mama to Hannah 5, 3,

> and Jonathon 18 months. My husband has RA. He was diagnosed at age

5

> with JRA and it progressed from there. He is going to be 37 now..so

> he has had this for a looong time. He refuses to take medication

> because he had some very painful experiences as a child with

> injectins and many other fruitless experiences at the hospital. He

> told his mom when he was a teen that it was enough and she let him

> make that choice. A few years ago he agreed to try methotrexate

> until he discovered that it could cause sterility and other serious

> side affects...it was only a few weeks that he was on it. I am

> really worried about him. He is on disability but he has a home

> business and also works part time at a library at the local Ivy

> Tech. We have been blessed in that respect. However, I feel so

> helpless watching him suffer. He doesn't complain but I can see how

> the pain affects him by the way that he moves, etc. Last night he

> was in so much pain he started crying and just lost it..just

> wimpering how he couldn't take the pain anymore and how his hips

> were hurting him so badly. I don't know what to do. He drinks a lot

> to try to deal with the pain but that is the extent of how he will

> medicate himself. I just don't know how to handle this. I am only

23

> and I am so scared that he is going to get much worse in our

> lifetime together. I have been online and seen horrible pictures

and

> read things that make my stomach turn when I think of it happening

> to my husband.

>

> Anyways, I hope to learn more here so that I can better support my

> husband. He doesnt have much spare time so I am usually the one

> online looking for things.

>

> Anyways, glad to be a part of this group; I know that I will learn

> much from you all.

>

> Sincerely,

> Jenni

[Guest guest]

Jenni - I had never heard of sterility as a side effect of

methotrexate. Lots of women are on MTX and go on to have children.

The rule is you have to stop MTX 3 months before you get pregnant

(man or woman). There is one woman on this board that was on MTX

when she got pregnant, and against the odds had a healthy child. I

don't think it's listed as a risk of the drug bottle or online drug

websites.

Jennie

A few years ago he agreed to try methotrexate

> until he discovered that it could cause sterility and other serious

> side affects...it was only a few weeks that he was on it.

[Guest guest]

He had to see a rhuematologist to get the methotrexate. I think that

he only saw him a few times and he does not want to go back; that is

the dilemma.

Jenni

--- In , " xponder70 " <xponder70@y...>

wrote:

> Hi Jenni, welcome to the group.

>

> Does your husband see a rheumatologist?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I did some research about methotrexate online and I did read that

men and women should wait at least 3 months prior to conception.

Also, in some of the notes there was mention of temporairy to

permanent sterility in men. ly that is worrisome to us. We want

as many children as God would give us and we do not use birth

control. We did conceive our third child while he was on

methotrexate because at the time we did not know. We were pretty

angry at the rhuematologist because we had specifically asked him

whether this drug was conpatible with our beliefs and desire for

children.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

Jenni,....I am glad your here, but sorry to hear about your husband.

It is really hard to deal with RA, but it's much easier to handle it

with meds. Does he have a rheumatologist? Is he on any meds right

now? Is he on disability because of the RA? I'm sorry that I ask so

many questions, you don't have to answer them, if their too personal.

There are different meds besides Methotrexate, if he doesn't like

it. He just can't label all of them, they help keep us moving.

Sorry to hear he is in so much pain, hopefully he will think about

going on meds, and talking to his doctor. The drinking is not going

to ease the pain, just cause more problems. Maybe if you get him

here, he can see how meds help others, and give them a little more of

a life. I will keep you in my prayers, and your family,....Tawny

> Hi,

>

> My name is Jenni. I am wife to and mama to Hannah 5, 3,

> and Jonathon 18 months. My husband has RA. He was diagnosed at age

5

> with JRA and it progressed from there. He is going to be 37 now..so

> he has had this for a looong time. He refuses to take medication

> because he had some very painful experiences as a child with

> injectins and many other fruitless experiences at the hospital. He

> told his mom when he was a teen that it was enough and she let him

> make that choice. A few years ago he agreed to try methotrexate

> until he discovered that it could cause sterility and other serious

> side affects...it was only a few weeks that he was on it. I am

> really worried about him. He is on disability but he has a home

> business and also works part time at a library at the local Ivy

> Tech. We have been blessed in that respect. However, I feel so

> helpless watching him suffer. He doesn't complain but I can see how

> the pain affects him by the way that he moves, etc. Last night he

> was in so much pain he started crying and just lost it..just

> wimpering how he couldn't take the pain anymore and how his hips

> were hurting him so badly. I don't know what to do. He drinks a lot

> to try to deal with the pain but that is the extent of how he will

> medicate himself. I just don't know how to handle this. I am only

23

> and I am so scared that he is going to get much worse in our

> lifetime together. I have been online and seen horrible pictures

and

> read things that make my stomach turn when I think of it happening

> to my husband.

>

> Anyways, I hope to learn more here so that I can better support my

> husband. He doesnt have much spare time so I am usually the one

> online looking for things.

>

> Anyways, glad to be a part of this group; I know that I will learn

> much from you all.

>

> Sincerely,

> Jenni

[Guest guest]

Hi Tawny,

I mentioned the list to him; perhaps he will join the group. I think

that it would be a good thing..but it hard to get him going on

things like that. Technically, I suppose, he does have a

rhematologist..because he has been to one;however, it has been a

long time because he canceled the follow up and just has never

rescheduled. (No, not on any meds) He is on disability but he does

also run an internet business selling heavy metal christian cds

online and he works part time at a college library.

I appreciate ALL the welcoming emails that I have received; this

list seems like a really supportive group.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni, You can only do so much, and then it's going to have to be

his decision. Hopefully, he will be interested to join the group, we

have some guys and girls here, so that makes it cool.

I am so glad that he has you, and you found this group for support, T

> Hi Tawny,

> I mentioned the list to him; perhaps he will join the group. I

think

> that it would be a good thing..but it hard to get him going on

> things like that. Technically, I suppose, he does have a

> rhematologist..because he has been to one;however, it has been a

> long time because he canceled the follow up and just has never

> rescheduled. (No, not on any meds) He is on disability but he does

> also run an internet business selling heavy metal christian cds

> online and he works part time at a college library.

>

> I appreciate ALL the welcoming emails that I have received; this

> list seems like a really supportive group.

>

> Jenni

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni,

I saw that you have a conviction and belief in God. Have you ever heard of

www.restministries.com It is a christian website for those of us that have

chronic illnesses. I just found it recently and it has been a real blessing for

prayer and support. I will be praying for your husband and situation I

understand the difficulty with medications and choosing one and also praying

that Gods will be done in my life also as I seek medical help. My husband and I

pray alot and ask for wisdom in finding a new Rhuemy for me as we are moving out

of state. The website also has places for spouses of chronically ill so that you

can help them. I am going to ask my husband to read it hoping and praying he can

have a better understanding. I have noticed most complain of lack of family

support. You are truly a blessing from the Lord to be helping your husband and

seeking to educate yourself. I am sure many in this group are jealous My

husband is ok at support but he is an ER nurse so he sees people

hanging on for dear life and I guess it is hard for him because You cant see my

pain as I am still in the first several years of this RA. We have 4 kids which I

homeschool and it has been hard. But for you to help him like this awesome. Just

keep praying that God would soften his heart if its the Lords will that he goes

on these meds. It is the Holy Spirit that changes hearts better that people. I

have learned that the hard way by trying to help to hard. I will pray for you.

Please keep me posted and let me know how you like the website. In Christ,

Latisha

jennikaye1999 <Fruitful4Him@...> wrote:

Hi,

I did some research about methotrexate online and I did read that

men and women should wait at least 3 months prior to conception.

Also, in some of the notes there was mention of temporairy to

permanent sterility in men. ly that is worrisome to us. We want

as many children as God would give us and we do not use birth

control. We did conceive our third child while he was on

methotrexate because at the time we did not know. We were pretty

angry at the rhuematologist because we had specifically asked him

whether this drug was conpatible with our beliefs and desire for

children.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

Dear Jill,

What an awful time you had with your Doctor. If all these Male Pigs

did not stick together so tightly, I would tell you to report him. I'm glad

you have a woman to see now.

I go to the Cleveland Clinic and my Doctor (a very nice and caring man)

has proscribed about the says treatment that yours has. I love this group

because everyone knows how you feel. When I first felt my bones in my hands

start to turn, I felt like there was some space thing in side of me twisting my

bones. My Doctor said gout, but I know something more was really wrong. I

got on the Internet and found out exactly what it was from WebMD.

I'm so glad you feel better now and that all these nice people have

been able to help you. I know this group means a lot to me.

Polly from Ohio

[Guest guest]

Welcome Jill. Sorry for your reason for being here but glad you found us.

I hope your doctor finds out what is going on. Sometimes it takes awhile to

get the proper diagnosis.

The ortho doc sounds like he needs to go back to med school. Woman¹s

disease must also make your hands hurt from cleaning and cooking to much.

It is so annoying when doctors try to blame us for our ills.

Did your new PCP check out that lump?

I¹m 50 and live in Florida. I¹ve had RA since my early 20¹s which is

somewhat controlled by meds.

a

>

> Hi- My name is Jill and I am 41 years old living in Nashville, TN. On

> Friday I saw my Dcotor for the first time for issues I have been

> having.

>

> She did bloodwork and we are waiting for the results back before she

> sends me off to a Rheumy. She says so far she is pretty sure that I

> have some sort of Connective Tissue Disease and some form of

> Arthritis. Perhaps Fibro.

>

> We are in the beginnings of wait and see, I guess.

>

> I have a history of endometriosis, and Irritible Bowel Syndrome.

>

> Over the last few months I have been exhausted and just couldnt shake

> it. I went to an ortho surgeon about knee pain that appeared out of

> nowhere. ( My previous pcp sent me to this guy.) He looked at me,

> asked me to describe the problems and within one sentence interupted

> me and said, " I know what your problem is. You have the womens

> disease. " My back went up a bit. He wiound up saying its something

> that happens to women in their 40's. Our hips spread form having

> babies, and then our knee's go out of whack when we put on weight. He

> told me to tell him the truth on how much weight I had put on

> recently, and when I said 10 pounds, he laughed and said " now tell me

> the truth! " . MY husband stood up and said, she is telling the truth.

> (DH is 290 pounds and 6'3). ANyway- knee doc sent me to PT. It helped

> some but its still pretty bad. Then I started with pains in my neck

> then in my shoulders. Then in my ankles, and my feet. Then my wrist

> and my thumbs and my back. I was hobbling around like an 80 year old

> woman and I was afraid to go to the doctor.(My doctor was a witch

> doctor who was an idiot. I have a lump in my armpit that has been

> there since June and he said it was fatty tissue without even touching

> it.)

>

> Anyway- I switched PCP's and went to my new one on Friday. She

> started me on 60 mgs of Prednisone for 5 days and Celebrex twice a day

> and I feel so much better already.

>

> I have been doing a lot of reading and based on my symptoms, it looks

> like a toss up between RA and Fibro. Scary either way.

>

> Looking forward to learning more about what is going on inside my

> body- and talking to people who understand how bad I feel even though

> I look ok.

>

> Thanks for having a place for me to go to.

>

> Jill

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a-

Thanks for the welcome. Yes- my new PCP checked out the lump- she is

sending me for a Mammogram and a sonogram and is going to make an appt

to have it aspirated by a needle just to make sure. All the things you

think a real doctor would do!

Sorry to meet you here- but glad you are here for me to bug! If that

made any sense.

Jill

On Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:58:29 -0500, a54 <paula54@...> wrote:

> It is so annoying when doctors try to blame us for our ills.

> Did your new PCP check out that lump?

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Jill!

That is one horrific tale. Unfortunately, many people here can relate to

such abuse at the hands of physicians. Good that you found a primary

physician who sounds much better.

Since there are many rheumatic diseases that share the symptoms of

fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, I hope you'll consider making an

appointment with a rheumatologist very soon.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Intro

>

>

> Hi- My name is Jill and I am 41 years old living in Nashville, TN. On

> Friday I saw my Dcotor for the first time for issues I have been

> having.

>

> She did bloodwork and we are waiting for the results back before she

> sends me off to a Rheumy. She says so far she is pretty sure that I

> have some sort of Connective Tissue Disease and some form of

> Arthritis. Perhaps Fibro.

>

> We are in the beginnings of wait and see, I guess.

>

> I have a history of endometriosis, and Irritible Bowel Syndrome.

>

> Over the last few months I have been exhausted and just couldnt shake

> it. I went to an ortho surgeon about knee pain that appeared out of

> nowhere. ( My previous pcp sent me to this guy.) He looked at me,

> asked me to describe the problems and within one sentence interupted

> me and said, " I know what your problem is. You have the womens

> disease. " My back went up a bit. He wiound up saying its something

> that happens to women in their 40's. Our hips spread form having

> babies, and then our knee's go out of whack when we put on weight. He

> told me to tell him the truth on how much weight I had put on

> recently, and when I said 10 pounds, he laughed and said " now tell me

> the truth! " . MY husband stood up and said, she is telling the truth.

> (DH is 290 pounds and 6'3). ANyway- knee doc sent me to PT. It helped

> some but its still pretty bad. Then I started with pains in my neck

> then in my shoulders. Then in my ankles, and my feet. Then my wrist

> and my thumbs and my back. I was hobbling around like an 80 year old

> woman and I was afraid to go to the doctor.(My doctor was a witch

> doctor who was an idiot. I have a lump in my armpit that has been

> there since June and he said it was fatty tissue without even touching

> it.)

>

> Anyway- I switched PCP's and went to my new one on Friday. She

> started me on 60 mgs of Prednisone for 5 days and Celebrex twice a day

> and I feel so much better already.

>

> I have been doing a lot of reading and based on my symptoms, it looks

> like a toss up between RA and Fibro. Scary either way.

>

> Looking forward to learning more about what is going on inside my

> body- and talking to people who understand how bad I feel even though

> I look ok.

>

> Thanks for having a place for me to go to.

>

> Jill

[Guest guest]

Jill, get yourself a new ortho guy too!! it is true about what he

said, though. Women tend to have more knee problems do to our

pelvis shape. generally it is ligament or tendon issues, but bone

can, and is some cases may, be involved. endometriosis is also an

autoimmune disorder. that's what i started with, had a hyster, and

a few complications later---i get to live with RA!! Oh, for joy!!

But, on the bright side, I've made friends here. Everyone in here

is great. Lot's of information can be found from the wonderful

people in this family we have here. Welcome to the family!! :-)

Take care......Marina in Ohio

--- In , Jill Watkins <jill.watkins@g...>

wrote:

>

> Hi- My name is Jill and I am 41 years old living in Nashville, TN.

On

> Friday I saw my Dcotor for the first time for issues I have been

> having.

>

> She did bloodwork and we are waiting for the results back before

she

> sends me off to a Rheumy. She says so far she is pretty sure that I

> have some sort of Connective Tissue Disease and some form of

> Arthritis. Perhaps Fibro.

>

> We are in the beginnings of wait and see, I guess.

>

> I have a history of endometriosis, and Irritible Bowel Syndrome.

>

> Over the last few months I have been exhausted and just couldnt

shake

> it. I went to an ortho surgeon about knee pain that appeared out of

> nowhere. ( My previous pcp sent me to this guy.) He looked at me,

> asked me to describe the problems and within one sentence

interupted

> me and said, " I know what your problem is. You have the womens

> disease. " My back went up a bit. He wiound up saying its something

> that happens to women in their 40's. Our hips spread form having

> babies, and then our knee's go out of whack when we put on weight.

He

> told me to tell him the truth on how much weight I had put on

> recently, and when I said 10 pounds, he laughed and said " now tell

me

> the truth! " . MY husband stood up and said, she is telling the

truth.

> (DH is 290 pounds and 6'3). ANyway- knee doc sent me to PT. It

helped

> some but its still pretty bad. Then I started with pains in my neck

> then in my shoulders. Then in my ankles, and my feet. Then my wrist

> and my thumbs and my back. I was hobbling around like an 80 year

old

> woman and I was afraid to go to the doctor.(My doctor was a witch

> doctor who was an idiot. I have a lump in my armpit that has been

> there since June and he said it was fatty tissue without even

touching

> it.)

>

> Anyway- I switched PCP's and went to my new one on Friday. She

> started me on 60 mgs of Prednisone for 5 days and Celebrex twice a

day

> and I feel so much better already.

>

> I have been doing a lot of reading and based on my symptoms, it

looks

> like a toss up between RA and Fibro. Scary either way.

>

> Looking forward to learning more about what is going on inside my

> body- and talking to people who understand how bad I feel even

though

> I look ok.

>

> Thanks for having a place for me to go to.

>

> Jill

[Guest guest]

Hi jill... i am new here, too.. i think we all have had treatment like that at

some time or another... some doctors!

it is so good to have a doctor that you feel very confident with... make the

whole world for you better..

rae

[ ] Intro

>

>

> Hi- My name is Jill and I am 41 years old living in Nashville, TN. On

> Friday I saw my Dcotor for the first time for issues I have been

> having.

>

> She did bloodwork and we are waiting for the results back before she

> sends me off to a Rheumy. She says so far she is pretty sure that I

> have some sort of Connective Tissue Disease and some form of

> Arthritis. Perhaps Fibro.

>

> We are in the beginnings of wait and see, I guess.

>

> I have a history of endometriosis, and Irritible Bowel Syndrome.

>

> Over the last few months I have been exhausted and just couldnt shake

> it. I went to an ortho surgeon about knee pain that appeared out of

> nowhere. ( My previous pcp sent me to this guy.) He looked at me,

> asked me to describe the problems and within one sentence interupted

> me and said, " I know what your problem is. You have the womens

> disease. " My back went up a bit. He wiound up saying its something

> that happens to women in their 40's. Our hips spread form having

> babies, and then our knee's go out of whack when we put on weight. He

> told me to tell him the truth on how much weight I had put on

> recently, and when I said 10 pounds, he laughed and said " now tell me

> the truth! " . MY husband stood up and said, she is telling the truth.

> (DH is 290 pounds and 6'3). ANyway- knee doc sent me to PT. It helped

> some but its still pretty bad. Then I started with pains in my neck

> then in my shoulders. Then in my ankles, and my feet. Then my wrist

> and my thumbs and my back. I was hobbling around like an 80 year old

> woman and I was afraid to go to the doctor.(My doctor was a witch

> doctor who was an idiot. I have a lump in my armpit that has been

> there since June and he said it was fatty tissue without even touching

> it.)

>

> Anyway- I switched PCP's and went to my new one on Friday. She

> started me on 60 mgs of Prednisone for 5 days and Celebrex twice a day

> and I feel so much better already.

>

> I have been doing a lot of reading and based on my symptoms, it looks

> like a toss up between RA and Fibro. Scary either way.

>

> Looking forward to learning more about what is going on inside my

> body- and talking to people who understand how bad I feel even though

> I look ok.

>

> Thanks for having a place for me to go to.

>

> Jill

[Guest guest]

Hi , I am so glad to hear you are not having any negative health consequences from your implants, at least so far! It sounds like you have a leak, which is a bummer....it means you do have to get in there and have another surgery to take care of this. So, you really are at a juncture in which you could opt for complete removal and never have to worry about this happening again, or considering replacement. It's probably a very hard decision, and I am sure that finding out what many of us have gone through with our health, rather frightening as well. We do have a couple of Plastic surgeons that we recommend in the San Diego area (which is where I am assuming is close to La Jolla), and one in particular comes highly recommended. His name is Dr. Gilbert Lee. Here is his website: http://www.changesplasticsurgery.com/san_diego_plastic_surgeon/dr_lee.html I am sure he will not recommend removal to you as a first option, but rather replacement, since that is what they do. They tend to be pro-implant. So, making a decision to remove will be one that you will have to become firm with once you have the resolve to do it. Don't be too quick to chalk up any strange symptoms to hormones, age or other things, if in fact, they could be related to your implants. You don't want to get sick...trust me...you don't want to chance it. This is the best time to make your decision on what to do about your implants, so take the time to really think it over. We can help you somewhat in knowing what you will look like after removal....you will look like you did before with a good explanting

surgeron. If you had excessive sagginess, you may want to opt for a lift upon explant as well. We have photos at our shutterfly site. (http://.shutterfly.com/action/ Password is implants.) Many women are very, very happy with their post explant shape, including myself. You will have to request that your implants to be returned to you if you want to see them for yourself. A good plastic surgeon will recognize the need to note the condition of your implants, but some may just want to toss them or hide them or whatever it is that they do with them when they take a stance of covering their behinds. Since you paid for them, you really do own them....make your requests known. I hope this helps somewhat in your search for answers. Let us know if you need further

assistance. We'll be here! Pattyshanti7 <burbmama2@...> wrote: Hi Everyone,I just joined this list,and want to introduce myself.My name is .I had saline implants implanted in Jan 2001.Two weeks ago when trying on bras,I noticed one was different.I can definitely feel edges,it definitely getting smaller.Saw a PS 2 weeks ago and he said its definitely lost volume.I want to be clear that I am not noticing any negative health effects from implants,that I know of ,so far.I do want to say that they have hurt like heck for about 2 years,but I have moved far from the original surgeon.I chalked the hurt up to hormones,age,and possibly capsular contraction,but thought there wasn't alot they would do about it.So now I am meeting another PS in La Jolla this week.I am

considering removal,thanks to the knowledge I am gathering from you wonderful ladies.I woke up the other day with total acceptance-they're just breasts!My question is (1)what do I need to ask this guy?(2) any recommendations for PS in LaJolla?(3)Can they really give me an idea of what I will look like after removal?(4)Do they make notes as to the condition of the implants when they are removed?Any comments or advise you can offer would be so appreciated.I want to say thank you to you for this group.I am so tired of the cheerleaders on the websites talking about how fantastic their breasts are after surgery.I am so tired of the lies the medical industry perpetuates. Sincerely,

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am so glad that you came to this site. Perhaps the leak was meant

for you to find this site so that you could make the choice to get

the implants removed now before they could become a problem. I did

not know for years that my implants were impacting my health and I

often wonder what mylife would have been like if I had realized that

my implants were causing the symptoms I was experiencing. I am much

better now explanted, but I have spent thousands andthousands of

dollars and been through so much pain and still struggle at times

with pain and fatigue. It always makes me happy when someone finds

this site and makes the decision not to get implants. I look pretty

much the same after explant as I did before getting them. Most

women are fairly close to the same size and some are larger than

they were before implants. Usually if you need a lift the doctor

would be able to tell you that. Most women are fairly pleased with

their post explant appearance. If you go our photo's site, you will

be able to see several pics of women before explant and after. If

we can be of any help to you please don't hesitate to ask any other

questions you might have. Welcome to our group.

Hugs Kathy

> Hi Everyone,

> I just joined this list,and want to introduce myself.My name is

> .I had saline implants implanted in Jan 2001.Two weeks ago

when

> trying on bras,I noticed one was different.I can definitely feel

> edges,it definitely getting smaller.Saw a PS 2 weeks ago and he

said

> its definitely lost volume.I want to be clear that I am not

noticing

> any negative health effects from implants,that I know of ,so far.I

> do want to say that they have hurt like heck for about 2 years,but

I

> have moved far from the original surgeon.I chalked the hurt up to

> hormones,age,and possibly capsular contraction,but thought there

> wasn't alot they would do about it.

> So now I am meeting another PS in La Jolla this week.I am

> considering removal,thanks to the knowledge I am gathering from

you

> wonderful ladies.I woke up the other day with total acceptance-

> they're just breasts!My question is (1)what do I need to ask this

> guy?

> (2) any recommendations for PS in LaJolla?

> (3)Can they really give me an idea of what I will look like after

> removal?

> (4)Do they make notes as to the condition of the implants when

they

> are removed?

> Any comments or advise you can offer would be so appreciated.

> I want to say thank you to you for this group.I am so tired of the

> cheerleaders on the websites talking about how fantastic their

> breasts are after surgery.I am so tired of the lies the medical

> industry perpetuates.

> Sincerely,

>

>

>

>

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

> Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1 & cent;/min.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathe, Welcome to our group and sorry to hear about you and your family.

Everything you mentioned sounds like any exposure to toxic mold. I had

everything you mentioned(and more) except for the nosebleeds.I was a teacher and

did see many of my students with nosebleeds and very strange rashes.

Check out www.chronicneurotoxins.com and also try to get a copy of Mold

Warriors by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker.

Sue

Hi all. I joined this group because I highly suspect that the house my

family

and I are renting has mold in it. And that we're being affected by it. We moved

to NC from MI on 1/1/06. We stayed in a hotel for a month. I don't remember

having any health problems while there. We moved in here in the beginning of

Feb. Since then, my oldest has had numerous nosebleeds, some in the

middle of the night. My middle child has developed an annoying 'snort', my

oldest

and youngest have dark circles under their eyes, intestinal problems, itchy

throat,

I have developed dark circles under my eyes and several days when I can barely

function. I am in my mid-forties so of course I wonder about perimenopause. But

I can't ignore my kids' symptoms. I'm going to the library today to get some

books

out on mold and toxic buildings. I am hoping to meet others who're going

through

the same struggles so we can compare notes and learn from and support each

other.

Cathe

________________________________________________________________________

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security

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[Guest guest]

Cathe, Believe me you are not crazy! I had so many strange things going

wrong my Drs. thought I was nuts because all tests were negative! I was even

taken from my classroom with shortness of breath, racing heart, numbness &

tingling in my hands/arms. After spending a day and a night in the hospital

along

with a heart cath the next day I was told my heart was in excellent condition

so it must be stress & anxiety! Gave me some pills and sent me home!

Hope this helps some. Take the VCS test at chronicneurotoxins.com it is 98%

accurate! If you test positive then you can be fairly certain that you have

been exposed to some form of toxins.

Sue

Sue,

Thanks for the welcome! Our library doesn't have Shoemaker's book, but

hopefully I can get it through interlibrary loan. Thanks for the title and

the

website. This is so weird, that things we can't even see could be the cause

of all these problems...but it makes so much sense. I forgot to mention

that my older two boys and my husband have asthma, so it's urgently

important I get this figured out. And my oldest and I have noticed tremendous

trouble catching our breath in this house lately...when we're out, we don't

have the same trouble. It's frightening. But I'm encouraged that maybe I

am NOT going crazy!!

Cathe

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Thanks for the welcome! Our library doesn't have Shoemaker's book, but

hopefully I can get it through interlibrary loan. Thanks for the title and the

website. This is so weird, that things we can't even see could be the cause

of all these problems...but it makes so much sense. I forgot to mention

that my older two boys and my husband have asthma, so it's urgently

important I get this figured out. And my oldest and I have noticed tremendous

trouble catching our breath in this house lately...when we're out, we don't

have the same trouble. It's frightening. But I'm encouraged that maybe I

am NOT going crazy!!

Cathe

> Hi Cathe, Welcome to our group and sorry to hear about you and your family.

Everything you mentioned sounds like any exposure to toxic mold. I had

everything you mentioned(and more) except for the nosebleeds.I was a teacher and

did see many of my students with nosebleeds and very strange rashes.

> Check out www.chronicneurotoxins.com and also try to get a copy of Mold

Warriors by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker.

>

> Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Are you referring to the $8.95 test? Or the $49.95 one?

I sure hope it's the $8.95 one!

We just sat down to eat in the dining room [where I fear

the mold is the worst] and my son said he was having

trouble breathing again. It's almost palpable in this room.

Earlier today I wore a slicker my mom had picked up for me

at a yard sale. Kept smelling a musty smell. Thought it was

the library we were in--it was the jacket!! Tonight my sinuses are

a mess again!

Not sure how much detail we're supposed to get in on the

list, but if you want to email me privately, Sue, it'd be interesting

to compare notes.

Cathe

>

> From: ssr3351@...

> Date: 2006/10/07 Sat PM 05:07:03 EDT

>

> Subject: Re: [] Intro

>

>

> Cathe, Believe me you are not crazy! I had so many strange things going

> wrong my Drs. thought I was nuts because all tests were negative! I was even

> taken from my classroom with shortness of breath, racing heart, numbness &

> tingling in my hands/arms. After spending a day and a night in the hospital

along

> with a heart cath the next day I was told my heart was in excellent condition

> so it must be stress & anxiety! Gave me some pills and sent me home!

>

> Hope this helps some. Take the VCS test at chronicneurotoxins.com it is 98%

> accurate! If you test positive then you can be fairly certain that you have

> been exposed to some form of toxins.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

> Sue,

> Thanks for the welcome! Our library doesn't have Shoemaker's book, but

> hopefully I can get it through interlibrary loan. Thanks for the title and

> the

> website. This is so weird, that things we can't even see could be the cause

> of all these problems...but it makes so much sense. I forgot to mention

> that my older two boys and my husband have asthma, so it's urgently

> important I get this figured out. And my oldest and I have noticed tremendous

> trouble catching our breath in this house lately...when we're out, we don't

> have the same trouble. It's frightening. But I'm encouraged that maybe I

> am NOT going crazy!!

> Cathe

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>