Introducing Myself!

[Guest guest]

Welcome !

if 25 pounds is 10% of your body weight and you have a BMI of 40, I

am assuming you are about 250 pounds? LOL, you are a " lightweight "

like many of us were before ds and yes, many people will try to

discourage you because you are not Super Morbidly Obese, and I got

the same responses and reactions from many as well when I was

considering the ds.....everyone said to just lose 30 pounds or so and

I would be fine...but many years of dieting and trying to drop that

30 pounds or so and KEEP it off failed and I went ahead, followed my

heart and my head and had the ds at 238 pounds, 5 foot 6 and a BMI of

39.4.....I do not regret it one bit!! I am happy, healthy, and life

is totally diffeent since the weight loss! I was thrilled at a size

14 and 170 pounds...and was actually begging the Dr to make it

stop...but I ended up here at 137 pounds and though I still feel a

bit too skinny at times, I feel great, still have curves, and above

all I feel healthy again! You do what is right for you! We are here

if you have questions, and we will all support you and be here for

you through it all!

Cindee

Hanford

DS date 10/15/02

highest weight 252 size 3X, 26

preop weight 238 BMI 39.4 size 24- 2X

Tummy tuck/hernia repair Jan 9, 2004

weight today 137 BMI 22.1 size 6/8 small/mediums

Minus 101 pounds and healthy and happy!

In , Hill <llzhill@c...>

wrote:

> Hello everyone,

> I apologize in advance for the length of my post...just wanted to

cover

> everything! I am a new member to this group and wanted to post a

bit about

> me. I am 32 (33 in June), married for almost 10 years with a 2 1/2

year old

> son. We live in sdale, AZ where I work from home. I am 5'7 "

with a

> BMI of 40.

>

> I began researching WLS almost 2 years ago. I began by looking

into the

> RnY, but did NOT like the idea of the lifelong complications with

> obstructions and ulcers. Not to mention dumping. I then

researched the Lap

> Band but didn't like the high weight regain or the high percentage

of

> " failures. " Then I tried Weight Watchers again in earnest last

summer. I

> lost 26 pounds, only to put it all back on again, plus 10 more.

>

> Then I met with GREAT surgeon here in Phoenix that only does the

RnY.

> Ironically, it was his patient brochure, which mentioned the DS,

that first

> led me to my current research efforts. I was immediately intrigued

with the

> " normalcy " of the post-op diet and truly impressed with the long-

term weight

> statistics. BUT, when I mentioned it to the surgeon, he

immediately told me

> it was the " diarrhea operation " . Mind you, this is a Harvard Med

School

> graduate with 20 years of WLS experience...highly regarded in our

community.

> I almost agreed to the RnY per the surgeon's recommendations but a

nagging

> little voice told me I owed it to myself to investigate the DS

further.

> Fast forward to my appointment with the only surgeon in AZ that

does the DS,

> Dr. Simpson. I loved his sense of humor and had heard GREAT things

about

> him from the support groups on obesity help. However, I couldn't

help but

> notice that he seemed to be pushing everyone in the group meeting

toward the

> lap band...calling it the " wave of the future. " He barely

discussed the DS

> at all. When I asked about his mortality rate/complication rate,

he told me

> (and I am quoting here), " I don't keep track of numbers...don't

know why, I

> just don't like to keep track of numbers. " I left that meeting

feeling VERY

> uneasy about this surgeon, although I am sure he is great and lots

of people

> seem to love him. But, I do know of at least three recent deaths

of his

> patients.

>

> So before I changed my mind back to the RnY, I did some checking

into

> experienced surgeons in California. I made a call to my insurance,

United

> Healthcare and discovered that both my top picks for surgeons (Dr.

K & Drs.

> Rabkin) are covered by my plan! I never thought to check out of

state. I

> decided after posting to both groups and checking further into the

office

> staffs at both offices to go with Dr. K. My all-day appointment

is Tue

> March 13.

>

> Since I actually made my decision, I have felt both relieved and

terrified

> at the same time. I am scared of dying, but cannot imagine living

my life

> like this forever. I keep watching " I Lost It " on Discovery Health

channel

> and see stories of WLS patients being successful. However, there

are even

> MORE stories of people losing a lot of weight on their own, and I

can't get

> over the fact that I keep failing at this. Man, do I ever wish I

could take

> the weight off with Weight Watchers (or whatever other diet I have

tried

> multiple times). But I am not good at restraining myself from

eating. Yet

> another reason the RnY would not be a good choice for me.

>

> I keep having serious self-doubts about doing this. My husband is

> supportive, but my parents are not. My dad is AVIDLY opposed and

my mother

> is just highly concerned about long-term health risks. They both

truly

> believe I can lose the weight by clearing the house of junk and

being

> disciplined. My mother thinks even losing 25 pounds (10% of my

body weight)

> would be enough gain health benefits. She keeps telling me, " Why

risk death

> for 25 pounds? " I have to admit I fall prey to her logic easily.

I am just

> confused. And scared. And I am sure I am normal!

>

> My plan is to jump into this forum and read and post and learn as

much as I

> can. I will be very frank with Dr. K about my fears on the 13th

and see

> what he has to say.

>

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and

participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

[Guest guest]

,

Congrats on getting to this point. You will love this group online !

I know I do. Dr K did not do my surgery, but we may be moving that

direction which is why I joined this group along with their great

support.

Will pray for peace of mind when you met Dr K and his staff. Being

scared is normal. It is part of the process. Before I learned of the

DS I swore I would never have WLS becuase of the complications and

the loss of the pyeloric valve. Since we do not lose the pyeloric

valve with the DS I no longer had any excuses. My health depended on

it with previous back surgery and other medical problems. The DS has

improved my life in so many ways it is hard to count them all, but

here are some of them:

I now wear a L or XL, so it makes it easier to find clothes (was a 26-

28 at surgery). I can walk for extended time periods. I sleep well

and all night as I am more comfy. I no longer snore. I blend in with

the crowd - instead of sticking out in the crowd. I can cut my

toenails and not have my belly or back hurt. I can tie my shoes and

they are in the middle and not on the side of the shoe. I fit in a

normal size wheel chair now. I can wear a normal hospital gown and

not have my behind pop out and I can even tie it ! I can sit on

hubby's lap for as long as I want to, or until he says the bones in

my behind hurt him. He no longer mentions I am too heavy for his lap.

DH calls me skinny all the time - even though I still feel fat. And

should I mention how great sex is now that I have a sex drive

again ?? he he <blush> That is just some of the things of the top of

my head I can think of. I am sure there are many more.

the jitters pass.... keep us updated on how your journey is

okay ? I am glad your husband is supportive. We actually did not

tell family until it was over with, then they could only support

me...this was easy to do as they do not live close to us. Unless a

person has lived in your shoes with weight problems they cannot

identify with it. You and your hubby make the decision. At least that

is my opinion. Yes you are very normal with your fears. Keep

reading, keep educating yourself. You will know what is right when

the time comes to make that deicsion.

PW

lap ds 7-15-03

down 118 pounds

5' 3 "

sw/cw/goal~(healthy)

320/202/???

>

> Since I actually made my decision, I have felt both relieved and

terrified at the same time. I am scared of dying, but cannot

imagine living my life like this forever. > I keep having serious

self-doubts about doing this. My husband is supportive, but my

parents are not. My dad is AVIDLY opposed and my mother

> is just highly concerned about long-term health risks. They both

truly believe I can lose the weight by clearing the house of junk

and being disciplined. And I am sure I am normal!

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and

participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

[Guest guest]

,

Congrats on getting to this point. You will love this group online !

I know I do. Dr K did not do my surgery, but we may be moving that

direction which is why I joined this group along with their great

support.

Will pray for peace of mind when you met Dr K and his staff. Being

scared is normal. It is part of the process. Before I learned of the

DS I swore I would never have WLS becuase of the complications and

the loss of the pyeloric valve. Since we do not lose the pyeloric

valve with the DS I no longer had any excuses. My health depended on

it with previous back surgery and other medical problems. The DS has

improved my life in so many ways it is hard to count them all, but

here are some of them:

I now wear a L or XL, so it makes it easier to find clothes (was a 26-

28 at surgery). I can walk for extended time periods. I sleep well

and all night as I am more comfy. I no longer snore. I blend in with

the crowd - instead of sticking out in the crowd. I can cut my

toenails and not have my belly or back hurt. I can tie my shoes and

they are in the middle and not on the side of the shoe. I fit in a

normal size wheel chair now. I can wear a normal hospital gown and

not have my behind pop out and I can even tie it ! I can sit on

hubby's lap for as long as I want to, or until he says the bones in

my behind hurt him. He no longer mentions I am too heavy for his lap.

DH calls me skinny all the time - even though I still feel fat. And

should I mention how great sex is now that I have a sex drive

again ?? he he <blush> That is just some of the things of the top of

my head I can think of. I am sure there are many more.

the jitters pass.... keep us updated on how your journey is

okay ? I am glad your husband is supportive. We actually did not

tell family until it was over with, then they could only support

me...this was easy to do as they do not live close to us. Unless a

person has lived in your shoes with weight problems they cannot

identify with it. You and your hubby make the decision. At least that

is my opinion. Yes you are very normal with your fears. Keep

reading, keep educating yourself. You will know what is right when

the time comes to make that deicsion.

PW

lap ds 7-15-03

down 118 pounds

5' 3 "

sw/cw/goal~(healthy)

320/202/???

>

> Since I actually made my decision, I have felt both relieved and

terrified at the same time. I am scared of dying, but cannot

imagine living my life like this forever. > I keep having serious

self-doubts about doing this. My husband is supportive, but my

parents are not. My dad is AVIDLY opposed and my mother

> is just highly concerned about long-term health risks. They both

truly believe I can lose the weight by clearing the house of junk

and being disciplined. And I am sure I am normal!

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and

participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

[Guest guest]

> My plan is to jump into this forum and read and post and learn as

much as I

> can. I will be very frank with Dr. K about my fears on the 13th

and see

> what he has to say.

>

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and

participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

,

We all have beed down the road, " why can't I do this without surgery? "

Mine was the willpower,I have NONE what so ever.This surgery was the

best thing I have ever done in my life.My bmi was 59 and I weighted

334 until 1-7-02 and a great dr has helped me get to 173 lbs and I

can walk more than 1/4 block now.Search deep in your heart and you

will find the answer you need. Your parents do not have to live in

your body,you do. Make sure that you start writing down the

questions you want to ask dr.k,he is awesome and will answer

anything and everthing you ask him...We will see you on the 13th,you

can't miss me,I'm the woman with the purple hair,so come up and

introduce yourself to me.I am really bad about names remembering

them that is.

Good luck and God bless

Pat in Taft,ca.

[Guest guest]

> My plan is to jump into this forum and read and post and learn as

much as I

> can. I will be very frank with Dr. K about my fears on the 13th

and see

> what he has to say.

>

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and

participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

,

We all have beed down the road, " why can't I do this without surgery? "

Mine was the willpower,I have NONE what so ever.This surgery was the

best thing I have ever done in my life.My bmi was 59 and I weighted

334 until 1-7-02 and a great dr has helped me get to 173 lbs and I

can walk more than 1/4 block now.Search deep in your heart and you

will find the answer you need. Your parents do not have to live in

your body,you do. Make sure that you start writing down the

questions you want to ask dr.k,he is awesome and will answer

anything and everthing you ask him...We will see you on the 13th,you

can't miss me,I'm the woman with the purple hair,so come up and

introduce yourself to me.I am really bad about names remembering

them that is.

Good luck and God bless

Pat in Taft,ca.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/1/2004 5:40:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, llzhill@...

writes:

> My plan is to jump into this forum and read and post and learn as much as I

> can. I will be very frank with Dr. K about my fears on the 13th and see

> what he has to say.

>

> Okay, enough already. I look forward to *meeting* you all and participating

> in this journey together.

>

> All the best,

>

>

Hi and welcome!

You have done a great job of research and I am glad you have found surgeons

that are covered by your insurance (a couple of years ago the Drs. Rabkin took

only one kind of insurance, so they have really improved). I think you are

going to find just how wonderful Dr. K is and how much you will enjoy his office

staff (but not the waits)! LOL

Keep and open mind and keep up the research. I am 16 months out, have lost

150 pounds, had my tummy tuck and hernia repair in Feb. (I won't expound on the

complication right now). I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. I am

starting to feel really energetic, though I am still on a wound vac from the

TT/HR. I feel like living again, I no longer have diabetes, my asthma is

vastly improved, I've reduced or eliminated a number of medications. I love

life...and I am so glad I had the GR-DS. By the way, diarrhea? No. Looser

stools? Yes, but easily controlled by diet and fiber (as in sprouted whole

grain

bread). Everyone is an individual on this particular issue.

Best wishes to you on your journey, and I am sure you are going to be

pleasantly surprised on the 13th!

Hugs and blessings,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann!!

I was born March of 1956 grew up in NYC now live just outside of NJ. Have 2

dogs and three cats and love birds and parakeets

I was diagnosed in 1972. This dreaded thing can bring us to our knees and

that is an understatement. I feel guilty saying I am a lucky one, but I want

people to have hope, and plenty of it!! Some of my remissions have been

long at times. ( 9 years) My stamina is bad tho..I kind of loose it after 3pm.

I worked as an RN in Manhattan and the Bronx( mostly cardiac).

I am so sorry you found us. Have you been in remission? Mini ones at least?

I have developed some raynauds and signs of Sjogrens..the disease has warped

a bit. They actually call me lately Undifferentiated etc.

that's part of the story. Many people are fun too and I have to say, we are

over due for a cyber party if anyone is in the mood..... I will bring some

salads and music!

Many nice people here for you to meet. From all over the place!!

It sounds pretty out there...

Hugs

Liz NJ ( a hop away from Philadelphia)

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann!!

I was born March of 1956 grew up in NYC now live just outside of NJ. Have 2

dogs and three cats and love birds and parakeets

I was diagnosed in 1972. This dreaded thing can bring us to our knees and

that is an understatement. I feel guilty saying I am a lucky one, but I want

people to have hope, and plenty of it!! Some of my remissions have been

long at times. ( 9 years) My stamina is bad tho..I kind of loose it after 3pm.

I worked as an RN in Manhattan and the Bronx( mostly cardiac).

I am so sorry you found us. Have you been in remission? Mini ones at least?

I have developed some raynauds and signs of Sjogrens..the disease has warped

a bit. They actually call me lately Undifferentiated etc.

that's part of the story. Many people are fun too and I have to say, we are

over due for a cyber party if anyone is in the mood..... I will bring some

salads and music!

Many nice people here for you to meet. From all over the place!!

It sounds pretty out there...

Hugs

Liz NJ ( a hop away from Philadelphia)

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

[Guest guest]

What's up Doc?..........I don't know what else to say at the moment,

LOL......Kirk

>

> Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

> Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

> the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

> Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

> reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico. I have a lot of

> patients with rheumatoid so between that and my own experience, I'm pretty

> familiar with most of the RA/Still's meds and would be happy to answer any

> ?s if I can help anyone. I've been on most of the meds-Plaquenil, Arava,

> Enbrel, Humira, Orencia. Right now, I'm on MTX, pred, and getting ready to

> start on Rituxan. Been through 1 rheumy in Albuquerque who was a b###head

> then went to Mayo in AZ (yuck!!!) and now have a good rheumy at the

> University in Albuquerque. I'm 50 and my b-day is August 31. I still enjoy

> my dogs (we rescue and try to find homes but end up expanding our family

> often ), cats (we have some Munchkins-short legged cats-way cute!!,

> horses, and even a donkey who adopted us. I enjoy reading, taking

> pictures, and being outside as I'm able. It's great to have a group of

> people who understand what this disease does to your life! Thanks!!! Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ann,

I'm . I am a nursing student from western NC, married with a 2 year old

son. I was diagnosed with AOSD in 1996. I am 35 years old. Sounds like you have

a very interesting life. Hope you enjoy the group.

</HTML>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ann,

I'm . I am a nursing student from western NC, married with a 2 year old

son. I was diagnosed with AOSD in 1996. I am 35 years old. Sounds like you have

a very interesting life. Hope you enjoy the group.

</HTML>

[Guest guest]

Hey there Ann:

I'm Ellen. Diagnosed about 13 years ago in Peekskill, NY. I have

one son (14 years old), the hubby, two wonderful mutts and a

parakeet. Used to have a dwarf rabbit but I had to put him down.

Poor guy was in bad health and 12 years old. I'm finally starting to

move forward from that.

Yes, a lot of us have been through the bad doctor thing. We're

unusual and it means doctors have to look something new up (G-d

forbid) and don't want to deal with us. Mean docs suck!

We now live in Florida (lightening capital of the U.S.) and I'm

handling the rainy season with a smile and several pain worn tears.

Typing is tough sometimes.

Welcome to the group, sorry you had to seek us out. There are open

arms here ready to give hugs.

Take care and be well.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Hi, Liz-Thanks for the nice note! Nope, no remission yet (tho in

retrospect I may have had a small, undiagnosed episode when I was about 29

so maybe I have ! ) It is gorgeous out here-mountains, ponderosa pines,

deer, elk, the occasional bear and mountain lion, no humidity (great

change as I grew up in central Illinois!), not too hot and cools off great

at night, but mostly lots of open and empy space-it's great and I would

love to share it with anyone visiting out this way!>

>

> Hi Ann!!

>

> I was born March of 1956 grew up in NYC now live just outside of NJ. Have

> 2

> dogs and three cats and love birds and parakeets

>

> I was diagnosed in 1972. This dreaded thing can bring us to our knees and

> that is an understatement. I feel guilty saying I am a lucky one, but I

> want

> people to have hope, and plenty of it!! Some of my remissions have

> been

> long at times. ( 9 years) My stamina is bad tho..I kind of loose it

> after 3pm.

>

> I worked as an RN in Manhattan and the Bronx( mostly cardiac).

>

> I am so sorry you found us. Have you been in remission? Mini ones at

> least?

>

> I have developed some raynauds and signs of Sjogrens..the disease has

> warped

> a bit. They actually call me lately Undifferentiated etc.

>

>

>

> that's part of the story. Many people are fun too and I have to say, we

> are

> over due for a cyber party if anyone is in the mood..... I will bring

> some

> salads and music!

>

> Many nice people here for you to meet. From all over the place!!

>

> It sounds pretty out there...

>

> Hugs

> Liz NJ ( a hop away from Philadelphia)

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL

> at

> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Thanks, Ellen for the intro! Sorry about your rabbit-that's hard. We

lost 2 older dogs this last winter (1 with diabetes which I have because

of the pred so we were insulin buddies, the other my daughter's first

dog) It's really really tough. Know what you mean about the lightning-a

hazard of mountain living as well-had a tree caught fire last year from

a strike-luckily the national monument fire folks were on the ball and

put it out before it could spread because it is dry, dry, dry out here

How about a petition to outlaw mean doctors!!! Maybe we could sell

t-shirts as a foundation fund-raiser! Anyway-thanks again! Ann

[Guest guest]

> Hey, Kirk-what's up is my spirits after finding so many new friends!!!

Thanks!!!! Ann

[Guest guest]

> Hey, Kirk-what's up is my spirits after finding so many new friends!!!

Thanks!!!! Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann and welcome,

I saw your intro the other day on the Stilligan's Island Discussion

board. Glad you found your way here.

Me, diagnosed May 2005. I feel extremely guilty because I believe

that I have the best docs to be found in a relatively rural area of

PA (A hop skip and jump on the other side of Philly from Liz over in

NJ) Same as everyone else, the symptoms started running in various

circles until they pointed to something a rheumatologist would love.

Interestingly, my Family Practice and hematology docs both went to

med school with my rheumy. And get this, they actually talk about me

and compare notes. From your own apparent dealings with specialists

and what you see from the group, egos frequently get in the way of

good medical care (no offense, doc, as you sound like a real live

human being) At least I have not had to overcome those obstacles.

On remicade (10mg/kg/6wks), MTX (25mg/wk), and at the moment 2mg/day

of the evil roids. Then the weekly Procrit (16,000Units) And some

other crap to overcome the side effects of the drugs. I have a

pretty high pain tolerance so when I am almost due for Remicade,

Ibuprofen covers me along with some heat and ice. Again, I do feel

somewhat guilty that others in the group are in so much more pain.

You will need to be sure to join Chat on Thursday. The discussion

always comes around to the antics of our animals. I have 2 dogs who

adopted us from the local SPCA. Cat has 2 dogs (and no cats). She

is from BC, Candida so be sure to ask her about the thrush that live

out there. (LOL! that is a little micro. humor. {very little}

Really glad to have you on board.

Tom from PA

>

> Hi, Liz-Thanks for the nice note! Nope, no remission yet (tho in

> retrospect I may have had a small, undiagnosed episode when I was

about 29

> >====================================

> > Hi Ann!!

> >

> > I was born March of 1956 grew up in NYC now live just outside of

NJ. Have

> > 2

> > dogs and three cats and love birds and parakeets

> >

> > It sounds pretty out there...

> >

> > Hugs

> > Liz NJ ( a hop away from Philadelphia)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the

all-new AOL

> > at

> > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann and welcome,

I saw your intro the other day on the Stilligan's Island Discussion

board. Glad you found your way here.

Me, diagnosed May 2005. I feel extremely guilty because I believe

that I have the best docs to be found in a relatively rural area of

PA (A hop skip and jump on the other side of Philly from Liz over in

NJ) Same as everyone else, the symptoms started running in various

circles until they pointed to something a rheumatologist would love.

Interestingly, my Family Practice and hematology docs both went to

med school with my rheumy. And get this, they actually talk about me

and compare notes. From your own apparent dealings with specialists

and what you see from the group, egos frequently get in the way of

good medical care (no offense, doc, as you sound like a real live

human being) At least I have not had to overcome those obstacles.

On remicade (10mg/kg/6wks), MTX (25mg/wk), and at the moment 2mg/day

of the evil roids. Then the weekly Procrit (16,000Units) And some

other crap to overcome the side effects of the drugs. I have a

pretty high pain tolerance so when I am almost due for Remicade,

Ibuprofen covers me along with some heat and ice. Again, I do feel

somewhat guilty that others in the group are in so much more pain.

You will need to be sure to join Chat on Thursday. The discussion

always comes around to the antics of our animals. I have 2 dogs who

adopted us from the local SPCA. Cat has 2 dogs (and no cats). She

is from BC, Candida so be sure to ask her about the thrush that live

out there. (LOL! that is a little micro. humor. {very little}

Really glad to have you on board.

Tom from PA

>

> Hi, Liz-Thanks for the nice note! Nope, no remission yet (tho in

> retrospect I may have had a small, undiagnosed episode when I was

about 29

> >====================================

> > Hi Ann!!

> >

> > I was born March of 1956 grew up in NYC now live just outside of

NJ. Have

> > 2

> > dogs and three cats and love birds and parakeets

> >

> > It sounds pretty out there...

> >

> > Hugs

> > Liz NJ ( a hop away from Philadelphia)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the

all-new AOL

> > at

> > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

>Tom-Thanks for the note! Glad you've got good docs that acutally (gasp!)

talk to each other! Thanks, too, for the compliment of sounding like a

real person!!! Hope to make the chat-if not this week, then next! Ann

[Guest guest]

>Tom-Thanks for the note! Glad you've got good docs that acutally (gasp!)

talk to each other! Thanks, too, for the compliment of sounding like a

real person!!! Hope to make the chat-if not this week, then next! Ann

[Guest guest]

Hey Ann,

Hey to the rest of the Stilligans,,,,

Greeting to all from the State of Wisconsin! I think we're # 1 for the tax

roll,,, ohly smokes,, I'll tell you what,, later.... LOL...

Welcome aboard Ann!! Well this is month 4 back to work.. I almost had to have

my sweetheart come and pick me up and drive me home the other day... I was on

hour 14 and it hit me hard..after 12 hours I thought I was going to crap out,

but when you have to get a machine in operational mode,,, well you put the parts

in and start calibrations... calibrations can take a long time for a MRI

system,,, thats why the long hours,, anyway....hour 12 I was in some kind of

Stills shaking mode.. having a had time staying focused and wanting to make it

correct ... I plug my way through and hour 14 I was on my way home and having a

hard time doing the driving!! I got to a wayside and shook my way to the " can "

and took a quick nap,,, thank goodness i was then in a 2nd wind and ok to drive

home another 45 min away....

still's ,,,, we hi..... ride em... LOL

I still got the Stills...crap..............

Love you all...

Alan

ps..Google: " aloon905 " read my blog

Introducing myself!

Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico.

..............................

[Guest guest]

Hey Ann,

Hey to the rest of the Stilligans,,,,

Greeting to all from the State of Wisconsin! I think we're # 1 for the tax

roll,,, ohly smokes,, I'll tell you what,, later.... LOL...

Welcome aboard Ann!! Well this is month 4 back to work.. I almost had to have

my sweetheart come and pick me up and drive me home the other day... I was on

hour 14 and it hit me hard..after 12 hours I thought I was going to crap out,

but when you have to get a machine in operational mode,,, well you put the parts

in and start calibrations... calibrations can take a long time for a MRI

system,,, thats why the long hours,, anyway....hour 12 I was in some kind of

Stills shaking mode.. having a had time staying focused and wanting to make it

correct ... I plug my way through and hour 14 I was on my way home and having a

hard time doing the driving!! I got to a wayside and shook my way to the " can "

and took a quick nap,,, thank goodness i was then in a 2nd wind and ok to drive

home another 45 min away....

still's ,,,, we hi..... ride em... LOL

I still got the Stills...crap..............

Love you all...

Alan

ps..Google: " aloon905 " read my blog

Introducing myself!

Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico.

..............................

[Guest guest]

Hey Ann,

Hey to the rest of the Stilligans,,,,

Greeting to all from the State of Wisconsin! I think we're # 1 for the tax

roll,,, ohly smokes,, I'll tell you what,, later.... LOL...

Welcome aboard Ann!! Well this is month 4 back to work.. I almost had to have

my sweetheart come and pick me up and drive me home the other day... I was on

hour 14 and it hit me hard..after 12 hours I thought I was going to crap out,

but when you have to get a machine in operational mode,,, well you put the parts

in and start calibrations... calibrations can take a long time for a MRI

system,,, thats why the long hours,, anyway....hour 12 I was in some kind of

Stills shaking mode.. having a had time staying focused and wanting to make it

correct ... I plug my way through and hour 14 I was on my way home and having a

hard time doing the driving!! I got to a wayside and shook my way to the " can "

and took a quick nap,,, thank goodness i was then in a 2nd wind and ok to drive

home another 45 min away....

still's ,,,, we hi..... ride em... LOL

I still got the Stills...crap..............

Love you all...

Alan

ps..Google: " aloon905 " read my blog

Introducing myself!

Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico.

..............................

[Guest guest]

Howdy again Ann. My name is Kirk, I live in NE Pa and was diagnosed with

Stills in April of 2004, first getting real sick in January of that year. I

may have had it a lot longer, but have been unable to determine that as of

this date.

I was an ASE Certified Master Auto Technician and owned & operated my own

shop. I'm married with two boys ages 8(9 in 3 weeks) and 6.

Stills has been living hell on me, as I also started getting headaches at

the same time that totally incapacitate me much of the year. For some

unknown reason I do quite a bit better in the summer. I also have a morphine

pump implant due to my back virtually falling apart not long after becoming

ill and have since developed osteoporosis in my spine. So far my hips are in

good shape so I guess it isn't all bad.

Welcome to the group, you're in good company here.

Kirk

>

> Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

> Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

> the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

> Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

> reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico. I have a lot of

> patients with rheumatoid so between that and my own experience, I'm pretty

> familiar with most of the RA/Still's meds and would be happy to answer any

> ?s if I can help anyone. I've been on most of the meds-Plaquenil, Arava,

> Enbrel, Humira, Orencia. Right now, I'm on MTX, pred, and getting ready to

> start on Rituxan. Been through 1 rheumy in Albuquerque who was a b###head

> then went to Mayo in AZ (yuck!!!) and now have a good rheumy at the

> University in Albuquerque. I'm 50 and my b-day is August 31. I still enjoy

> my dogs (we rescue and try to find homes but end up expanding our family

> often ), cats (we have some Munchkins-short legged cats-way cute!!,

> horses, and even a donkey who adopted us. I enjoy reading, taking

> pictures, and being outside as I'm able. It's great to have a group of

> people who understand what this disease does to your life! Thanks!!! Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Howdy again Ann. My name is Kirk, I live in NE Pa and was diagnosed with

Stills in April of 2004, first getting real sick in January of that year. I

may have had it a lot longer, but have been unable to determine that as of

this date.

I was an ASE Certified Master Auto Technician and owned & operated my own

shop. I'm married with two boys ages 8(9 in 3 weeks) and 6.

Stills has been living hell on me, as I also started getting headaches at

the same time that totally incapacitate me much of the year. For some

unknown reason I do quite a bit better in the summer. I also have a morphine

pump implant due to my back virtually falling apart not long after becoming

ill and have since developed osteoporosis in my spine. So far my hips are in

good shape so I guess it isn't all bad.

Welcome to the group, you're in good company here.

Kirk

>

> Hello to all! I'm a new member and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ann

> Heath and have had Adult Onset Still's for almost 4 years. I started with

> the fever work-up then got the joint pain and finally got the diagnosis of

> Stills. I'm a family practice doc (currently on medical leave) on a Navajo

> reservation in the mountains of western New Mexico. I have a lot of

> patients with rheumatoid so between that and my own experience, I'm pretty

> familiar with most of the RA/Still's meds and would be happy to answer any

> ?s if I can help anyone. I've been on most of the meds-Plaquenil, Arava,

> Enbrel, Humira, Orencia. Right now, I'm on MTX, pred, and getting ready to

> start on Rituxan. Been through 1 rheumy in Albuquerque who was a b###head

> then went to Mayo in AZ (yuck!!!) and now have a good rheumy at the

> University in Albuquerque. I'm 50 and my b-day is August 31. I still enjoy

> my dogs (we rescue and try to find homes but end up expanding our family

> often ), cats (we have some Munchkins-short legged cats-way cute!!,

> horses, and even a donkey who adopted us. I enjoy reading, taking

> pictures, and being outside as I'm able. It's great to have a group of

> people who understand what this disease does to your life! Thanks!!! Ann

>

>

>