Al

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

First, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Seems I missed

reading a whole bunch of posts. I guess I need to apologize to anyone

else I didn't get back to. It wans't intentional.

I am hoping that your job situation is getting better. Taking a

direct approach is good. How did your meeting go?

You live on an island in the Indian Ocean and have stress? How is

that possible?....

Take care and hoping you are having a great day.

Al in IL

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

Thank you very much. I am so sorry to hear that you had to endure so

much. How terrible. Have they ever been able to diagnose what was

going on with you?

As you know, it's worse when nobody can figure what's wrong. And when

you couple that with a doctor who is uncaring or inflexible. I am

fortunate in that my doctors are compassionate and up-to-date on new

treatments, ailments etc. I'll be curious to see what they say and

what my echo-cardiogram shows.

Have a great day and thanks again.

Al in IL

>

> Al:

>

> I had a strange respiratory ailment about 1 1/2 years ago and was

sent to the pulmonary doctor. After many tests, that dr agreed there

was a problem but said the tests were normal. He gave me a

prescription for an inhaler, gave me the advice - lose weight and

excercise, and turned me back over to the im dr who of course had the

same philosophy. The inhaler did not work and the cough and the

chest or lung pain after many months went away on it's own. On one

occaison, the pain and difficulty in breathing sent me to the ER and

again the test results were normal. The ER dr dismissed it as being

muscal-skeletal(spelling)but did not think it was worthy of giving me

a referal to a dr(this was through the Naval Hospital system). I was

pretty used to that type of thing with their system. My im also told

me there was no such thing as fibromyalgia - again lose weight and

excercise. I have now found out the excercise they were always after

me to do is not the kind you do with fibroyalgia. No wonder I always

felt worse after doing what they told me to do. I have found out so

much more first from this group and then secondly with the new dr I

now have with the new insurance. Hang in there, Al. I will remember

you in my prayers as I do everyone even though I don't get to post as

often as I would like.

>

> JAN in CA +/:=)

>

>

>

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

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine,

Thank you very much for getting in touch with me. I really appreciate

all of your insight and suggestions.

I am sorry to hear that it's taken so long for you to be diagnosed

(partially diagnosed anyway). I can emphathize with my first

diagnosis of Still's Disease. It seemed to take forever. I am ready

to settle in for the " long haul " if needed. I agree with you

completely that it's extremely important to find out what is going on.

I have had double pneumonia in the past and have a compromised immune

system due to my illnesses and the medication I am on (Enbrel).

In regard to tests, all I have had is a chest x-ray (normal),

pulmonary function tests (normal) and arterial blood gas (99% oxygen

in blood). I have an echo cardiogram scheduled for next week and

wonder if they think it's pericarditis. I have never had a walking

pulse oximetry done and will ask about it.

I snore very infrequently and my parents thought I had sleep apnea

when I was a child. I was never diagnosed though.

Thanks again Elaine for your comments.

Have a great day.

Al in IL

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

You mean you don't live on the beach under coconut trees? You spoiled

my vision of you. LOL!

Yes, the cabana girls really have me winded. Telling someone, " you

take my breath away, really. " has a whole new meaning now. LOL

I am trying to hang in there and take it one day at a time. Tomorrow

I hope to start getting some answers.

I am so glad to hear that your job is a bit less stressful now.

Hopefully, it will be a trend and become even less stressful over

time. It sounds like what you do is stressful enough without the

dynamics in the office.

I'll definitely let you know how it goes. You hang in there too, okay?

Hugs,

Al in IL

[Guest guest]

Dear Al...thanks for being a good-sport & a gentleman.

I hope your doctors get to the source of the problems soon. I'm one who

wants to know what's going on with me, even if it's difficult to hear.

Then you know what you can & cannot do. I find the unknown far more

disconcerting.

Much Love & Hugs of Hope...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi Al...I didn't realize that you were in prime cabana

boy years; I though that you were a retired gentleman.

Sorry for making you old before your time.--- Iris

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear Tess,

You're very welcome. I think having some fun is extremely important

for all of us. We can't be down all of the time.

I also find the unknown disconcerting and would rather know and face

it even if it's not the greatest news.

Take care of yourself.

Hugs,

Al in IL

[Guest guest]

Hi Iris,

Yes, I am in those prime years, but my warranty expired a few year's

ago. LOL!

I believe age is all in the mind anyway. I mean, my body already

feels old...

Take care,

Al

> Hi Al...I didn't realize that you were in prime cabana

> boy years; I though that you were a retired gentleman.

> Sorry for making you old before your time.--- Iris

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Iris,

Electronic drums may not be a bad idea. My oldest boy has taken to

playing so I could keep the other kit for him.

That's cool that plays in a metal alternative and country band.

He must be a pretty prolific musician. I used to play in a band that

did a lot of 80's music. You know, back when hair was BIG...LOL.

Have a great day.

Al in IL