The end of a hectic 2 weeks

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

Sorry I have been absent a bit, but it looks like things are going to

get easier for awhile. is recovering nicely from her surgery

and plans to go back to work Tuesday, so I will get a much-needed

break. She has started eating (finally) but has so far lost 30 lbs.

since she's been pregnant--weighs less than she did before! They

went out for pizza last night, so this may turn around!

I finally got my test results back from the new doctor, and he said

that while my RF was not exceedingly high (I didn't think to ask him

what it actually was) he has no doubt that RA is exactly what I am

suffering. After 4 months of being bounced around in the medical

profession, it is good to find someone who is not quick to give up on

me. He is keeping me on Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times a day, which I have

to take on a full stomach, no more skipping meals, and lots of

water. As a result, I have gained 10 lbs.--awful! I was so close to

being at goal weight, now have to work around that. Ah well, for a

little relief I guess it is worth it. Haven't been able to take my

long walks for 2 weeks, so that probably has something to do with the

weight gain too. He does not want me to start any stronger

medication until I really need to, and I appreciate that. The

ibuprofen works pretty good but I still wake up in the night with

pain. Have not been able to give in to the fatigue lately, but I

think tomorrow if I am as tired as I have been, I will become a

fungus attached to the lounge!

Ron has undergone some tests and has to see a neurologist next

Friday, but the doctor is pretty certain that his tremors are

neurological, and may be a type of Parkinson's. Oddly enough, Ron

was relieved to finally have a diagnosis, and was told that though it

is not curable it is treatable. The doctor also explained the

characteristics of RA to Ron so he would understand how I feel too,

so we finally have a good understanding of each other's illnesses.

Ron is trying to overcome the lethargy he has felt, and doing more

around the house. In the midst of all this, we also find that we

have to go up to Waukegan (5-hour drive, and Ron is not allowed to

drive right now) to close Ron's Aunt Rose's apartment as she is going

into a nursing home. At 102 years, she made the decision herself,

and wants us to have several pieces of antique furniture and some

dishes & stuff.

You are all dear people, and I miss talking to you every day, but

hopefully that will change. and a, your informative posts

are very helpful--keep 'em coming! Tess, I enjoy your poetry and

feel like I am acquainted with greatness in you! Deb, I hope things

are better--miss your funny and gentle hugs. I'd bake you a cake,

but they don't email well. Heidi, I'll send you a long email soon.

Wish we could correspond by snail mail too. Everyone else, I pray

for you all for peaceful, pain free nights and light-filled joyful

days.

God bless,

Judi

[Guest guest]

Judi, I'm so gald to hear that Ron has found some kind of a

diagnosis. It's scary to watch your spuse shake like taht and not

know why. As far as , I have kind of chalked it up to stress.

Maybe even meds. Nothing was ever revealed with his blood work or the

previous MRI. Glad to hear that things are going better for your

family, I hope they continue.

Keri in MI

> Hello all,

>

> Sorry I have been absent a bit, but it looks like things are going

to

> get easier for awhile. is recovering nicely from her surgery

> and plans to go back to work Tuesday, so I will get a much-needed

> break. She has started eating (finally) but has so far lost 30

lbs.

> since she's been pregnant--weighs less than she did before! They

> went out for pizza last night, so this may turn around!

>

> I finally got my test results back from the new doctor, and he said

> that while my RF was not exceedingly high (I didn't think to ask

him

> what it actually was) he has no doubt that RA is exactly what I am

> suffering. After 4 months of being bounced around in the medical

> profession, it is good to find someone who is not quick to give up

on

> me. He is keeping me on Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times a day, which I

have

> to take on a full stomach, no more skipping meals, and lots of

> water. As a result, I have gained 10 lbs.--awful! I was so close

to

> being at goal weight, now have to work around that. Ah well, for a

> little relief I guess it is worth it. Haven't been able to take my

> long walks for 2 weeks, so that probably has something to do with

the

> weight gain too. He does not want me to start any stronger

> medication until I really need to, and I appreciate that. The

> ibuprofen works pretty good but I still wake up in the night with

> pain. Have not been able to give in to the fatigue lately, but I

> think tomorrow if I am as tired as I have been, I will become a

> fungus attached to the lounge!

>

> Ron has undergone some tests and has to see a neurologist next

> Friday, but the doctor is pretty certain that his tremors are

> neurological, and may be a type of Parkinson's. Oddly enough, Ron

> was relieved to finally have a diagnosis, and was told that though

it

> is not curable it is treatable. The doctor also explained the

> characteristics of RA to Ron so he would understand how I feel too,

> so we finally have a good understanding of each other's illnesses.

> Ron is trying to overcome the lethargy he has felt, and doing more

> around the house. In the midst of all this, we also find that we

> have to go up to Waukegan (5-hour drive, and Ron is not allowed to

> drive right now) to close Ron's Aunt Rose's apartment as she is

going

> into a nursing home. At 102 years, she made the decision herself,

> and wants us to have several pieces of antique furniture and some

> dishes & stuff.

>

> You are all dear people, and I miss talking to you every day, but

> hopefully that will change. and a, your informative posts

> are very helpful--keep 'em coming! Tess, I enjoy your poetry and

> feel like I am acquainted with greatness in you! Deb, I hope

things

> are better--miss your funny and gentle hugs. I'd bake you a cake,

> but they don't email well. Heidi, I'll send you a long email

soon.

> Wish we could correspond by snail mail too. Everyone else, I pray

> for you all for peaceful, pain free nights and light-filled joyful

> days.

>

> God bless,

>

> Judi

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

Hope that things ease up for you soon. Don't forget to take time for

yourself.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA