Susie

[Guest guest]

Hi Susie,

I started taking the Protonix for gastritis long before I started the

Actonel. I am very careful to follow the instructions in taking the Actonel

so as not to make myself sick. I was taking it every morning, but then they

came out with the once a week dosage and switched to that. I did know that

weight gain was a possible side of Zoloft, but I didn't know that it could be

significant. Maybe the combo of Zoloft and Pred is making it so dramatic. I

am 35 years old and my son is 6. He has been a real trooper through all of

this. But he is a typical young'un and wants to do all of the things that

children like to do and sometimes he just doesn't understand why mommy can't

participate the way he wants me to. I was diagnosed at the time of my 33rd

birthday. How's that for a b-day gift?! How lucky you are to not have to go

through the " monthlies " anymore. I almost wish for an early menopause. I

know it sounds foolish, but I can't wait to be done with the whole process.

It increases the difficulty with RA, especially when your hands and knees

don't always cooperate. I'll stop there, I don't want to be graphic. But I

don't think mine will be early. My mother went through menopause in her mid

50's. She didn't seem to be too bothered with it. She just had a few hot

flashes. Of course, she doesn't talk about things like that anyway. I have

a mammo scheduled for Oct. 23 and really can't wait to see what turns up with

this. They did say that all of this could be hormonal. I stopped taking

birth control pills a couple of years ago because my body just didn't

tolerate them. My cycles were a mess and many times I couldn't tell when one

stopped and another started. Needless to say, I became anemic. It was just

a big mess, so I hope they don't try to put me on them again. I will refuse

to take them. I had my tubes tied in Feb. anyway. I really appreciate you

taking such an interest in all of these probs. It gives me hope when someone

says, " I've been there, here's what helped me. " It just gets to be so

frustrating. One thing on top of another. One of my drs even suggested

fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Either way, they are basically

saying that my body is just plain worn out and needs some rest, whether I

like it or not.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA