Re: new here, frustrated, feeling insane with a new baby

March 20, 2008

I have been taking Motrin 800 mgs 3 to 4 times a day, and naprosen 440 mgs 3

times a day and when I HAVE to do something I have been using the percocet my

OB gave me for incision pain (I am almost out of that script).....I know it

is too much (after all I am a nurse) but I am desperate to make it through

the day so the kids can get fed, changed and we can maintain.

I really want to go back to the rheum doc I saw before since he already

tried a bunch of meds on me, has some of my preliminary blood work, etc.....even

though it is 4.5 years old.....I am not sure how to get referred back to him

since I do not have a family doctor, I am back to being frustrated and

miserable, that same insane feeling I had 4.5 years ago.

Today is not a good day, I was up all night with my feet, aching, stabbing,

miserable. I hoped it would feel better after my morning doses of Motrin and

naprosen but so far it has not. I have a Easter party my 6 year old son is

dying for me to attend at his school, I cannot let him down but I hate to think

of putting on shoes and walking down the hall of the school today.....

again thanks for listening to me vent

amber

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL

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000000001)

March 20, 2008

Welcome to the world of doctors blaming your pain on postpartum. I have been

there, done that, bought the tshirt. Luckily my RA diagnosis wasn't delayed

terribly bad, about 5 months. Many people go years without a diagnosis. I " came

down " with it one month after I had my son and had many doctors tell me my pain

was psychological, that I was looking for attention now that my son was the

center of attention. Being a private person and hating people asking me a

zillion questions that ticked me off at the suggestion!

Whether your have RA, I do not know. It certainly isn't following the typical

protocal for RA, but RA isn't always typical. My RA started mainly in my

ankles/feet. It was awful. And I can certainly relate to being mean, pain can

certainly do that. The unfortunate game with complex diagnosis is that you have

to find that one doctor who will listen and look at the appropriate things. And

in all fairness to doctors, it is very rough when blood tests and xrays are

coming up clean. WIth me, they didn't want to run more complex blood tests than

a CBC with differential. Something simple like an autoimmune profile would

have, and eventually did, clue them into the fact something might not be right.

The key is running the right tests and when they are fine, to jump into the

patient's life to see what accommodations can be made. Because whether a pain

is physical or psychological, it is pain, it is a disruption to your life.

Good luck to you. Almost thirteen years after my diagnosis I wish I could

take my latest xrays to those doctors who dismissed me and wave them under their

smug little noses. I am due for bilateral knee replacements and have already

had multiple corrective surgeries. However, I am functional...but I don't have

five children either...you are one brave lady

Shandi

amber michelle <ambermich@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

March 20, 2008

I am a bit depressed, I feel frustrated and upset. I had so many things I

wanted to do while on maternity leave, last one I accomplished so much in 6

weeks (unpacked most of my house since we moved).... and the fact I feel like

" poo " and I am not keeping up with daily things I feel I am letting my family

down. I have spent the last hour trying to dress 2 kids and comb their hair,

this use to take me 15 minutes tops...I hate seeing my husband having to pick

up all the slack, he works hard, he is tired and does so much (cooking,

cleaning, kids). I dread going back to work (April 7th first day back) cause I

am

not sure how I will keep up. I have to have done something by then, seen

someone for this and be on some road to getting my sanity back.

I am beyond ready to comply with the medications, it is just the Motrin and

stuff I am taking now is not helping at all. I know there are so many other

things that are better now but I cannot get to that point yet.

I am going to try to see if the doc will move my appt up from April 2nd to

anytime sooner, it will be my first visit with the doc (my intention was to

become an established patient with her then this flared up). Maybe I can do that

and get referred in faster to a rheum doc.

amber

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL

Home.

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000000001)

March 20, 2008

It may feel impossible to care for children while suffering from this

DD but you will make it through. Until you see the dr you can take 2

ibuprofen every 4 hours MAX. This is only temporary as long term

heavy IB can cause liver damage. I'm glad you have an appt. with the

DR. although I would think that once you have been treated by one

Rheumy they would take you back - after all, they have your records &

you're already a patient of theirs.

--- In , " amber michelle " <ambermich@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello, i am amber, 32 years old, momma of 5 kiddos and i work

outside

> the home as a nurse in a long term care facility. My kids are 12,6,

> 4, 16 months and 5 WEEKS old......all very dear to me. I am married

> to the love of my life donald.

>

> I have been very frustrated lately with the inablity to do things

> that was so simple before. i feel like i am going insane lately and

> neglecting the family i started looking for more information on the

> internet and came upon this group...... anyway my story is such:

>

> a few years ago (about 5) i was pregnant with my first daughter

(had

> 2 boys before and no problems), while i was pregnant with her i

> became very very sick, i actually LOST 50 pounds while pregnant and

> was in bad shape. I had a crappy ob who thought as long as the baby

> was ok it was ok for me to be that sick. While pregnant with her i

> started having this awful foot pain, i complained about it, i got

the

> pregnant feet explaination, but it got worse, and worse...finally

the

> ob sent me to a orthopedic who checked me out (actually pretty well

> even did an xray) and said there was nothing wrong with my bones he

> suggest i see someone else, maybe a reg doc or go back to the ob

for

> a different referral ... i even ended up at the er one night in

> misery, they pretty much thought i was a whining pregnant lady with

> achey feet, told me to get good sneakers. The ob sent me to a reg

doc

> since he did not know what to do, the reg doc who checked my b12

and

> ended up giving me b12 injections, In misery i tried any and every

> doctor i could think of....i also tried a chiropractor who could

not

> do anything for me due to my insurance...but got me into physical

> therapy to try to help with the pain since i was miserable.

Meanwhile

> i ended back at the er several times finally being referred to a

> neurologist ...I went to the one they referred me to, all the

> neurologist did was look me over once and gave me drugs, drugs and

> more drugs....meanwhile i went to several podiatrist who all gave

me

> BS diagnosis .... the reg doc suggested i see a rheumatoid doc

after

> the b12 shots did not seem to make a difference. he set me up with

> him. by the time i had taken tylenol 3 for pain but not else could

be

> given due to being pregnant. the rheum doc was very nice, asked

lots

> of question, actually touched my feet when he looked at

them....some

> of the other docs never even touched them. I had seen soo many

> doctors who all brushed me off and acted like i was a whinny

pregnant

> lady or a drug seeking insane person....the rhuem doc started me on

> several NSAIDS after i had the baby, i was also takign tegretol,

> neurontin, percocet and anything else they gave me to try to stop

the

> pain.....nothing seemed to help. I gave up all the meds (feeling

like

> a druggie myself) except the different ones the rheumtoid doc gave

me

> to try (all nsaids and ultram).... he wanted me to see a different

> neurologist and have a test done with him. he also wanted me to

have

> 101 blood test done......then it struck, my insurance ran out (i

was

> on medicaid after being fired from my job while pregnant) so i

> stopped going to the doc and never had my test done......i

survived,

> got better and ended up back at work, got married, got insurance

> through hubby......but never went back to the doctor since things

> were fairly normal, the " flare up " was gone.

>

> i have had minor problems since then, usually rest and motrin help.

I

> learned to deal with it, i could not wear nice shoes, just clogs

and

> slippers, etc. i even had another baby girl in 2006.

>

> But i just had a baby 5 weeks ago (beautiful boy) and about 2 weeks

> after i had him it hit, i have had severe foot pain again, even

into

> my ankles, i can barely walk sometimes, yet when i lay in bed they

> hurt and drive me crazy. It is an awful aching feeling but has

times

> when it feels like someone is sticking needles into my joints. NOW

my

> hands have started, i have noticed over times my hands " weakening "

> but not they are extremely sore, i cannot open most things with

> out " my little helper " (jar opener thing) ... i have been soo

stiff,

> so tired, sooooo cranky and miserable. i have been mean to my

family,

> yelling at my kids, snapping at my husband who has tried so hard to

> help me (cleaning, cooking etc)...i do not know what to do. i got a

> reg doctor to see me in april (one my mom and sil goes to) but i

have

> no idea how to make it until then, i have been soo miserable i sit

> and cry most days. I feel like i am neglecting the kids, i have

> struggled just to keep them fed, diapered, and such lately. i

called

> the rheum doc but since it has been a over 4 and half years i would

> need a referral to see him (not sure why but i think the office

lady

> was blowing me off)....i have thought about trying an urgent care

or

> something to see if they can refer me to someone but i am at my

wits

> end, i need help and have no idea where to get it fast. I am

> emotionally drained and physically a mess. I am starting to get

> scared of the joint damage and am i going to be able to keep caring

> for my kids, will i be able to participate in their lives as they

get

> older if my joints are being ruined....i just do not know what to

do

> next....

>

> Anyway, thanks for having me vent, thanks for having me in the

group,

> i hope to learn a lot of ways to deal with the changes happening to

> me from the group

>

> amber

>

March 20, 2008

Hi Amber,

I really feel for you. I'm so sorry your going through all this. The

girls here are great though and they can suggest alot of things! I

can suggest some natural things. I'm not sure if they will help you.

They haven't helped me but everyone is different and they may....

***I know it sounds weird but one of my clients did benefit from

this, if you take a very small bowl or I use a tubberware lid. Break

open 2 fish oil caps and a drop of pepermint oil. Massage it into

your feet. (Now the women that this worked for suffered from

Neruopathy** sorry terrible speller. Best places to rub that in are

just above and the sides of the heels, and if your looking at the

sole of your foot. In between your " pointer toe " and middle toe and

rub down toward your heel. You'll feel the spot when you hit it it's

like were your calous ends. Sorry very hard to explain. I would also

try going to a doc ASAP. Don't make the mistake of waiting the pain

will only get worse. Also its not great for you but in the mean time

IB profen and tyneol PM keep me going. Aww God bless you hunny. and

good luck with your little ones.

--- In , " amber michelle " <ambermich@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello, i am amber, 32 years old, momma of 5 kiddos and i work

outside

> the home as a nurse in a long term care facility. My kids are

12,6,

> 4, 16 months and 5 WEEKS old......all very dear to me. I am

married

> to the love of my life donald.

>

> I have been very frustrated lately with the inablity to do things

> that was so simple before. i feel like i am going insane lately

and

> neglecting the family i started looking for more information on

the

> internet and came upon this group...... anyway my story is such:

>

> a few years ago (about 5) i was pregnant with my first daughter

(had

> 2 boys before and no problems), while i was pregnant with her i

> became very very sick, i actually LOST 50 pounds while pregnant

and

> was in bad shape. I had a crappy ob who thought as long as the

baby

> was ok it was ok for me to be that sick. While pregnant with her i

> started having this awful foot pain, i complained about it, i got

the

> pregnant feet explaination, but it got worse, and worse...finally

the

> ob sent me to a orthopedic who checked me out (actually pretty

well

> even did an xray) and said there was nothing wrong with my bones

he

> suggest i see someone else, maybe a reg doc or go back to the ob

for

> a different referral ... i even ended up at the er one night in

> misery, they pretty much thought i was a whining pregnant lady

with

> achey feet, told me to get good sneakers. The ob sent me to a reg

doc

> since he did not know what to do, the reg doc who checked my b12

and

> ended up giving me b12 injections, In misery i tried any and every

> doctor i could think of....i also tried a chiropractor who could

not

> do anything for me due to my insurance...but got me into physical

> therapy to try to help with the pain since i was miserable.

Meanwhile

> i ended back at the er several times finally being referred to a

> neurologist ...I went to the one they referred me to, all the

> neurologist did was look me over once and gave me drugs, drugs and

> more drugs....meanwhile i went to several podiatrist who all gave

me

> BS diagnosis .... the reg doc suggested i see a rheumatoid doc

after

> the b12 shots did not seem to make a difference. he set me up with

> him. by the time i had taken tylenol 3 for pain but not else could

be

> given due to being pregnant. the rheum doc was very nice, asked

lots

> of question, actually touched my feet when he looked at

them....some

> of the other docs never even touched them. I had seen soo many

> doctors who all brushed me off and acted like i was a whinny

pregnant

> lady or a drug seeking insane person....the rhuem doc started me

on

> several NSAIDS after i had the baby, i was also takign tegretol,

> neurontin, percocet and anything else they gave me to try to stop

the

> pain.....nothing seemed to help. I gave up all the meds (feeling

like

> a druggie myself) except the different ones the rheumtoid doc gave

me

> to try (all nsaids and ultram).... he wanted me to see a different

> neurologist and have a test done with him. he also wanted me to

have

> 101 blood test done......then it struck, my insurance ran out (i

was

> on medicaid after being fired from my job while pregnant) so i

> stopped going to the doc and never had my test done......i

survived,

> got better and ended up back at work, got married, got insurance

> through hubby......but never went back to the doctor since things

> were fairly normal, the " flare up " was gone.

>

> i have had minor problems since then, usually rest and motrin

help. I

> learned to deal with it, i could not wear nice shoes, just clogs

and

> slippers, etc. i even had another baby girl in 2006.

>

> But i just had a baby 5 weeks ago (beautiful boy) and about 2

weeks

> after i had him it hit, i have had severe foot pain again, even

into

> my ankles, i can barely walk sometimes, yet when i lay in bed they

> hurt and drive me crazy. It is an awful aching feeling but has

times

> when it feels like someone is sticking needles into my joints. NOW

my

> hands have started, i have noticed over times my hands " weakening "

> but not they are extremely sore, i cannot open most things with

> out " my little helper " (jar opener thing) ... i have been soo

stiff,

> so tired, sooooo cranky and miserable. i have been mean to my

family,

> yelling at my kids, snapping at my husband who has tried so hard

to

> help me (cleaning, cooking etc)...i do not know what to do. i got

a

> reg doctor to see me in april (one my mom and sil goes to) but i

have

> no idea how to make it until then, i have been soo miserable i sit

> and cry most days. I feel like i am neglecting the kids, i have

> struggled just to keep them fed, diapered, and such lately. i

called

> the rheum doc but since it has been a over 4 and half years i

would

> need a referral to see him (not sure why but i think the office

lady

> was blowing me off)....i have thought about trying an urgent care

or

> something to see if they can refer me to someone but i am at my

wits

> end, i need help and have no idea where to get it fast. I am

> emotionally drained and physically a mess. I am starting to get

> scared of the joint damage and am i going to be able to keep

caring

> for my kids, will i be able to participate in their lives as they

get

> older if my joints are being ruined....i just do not know what to

do

> next....

>

> Anyway, thanks for having me vent, thanks for having me in the

group,

> i hope to learn a lot of ways to deal with the changes happening

to

> me from the group

>

> amber

>

March 20, 2008

Hi Amber,

Welcome to the group. I admire you working and taking care of 5 kids. You

need to see a Rhu again. I know the amount of drugs seems excessive but each

one can help a different area. I take so many meds I should own stock in

CVS, hell, I should OWN CVS. It also sounds like you are depressed, not a

diagnosis of course but a recognition of what you are feeling now. You know

post-pardum depression is very common and adding all the other things you

have going on it would be a miracle if you aren't depressed.I hope you find

some relief soon.

On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 12:10 PM, acon18 <acon18@...> wrote:

> Hi Amber,

> I really feel for you. I'm so sorry your going through all this. The

> girls here are great though and they can suggest alot of things! I

> can suggest some natural things. I'm not sure if they will help you.

> They haven't helped me but everyone is different and they may....

> ***I know it sounds weird but one of my clients did benefit from

> this, if you take a very small bowl or I use a tubberware lid. Break

> open 2 fish oil caps and a drop of pepermint oil. Massage it into

> your feet. (Now the women that this worked for suffered from

> Neruopathy** sorry terrible speller. Best places to rub that in are

> just above and the sides of the heels, and if your looking at the

> sole of your foot. In between your " pointer toe " and middle toe and

> rub down toward your heel. You'll feel the spot when you hit it it's

> like were your calous ends. Sorry very hard to explain. I would also

> try going to a doc ASAP. Don't make the mistake of waiting the pain

> will only get worse. Also its not great for you but in the mean time

> IB profen and tyneol PM keep me going. Aww God bless you hunny. and

> good luck with your little ones.

>

> >

> > Hello, i am amber, 32 years old, momma of 5 kiddos and i work

> outside

> > the home as a nurse in a long term care facility. My kids are

> 12,6,

> > 4, 16 months and 5 WEEKS old......all very dear to me. I am

> married

> > to the love of my life donald.

> >

> > I have been very frustrated lately with the inablity to do things

> > that was so simple before. i feel like i am going insane lately

> and

> > neglecting the family i started looking for more information on

> the

> > internet and came upon this group...... anyway my story is such:

> >

> > a few years ago (about 5) i was pregnant with my first daughter

> (had

> > 2 boys before and no problems), while i was pregnant with her i

> > became very very sick, i actually LOST 50 pounds while pregnant

> and

> > was in bad shape. I had a crappy ob who thought as long as the

> baby

> > was ok it was ok for me to be that sick. While pregnant with her i

> > started having this awful foot pain, i complained about it, i got

> the

> > pregnant feet explaination, but it got worse, and worse...finally

> the

> > ob sent me to a orthopedic who checked me out (actually pretty

> well

> > even did an xray) and said there was nothing wrong with my bones

> he

> > suggest i see someone else, maybe a reg doc or go back to the ob

> for

> > a different referral ... i even ended up at the er one night in

> > misery, they pretty much thought i was a whining pregnant lady

> with

> > achey feet, told me to get good sneakers. The ob sent me to a reg

> doc

> > since he did not know what to do, the reg doc who checked my b12

> and

> > ended up giving me b12 injections, In misery i tried any and every

> > doctor i could think of....i also tried a chiropractor who could

> not

> > do anything for me due to my insurance...but got me into physical

> > therapy to try to help with the pain since i was miserable.

> Meanwhile

> > i ended back at the er several times finally being referred to a

> > neurologist ...I went to the one they referred me to, all the

> > neurologist did was look me over once and gave me drugs, drugs and

> > more drugs....meanwhile i went to several podiatrist who all gave

> me

> > BS diagnosis .... the reg doc suggested i see a rheumatoid doc

> after

> > the b12 shots did not seem to make a difference. he set me up with

> > him. by the time i had taken tylenol 3 for pain but not else could

> be

> > given due to being pregnant. the rheum doc was very nice, asked

> lots

> > of question, actually touched my feet when he looked at

> them....some

> > of the other docs never even touched them. I had seen soo many

> > doctors who all brushed me off and acted like i was a whinny

> pregnant

> > lady or a drug seeking insane person....the rhuem doc started me

> on

> > several NSAIDS after i had the baby, i was also takign tegretol,

> > neurontin, percocet and anything else they gave me to try to stop

> the

> > pain.....nothing seemed to help. I gave up all the meds (feeling

> like

> > a druggie myself) except the different ones the rheumtoid doc gave

> me

> > to try (all nsaids and ultram).... he wanted me to see a different

> > neurologist and have a test done with him. he also wanted me to

> have

> > 101 blood test done......then it struck, my insurance ran out (i

> was

> > on medicaid after being fired from my job while pregnant) so i

> > stopped going to the doc and never had my test done......i

> survived,

> > got better and ended up back at work, got married, got insurance

> > through hubby......but never went back to the doctor since things

> > were fairly normal, the " flare up " was gone.

> >

> > i have had minor problems since then, usually rest and motrin

> help. I

> > learned to deal with it, i could not wear nice shoes, just clogs

> and

> > slippers, etc. i even had another baby girl in 2006.

> >

> > But i just had a baby 5 weeks ago (beautiful boy) and about 2

> weeks

> > after i had him it hit, i have had severe foot pain again, even

> into

> > my ankles, i can barely walk sometimes, yet when i lay in bed they

> > hurt and drive me crazy. It is an awful aching feeling but has

> times

> > when it feels like someone is sticking needles into my joints. NOW

> my

> > hands have started, i have noticed over times my hands " weakening "

> > but not they are extremely sore, i cannot open most things with

> > out " my little helper " (jar opener thing) ... i have been soo

> stiff,

> > so tired, sooooo cranky and miserable. i have been mean to my

> family,

> > yelling at my kids, snapping at my husband who has tried so hard

> to

> > help me (cleaning, cooking etc)...i do not know what to do. i got

> a

> > reg doctor to see me in april (one my mom and sil goes to) but i

> have

> > no idea how to make it until then, i have been soo miserable i sit

> > and cry most days. I feel like i am neglecting the kids, i have

> > struggled just to keep them fed, diapered, and such lately. i

> called

> > the rheum doc but since it has been a over 4 and half years i

> would

> > need a referral to see him (not sure why but i think the office

> lady

> > was blowing me off)....i have thought about trying an urgent care

> or

> > something to see if they can refer me to someone but i am at my

> wits

> > end, i need help and have no idea where to get it fast. I am

> > emotionally drained and physically a mess. I am starting to get

> > scared of the joint damage and am i going to be able to keep

> caring

> > for my kids, will i be able to participate in their lives as they

> get

> > older if my joints are being ruined....i just do not know what to

> do

> > next....

> >

> > Anyway, thanks for having me vent, thanks for having me in the

> group,

> > i hope to learn a lot of ways to deal with the changes happening

> to

> > me from the group

> >

> > amber

> >

>

March 20, 2008

Will your insurance accept a referral from your OB since that has been your main

doctor for the last several months. lb

ambermich@... wrote: I have been taking Motrin 800 mgs 3 to 4 times

a day, and naprosen 440 mgs 3