new member from Colorado

[Guest guest]

Hi Melynda:I hope you are feeling a little better today, and with less pain.Each

day is a surprise....we never know how good or bad we will be!The pred. does

help so much,but the side effects can be troublesome.I try mostly to not think

about how I look, but it does get to me.It stinks to feel bad and hurt, but the

blown-up look just adds to our misery.I just know in reality that I could not

function without it.I want to try and see how good or bad I do

when I get off it.I guess I really want to see how my R A does.Today I went to

the Derm. Dr. to have some skin cancer areas removed. & nbsp; I have been dealing

with this for 20+ years. He did my right foot, above the R A nodule, and it

hurts like heck now, plus it has swelled 2x it's size. & nbsp; He also did my

forehead on the hairline.Pain!I will go next week to have the stitches removed.I

hope this is it for awhile.I see him every 4 months to be checked.Have you had

anything like this?I think my social life is the drs. visits, ha ha.Not so

funny.We moved here from Mass. 4years ago, and we knew no one here in Florida.I

met a great woman from Mass. also, who has become a great friend to me.We are

the same age, 68,born in the same month and year, 6 days apart.She was in

healthcare, and took care of

several R A patients, so she & nbsp; knows all about this disease.She is the best,

and so caring.We are both glad we have each other.As you well know, that makes

it so much better for us.How could we handle all this without a great friend.I

am glad you have good friends too.I know how hard you have things, and it is not

easy to be bedridden or homebound.I know how good it feels to get outside, even

for a short time, and the price we pay later is hard, but we need to get out and

save our sanity.Right??Your daughter must be the brightest light in your

life.Kids are so wonderful, and they have such spirit.I miss my daughter so very

much.We have a special closeness, and she fills my heart with so much joy.What a

comfort you daughter is to you, she is your sunshine.You live in Texas?I guess

it is hot there like here.Today was 96,yikes!!!!You are right about all the

wonderful and caring people in this group.They sure help with their knowledge of

all these

diseases, and thier support means the world.Sure happy we found this group.May

God always Bless you,and give you some pain free days.Hugs to you,and feel

better soon.I care.Your friend,Barbara

--- In

@gro ups.com, " " & amp;amp;lt;Matsumura_ Clan@

.... & amp;amp;gt;

wrote:

& amp;amp;gt;

& amp;amp;gt; Sharon,

& amp;amp;gt;

& amp;amp;gt; Why do you suspect polymyalgia rheumatica and your physicians RA?

& amp;amp;gt;

& amp;amp;gt;

& amp;amp;gt;

& amp;amp;gt; Not an MD

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Probably just wishing thinking on my part & amp;amp;lt;g & amp;amp; gt;. HOWEVER,

here is why

I am leaning in that direction.

The way it came on, literally overnight. Pain jumps around. I never

know what new pain I will wake up to (muscles and joints). The pain

from the day before is totally gone. Seems to be focused on my

shoulder/upper arm area, although wrist or finger and knee are common

some days too. This morning my ankle and back are stiff and sore,

which has been been a problem before.

My RA is 84.. SEDS is normal. AND... it came on the tail end of a

upper respitory viral type infection.

Through the day....once I am up and moving, the pain lessens

(although it is never totally gone from whatever area it decides to

hit that day). In the evening and especially through the night.....

the pain is debilitating.

Ibruprophen doesn't touch the pain. One doc put me on a 3 week

regime of anti-inflamatories. .. which don't seem to be helping. ER

gave me a 30 day supply of Codine... which does take the edge off the

pain...... but I only take it when I absolutely have to. I don't

want to run out before I can get into see a Rheumatologist.

The PCP's see that RA reading and they can't seem to focus on

anything else.

Monday morning I will be on the phone making a couple of appointments

with Rheumatologists. Figure I will check out a couple and see who I

feel most comfortable with..

SHARON

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