New Member

[Guest guest]

NObody believed I was sick for yrs and blamed it on virus, allergies,

hypochondria, etc. I had RMSF. Get the panel of tick tests done. I had all

the symptoms you described and it could be any of the tick diseases our there.

Go to another dr if you need too. You will be saving yourself yrs of heartache.

It took 3 yrs before they dx me. Never occurred to anyone of them. Till I ran

it by them.

[ ] new member

Hi

I suspect that I have Lyme, and I need some experienced advice,

as I live in a small town and my doctor doesn't seem as

concerned as I am about my symptoms.

After reading some of your archives, I know that I am not as

affected as many of you are, but I have the following symptoms

(which are not necessarily debilitating, but are there): I had tick

bite with itchy bump which lingered for 3 weeks, followed by two

episodes of flu like symptoms;the last one involving a cough

which lasted a month. I had routine bloodwork done, and my

cholesterol was up 20 pts (it's always been the same number),

and I was gaining weight. At this point, I went to the Dr., and

took 1 month of Doxycline. I was worse during treatment, often

only able to get out of bed to cook meals or take kids to

school--very fatigued and achy. I wasn't completely better at the

end of my treatment, but the Dr. was reluctant to give me more

antibiotic and told me I'd be fine. Four months later, I am

coughing again and my jaw, wrist, and back are mildily painful,

(expecially when I am tired) and my muscles ache intermittently.

I can't decide whether I am older, whiny, or dealing with Lyme. I

am afraid that it is Lyme, and I am reluctant to go back to the Dr,

because I don't want to take antibiotics unecessarily, and I want

to be taken seriously, yet I am afraid of the consequences if it is

Lyme and I don't address it. Any similar experiences? I am

functional, but I just don't feel right, and I am not nearly as

functional as I would like to be. I have always been very healthy,

and now I feel sluggish most of the time. Is it age?

menopause? bad attitude? or possibility of lyme? Thanks for

your time & help.

[Guest guest]

One NJ pediatric neurologist said " One month of antibiotics doesn't touch

Lyme " . Most Lyme patients go through hell and high water to get a dx and

meds. You've joined the right group.

Rita

atthelake@...

[Guest guest]

Sounds like lyme to me. You got worse while on the doxy because you were having

a herx reaction, due to the die off of the spirochetes. There very often is a

cycle of symptoms where they come and go. I don't think it is age, menopause,

etc. I also am not a dr (duck), but it sure sounds like lyme. If you can let

people know where you are, maybe someone can steer you to a lyme literate dr.

(LLMD). The run around you got with your dr. is not uncommon, unfortunately.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our support group MOMQUIXOTO, and congratulation with taking the

first step to better health.

What every one has expressed is my experience too. You owe it to yourself to

find an knowledgeable LLMD that treat you with respect, answers your questions

and listens to your medical history as well as having the necessary knowledge

and understanding of Lyme disease /co infections to treat you adequately. As a

person in the medical field, I requested a Lyme test due to my textbook symptoms

- it was denied. I confronted the physician letting him know, that I knew, he

perceived me as a neurotic, he answered " but a pleasant neurotic " (with a

smile).

The experience of being devaluated is very unhealthy for our self-reliance, as

well as trusting what we feel in our bodies. Now ten years later - do I finely

find out it was Lyme in progression. You deserve better!

Remember it is your life - ultimately you have to live with your choices. Best

of luck!

Love

Grete

momquixote <baggett@...> wrote: Hi

I suspect that I have Lyme, and I need some experienced advice,

as I live in a small town and my doctor doesn't seem as

concerned as I am about my symptoms.

After reading some of your archives, I know that I am not as

affected as many of you are, but I have the following symptoms

(which are not necessarily debilitating, but are there): I had tick

bite with itchy bump which lingered for 3 weeks, followed by two

episodes of flu like symptoms;the last one involving a cough

which lasted a month. I had routine bloodwork done, and my

cholesterol was up 20 pts (it's always been the same number),

and I was gaining weight. At this point, I went to the Dr., and

took 1 month of Doxycline. I was worse during treatment, often

only able to get out of bed to cook meals or take kids to

school--very fatigued and achy. I wasn't completely better at the

end of my treatment, but the Dr. was reluctant to give me more

antibiotic and told me I'd be fine. Four months later, I am

coughing again and my jaw, wrist, and back are mildily painful,

(expecially when I am tired) and my muscles ache intermittently.

I can't decide whether I am older, whiny, or dealing with Lyme. I

am afraid that it is Lyme, and I am reluctant to go back to the Dr,

because I don't want to take antibiotics unecessarily, and I want

to be taken seriously, yet I am afraid of the consequences if it is

Lyme and I don't address it. Any similar experiences? I am

functional, but I just don't feel right, and I am not nearly as

functional as I would like to be. I have always been very healthy,

and now I feel sluggish most of the time. Is it age?

menopause? bad attitude? or possibility of lyme? Thanks for

your time & help.

[Guest guest]

Wow, you guys are great! Thanks to everyone who responded to

me here and personally--I am now motivated to take action.

So--bring on the LLMD's! I live in East Texas--Nacogdoches.

Three hours from Houston or Dallas, two hours from Shreveport,

LA. Thank you, and wishes for good health to all.

( thank you recognizing my humor--I hope I didn't offend

anyone. I will try to be more clear in the future.)

[Guest guest]

Dear Janine,

I'm glad that you found us. I too am often scared of what the future holds.

But, then I remember that there was a time I was on lots of MTX, in pain every

day, could hardly function from the fatigue and was depressed. I am now off the

MTX, Vioxx manages most of the pain, have been able to reduce my

anti-depressants and the fatigue is way down. I am exercising too! Five years

ago I could never have imagined feeling this good. So, remember the future can

hold better things too!

in VA

[Guest guest]

Dear :

A good dairy substitute is Vance's DariFree -- I think their sight is

www.vancesfoods.com -- if that doesn't work, ask again and I'll find another

web site. We tried various milks, but my son actually likes this one.

I'm under the impression that if you start GFCF before the enzymes, the

initial " die-off " reaction might be less severe. In our case, we had our son

off of casein for three months, then off of gluten for one month, and THEN we

tried the enzymes. He is 5.5 with a dx of PDD-NOS, and showed little or no

allergic reactions to foods before this. I really didn't think he would

respond well to either the diet or the enzymes, but he honestly has. It's

obvious and apparent to his teachers and other people as well.

Good luck!

Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi Janine -- I don't know if the stress caused by a bad manager could cause PA,

but it sure can make it worse. Same for P. Everytime I have been in a

stress-filled job, my psoriasis has really been bad. Never really get it under

control until I get the stress under control. For me, that has meant either

cutting back my hours and duties until they were no longer stressful, or

changing to a job (working for myself) where there is less stress. Most of the

stress I have now is self-induced, and so doesn't seem as severe -- I

guess because I'm in control of it. If neither of those seem an option for you,

try to find a way to get some relaxation into your life. Meditate, take long

walks in a peaceful setting, listen to some beautiful music -- anything to ease

the effect of the daily stress. I find a selection of music by Satie is

very relaxing, as are some of the music and bird-song collections producted by

" Solitudes. " You might give them a try. -- Jan O', Alaska

messerj89 wrote:

[Guest guest]

,

We have a mix of parents here who 1.)started out gfcf, added enzymes

and have stayed gfcf 2.) started out gfcf, added enzymes and

gradually added back gluten, casein, soy, etc. 3.) did not do any

food removal and started with enzymes. It's your choice on what to

start with, but I will add my son was on the gfcf diet for one year,

then we added enzymes from www.houstonni.com, then he gradually went

off the diet. He has been on the enzymes for 10 months and is doing

far better now than he did on the diet.

> Hi,

>

> I'm . I have a 4.5yr old with PDD-NOs, maybe Asperger's

> depending on the day and the dr Pierce was dx'd late, and I've

> been trying to start taking out the casein, but still haven't found

a

> milk alternative he'll drink. Can I go right to the enzyme's ? Or

> do I need to be GFCF free 1st. Sure would love to avoid the food

> fights

>

> Thanks everyone,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jan,

I'd love to be able to change jobs, except I love my job. Bad thing

is the stress just got worse. My assistant quit today. If my

husband's ex-wife would leave us alone that would help too. I do take

alot on at times. Right now I not only work full-time and travel for

work, but I also work " call-in " hours at a Children's Hospital and I

am attending college for my second undergraduate degree. This may

seem crazy but I use work and school to " get away " . I enjoy all of it

but perhaps my body doesn't. So yes, my stress can be " self-induced "

as well. I've pretty much always worked two jobs or at least worked

and went to school. I hate it when I have time to do nothing. I'm not

a big TV watcher. I know that I need to exercise and diet but I'm

not very motivated. My husband doesn't help when he wants to eat out

or sit and watch TV instead of using our YMCA pass.

Thanks,

Janine

[Guest guest]

,

Did your PA go into remission? How were you able to come off of MTX.

I just began it about 5 weeks ago with the hopes of getting off of

it. I don't have any children and want the option to have at least

one child if I want and not be told " no " by MTX.

Now that the weather is warmer from time to time I do need to get out

and do something in the form of exercise. I had at one time watched

what I ate and lost 14 pounds. Now I've gained 4 of those back by

watching as I eat whatever I want. Not a good thing indeed. I have a

husband who likes to eat out and saying " no " to him isn't worth the

fight, and added stress of the fight.

I am at a point that I recognize the problems and can come up with

several solutions. It's a matter of implementing a plan of attack. I

am very interested in knowing what types of foods and/or drink that

seem to affect P and PA. Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks,

Janine

> Dear Janine,

> I'm glad that you found us. I too am often scared of what the

future holds. But, then I remember that there was a time I was on

lots of MTX, in pain every day, could hardly function from the

fatigue and was depressed. I am now off the MTX, Vioxx manages most

of the pain, have been able to reduce my anti-depressants and the

fatigue is way down. I am exercising too! Five years ago I could

never have imagined feeling this good. So, remember the future can

hold better things too!

>

> in VA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Billie,

I am also new. I found out about my P & PA this past fall. I've

already switched rheumy dr's. My first rheumy was very pushing about

MTX. The second listened to my concerns, questions, fears, hopes,

expectations...everything. The thing that got me the most is that I

am forced to a 100% sure proof method of birth control while on MTX.

I'm 30, no kids, married for 5 1/2 years. Our motto, " if it happens

it happens " . Now it can't and won't (for now).

I'm about 5 or 6 weeks into the MTX and I'm not impressed. I take 5mg

of pred and I don't think it's working as it used to. This week my

back hurts. I never have back problems! This makes me more scared.

I'm on Vioxx because I'm allergic to one of the agents in Celebrex.

Lately I've noticed my face breaking out real bad. I'm not sure what

is causing this. I know my pain isn't even a fraction of what I read

from others but to me it's aweful.

I'll post more about my MTX experiences as I get deeper into it. So

far I've only experienced nausea, stomach pain after eating, and I've

just come down with my first cold for a long time. Could be the crazy

weather though.

Janine

> i have been reading the messages on this site for some time, and

> really appreciate knowing there are " others " like me. i was

> diagnosed with pa about 7 years ago (am 56 now, female), didnt get

> the p until later. the psoriasis is really a non-issue for now,

just

> affecting my sausage toes. most of my joints are affected, but the

> big problem is my right wrist, fingers & thumb (of course, i am

right

> handed). have been on celebrex for some time & prevacid for acid

> reflux. recently went to a reumy & he would like to see me on

MTX.

> im really nervous about taking stronger medication. have been

> reading about avoidance of sunlight and alcohol, and unfortunately

> enjoy my time at the tanning salon and my white wine in the

> evenings. will probably have to change my bad habits. have been

> reading about remicade and it sounds interesting. thanks to all

for

> the information - i'll certainly keep up to date reading the

> postings. Billie

[Guest guest]

Anyone had a flare that they think might be associated with birth control

pill...going on and then off. Thanks Debbie

[Guest guest]

> Anyone had a flare that they think might be associated with birth

control

> pill...going on and then off. Thanks Debbie

>

>

Debbie,

I can't think of any association in my case. I was on Micronor

(progesterone only) while nursing, and then I go on Depo-Provera when

I start any medication. I'm not a great pill taker and I don't want

to worry about mistakes while on meds. Prior to my two girls I was

on orthotricyclen.

I'd be interested in what others think though.

Carin

[

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/2002 6:05:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,

cal_lawson@... writes:

> am trying to find out as much as I can about

> living with the condition,

Hi Cal - Welcome to the group. The best piece of advice, in my opinion, in

treating PA is you must find a good rheumatologist. Don't let a primary or

general doctor treat you - it's too complicated of a disease.

I'm sorry you have PA, but isn't it good to finally know what it is?? I think

all of us felt that way when first diagnosed.

Hope you are well,

[Guest guest]

Hi Cal....and everybody else in this informative group! :-)

My name is Wendi and I am also new to this group. I'm 33, solo parent

of a 3yo son and 4 1/2 yo daughter and have been on medical leave

from work since 11/01....hoping to stabilize and get back at it

sooon!!!! I know about the relief of finally having the right

diagnosis, I just found out in Jan. The only thing I can guarantee

about this disease is that it varies incredibly from person to person

(this should be obvious, but I went looking for info and expected a

timeline, graphs and levels of disability etc) :-)Personally I only

have mild psoriasis (only scalp) but the arthritis is amazing in its

changes from hour to hour. I have sacroiliac involvment that is

excrusiation at times and affects every inch of me from the hips down.

I just switched from sulfa salazine to MTX this week and will not be

of much help to you (Cal) but in just the couple of days I have been

involved with this group I have learned A LOT!! (Thanks everybody...I

feel blessed to have found you and all the wisdom and experience!!)

Looking forward to future chats!

Wendi

-- In @y..., " cally_mcbeal2002 " <cal_lawson@h...>

wrote:

> Hi Everybody. My name is Cal and I'm new to the group. I am 34

years

> old and live in Glasgow, Scotland. Have just been diagnosed as

> suffering from PA and am trying to find out as much as I can about

> living with the condition, and about what I can do myself to help

> myself. I am to start taking sulfasalazine in just over a week. I

> have been back and forwards to my GP for several months and am so

> happy that I finally know what's wrong with me, imagination has

been

> running riot of late. I hadn't even heard of PA until Monday, so

> anything that I can learn from you all would be greatly

appreciated.

>

> I look forward to your comments.

>

> Best regards

>

> Cal

[Guest guest]

hi cally

just to say welcome to the group i see from your letter that you

are recieving treatment from your gp.i do not no how bad your condition

is but maybe you should ask to see a rhumatoligist.i no from expereance

that in the uk it can take a long time to get the first appointment.

a rhumatologist can put you in touch with physiotherapists and

occupational therapists who usually have more time to talk to you

about your condition than doctors do.

all the best from brian in yorkshire.

>From: " cally_mcbeal2002 " <cal_lawson@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] New member

>Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 19:51:51 -0000

>

>Hi Everybody. My name is Cal and I'm new to the group. I am 34 years

>old and live in Glasgow, Scotland. Have just been diagnosed as

>suffering from PA and am trying to find out as much as I can about

>living with the condition, and about what I can do myself to help

>myself. I am to start taking sulfasalazine in just over a week. I

>have been back and forwards to my GP for several months and am so

>happy that I finally know what's wrong with me, imagination has been

>running riot of late. I hadn't even heard of PA until Monday, so

>anything that I can learn from you all would be greatly appreciated.

>

>I look forward to your comments.

>

>Best regards

>

>Cal

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

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[Guest guest]

Teri,

Which enzymes is Ragan taking?

Her story is fascinating. I'm curious - how is her language? Is it

age-appropriate? What is her general level of functioning?

> Hi all. I was referred to this group from the gfcf message board.

My

> daughter, Ragan (15), is autistic and has been gfcf for two years.

Her

> DAN doctor has had her on enyzmes for more than six months. I

haven't

> noticed any difference, but it's probably a good thing that she

takes

> them anyway.

> Our situation maybe a little different than most as my child's

autism

> didn't reveal itself after vaccination or antibiotics (she has

never

> been vaccinated). Ragan presented as a hearing impaired child. She

> even began to learn Signing Exact English at the age of three. She

> continued to sign until she began to talk at age eight.

> Presently we are addressing a malabsorbtion problem, hence the

> enyzmes. The diet has been great! We saw the 'fog' lift from her

eyes

> shortly after going on this diet. I hope to gain more information

and

> possibly further help my child. Thanks in advance for sharing your

> experience and knowledge. Teri

[Guest guest]

> Teri,

>

> Which enzymes is Ragan taking?

>

> Her story is fascinating. I'm curious - how is her language? Is it

> age-appropriate? What is her general level of functioning?

>

>

>

>

>> Hi, . Presently Ragan's taking plant enzymes and a bile salt.

Her stools are to be tested soon after a treatment for 'bad' bacteria.

As for her language....well, Ragan has a fairly large vocabulary but

her understanding of concepts are still coming along. I don't think

it's a matter of age-appropriate, but rather one of content. She's

fixates on personalities, mostly political, and talks about them (if

she weren't autistic she would definetly be a geek, albeit a cute

geek). Other girls her age are talking about friends, TV shows and

clothes. She mostly has problems with knowing what a verbal tone

means, i.e., is someone's tone harsh, pleasant, annoyed, etc. and does

that mean that person is angry, happy, sad, etc. She is often asking

if one of us is angry (we aren't, but she needs to be told). She is

high functioning, but has NO concept of what her own safty means. She

can't walk through a parking lot safely. She doesn't know the meaning

of 'stop, look, listen'. She tends to cram food into her mouth faster

than she can swallow.

I don't know a lot about enzymes and how they're use in the treatment

of autism. I would like to learn more before our next appointment.

Teri

[Guest guest]

Read the message I just posted entitled " Frustration? No to

ED! "

Basically it is my opinion that MD's are so heavily solicited by

pharmaceutical companies to prescribe drugs that treat the symptoms

of Hypogonadism that they are just uneducated in understanding and

identifying the condition.

There are some websites out there that can give you age

specific " normal " Testosterone levels. A chart I am looking at

indicates your expected levels are around the 600's. See if you can

pull up the same chart at:

http://www.weymouthclinic.co.uk/wellman/paper2.html

I've read many times about members of this group having to change

physicians until they got an MD to understand and listen. You can

probably ask the MD tomorrow to prescribe Androgel and/or to give you

a complete set of blood tests that include:

FSH, LH, or Prolactin

Free Testosterone

Total Testosterone

Estradiol

DHEA

Dihydrotestosterone

IGF-1

Let us know what happens at the MD. Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Drs visit went as follows:

All lab work was pulled, all tests outlined are being done.

MRI next week for a look at the Pit gland

Started on Androgel 5mg

Question,

I have access to injectable Test, would it make since to inject 200mg

once a week?> Or would this throw everything out of whack>?

Doc did mention that my test levels should be in the 500-600 range,

not in the 230. He actually made a copy of the study I brought in to

keep for himself.

We will be rechecking the testlevels in a month to see where we stand.

How long does it take for the Androgel to start working? When should

the fatigue stop etc....

Thanks in advance....

> Read the message I just posted entitled " Frustration? No to

> ED! "

>

> Basically it is my opinion that MD's are so heavily solicited by

> pharmaceutical companies to prescribe drugs that treat the symptoms

> of Hypogonadism that they are just uneducated in understanding and

> identifying the condition.

>

> There are some websites out there that can give you age

> specific " normal " Testosterone levels. A chart I am looking at

> indicates your expected levels are around the 600's. See if you

can

> pull up the same chart at:

>

> http://www.weymouthclinic.co.uk/wellman/paper2.html

>

> I've read many times about members of this group having to change

> physicians until they got an MD to understand and listen. You can

> probably ask the MD tomorrow to prescribe Androgel and/or to give

you

> a complete set of blood tests that include:

>

> FSH, LH, or Prolactin

> Free Testosterone

> Total Testosterone

> Estradiol

> DHEA

> Dihydrotestosterone

> IGF-1

>

> Let us know what happens at the MD. Good luck!

[Guest guest]

AUTGRFAN,

Welcome to the club. Check out some of the sites listed in the

bookmarks section. You need to read up on this and know more than

the doctor. If your doc isn't and endocrinologist, think about

getting one. He does seem to be somewhat on the ball by doing the

thyroid and pit test. He is try to determine whether your hypo is

primary, testicular failure, or secondary, pituitary trouble. Always

get copies of the test results. Always ask questions. Some guys go

in with an agenda for the visit. Never, absolutely never, take the

doctor's word as gospel! If he starts using general statements

like 'normal' or 'average' tell him you want specifics. You must

educate yourself on this because he thinks he knows it already. This

is a great place to ramble, I do it all the time. This is a very

frustrating problem. Drop me a line if you need to chat.

Jim the Eunique

cav12th@...

> Hello all,

>

>

> Just wanted to say i found this board today, and it looks good.

>

> I am a 30 y/o male with a test level of 231. which seems very low

for

> a otherwise health 30 male. does anyone know what the levels should

> be?

>

> I have seen a Doc and he wants to run some Thyroid tests before

going

> any further. Any suggestions on how to get the Doc's to believe me

> when I say this is affecting me? The first 15 minutes of the

> appointment, he was looking at me crazy until I started reffering

> back to JAMA articles and such. I have an appointment with my

family

> doc in the morning and want to make sure I have all of my ducks in

a

> row.

>

> In reseaching Hypogonadism, the symptoms should have my picture

next

> to them. I cant believe it has taking me 4 years to somewhat

explain

> how I have been feeling, why did a doc not catch this before????

>

> Sorry about rambling, but it looks like I am just starting down a

> road some of you have been on for a while. any feedback or

> suggestions would be greatful.

>

>

> AUTGRFAN

[Guest guest]

Dear Bill,

Dr. Brown said that a large number of osteoarthritis cases also contain a

rheumatoid

component, hence antibiotic therapy would help in those cases.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin, who broadcasts regularly on US radio, has treated his wife

successfully for osteoarthritis with doxycycline. You can see some of his

articles

on the subject on his website at www.drmirkin.com.

>Even though the PCR came back negative I think I have enough

>clinical signs for a reactive OA. Has any one else had a neg >test yet

responded

to ab therapy.

A large number of people have sero-negative disease (where the tests show

negative)

and respond to antibiotics - my daughter is one. It's much easier if a test

for an organism shows positive as then you can target that organism with the

appropriate antibiotic. If you don't have a positive test, the tetracyclines

successfully deal with a large range of organisms and minocycline or doxycycline

is usually the first choice.

>Do you think antibiotic therapy would help here? If so how long would you go

on for and any suggestions about peoples experience with dose would be helpful.

If there is a rheumatoid component to your illness, the antibiotics should help.

You have nothing to lose by trying this therapy so, in your shoes, I would

certainly

try it. In general you start slow with the antibiotics - about 50mg of

minocycline

or doxycycline on Monday Wednesdays and Fridays - and then slowly work up the

dose. The therapy is very low dose and it takes a long time, depending on the

individual.

You might like to read our Frequently Asked Questions at rheumatic.org/faq.htm

to get a good overview of how the therapy is administered and then we can help

with any specific questions you might have.

Chris.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/14/2002 1:38:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

dcharte@... writes:

> Currently on MTX at reduced levels because last blood

> test indicated liver abnormalities

Hi - You need to get on another DMARD - since enbrel is probably out of the

questions, try talking to your doctor about Remicade.

[Guest guest]

superdave94585,I do not know if I have the words for

wisdom,but I can tell you that I know so well what you

are going threw,I myself not to long ago went threw

the same feelings that you are having.I wanted someone

to take it all way,but then I had to realize and tell

myself that that was not going to happen and I could

either deal with it and face it or sit around and

denile and let the pa take control of my life.I found

this web site and believe me it has helped me a great

deal.I told myself I was not alone on this,We are all

in it together.We as a group can stand together and

fight this together!When ever you find yourself

getting bad and angry at all of this,Stop and think

where you can go to vent,cause I know how you feel

just like everyone else on this great website.Hoped

this has helped Have a great day,smile it helps the

soul!

--- superdave94585 <dcharte@...> wrote:

> Just found this site and hope that you folks can

> share some

> information with me. Have had P for most of my life.

> I am 56 years

> old and have just started manifesting the symptoms

> of severe PA in

> the past year. Currently on MTX at reduced levels

> because last blood

> test indicated liver abnormalities. Dr. also took

> all my pain killers

> and Ibuprofen away until next test in three weeks.

> Having many

> difficulties getting through the days with the

> severe pain in my

> hands, hips, legs, shoulders and feet. I am a driver

> for a living, so

> I am having difficulty daily trying to continue

> working at my present

> job. Dr. says I should go out on Disability, but

> who's going to make

> my house payments and car payments???? One of the

> most difficult

> things to deal with is the reduced activity level

> that I am forced to

> maintain because of all the pain in my life

> presently. Was always

> very active and raced motorcycles most of my life.

> Rode bikes for

> over 25 years but had to sell my last one in

> September because the

> pain was too intense to allow me to enjoy it

> anymore!!! The

> depression is another one of the difficult side

> effects - having a

> lot of trouble reconciling myself to the fact that

> this has happened

> to me at this early age and it seems to be

> progressing so rapidly in

> the last year or so. Like most of you, the severe

> lack of energy most

> of the time leaves me with no ambition to do

> anything but sit in my

> chair and try to deal with the pain. Hope some of

> you have some words

> of wisdom for me. Thanks

>

>

>

>

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