Re: a thankyou and a whine

[Guest guest]

Dear ne,

Well, that would frighten me, too, and it may be a herx. Others will have

better advice than I do. I want to tell you to force yourself to drag

through exercises so when the pain goes, you won't have damage. I now know

that works.

Also, I don't think it is silly to worry over losing your hobbies of

knitting and quilting. First of all, they give you joy and keep you busy in

an artful way. But, even more important, they give you a sense of

accomplishment and pride and self worth that is invaluable for people like

us. When I had to stop teaching, which was much more than a job to me, I

lost the children, the pride, the praise, respect, and appreciation of

parents, the social life,

the chance to dress up, and the ability to earn half of the income in this

family. I felt helpless and dependent for the first time in life and it is

not pretty to feel that way.

I applaud your efforts and I wish I could see your quilts. Fight and

never give up; never surrender. And do hand exercises every day.

love,

Gloria

[Guest guest]

> I have been on doxy since Feb/2000 and zithromax since March/2000 and

> although I was able to see some dramatic changes in myself in the next 6

> months, (for the better), I seem to have hit a bump in the road right now.

I

> am so sore everywhere and tired but mostly sore. I feel like I am going

> backwards right now.

Sus, allow me to share some words of wisdom Ethel gave to me--look for

other hidden sources of infection! I always flare when I have an infection

of some sort. Recently this was confirmed to me in a big way--I had been

having some trouble with a tooth that was crowned (live tooth with a crown,

not a root canal) and the crown was leaking, so it had been decaying under

it. My dentist tried removing the decay and re-crowning it, but the tooth

still went down for the count. As it was dying over the last few months, I

went into an AWFUL flare, the likes of which I had not known for a long

time, back acting up again, pain running down my arm and not able to raise

my arms above the shoulders without intense pain, feet and hands flaring up

again, extreme fatigue, insomnia. The dentist eventually recommended a root

canal on it, and while I was trying to decide whether to dare that or go

ahead and have it removed, this flare hit and the tooth was throbbing

continually despite taking clindamycin and painkillers, so I had it removed.

The flare symptoms have subsided almost completely now and I noticed a

difference the very first day, though I do still feel somewhat washed out by

it all.

I'm hoping it's not my imagination, but I think that one most stubborn

finger joint that has been giving me great trouble ever since my " backslide "

started 1/1/2 years ago is starting to have the swelling go down in it. I

think that perhaps this started back then, because it was a very old crown,

and because you cannot see the decay under them with x-rays. It only became

obvious when the tooth started to become sensitive to hot foods last summer.

I'm so sorry you are having such a bad time. I know what it is like to

lose those small things, it has happened to me all too often in the last

year, struggling with numerous infections. I think it is even harder to

take after you feel the kind of improvement I did when I was a year into

the AP. A mean trick--to get your life back and then have it snatched away

again. Take care, and do let us know how you get on--but crank up that

tired brain to think if you have other health problems that might be causing

it! If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to write to me. Liz

G.