Re: My visit with Dr A and my PCP

[Guest guest]

what's a PCP?

rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by line -

ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says that I

have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust the

doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on hormones -

that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a problem -

I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this situation

and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

apology, which I will never see

So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is 83 -

Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and why I

can't lose weight!!!!

What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

really thick - could that be the fish oil?

I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

Carole

--

Carole S. Stein

President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

[Guest guest]

Primary Care Physician

carole

On 10/15/10 8:01 PM, mannasal@... wrote:

>

> what's a PCP?

>

> rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

>

> I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

>

> Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by line -

> ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

> thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says that I

> have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust the

> doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

>

> Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

> bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

> isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on hormones -

> that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a problem -

> I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this situation

> and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

> apology, which I will never see

>

> So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

> My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is 83 -

> Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

> A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and why I

> can't lose weight!!!!

> What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

> in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

> really thick - could that be the fish oil?

>

> I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

>

> Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

>

> Carole

>

> --

> Carole S. Stein

> President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

> http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

> Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

>

>

[Guest guest]

What is a PCP?  We use a lot of initials and many newbies do not understand

what we are talking about.  In my book, I have decided to put in a page or two

of the meaning of the initials we use.  Here is a little preview. 

 

PCP- Primary Care Physician

ANA---Anti nuclear Antibiodies

MWF-----Monday - Wednesday - Friday

R/A---Rheumatoid Arthritis

A/P--Antibiotic Protocol

MP--Marshall Protocol

SD---Scleroderma

AS--Ankylosis Spondelytis

RF---Rheumatoid Factor

That is only to name a few.  There are many others.  I'm sure the old timers

could put a list together that would stretch a page down to the floor. 

 

I would spend more time on this list right now, but my mind is currently with my

mom who is 96 and fighting for her life in the hospital.  I have mixed emotions

over this.  I spent the night at the hospital as she faced surgery this morning

and I wasn't sure she was going to make it through.  Fortunately or

unfortunately, she did.  I say this because she has lived a long and healthy

life and I admit a very selfish one.  However, because I am a humanitarian, it

goes against my grain to stand by and watch any human being suffer or have their

life prolonged way past their time just to stay alive. When the quality of

life ends, so should life, but who am I to judge or deem when life is done. 

 Yet, she fights for it, so I must honor her strength and wll to live. 

 

I am not a religious person who follows any established religion.  I believe

there are many paths to God and I believe in a power higher than myself who has

put this all together.  I am not sure of a hereafter and no one I know has

been there and come back to tell us about it,so far.  The most honest thing I

can say is, " I really don't know " .  What I do know is that there is strength

in numbers and in prayers.  So, I am asking you all to put me on your prayer

lists.   I need to be able to cope with whatever may be coming down the

road.  Her living and coming back home to live with me will be stressful to me

as I have the responsibility to care for her even though I was abandoned at an

early age and she never raised me. This is a big issue and I don't think I have

ever truly forgiven her for that. 

 

However, I cannot stand by and watch a human or any animal suffer withou

feelings. 

 

To those who think I don't exist or am some sort of myth.  I am a human being

going through trials just like you.  The real angel in my life is Lynne

Guimond and her husband Santos who used to post a lot on this site and also on

the RBF.  She came to me via e:mail in my darkest hour when I had just been

diagnosed with Scleroderma and told I had 5-6 months to live.  That was way

back in the ancient year of 2005.  She told me about A/P and all the good

reasons to go on it.  She mentored me for two years and told me that when I

reached my remission, that I should carry on her work.  She does it still with

other sites that most of us don't reach.  She has been in remission for about

15 years or more by now.  Still she has her ups and downs.  We all do.  We

just must uplift each other and I ask all of you to who have achieved success

to carry on the work of passing on the A/P story.   

 

I have been trying to finish the book, but now Mom is taking up some time and

again the book stands unfinished on the shelf.  Maybe it is because my story

goes on.  And the end of the book is not evident yet.  I don't know! 

 

Thank you Eva for the mention.  Yes, we met in Texas a few years ago.  Eva and

Burl came to visit us when we were in Corpus Christi Texas.  That was before, I

left to take care of mom when she was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  We had

a wonderful weekend.  One of the last free ones we have had lately, but we

look forward to going on with our lives and adventures yet to follow. 

 

Take care all of you.  Thank you Sally for your comments. I do gain strength

from feedback.   I read every single post.  I don't delve much into symptoms

because I have never given them that much attention.  I just feel that if you

treat the cause, the symptoms will disappear in time.  So, numbers do not phase

me. I like an uncomplicated and uncluttered head to think with.  Have been in

a brain fog for too long and now that the fog is lifting, I cannot clutter it. 

  My first rheumatologist gave me that gift. Love and strength to all of

you.  Keep those questions coming.  Somone who has been there will answer

you.  I promise.  Dolores   

From: mannasal@... <mannasal@...>

Subject: Re: rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

rheumatic

Date: Friday, October 15, 2010, 8:01 PM

 

what's a PCP?

rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by line -

ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says that I

have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust the

doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on hormones -

that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a problem -

I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this situation

and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

apology, which I will never see

So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is 83 -

Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and why I

can't lose weight!!!!

What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

really thick - could that be the fish oil?

I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

Carole

--

Carole S. Stein

President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have to add a correction here. 

AS -- is for anklyosing spondelitis.  Not sure if I spelled it correctly, but

Harald just wrote up a post explaining that disease.  Dolores

From: mannasal@... <mannasal@...>

Subject: Re: rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

rheumatic

Date: Friday, October 15, 2010, 8:01 PM

 

what's a PCP?

rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by line -

ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says that I

have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust the

doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on hormones -

that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a problem -

I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this situation

and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

apology, which I will never see

So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is 83 -

Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and why I

can't lose weight!!!!

What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

really thick - could that be the fish oil?

I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

Carole

--

Carole S. Stein

President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

[Guest guest]

I hold you and your mother in my heart Dolores. sally

rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by line -

ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says that I

have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust the

doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on hormones -

that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a problem -

I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this situation

and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

apology, which I will never see

So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is 83 -

Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and why I

can't lose weight!!!!

What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

really thick - could that be the fish oil?

I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

Carole

--

Carole S. Stein

President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

[Guest guest]

Dolores, when do you know you are in remission? Lack of pain, blood

results? Thanks, June

I

On Oct 16, 2010, at 1:27 PM, mannasal@... wrote:

> I hold you and your mother in my heart Dolores. sally

>

> rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

>

> I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

>

> Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by

> line -

> ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

> thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says

> that I

> have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust

> the

> doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

>

> Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

> bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

> isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on

> hormones -

> that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a

> problem -

> I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this

> situation

> and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

> apology, which I will never see

>

> So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

> My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is

> 83 -

> Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

> A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and

> why I

> can't lose weight!!!!

> What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

> in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

> really thick - could that be the fish oil?

>

> I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

>

> Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

>

> Carole

>

> --

> Carole S. Stein

> President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

> http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

> Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi June!  This is an excellent question! 

 

During the course of the therapy, I noticed that at certain points in time some

of my symptom or set of symptoms that had bothered me for a long time

would disappear and at that point I thought I had reached remission.  Each

time I would be disappointed when another symptom would replace the one

before.  However, with each level, I reached, I soon realized that all my

body was clearing out certain areas of my body.  But the organisms were still

in my body running around looking for another place to hide and cause

problems.  I actually would picture what was going on in my body and so I just

kept on taking the various antibiotics.  My infectious disease doc was a huge

help and kept me on a regime of different antibiotics and several antibiotic

combos. 

 

In April of 2008, My blood was still positive, So, I continued with the

antibiotics and still had some slight symptoms.  The last bothersome symptom

was in my gut.  I would get heartburn and diarrhea every day.  I also noticed

that my bouts of nausea and vomiting were getting less & less.  Then in October

2009, my doctor ordered my routine blood work.as usual,  I was feeling pretty

good and could run up a flight of stairs.  My lungs were no longer diminished

and I could breath easier.  I had chest x-rays done and the results came back

(normal findings).  I had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2005 and

told that my lungs were so fibrosed that I probably had about 5-6 months to

live..  Every pulmonologist I had been to, had told me that there is no cure

for pulmonary fibrosis.  But here I was with a normal x-ray.  Both my doc and

I were stunned.  At the same time, my blood work came back with an RF and an

ANA at 0.  Totally

negative. Ever since 2005, my blood work had always come back positive.  ANA

was 1:640 and the RF had remained close to 100.  Both of us thought that

someone had made a big mistake and I had received the reports of another

patient. 

 

So, the doctor waited a few months and I continued therapy,  Then my

doc retested, me  at another lab. Again the results came back totally

negative and the chest x-ray came back with normal findings.  We were all

elated but cautious not wanting to be disappointed down the line.  Six months

later another repeat test and this time I was still negative and normal.  The

doctor checked me over very carefully.  I was still having  some diarrhea,

but not near what I had been doing for the past 4-5 years. My doctor and I had

a talk and I asked him if this meant if I had reached remission and he said that

if I remained symptom free for another year and my reports continue being

negative, then I could declare myself to be in remission.  

 

Well, it is now 2010.  My blood workd continues to come back negative,  My

lungs are totally clear and free from fibrosis. The diarrhea bouts continued to

get further and further apart and finally stopped.  I felt that the diarrhea

was the way my body was dumping the toxins. I hung in there and then i went a

week without diarrhea, then two, then three, and finally, I had normal BM's and

I was cured.  Meanwhile I had moved to Puerto Rico and went to see a new

doctor. I brought my history of scleroderma with me and all of my results.  I

also brought with me a copy of the antibiotic protocol. ..  A year had passed

by this time, so another set of lab & x-ray tests were ordered and I was still

completely negative. The doctor could not believe that I had conquered

scleroderma.  There is not a trace of the disease left in my body.  The

doc said, that if I hadn't brought my old results, he would have never believed

that I had been diagnosed with

scleroderma.  He, of course, went and shared this news with his colleagues. 

 

I still continue to take my Minocin 50mg. on M W F..  This is my choice.  And

I continued to get checked every 6 months.  With the new year coming up, and

if I continue to do well, I will only have to have my checkups done once a

year. I now know what to look for, so at the slightest change, I would not

hesitate to get checked immediately. 

 

To me:  Remission has been reached when all labs, xrays,etc come back normal

and all symptoms of disease are gone.  Also, when you can dance without getting

winded,work without aching and all your swollen joints are no longer swollen. 

And lastly when your doctor has declared that you have definitely reached

remission.  It took me 6 months to finally accept it and the miracle of it

all is still remarkably joyful..it was a long time coming, but so well worth

the ride.  I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  A/P cured me of an

incurable disease.  Amazing.~~~Dolores          

 

 

 

 

 

  My infectious disease doctor was monitoring my ANA & RF.  Each time I got

tested, I would still be positive, but we noticed the numbers were coming

down. 

>

> From: mannasal@... <mannasal@...>

> Subject: Re: rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

> rheumatic

> Date: Friday, October 15, 2010, 8:01 PM

>

> what's a PCP?

>

> rheumatic My visit with Dr A and my PCP

>

> I can't remember if I posted all of this so here goes

>

> Went to see Dr A - we sit and go through my test results line by

> line -

> ups my fish oil - says my thyroid is low, gives me a little bit of

> thyroid, offers me my hormones back, I said yes - adds B12 - says

> that I

> have become insulin resistant - thank you prednisone! Didn't adjust

> the

> doxy - and I am going back to see him next week -

>

> Tuesday I go to see my PCP - I bring all the blood work - she goes

> bonkers! this is hokus pokus - not mainstream medicine - My thryoid

> isn't low, I'm not insulin resistant - how could I go back on

> hormones -

> that isn't her business - Oh and my back where I really have a

> problem -

> I'm supposed to live with that - I really had to diffuse this

> situation

> and I will probably fire - after today's test results, she owes me an

> apology, which I will never see

>

> So I get copies of all my blood work - I had blood drawn yesterday -

> My cholesterol is 153!!!!! Triglicerides are 73 - HDL is 53 - LDL is

> 83 -

> Thryoid .9 - .8 is the low end of normal -

> A1c 5.7!!!!! 5.6 is normal - that would be insulin resistance and

> why I

> can't lose weight!!!!

> What was interesting drawing the blood yesterday is for the first time

> in a very long time, she easily found a vein and it came right out not

> really thick - could that be the fish oil?

>

> I did switch to Carlson's fish oil - But I just did that

>

> Shame on her - Thank you Dr A! Now to find a PCP

>

> Carole

>

> --

> Carole S. Stein

> President, OnlinePetMemorials.com, Inc.

> http://www.rainbowbridgeforpets.com

> Proud owner of wood Double Dose RTD

>

>