Re: I am SO upset! Help!!!

[Guest guest]

I'd keep my feet up as much as possible. Keep checking your blood

sugar levels (maybe onset of Diabetes). Keep checking blood pressure

(maybe onset of high blood pressure). Also soak your feet (in warm

water and Epsom Salt) and maybe have someone massage your legs in an

upward motion so the blood has a clear circulation path back towards

the heart...also don't wear socks (the " airy " way of wearing sandals

are best)...plus the socks and tennis shoes can constrict your ankles.

Also it may be water retension (I don't get this either but drink MORE

water). These are my suggestions but I'm not a doctor either BUT I

have MANY years experience with Lupus and the affects...I SHOULD be a

doctor. LOL Take care and have a great time in England (and make sure

ALL your prescription meds have YOUR name on them...OTC ones are all

right though)...my husband used to work for the airlines (post 9/11)

and there are people looking for " smuggled " in drugs.

Blessings,

In California

> I had another rheumatology appointment today, the second with the

> female doctor in the practice. The male doctor is very thorough and

> competent but he has no personality or bedside manner. A friend

> suggested I might want to start seeing the female doctor instead. At

> the first appointment with her, I thought she rushed me through, but

> the place was mobbed so I had some sympathy. Well, the place was NOT

> mobbed today and the visit was AWFUL! Here's what happened:

>

> My ankles and knees have been very swollen; this past week, I started

> being unable to move the toes on my right foot. I told her about this

> and she didn't even examine my feet or ankles! She told me to take

> more painkillers! I repeated that I was concerned about not being

> able to move my toes and it was further impacting how I walk, which

> increases pain. She said take more Celebrex AND more painkillers!

>

> Then I showed her a rash that is spreading on my arms and legs. It's

> really ugly!!!! She asked if it itches -- it doesn't. So, then she

> laughed and said, " So what's the problem? " I repeated that it's ugly

> and spreading. She advised me to ignore it but said I could go to a

> dermatologist if I wanted to.

>

> Lastly, I told her that I was having a lot of nausea and have been

> throwing up in the middle of the night. I bought some over-the-

> counter Tagamet, which is helping, and I showed her the box. She

> said, " That's fine, just keep taking it. " I had a hair appointment

> after my visit and my stylist just finished chemo for cancer. She

> told me that there are creams and meds to help with nausea and

> vomitting from methotrexate and she was amazed that the doctor didn't

> prescribe one of them!

>

> I'm really ticked and don't know what to do -- we're leaving for

> vacation in England on Tuesday so I don't even have time to go back

> and see the male doctor. He may be more " clinical, " but he addressed

> my symptoms and took things seriously.

>

> What can I do about my ankle and toe problems so I'm not a mess in

> England? Help!

> -Anne