Re: flare, var. replies (long)

[Guest guest]

I've been in a horrible flare for the past 4 days. I knew I was headed for

one, did nothing to bring it on. Can't sleep well cuz I hurt, taking way too

much Vicodin, dropping things & stumbling, having muscle spasms & tremors,

bad leg & arm pain. Today was the last straw when it *hurt* my legs to sit

on the potty. I went to the Dr. and he started me on a medpak of short-term

steriods. I've done this once before and it broke the pain cycle & ended the

flare. May not work for everyone & steroids can have unpleasant side

effects, even for short term. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Also have an appointment in 7 wks. for a 24-hr. urine cortisol level test as

the first step in finding out whether I have Cushing's Disease or not.

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Marie,

Have you considered adopting a child who is not an infant? The decision is

yours, and I'm sure you'll do what is right for you and your family. I love

all ages of children, but considering my limitations due to fibro, I think I

could deal more easily with a child who was toilet-trained and was past the

age of needing constant supervision/chasing after to avoid mishap on the

part of the kidlet and physical stress on my part. Just a thought...

Lancaster (feeling so well I'm scared...),

So glad you got a diagnosis! I remember how relieved I felt after being Dx 2

yrs ago. There was definitely a " honeymoon " period. Diagnosis alone

decreased my stress level. I got started on some meds that didn't work out

in the long term but they did have enough placebo effect to allow me to shop

for and buy another rent house. Just enjoy every day as much as possible!

Lamisa,

Thank you for posting about good sleep hygeine. I used to be pretty good

about this, but I've really gotten undisciplined lately. Time for me to

shape up, I think.

,

I think it may be time to look for a new doctor...

I realize that people may have very stong feelings about the use and abuse

of alcohol, and I respect that. I'm assuming the Dr who is rumored to abuse

alcohol is not the negligent one? First, the abuse is a rumor. Second, what

constitutes abuse can be variable according to one's point of view. Unless

this doc is drinking on the job, how much is this rumored behavior gonna

affect the way your fibro etc. is treated?

Some people in my small town won't go to my Dr because " he drinks. " Yes, he

does, but not on the job! I've even seen him drunk at a New Year's party

many years ago. But he is extremely compassionate and willing to try

different combos of meds til *we* find what works best to treat my fibro &

other stuff . I've never had a problem with negligence on his part. I guess

what I'm trying to say is that you need to weigh the cost of denying

yourself the possibility of humane treatment due to rumored alcohol abuse,

or keep seeing the clueless doc.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now...

Ann R. in TX

opinionated if nothing else