Re: Tracie-to gary

[Guest guest]

,

It's good to see you post. It has been awhile.

My opinion, even with the history of peptic ulcer disease-- is that you need to address the chronic pain in your knees and legs. If that means that you take prednisone and taper down-- then personally I'd do it.

The side effects that taking any of the medications may cause- can be managed.

You said that the VA docs won't give you anything other than prednisone. At least that is what I think you meant.

Prednisone is excellant for getting the inflammation down quickly. Yes, there is the potential for weight gain- but if you drink plenty of water and stay away from the sweets and salt- it is tolerable.

If it were to increase the intensity of your depression- then an antidepressant would help. In fact, the antidepressant would also help the pain levels because it makes the chemicals in your brain work better- and you would get more sleep (which is when we heal) as well as relieve some of the anxiety you have over taking medications.

It's important to remember that they can give you something to manage and prevent the peptic ulcers from getting started. If you follow the instructions and are faithful in taking them as directed, then you could easily manage these problems.

I know money is an issue. what I would suggest is that you contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance, and explain the problem. They have a huge databank that can connect you with the companies so that you can get the medication you need. Here is a phone # for them: 1-

Here is the website: http://www.jnj.com/our_company/healthcare_issues/ppa.htm;jsessionid=AUQFXYGMTZDT4CQPCB3WU3QKB2IIWTT1

Even though you have coverage thru VA-- they may still be able to help. Just let them know that you don't even have the money for the copays. They can help you with the prednisone, the antidepressants, the peptic ulcer medications and anything else you may need. So call them. Make a list of what you are on now. Then when you see the MD's and they give you a new medication, you call them and get the prescription to them, and they get the medication to you.

, truly-- I believe that if you were to do something about the chronic pain you're in-- and get the medications to help you-- you wouldn't have to be in such a constant depressed mood. You deserve better.

Take care, and I hope that you can enjoy Thanksgiving.

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

[Guest guest]

- that was what I wasn't sure of. I couldn't figure out if they would or had given you prednisone for your legs and knee pain, or if they could not give it to you.

Now that you've clarified that you have not been given prednisone for your legs and knees-- I understand that part.

You asked me "What would I do" even with all the history that you have-- with the stomach problems.

I answered you by saying that I'd do whatever I had to do-- taking some kind of anti-imflammatory (prednisone, Motrin, Advil, Tylenol--whatever) and then IF I developed stomach problem, I'd address that issue with medication to control the stomach acid.

You see this as a "lose/lose" situation. I see it as a trial to find a way to live a comfortable life. I chose to try to find a way to be comfortable.

As far as the MRI--- it wouldn't show sarc granulomas-- but it would show inflammation or damage to the cartlidge in your knees. The MD's already know you have the inflammation-- but that you are a difficult patient to treat, because of the stomach problem.

As I have said- and say again-- if they put you on a medication that caused you more stomach problems-- they could prescribe something to control that. But you have to make a choice-- and if that's to keep living with the pain in your legs- because of the concern of pain in your stomach if you treat your leg pain-- then that's ok with me. It's your body and your choice. I know you're just voicing your opinion-- and although I'd like to see you get help for this-- it's your choice.

Take care,

Tracie

[Guest guest]

Tracie, I think you misunderstood part of what I wrote. That is the following. I didn't say the V.A. doctors won't give me anything OTHER than Prednisone. It is that they won't prescribed this to me AT ALL. Back in 2002/2003 the lung doctor at Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital was originally going to prescribe me Prednisone at that time period. But he changed his mind. I went with some type of nasal inhaler and a nasal decongestion spray. I believe both have a Cortico- steriod or Prednisone ingrediment item in both of them. I've been off that inhaler, but I still use that nasal spray. I never had nor am I now taking Prednisone or anyother Corticosteriod oral (pill) since diagnois of Sarcoidosis. I may have taken a Corticosteriod back in the 1980's or 1990's of small dosage amount say 4 mg., but that had nothing to with this Sarcoidosis now. I like said in that e-mail I wrote starting this subject, my lung involvement far as

Sarcoidosis is has stablezise and has NOT a concern. It's these blankety blank legs & knees of mine is reason to take a drug such as Prednisone now. I requested an rheumologist, my primary care doctor (both at the V.A. Clinic in town), and an neurologist at Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital to have an M.R.I. done on my legs this year and they ALL REFUSED. My line of thinking has been if I had an M.R.I. done on both of my legs, this would show sarcoid lesions there in the legs like I suspected since summer/fall, 2002. It's entirely one issue whether a person can handle taking Prednisone (I understand that not all people can handle taking this) but it is another thing to show JUST CAUSE THAT A PERSON SHOULD BE TAKING THIS. How to show just cause? Of course having that silly M.R.I.'s done on my legs. I wrote that original e-mail of this subject of WHAT YOU WOULD DO, Tracie. If you had this "switcharoo scenario" and have an unstable history of this

stomach trouble and you was given Prednisone anyway and then develope a bleeding ulcer, you would think that you're life is just screwed up that is a "lose/lose situation" of taking that drug or not taking that drug. At times I've taken that Salsalate drug WITH FOOD and I still got stomach pain. You and alot of people may have a "iron-clad stomach", but I don't. I rarely drink orange juice, use mustard, barbecue sauce, as examples because my stomach just can't handle this. This coffee I drink since about 1997 is called Kava Instant Coffee made by the Borden Company (remember Elise the Cow on their labels?). This coffee is 90 % acid neutralized. It still has the caffine, but just reduce acidicity in the coffee. A person then with a history of stomach trouble and/or Stomach Peptic Ulcers can handle this alot better than other forms of coffee. Sometimes I shouldn't be drinking or eating ANYTHING that has acid in it. Saturday here finishing up. If it is deemed

someday that I have to take Prednisone of some- think simliar and develope a bleeding Stomach Ulcer, you heard that scenario ahead of time before that happens. Tracie, this is NOT ANXETIY. It's FACTS, I have a crappy, junky, landfill stomach that just can't handle HARSHNESS of drugs, foods, and beverages. This last spring you wrote, ", save up that damm money and buy that rum and sleepin pills". Well I bought that rum and used it up long ago this past spring despite of being bad for my stomach, but I didn't buy that sleepin pills. Time is up. I'am only allow 60 minutes here at this particular library now. tiodaat@... wrote: ,It's good to see you post. It has been awhile.My opinion, even with the history of peptic ulcer disease-- is that you need to address the chronic pain in your knees and legs. If that means that you take prednisone and taper down-- then personally I'd do it. The side effects that taking any of the medications may cause- can be managed. You said that the VA docs won't give you anything other than prednisone. At least that is what I think you meant. Prednisone is excellant for getting the inflammation down quickly. Yes, there is the potential for weight gain- but if you drink plenty of water and stay away from the sweets

and salt- it is tolerable. If it were to increase the intensity of your depression- then an antidepressant would help. In fact, the antidepressant would also help the pain levels because it makes the chemicals in your brain work better- and you would get more sleep (which is when we heal) as well as relieve some of the anxiety you have over taking medications. It's important to remember that they can give you something to manage and prevent the peptic ulcers from getting started. If you follow the instructions and are faithful in taking them as directed, then you could easily manage these problems. I know money is an issue. what I would suggest is that you contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance, and explain the problem. They have a huge databank that can connect you with the companies so that you can get the medication you need. Here is a phone # for them: 1- Here is the website: http://www.jnj.com/our_company/healthcare_issues/ppa.htm;jsessionid=AUQFXYGMTZDT4CQPCB3WU3QKB2IIWTT1Even though you have coverage thru VA-- they may still be able to help. Just let them know that you don't even have the money for the copays. They can help you with the prednisone, the antidepressants, the peptic ulcer medications and anything else you may need.

So call them. Make a list of what you are on now. Then when you see the MD's and they give you a new medication, you call them and get the prescription to them, and they get the medication to you., truly-- I believe that if you were to do something about the chronic pain you're in-- and get the medications to help you-- you wouldn't have to be in such a constant depressed mood. You deserve better. Take care, and I hope that you can enjoy Thanksgiving.TracieNS Co-owner/moderator

Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

[Guest guest]

Hello again, Tracie, I've been taking stomach acid reducing pills for years. This one I've been currently using is a protein pump hibitor. This reduces a person's body to produce stomach acid. At times I can handle eating something like pizza and at other times I can't handle that at all. Why doesn't an M.R.I. show sarcoid lesions in the knees? Again what I said in these e-mails, the V.A. doctors won't prescribe Prednisone at all. When I said I could start at 50 mg. of this drug, I was just taking a quess what that amount would be. 5 mg. maybe the only amount that I could tolerate. That's anyone's quess. When a V.A. doctor orders a prescription, they do that by computer. They have these flat screen computers in each of the exam rooms at the V.A. Health Clinic. Then when a doctor has a prescription for a patient, this goes automatically to the pharmacy area of the clinic. The patient has to talk to a

pharmist first, then picks it up when his/her name is shown on a tv type montior. They conquentially don't deal with a paper prescription form. I can't afford going through that Kent Health Plan like I did before. This Kent Health Plan is what the State of Michigan has for the "working poor" and the unemployed. I wrote about this in the past. This Kent Health Plan DOES NOT cover "in patient" hospital care such as what M. has written about having this surgery again in a hospital like she had before as a example. Analogy here, funny one may very well be but still an analogy. Awhile in the past a number of years ago we had cable tv. One of these stations they aired old Three Stoodges Movie shorts. One particular one was were they were all fishing in a rowboat. They took in water because I think it was raining hard. They bailed out the water with a pail. Curley used a hand drill on the boat's floor to "let out the water" in the boat. Dummy

as he was, this brought more problems by of course letting more water into the boat. This may perhaps like these V.A. doctors line of thinking, that prescribing Prednisone for me is like opening the door or boat floor for that matter of more problems for myself. Don't misunderstand me now, I don't care for this inflammatary pain. I've thought "the road" for me was have an MRI done both of my legs that would show something going on. Since those doctors won't go that route, I have to have an denial from Social Sercurity and then an disability lawyer can sue the V.A. to have that done. tiodaat@... wrote: - that was what I wasn't sure of. I couldn't figure out if they would or had given you prednisone for your legs and knee pain, or if they could not give it to you.Now that you've clarified that you have not been given prednisone for your legs and knees-- I understand that part.You asked me "What would I do" even with all the history that you have-- with the stomach problems.I answered you by saying that I'd do whatever I had to do-- taking some kind of anti-imflammatory (prednisone, Motrin, Advil, Tylenol--whatever) and then IF I developed stomach problem, I'd address that issue with medication to control the stomach acid.You see this as a "lose/lose" situation. I see it as

a trial to find a way to live a comfortable life. I chose to try to find a way to be comfortable. As far as the MRI--- it wouldn't show sarc granulomas-- but it would show inflammation or damage to the cartlidge in your knees. The MD's already know you have the inflammation-- but that you are a difficult patient to treat, because of the stomach problem. As I have said- and say again-- if they put you on a medication that caused you more stomach problems-- they could prescribe something to control that. But you have to make a choice-- and if that's to keep living with the pain in your legs- because of the concern of pain in your stomach if you treat your leg pain-- then that's ok with me. It's your body and your choice. I know you're just voicing your opinion-- and although I'd like to see you get help for this-- it's your choice.Take care,Tracie

Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

[Guest guest]

As far as the MRI--- it wouldn't show sarc granulomas-- but it would show inflammation or damage to the cartlidge in your knees. The MD's already know you have the inflammation

, you asked why it wouldn't show the granulomas-- rarely does anything other than bone spurs or inflammation of the cartlidge show up. But they can tell that you have the inflammation by seeing that your knees are swollen-- or hot to touch. If you had rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in your knees and hips-- then that would show.

Sarcoidosis might show up if it's in the bones-- as a "lacey" looking bone impairment. However since knees are so dense-- it would be the inflammation they need to address.

Again, the inflammation will show up in ACE tests, or ESR blood tests. (Both are a simple blood draw) Then at least they have confirmed the inflammation.

tracie

[Guest guest]

Tracie, Just a few thoughts on this topic I started and I won't write about again unless something serious happened relating to having Peptic Ulcer Disease and using Prednisone or simliar drugs. I may have to someday required diffitely have to use a drug such as Prednisone such as these CRAPPY SARCOIDY lesions develope in my brain, spinal cord, heart, etc.or stop this detorating process going on with both my knees and both of my legs. If sometime whenever in the future I then develope a bleeding ulcer because of using this harsh drug on your stomach, but I cannot stop abruptly using Prednisone because you know (unless you forgot) that a person has to be WEENED OFF using Prednisone and this bleeding ulcer causes me to be amenic. But I would have to continue on taking this drug in the meanwhile. My dear old dad that sometimes I wished that he would have died years and years ago has to take an asprin everyday as a blood thinner because

of his heart/cholestrolol health problems. I have had only 3 asprins in the LAST 15 YEARS. Basically I CANNOT HANDLE even a asprin in my stomach and should not EVER take one because of my history of having those Peptic Stomach Ulcers. Now in Heaven's name; Purgatory, Colorado; or Hell, Michigan can I HANDLE Prednisone when I can't even HANDLE asprin, Tracie??? You know alot about this thing called Sarcoidosis, but you seemed to me don't know this precarious situation I have even you and myself discuss this before. I should have taken that stomach acid reducing pill this morning, but I forgot along with those blood presure pills. I had to take Kathy to the credit union and from there to this Salvation Army business where they send people out to do that bell ringing in stores. Tuesday; December 5, 2006. I started the above e-mail last Thursday but just save it under the "draft" option with Yahoo e-mail. I didn't make it over to this

or another library since until today. This past Saturday; Kathy, Reba, and myself were finishing up doing those paperoutes with just one more delivery to do when I fell down on "black ice" behind our minivan. I came down on my left side. After awhile I thought I could wore off the pain with just taking extra strength Tynol like tablets. After I got back to our apartment, I thought I should go to emergency at one of our metro hospitals. Reba took me to Metropolian Hospital in Grand Rapids. I had Ct-scans and x-rays done, and blood tests done. Later that morning I found out that these Ct-scans and x-rays showed NO DAMAGE to my lungs and spleen. The doc said I may have bruised ribs however. Diagnoisis of Chest Wall Contusion and Abdominal Wall Contusion. Is this was meant by bruised ribs? I should have asked when I was there. My mind WASN'T ALL THERE because of the pain. I got this drug called HYDROCODONE/APAP 5mg/500 mg tablets. This is a generic drug of VICODIN with

Acetamphen same mg. dossage amount. The pain has subsided somewhat since Saturday, but still is there especially when I go to a standing postion to a sitting down/lying down position or reverse way. Bye, P.S. I don't have money to buy Christmas cards like previous years. Same ol, same ol here, nothing new.tiodaat@... wrote: In a message dated 11/28/2006

6:03:58 PM Pacific Standard Time, garyjwoolard (AT) yahoo (DOT) com writes: As far as the MRI--- it wouldn't show sarc granulomas-- but it would show inflammation or damage to the cartlidge in your knees. The MD's already know you have the inflammation, you asked why it wouldn't show the granulomas-- rarely does anything other than bone spurs or inflammation of the cartlidge show up. But they can tell that you have the inflammation by seeing that your knees are swollen-- or

hot to touch. If you had rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in your knees and hips-- then that would show. Sarcoidosis might show up if it's in the bones-- as a "lacey" looking bone impairment. However since knees are so dense-- it would be the inflammation they need to address. Again, the inflammation will show up in ACE tests, or ESR blood tests. (Both are a simple blood draw) Then at least they have confirmed the inflammation.tracie

Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.