I'm new here

[Guest guest]

I am new here too, and also suffer with my lower back...takes me 15 min to talk

myself into getting out of bed in the morning...and the only thing that really

does it is a four year old who states he is going to make his own breakfast!!!!

Look out!! This has really disrupted my life. I really miss sleeping on my

side, that is impossible seems to trigger more pain. I often wonder what life

is like without knowing you can't leave the house without drugs.....I check my

purse before every outing...just incase....thanks...jayne

opaoma@... wrote:

> From: opaoma@...

>

> Hello to everyone. I am glad to find this list as I don't know anyone else

who has PA. My worst pain is in my lower back but my whole body is affected

either with PA, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia. I've been on prednisone and

methotrexate for about 6 years. Have been taking the MTX by injection since

Feb. Also taking NSAIDS the whole time and no relief. Started on Vioxx in

July. Was on Plaquenil, too, till last year; had to go off it because of side

effect. With little or no relief, I wonder why I keep taking these drugs. But

drs. say we have to keep trying.

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

sherman.fam@... wrote:

>

> From: " sherman.fam@... " <sherman.fam@...>

>

> I am new here too, and also suffer with my lower back...takes me 15 min to

talk myself into getting out of bed in the morning...and the only thing that

really does it is a four year old who states he is going to make his own

breakfast!!!! Look out!! This has really disrupted my life. I really miss

sleeping on my side, that is impossible seems to trigger more pain. I often

wonder what life is like without knowing you can't leave the house without

drugs.....I check my purse before every outing

>

> opaoma@... wrote:

>

> > From: opaoma@...

> >

> > Hello to everyone. I am glad to find this list as I don't know anyone else

who has PA. My worst pain is in my lower back but my whole body is affected

either with PA, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia. I've been on prednisone and

methotrexate for about 6 years. Have been taking the MTX by injection since

Feb. Also taking NSAIDS the whole time and no relief. Started on Vioxx in

July. Was on Plaquenil, too, till last year; had to go off it because of side

effect. With little or no relief, I

> >

> > ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting any

significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? I tried them for a few

months, without the progress worth permanent damage to my vital organs ...

and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage will. Most of the people

writing to this list are taking these devastating drugs. It is disturbing

that most of the messages are details about medication dosages, rather than

tips on handling the difficulties which come along with PA and Fibromyalgia.

Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly game our doctors would

have us play ... and since it is the only one they know, it is take their

chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love it.

I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower crawl, in order to maintain

quality of living. I would welcome responses from those who share my

concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to life's obstacles without

serious medications.

Kind regards to all,

Marie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/23/99 6:43:10 PM !!!First Boot!!!, opaoma@...

writes:

<< I assumed that drugs was the discussion of the day/week and

that another time the discussion would go to tips on handling the

difficulties which come along with PA and Fibromyalgia. I'd love to see

a discussion on that. Maybe you have some tips you can give us?

>>

I was hoping to GET tips myself! Before these illnesses, I was a very active

person who could multi-task with the best of them - in fact, that was what I

considered 'fun'.

One of my first 'odd' symtoms was getting confused and befuddled easily, the

last couple of years I worked in my high pressure job. Then I went on

disability, as I physically felt that I was disentergating. I, too, felt

that maybe I was being poisoned by something.

OK, the 1st tip I used was to only do one task at a time - then sit back and

rest for awhile. Before, I would put bread in the toaster, then leave to do

other things ... problem was, that I would forget all about the toast - which

would end up burnt and cold! (If I am making toast - stay there and only do

that one thing to its' completion) I also have an ongoing list of things I

would like to get done for the week. That helps me keep my mind and efforts

closer to my targets. Living is very frustrating, so I have to let the

seemingly smallest of my 'accomplishments' lift my self-esteem. i.e. I

picked up my shoes from the living room and returned them to their proper

bedroom place. : ) I cannot base my self-esteem, personal value, comparing

what I used to be able to do years ago with the present - although I still

get stuck in that mental bog frequently.

Kind regards,

Marie

[Guest guest]

Purtnear@... wrote:

>

> From: Purtnear@...

>

> If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting any

> significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? I tried them for a few

> months, without the progress worth permanent damage to my vital organs ...

> and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage will. Most of the people

> writing to this list are taking these devastating drugs. It is disturbing

> that most of the messages are details about medication dosages, rather than

> tips on handling the difficulties which come along with PA and Fibromyalgia.

> Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly game our doctors would

> have us play ... and since it is the only one they know, it is take their

> chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love it.

>

> I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower crawl, in order to maintain

> quality of living. I would welcome responses from those who share my

> concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to life's obstacles without

> serious medications.

>

> Kind regards to all,

> Marie

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/23/99 6:43:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!,

thelockhorns@... writes:

<< ould I hobble about hoping to live to

see 100 only to step in front of a bus that I'm too

slow to jump out of the way of?<G> Some people here

are taking strong medicines because they would be

housebound otherwise, some take them and are still

housebound, and some(like me) have been given back so

much thanks to modern medicine.

Stay healthy and strong

>>

Dear

Thank you for your reply! I loved your humor about being too slow to get out

of the way of a truck - that sounds just like me! Perhaps I am so reserved

about the drug situation because my mother's two best friends (women I loved

also) suffered for years with arthritis and took all these drugs, including

gold treatments. The 1st lady died young because her body was devested by

the drugs. The 2nd lady still lives, but she has so many physical problems,

due to the drug side-effects - she's afraid to stop taking them. So, from my

viewpoint, by taking the drugs for many years, they did more damage to

themselves. I can understand why some others, like you, would take the

drugs, as you have children to watch over. I am very fortunate, in that my

children are grown, and I have a wonderful spouse who takes good care of me.

I don't get pressure from anyone, except myself, to 'perform'. All my family

members are in agreement that they would rather have me here, as is, then for

me to take the risk of destroying my organs with the drugs. As it stands, I

already have a very sensitive and painful digestive tract, and my doctors

agree that am not a good candidate for drug therapy.

Thanks again and kind regards,

Marie

[Guest guest]

Hi Marie

I'm not sure I understand your antagonism towards

disease modifying drugs. I sympatize with the fact

that you received little help from them but my

response to MTX has been quite the opposite. My RD(who

I like and trust) tells me that I am in no danger of

organ damage and I get tested every 2 months to insure

this. I want to live to a ripe old age and have every

hope of doing so but there are no guarentees in this

life and I'm going to enjoy being able to run around

the zoo with my 3 yr old daughter now and worry about

tomorrow then. Should I hobble about hoping to live to

see 100 only to step in front of a bus that I'm too

slow to jump out of the way of?<G> Some people here

are taking strong medicines because they would be

housebound otherwise, some take them and are still

housebound, and some(like me) have been given back so

much thanks to modern medicine.

Stay healthy and strong

--- Purtnear@... wrote:

> From: Purtnear@...

>

> If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and

> not getting any

> significant relief of symptoms, then why continue?

> I tried them for a few

> months, without the progress worth permanent damage

> to my vital organs ...

> and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage

> will. Most of the people

> writing to this list are taking these devastating

> drugs. It is disturbing

> that most of the messages are details about

> medication dosages, rather than

> tips on handling the difficulties which come along

> with PA and Fibromyalgia.

> Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly

> game our doctors would

> have us play ... and since it is the only one they

> know, it is take their

> chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love

> it.

>

> I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower

> crawl, in order to maintain

> quality of living. I would welcome responses from

> those who share my

> concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to

> life's obstacles without

> serious medications.

>

> Kind regards to all,

> Marie

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

>>From: Purtnear@...

If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting

any

significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? I tried them

for a few

months, without the progress worth permanent damage to my vital

organs ...

and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage will. Most of

the people

writing to this list are taking these devastating drugs. It is

disturbing

that most of the messages are details about medication dosages,

rather than

tips on handling the difficulties which come along with PA and

Fibromyalgia.

Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly game our

doctors would

have us play ... and since it is the only one they know, it is

take their

chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love it.

I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower crawl, in order

to maintain

quality of living. I would welcome responses from those who

share my

concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to life's obstacles

without

serious medications.

Kind regards to all,

Marie<<<

There are many people on this list who have very little choice

but to use these medications. I have fought high blood pressure

for years. I have been through all kinds of tests to find out

why I have had high blood pressure since my teen years. I have

tried diet, weight loss, exercise, therapy, herbs..... Nothing

worked. I have been taking medication for BP for a few years now

with very good results. I am on a very low dose of BP medication

and hopefully always will be. There are some things that are

just not easily treated with non conventional medicine. I think

it is a real disservice to assume most of us who are on the

stronger medications have not already looked into other options.

In many cases like mine there are really no viable alternatives.

I have back - hip - leg involvement with my PA. I have tried all

kinds of things to help with the pain. I was to the point where

I could not function normally through the day because of the

pain. I could not even walk through the grocery store to buy my

family food or stand at the stove or sink very long. I was

becoming VERY depressed. Finally my Doctor saw that I truly was

hurting and needed help beyond diet and exercise. I took my 4th

dose of MTX today. I am feeling ok. It does upset my stomach

but the relief I have gotten in my hip and leg is WONDERFUL. I

am not in constant pain. My husband was beginning to wonder if I

hated everyone around here before I started getting relief. My

pain is relived and my spirit and attitude are getting back to my

normal self. It is difficult enough having to deal with this

disease. I think we all need to support each other in the

choices we have made for ourselves in finding relief from pain.

If you are lucky enough to be able to " plot along at a slower

crawl " without these medication then count yourself lucky that is

not the case for many here.

Lee Ann

[Guest guest]

Lee Ann,

I have had high blood pressure also since I was 15 years old, I was not over

weight, led a pretty healthy life style...I was told I inherited it from my

parents. I am also taking a very low dose and have been for 19 years

(Aldomet). If it was my choice, I wouldn't take the drug, or any other

drugs for PA. But someone has made it not my decision, because I can not

walk without pain meds and risk the chance of a stroke without my BP

med....I believe sometimes we just do not have a choice....Unfortunaely, I

am in the 5% with the spinal involvement. Like anything else, I have

accepted this, and will continue to live as best as I can. If I have

learned anything, worrying gets you no where...there are things that you

just can't change. A dr told me two years ago when I sought out for a

diagnosis, " Be happy you don't have cancer " At first I thought he was

rude!, then leaving the office, I thought, he was absolutely right. Jayne

Lee Ann Walter wrote:

> From: " Lee Ann Walter " <SAWalter@...>

>

> >>From: Purtnear@...

>

> If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting

> any

> significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? I tried them

> for a few

> months, without the progress worth permanent damage to my vital

> organs ...

> and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage will. Most of

> the people

> writing to this list are taking these devastating drugs. It is

> disturbing

> that most of the messages are details about medication dosages,

> rather than

> tips on handling the difficulties which come along with PA and

> Fibromyalgia.

> Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly game our

> doctors would

> have us play ... and since it is the only one they know, it is

> take their

> chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love it.

>

> I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower crawl, in order

> to maintain

> quality of living. I would welcome responses from those who

> share my

> concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to life's obstacles

> without

> serious medications.

>

> Kind regards to all,

> Marie<<<

>

> There are many people on this list who have very little choice

> but to use these medications. I have fought high blood pressure

> for years. I have been through all kinds of tests to find out

> why I have had high blood pressure since my teen years. I have

> tried diet, weight loss, exercise, therapy, herbs..... Nothing

> worked. I have been taking medication for BP for a few years now

> with very good results. I am on a very low dose of BP medication

> and hopefully always will be. There are some things that are

> just not easily treated with non conventional medicine. I think

> it is a real disservice to assume most of us who are on the

> stronger medications have not already looked into other options.

> In many cases like mine there are really no viable alternatives.

> I have back - hip - leg involvement with my PA. I have tried all

> kinds of things to help with the pain. I was to the point where

> I could not function normally through the day because of the

> pain. I could not even walk through the grocery store to buy my

> family food or stand at the stove or sink very long. I was

> becoming VERY depressed. Finally my Doctor saw that I truly was

> hurting and needed help beyond diet and exercise. I took my 4th

> dose of MTX today. I am feeling ok. It does upset my stomach

> but the relief I have gotten in my hip and leg is WONDERFUL. I

> am not in constant pain. My husband was beginning to wonder if I

> hated everyone around here before I started getting relief. My

> pain is relived and my spirit and attitude are getting back to my

> normal self. It is difficult enough having to deal with this

> disease. I think we all need to support each other in the

> choices we have made for ourselves in finding relief from pain.

> If you are lucky enough to be able to " plot along at a slower

> crawl " without these medication then count yourself lucky that is

> not the case for many here.

>

> Lee Ann

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

On Mon, 23 Aug 1999 17:38:12 EDT, Purtnear@... wrote:

>From: Purtnear@...

>

>In a message dated 8/23/99 6:43:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!,

>thelockhorns@... writes:

>

><< ould I hobble about hoping to live to

> see 100 only to step in front of a bus that I'm too

> slow to jump out of the way of?<G> Some people here

> are taking strong medicines because they would be

> housebound otherwise, some take them and are still

> housebound, and some(like me) have been given back so

> much thanks to modern medicine.

> Stay healthy and strong

> >>

>

>Dear

>

>Thank you for your reply! I loved your humor about being too slow to get out

>of the way of a truck - that sounds just like me! Perhaps I am so reserved

>about the drug situation because my mother's two best friends (women I loved

>also) suffered for years with arthritis and took all these drugs, including

>gold treatments. The 1st lady died young because her body was devested by

>the drugs. The 2nd lady still lives, but she has so many physical problems,

>due to the drug side-effects - she's afraid to stop taking them. So, from my

If they had arthritis, the death and devastation may well have been

due to the disease, rather than the meds. Rheumatoid Arthritis in

particular, can cause death if left untreated.

Steve

http://www.zoomnet.net/~steve

[Guest guest]

On Sun, 22 Aug 1999 20:33:17 EDT, Purtnear@... wrote:

>From: Purtnear@...

>

>If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting any

>significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? I tried them for a few

>months, without the progress worth permanent damage to my vital organs ...

>and stopped. PA won't kill me, but organ damage will. Most of the people

>writing to this list are taking these devastating drugs. It is disturbing

>that most of the messages are details about medication dosages, rather than

>tips on handling the difficulties which come along with PA and Fibromyalgia.

>Sometimes, someone needs to point out what a deadly game our doctors would

>have us play ... and since it is the only one they know, it is take their

>chemicals or nothing. The drug companies must love it.

Hmmm, do you realize how offensive this comes across to people who

have chosen medication? I'm not sure if that is your intention or not.

>I have learned to plot along at a slow to slower crawl, in order to maintain

>quality of living. I would welcome responses from those who share my

>concerns, and also are learning how to adjust to life's obstacles without

>serious medications.

Marie, before medication, I was barely able to work part of a day, and

I absolutely couldn't afford to miss work. On medication, I'm working

full time, and am going start college on top of that. Some of us don't

have the option of plotting along at a slow crawl.

Steve

http://www.zoomnet.net/~steve

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/23/1999 11:39:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

Purtnear@... writes:

<< From: Purtnear@...

If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting any

significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? >>

The key word there is " significant " . At this point ANY relief is a blessing.

If all these potent drugs bring the pain down from a " 9 " to maybe a

" 7 " ...then I will take them. The difference in a 9 and a 7 is the ability to

bear it and still function somehow.

Right now, for the first time in years the Prednisone has brought my pain

quotient down to around a " 5 " ...I am so grateful. I am no longer expecting

to be pain free...but I am now fighting for degrees of relief.

I have been diagnosed with both severe RA and PA...and they can both lead to

premature death or crippling disability if left untreated. Yes, this is a

cruel disease and the treatment options are often less than desireable and

inadaquate, but so is the option of non-treatment.

I guess the bottom line is there is no cure so we just have to keep trying to

moderate the disease ....and pay a huge price to do so.

And, I would LOVE to plot along at a slower pace, but I am caretaker to a

demanding sick elderly parent as well as chief cook and bottle washer for the

hubby...if I don't do it no one will.

Annette

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/23/1999 2:43:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

thelockhorns@... writes:

<< Some people here

are taking strong medicines because they would be

housebound otherwise, some take them and are still

housebound, >>

You are exactly right...I am practically housebound..but that is still a lot

better than bed-bound...like I said earlier...I am no longer looking for

" significant " relief.... " any " relief will do. I now measure relief in

ounces...not pounds. I take what I can get.

Annette

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/23/1999 6:16:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Purtnear@... writes:

<< All my family

members are in agreement that they would rather have me here, as is, then

for

me to take the risk of destroying my organs with the drugs. >>

My family would tell me the same thing, but down deep I am sure they feel

just the opposite. They want the person they have always known and depended

on to be here. I do too. I am afraid of all the powerful drugs I am taking

just to keep going, but I am even more afraid of losing any more of " me " .

Some of " me " is gone and I can never get it back...but I will fight to keep

whats left.

When I began the Prednisone last week I knew I was probably trading some

quantity for quality. Everyone makes their own decision about this and there

is no right or wrong.....just each of us making the best of a bad situation.

Every ounce of relief I get from these drugs is an ounce of " me " I have saved.

I am not on these drugs because I have a desire to destroy my organs,

although this may well be the result in the end...but, rather because it is

better than what I was experiencing without them. I am choosing the lesser

of two evils.

Annette

[Guest guest]

Hi Jayne,

I think you are the first person I have ever met that had HBP as

young as I did. I had a kidney cath. done and they found one of

my kidneys is very very small but it is working ok. That was the

only thing they could find for my HBP. Family genetics is

probably to blame in my situation too. I resented it for a while.

It did keep me from having as many birth children as I wanted but

it also opened the door to adoption. We would not have our 3

little ones if I had been able to carry more children. God

closes doors and opens widows!

I also have lower back and neck involved in this PA. It is very

painful. I have a really hard time giving my little ones a bath.

That is upsetting to me. I am hoping to get enough relief from

the MTX to have a more normal life with my kids.

It has always been the fear of a stroke for me that has kept me

on my BP medication. As much as I hate the medication I would

never want to be disabled and be a burden on my family. The

whole BP thing has caused me a lot of anxiety in the past.

As for the PA, I am grateful to have a medication that will help

with my quality of life. I don't know if it will shorten my

years but I could be killed in an accident tomorrow for that

matter. Who knows what will happen in the next 20 - 40 years.

Our world is not a safe place these days.

Do you have any knots on you lower back? I have a little bump

along my spine in my lower back.I have not said anything to the

Doctor. It isn't growing or anything like that. I have just

assumed it is Arthritis related.

Lee Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee Ann again, and you are also the only other person I know who was

diagnosed with HBP as young as me....I often kept it to myself, like it was

contagious!!! I am at ease with it now. My parents are still kicking and

they have been taking BP meds for 40+ years... I also had my kidneys checked

years ago, but thank God they were normal, so hereditary was my reason. (my

son was born with his kidney in his adomen and it is also very small but

working well - he is banned from any contact sports). Fortunately, my two

pregnancies agreed with the med and my only prob was at the end, it went up

and they made me deliver 3 weeks early. The PA came when my youngest was

two. Bathing them was a job, they quickly learned to stand in the shower.

To answer your question, I haven't noticed any knots on my back. My only

new symptom is pain in my thighs...Dr. stated he thinks it just radiates

from my hips because said do not have joints there!! Back to bathing issue

- if possible, you could always try the sink...you wouldn't have to bend so

much. Just an idea. Again, it is very nice to talk to someone who is like

me. Take care......Jayne

Lee Ann Walter wrote:

> From: " Lee Ann Walter " <SAWalter@...>

>

> Hi Jayne,

> I think you are the first person I have ever met that had HBP as

> young as I did. I had a kidney cath. done and they found one of

> my kidneys is very very small but it is working ok. That was the

> only thing they could find for my HBP. Family genetics is

> probably to blame in my situation too. I resented it for a while.

> It did keep me from having as many birth children as I wanted but

> it also opened the door to adoption. We would not have our 3

> little ones if I had been able to carry more children. God

> closes doors and opens widows!

> I also have lower back and neck involved in this PA. It is very

> painful. I have a really hard time giving my little ones a bath.

> That is upsetting to me. I am hoping to get enough relief from

> the MTX to have a more normal life with my kids.

> It has always been the fear of a stroke for me that has kept me

> on my BP medication. As much as I hate the medication I would

> never want to be disabled and be a burden on my family. The

> whole BP thing has caused me a lot of anxiety in the past.

>

> As for the PA, I am grateful to have a medication that will help

> with my quality of life. I don't know if it will shorten my

> years but I could be killed in an accident tomorrow for that

> matter. Who knows what will happen in the next 20 - 40 years.

> Our world is not a safe place these days.

> Do you have any knots on you lower back? I have a little bump

> along my spine in my lower back.I have not said anything to the

> Doctor. It isn't growing or anything like that. I have just

> assumed it is Arthritis related.

>

> Lee Ann

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/24/99 5:54:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!, opaoma@...

writes:

<< I do need to write myself a list of things I

would like to get done, I guess. Sometimes I do write lists, but then I

forget to read them! Smile! What has helped me the most is my faith in

God. I just don't think I could cope without Him. >>

Yes, even though I write a list, I lose them or forget to look at it ... then

I wander around trying to decide what I should do. I usually end up with

several lists, as I've learned to just start another one, if I can't find the

original.

God is the center of our home, and my life. That relationship has helped me

through all these years. Thinking each day of what I can add to someone

else's day, and to try to do it, makes all the difference in my moods.

Kindly,

Marie

[Guest guest]

Frog1945@... wrote:

>

> From: Frog1945@...

>

> In a message dated 08/23/1999 11:39:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> Purtnear@... writes:

>

> << From: Purtnear@...

>

> If you are taking all these dangerous chemicals, and not getting any

> significant relief of symptoms, then why continue? >>

>

> The key word there is " significant " . At this point ANY relief is a blessing.

> If all these potent drugs bring the pain down from a " 9 " to maybe a

> " 7 " ...then I will take them. The difference in a 9 and a 7 is the ability to

> bear it and still function somehow.

>

> Right now, for the first time in years the Prednisone has brought my pain

> quotient down to around a " 5 " ...I am so grateful. I am no longer expecting

> to be pain free...but I am now fighting for degrees of relief.

>

> I have been diagnosed with both severe RA and PA...and they can both lead to

> premature death or crippling disability if left untreated. Yes, this is a

> cruel disease and the treatment options are often less than desireable and

> inadaquate, but so is the option of non-treatment.

>

> I guess the bottom line is there is no cure so we just have to keep trying to

> moderate the disease ....and pay a huge price to do so.

>

> And, I would LOVE to plot along at a slower pace, but I am caretaker to a

> demanding sick elderly parent as well as chief cook and bottle washer for the

> hubby...if I don't do it no one will.

>

> Annette

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat,

At least now I know that PA might have something to do with it. This dr

comes highly recommened, has been top RD at hosp for 30 years...Maybe he had

his fill of my endless questions. I think I phased it as " the joints in my

thighs are killing me " , I guess he should have explained that could be

tendons, etc. Thanks to you, I really didn't know PA attacked those

to....When I experienced that thigh pain, it was like " labor in my thighs " ,

I was waiting for that baby to pop out. It was hell. Sometimes, drs have

so many patients in their waiting rooms, I think we sometimes get

rushed. Pat, thanks again, for sharing that.

Jayne

Bias wrote:

> From: PBias@... ( Bias)

>

> Jayne,

>

> The doctor that said you don't have joints in your thighs needs

> educating. LOL

>

> The PA also attacks the tendons and other soft tissues. I went for

> months w/ excruciating pain along my inner thighs. Call it the tendons

> or hamstrings or whatever but it was from the PA.

>

> Very painful and very real. The doctor definately needs a good talking

> to.

>

> Shaking my head,

> Pat B

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Marie, I totally share your concern about all the narcotics given out, and

patients continually wanting more and think those in the medical profession

don't care that they are in pain. I am 66 with hardley any P but do have PA

and worse at time than others am on all the usual meds as: mtx 17.5md Wed,

pred going down still from 15mg. to 8mg. folic acid, prilosec, thyr 1mg, prem

0.625. I gained almost 40lbs. since these meds. I have been given celebrex

and vioxx but afraid to start it yet as I have a sun reaction from outside

aerobics. I am kept very comfortable and functional in all aspects that one

expects. I started the Mayo Clinic diet to lose wt. and exercise now every

day. I am fed up with myself, and no one else can help me. My family is too

understanding, so I need to kick myself you know where, but I can't hardley

reach my toes. I had back surgery, that's why. I have also been given

prozak and did take that for a while. This is me as a patient.

I am also a registered nurse. I retired from the Fed Gov in 95, but

continued nursing up until 3 yrs. ago. I had to give it up because as a

House Supervisor for 240 patients, staffing, covering where ever and when, it

was too much for me. The PA stopped that. They still have me on staff and I

can go fill in some. I was doing 12 hr. shifts every wk end. I loved every

minute of it and miss it terribly. I was there to make sure every patient

was better because I cared and made a positive difference in how they felt in

all aspects. There are good and bad in all people, but it's really not fair

to generalize. Among my different positions in nursing was as a office nurse

in family practice for 5yrs. That is where " some " patients thought they were

placing the grocery list from the neighborhood store. They didn't think they

should be monitored by the MD for whatever their condition was. I know

really what a lot of patients need is time. Drs. can't or some won't do

that. It is easier to give pills. Please don't get me wrong. I know none

of you , nor you know me, but I have seen what all these meds do to some

people that take them. They go down hill mighty fast, and it is usually is

from the meds. Many don't realize, but immobilize themselves. I am amazed

at how bad a lot of you are suffering, and my heart aches for you, but gee a

lot of you are young with little children needing you. The husband and child

needs wife and Mommy with a clear head. I have probably said this all wrong,

and it is none of my business, but I DO CARE and I AM A RN. I wish I had

answers, but I don't. Thank each or any of you that read this long " ?? " . I

do think that we learn a lot from each other, but maybe we can learn more on

tips that was brought up and sound great. Me and you, we look around and say

what do we want to pick out that may disable us in many different ways. We

had no choice, but we can do the best we can for ourselves and help others in

different. This is not to cause disharmony to anyone. If I can be of any

help to any of you, I would be glad to. God Bless Betty in Va.

[Guest guest]

Purtnear@... wrote:

>

> From: Purtnear@...

>

> In a message dated 8/24/99 5:54:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!, opaoma@...

> writes:

>

> << I do need to write myself a list of things I

> would like to get done, I guess. Sometimes I do write lists, but then I

> forget to read them! Smile! What has helped me the most is my faith in

> God. I just don't think I could cope without Him. >>

>

> Yes, even though I write a list, I lose them or forget to look at it ... then

> I wander around trying to decide what I should do. I usually end up with

> several lists, as I've learned to just start another one, if I can't find the

> original.

>

> God is the center of our home, and my life. That relationship has helped me

> through all these years. Thinking each day of what I can add to someone

> else's day, and to try to do it, makes all the difference in my moods.

>

> Kindly,

> Marie

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Betty -

Thanks for your message - I did read it all! Your comments were interesting,

and I appreciate your taking the time to share. : )

Marie

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana - Welcome to the group. Yes, it's great to finally have some people who

understand. I've found this group to be of great help, physically, emotionally,

and spiritually. I hope you will too.

[Guest guest]

Dana, I'm in the same boat......I recently had to give up my job also .....a

good job....finally getting paid what I'm worth....now I have to give up the

job I worked so hard to get......really hard to get hired......I'm at home

with my kids now....but I do get depressed sometimes.......I try to stay busy

and always have somebody you can talk to even if they only listen ...that

helps...It's hard but we're all survivors and we'll make it....hang in

there......MTNCAT

[Guest guest]

Hi! I'm new here. I have a granddaughter (hubby and I are raising

her) recently officially diagnosed with Asperger's and also diagnosed

with ADHD. She's currently taking Vyvanse for the ADHD. She is 8

years old and in grade 3--and a bright kid! I'd love to compare notes

with someone with perhaps a girl about the same age--or would love any

advice from anyone out there--I've been so focused on dealing with the

ADHD for the last couple of years--now I don't know where to start with

the Asperger's. Any help would be great--or just an online chat with

another " mom " in the same situation!