New

[Guest guest]

They look for maturity even above the highest GPA's sometimes.

Selling oneself is an obvious fact in the interview process. It's

actually a bit easier to get a place in medical school than it is

for pharmacy school since the latter is on average so very crowded

in the U.S. I'm sure he's got the GPA already as he's applying. As

far as pharmacy technician, some of the people at my new job are in

nursing school. Thing is, they have experience working with people

in a healthcare setting and that's a plus for anyone entering the

medical profession. Maybe you didn't mean to imply that a pharmtech

job was some sort of " lesser existence " but that's how it came out

to me. If I'm wrong, I apologize. Besides, some of us need to

work. Many pharmtech jobs are only part-time anyway.

I might switch at some point for cardiology with emphasis in

pharmacology and I find pharmtech as a wonderful stepping stone of

sorts. It's a wonderful profession, for those aiming for licensure

as a pharmacist, another field in healthcare or for those dedicating

their professional life to pharmacy technician science. I find it a

very reputable profession, CPhT, RPh/PharmD or Ph.D. Goodness

gracious.

Question, are you in pharmacy? I don't quite comprehend some of

your comments.

Regards,

Hannah Wiseman

>

> Have you taken the MCATS already? If I were you, I'd concentrate

on

> my GPA and scoring high on the MCATS rather than jeopardizing

> becoming a physician over a pharm tech job. Your in for the fight

of

> your life trying to get accepted. I would devote 110% on your

> realistic goals and not let anything else create any distractions.

I

> would focus on how to take an interview. There are some very good

> people with high GPA's and MCATS and can't get into med school

cause

> they can't interview. If you haven't volunteered in a hospital as

of

> yet, thats what I would be focusing on. They will ask you about

that.

> Do you belong to any clubs at your college? That's what they look

for.

> >

> > Hello everybody. I have just applied to a bunch of pharmacy tech

> jobs,

> > and I would like to take the PTCB exam in July. I know a lot of

> > pharmacy already so I think that's feasible. I'm applying to

medical

> > school this summer, so I have about 1.5 years before I can go to

> > medical school, during which time I need to work. Being a

pharmacy

> > tech seems appealing to me. so that's what I hope to do. I have

a BA

> > and some work on a PhD, but I'm not sure if that will help me

get a

> > job. I applied online to a local CVS and Acme pharmacy (a local

> > supermarket chain). I suppose in a few days I will call to make

sure

> > my application was processed, though I'm not sure who to call.

> >

> > Anyway, can I mention during a job interview that I'm willing to

> take

> > the PTCP exam in July, and will that help me get a job? Also, I

> don't

> > really have money to pay for any expensive review books or

anything.

> > I'm glad to see the numerous files available through this group.

> >

> > thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Gosh, I'm posting so much today...but I had to comment on your post

about letting the pharmacy staff know up front about one's plans. I

did and got hired anyway. I first learned about the company online

and made mention of this during the interview. Then I proceeded in

telling them my plans for pharmacy school and that I'd be going in a

year or so and possibly out of state but that I would ultimately

like to be in a company in which I could transfer elsewhere from

within the company. I let them know my interests were for pharmacy

school in another state. Sometimes we're afraid to tell the truth

about our future plans but it truly helps the people we will be

working with who will be stuck with our abrupt absence if they

hadn't been given time to prepare for it. Believe me, I interviewed

for another position which was right before the one I had already

set up and where I truly wished to get on and they were so very

desperate, sooooo desperate for techs. I think that several must

have quit within the month. Okay...I'll shut up now.

Regards,

Hannah

> >

> > Please read carefully Jeanettas message to you which she has

listed

> > as #10, " Someone who is not going to leave right after I train

them

> > for school, in your case, Med School in the Fall. " What say you

to

> > this ? So the Pharmacist trains you, puts much effort into

you

> > only for you to divorce him because you need to go to med school?

> > Well, golly, gee-whiz! You telling him I'm here for a short

period

> > only. Why should any pharmacist even look at you when there are

so

> > many people applying who wish to make pharm tech their lifes

work?

> > What say you to this?

[Guest guest]

Dearest Resident Pharmacist/TEXPERT Della,

Your compassion is one reason I have asked you to be resident

pharmacist on this site. And your compasion is demonstrated in your

volunteer animal rescue charity (for lack of better word) shelter.

Again it shows in your demonstation to volunteer your time on this

site. It shows again as you describe your willingness to train

someone only to loose them in 6 months. But I bet you also are very

shrewd in who you hire.

I commend you for giving people a chance or a second chance.

Unfortunately not all, and I will add most are not so willing to do

this for techs.

However it is not unheard of that a pharmacist would be partial to

someone with higher learning or degree. Some prefer it. Others are

intimidated by it.

I wish more pharmacists were out there like you.

Thank you for your input,

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BSChem

> >

> > Please read carefully Jeanettas message to you which she has

listed

> > as #10, " Someone who is not going to leave right after I train

them

> > for school, in your case, Med School in the Fall. " What say you to

> > this ? So the Pharmacist trains you, puts much effort into

you

> > only for you to divorce him because you need to go to med school?

> > Well, golly, gee-whiz! You telling him I'm here for a short period

> > only. Why should any pharmacist even look at you when there are so

> > many people applying who wish to make pharm tech their lifes work?

> > What say you to this?

[Guest guest]

Della: Why would you, why do you, hire people who are not serious in

becoming pharmacy technicians as their lifes work? Furthermore, why

do you allow these people opportunities when they have never been

serious about this profession? Why do you spend engergy on these

people? You find yourself training these freeloaders and as quick as

there trained, they leave you? Why would you do that? It makes no

sense. Isn't your time valuable? Why would you entertain people who

abuse the profession for their own benefits into your pharmacy? Why?

> While at Kroger (I left there last Friday and start with Walmart

this

> coming Monday), I hired several technicians who were only going to

be

> with Kroger for a while.

>

> One of 'em, I happily transferred to another Kroger (she was driving

> me nuts), but she was in her pre-reqs for a Physical Therapy

program.

>

> Kaleem, who was a pharmacist in Pakistan, has passed his NAPLEX and

is

> waiting on results from the Law portion, then he'll be going to CVS

to

> do his 1500 hours of Pharmacist Intern to be able to be licensed in

> Texas as a Pharmacist. I knew he would be doing that when I hired

> him. But I needed him at the time he was applying.

>

> Kelley is in pre-reqs for Pharmacy School. She'll transfer to

another

> Kroger (or maybe even another company) when she starts Pharmacy

> School, which should be in another year, max. And she's was hired

> about 6 months ago.

>

> was looking for something temporary that would be portable. I

> knew her through rescue, and knew she had a brain. She's learned

> well, and is taking the PTCB exam this Saturday. She was an

emergency

> veterinary technician (Certified Veterinary Technician), and has

> worked as a tech in an ER situation. (But she's not a nurse.)

>

> So yes, I have hired folks to work as Technicians knowing they'd be

> there for less than 2 years. In some cases, less than 6 months.

>

> But I'm a little different than some. I don't have a problem

with

> folks using the pharmacy I'm in as a leap board to other things they

> want to do. As long as they tell me up front what's going on. If

you

> want to look for another job while you're working with/for me,

that's

> fine with me. Just don't up and leave me in a lurch. Give me some

> time to find your replacement. I want us BOTH to be happy where we

> work.

>

> But I also know that lots of other folks don't think that a way.

>

> Della

>

> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 17:33:27 -0000, microword77 <microword77@y...>

wrote:

> >

> > Please read carefully Jeanettas message to you which she has

listed

> > as #10, " Someone who is not going to leave right after I train

them

> > for school, in your case, Med School in the Fall. " What say you to

> > this ? So the Pharmacist trains you, puts much effort into

you

> > only for you to divorce him because you need to go to med school?

> > Well, golly, gee-whiz! You telling him I'm here for a short period

> > only. Why should any pharmacist even look at you when there are so

> > many people applying who wish to make pharm tech their lifes work?

> > What say you to this?

[Guest guest]

Because some people are still trying to figure out what they want to do. If

they don't get a chance to try something out, then they'll never know if

they like it or not.

Not everyone who is a pharmacy technician wants to do that all of their

life. When I started as a pharmacy technician, I was applying to veterinary

colleges. And my pharmacy manager knew it. She also knew that if I got

accepted, I would be working part-time while I was in the veterinary

program. Just as I know that Kelley is going to work part-time while she is

in pharmacy school. No, she may not be working full time, but she'd be

available in case of emergency, etc, as I was while I was in pharmacy

school. I live near the pharmacy that I worked in from 1999 to 2003 (when I

graduated from Pharmacy School). For long stretches of time, I'd be

scheduled for one or two days a week, because of class. But the pharmacy

manager knew that if something came up, and I wasn't in lab, and he needed

extra help, I'd come in.

I don't consider them 'freeloaders' if they are willing to learn and take an

interest in things. If it educates them, and they educate others, then the

profession of Pharmacy as a whole, gets a boost. Some of them don't leave,

even though they may have come in with the thought of only being there for a

little while. They may find out they really like it and stay. Others find

out that it isn't for them and leave. Either way, everyone has learned

something.

Education is the key. And the fact that some of the 'freeloaders' as you

call them, are willing to work part-time, and don't make a fuss about not

enough hours, because they are there to learn if they like/don't like the

idea of Pharmacy.

The technician that transferred out to another Kroger Pharmacy (THANK

GOODNESS!), was already certified when she came to the Kroger I was working

at. I don't know HOW she became certified. She didn't really have much of

a brain sometimes. But I wanted to give her a chance. She, somehow, ended

up with the impression that whatever the 'bottle size' that showed up on the

screen was what you were filling for. She once filled a TriPak for 9

tablets. When it was written for 3 tablets. The patient only got 3

tablets, but the prescription in the computer was done for 9 tablets. She

didn't seem to understand what was wrong. But then she did say that it

wouldn't make sense to automatically fill a prescription for Soma that's

written for #90 with the whole bottle of Generic Soma (which we kept in

1000ct bottles). And she is planning on being a Physical Therapist? When

she has trouble passing a basic Ethics exam? That is a person who does not

need to be in healthcare.

I'm willing to give people a chance. Why? Because everyone deserves one.

If it helps to lead them in a direction they may otherwise have not

considered, then everyone has learned something.

Everyone that was hired was serious in becoming pharmacy technicians. Maybe

not for life.

But then again, I wanted to be a Vet, but couldn't get into TAMU (applied 5

years, interviewed 5 years and was denied 5 years). I'd always said that if

I didn't get into Vet School within 2 years of getting my bachelor's (which

I never wanted in the first place, BTW, I wanted my first degree to be my

DVM!!), then I'd start pharmacy school. I started Pharmacy School 27 months

after I got my bachelor's. In Animal Science. Why Animal Science? Because

the pre-vet advisor in the Biology Department (which my original major was

Biology) once told me that I had to choose between my animals and my

schooling. (She wanted me to take a once a week evening class, I had does

in milk that I was milking twice a day at specific times. I wasn't going to

re-arrange that.) I told her I don't choose. Sometimes one wins, sometimes

the other wins. I walked out of her office and filed a change of major.

When I graduated with my BS in Animal Science, I had a 3.45 over almost 200

hours of college classes. I was within 2-4 classes of about 4 different

minors. Never did officially minor in anything. I just took what I wanted,

when I wanted to. Was that a waste of the time of the instructors in the

CompSci classes that I took, because I wasn't SERIOUS about making computers

my life's work? Or the math instructors because I wasn't a Math Major? No,

it wasn't. Because I learned from them.

Was it a waste of time for the Electrical Engineering Department to put an

Animal Science Major as the supervisor over their computer lab? (And yes,

that WAS me for several years.) Or for the Mechanical Engineering

Department to put an Electrical Engineering Major over their computer lab?

(THAT was my brother.) Although the CompSci major over a CompSci lab was

completely logical. (THAT was my husband.) And we were all the supervisors

@ the same time. The EE Department knew I had no intention of majoring in

Electrical Engineering nor Computer Science. Yet, I was in charge of one of

their largest computer labs (40+ computers, between Macs, UNIX, and

IBM-compatibles) for two years. I was responsible for the computers, the

network interfaces, printers, etc.

What gives you the right to say that I wasted my time and energy in training

these individuals who aren't planning on spending their life in pharmacy?

It's not your place to say. If I chose to give of my time and energy to

someone to help them learn, then that's my choice. I chose to help others,

be they humans or animals. I've always done that, and will always do that.

If that makes you think less of me, well, that's your problem.

Then again, maybe I'm just weird. *laughs*

Della

P.S. Why don't you sign your posts? It's always nice to have a name to go

with an email.

Re: new

Della:

Why would you, why do you, hire people who are not serious in becoming

pharmacy technicians as their lifes work? Furthermore, why do you allow

these people opportunities when they have never been serious about this

profession? Why do you spend engergy on these people? You find yourself

training these freeloaders and as quick as there trained, they leave you?

Why would you do that? It makes no sense. Isn't your time valuable? Why

would you entertain people who abuse the profession for their own benefits

into your pharmacy? Why?

[Guest guest]

Jeanetta,

Hey, if a tech knows more than me about something, I'm more than willing to

learn from them.

With Kaleem (the Pakastani pharmacist who is just waiting on his results

from the law portion to start working as an intern pharmacist) I know it had

to be hard for him to refer folks to me when he knows the information as

well. If something didn't click in my head about something, I would ask him

about it. He could answer me, then I could relay the information to the

patient/customer. He'd done research, written papers that were published,

and yet he did not push the legal limits that separate pharmacist from

technician in the rules of 'judement calls'. We had several rather

interesting conversations about drugs, reactions, and such. It was fun!

I do miss my technicians @ Kroger. But they have my home #, cell # and

email address. And I hear from them. Even the one that left to go to a

company that does Prior Auths, several months ago. When I talked to her a

week or so back, she let me know that she was pregnant. She'd had a

miscarriage last summer. So I know she's estatic. And she'll keep me up to

date on what happens with things. As I keep the pharmacist up to date at

the Kroger I worked at for 4 years (1999-2003). I have Steve's cell # in my

phone. Sometimes we might not talk for weeks, but then other times we may

talk several times in one week.

It's actually kind of funny this week, because the PIC that replaced me is

apparently rather . . . interesting. He was Steve's temporary partner while

Asiya (Steve's partner) is on personal/medical leave for a difficult

pregnancy. So Steve and I discuss Les. If Les isn't careful, all of the

techs at the store I was at will quit in the blink of an eye. I already

know that. And they already know that. All of them can find jobs in other

pharmacies w/o a problem.

So much is about personality. If the techs personality doesn't work with

the pharmacists, then things aren't going to work out well. And Les'

personality is SO much different than I. There's going to be almost a

complete turnover in the Kroger that I just left probably in the next 2-4

months.

Which is sad. The staff was finally settling in well.

Della

Re: new

Dearest Resident Pharmacist/TEXPERT Della,

Your compassion is one reason I have asked you to be resident

pharmacist on this site. And your compasion is demonstrated in your

volunteer animal rescue charity (for lack of better word) shelter.

Again it shows in your demonstation to volunteer your time on this

site. It shows again as you describe your willingness to train

someone only to loose them in 6 months. But I bet you also are very

shrewd in who you hire.

I commend you for giving people a chance or a second chance.

Unfortunately not all, and I will add most are not so willing to do

this for techs.

However it is not unheard of that a pharmacist would be partial to

someone with higher learning or degree. Some prefer it. Others are

intimidated by it.

I wish more pharmacists were out there like you.

Thank you for your input,

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BSChem

[Guest guest]

The problem of doing what you do Della is as follows: If I were to

enter your pharmacy and inquire about a pharm tech position, being

that your inundated with these medical students, you really don't

have a spot for me. Do You? Thus, I lose an opportunity at your

pharmacy because your inundated with 6 month non-serious ready to

leave in a heartbeat tech temps. Isn't that a fact. And you think

that is helpful? Give me a break! There are serious people out there

who are interested in working as a pharm tech not with the mindset of

leaving in 6 months. Why don't you consider these people rather than

block the door for these people. A person who will work for me and

remain in the long run should be given ample opportunity over these

pishers!

> Because some people are still trying to figure out what they want

to do. If

> they don't get a chance to try something out, then they'll never

know if

> they like it or not.

>

> Not everyone who is a pharmacy technician wants to do that all of

their

> life. When I started as a pharmacy technician, I was applying to

veterinary

> colleges. And my pharmacy manager knew it. She also knew that if

I got

> accepted, I would be working part-time while I was in the veterinary

> program. Just as I know that Kelley is going to work part-time

while she is

> in pharmacy school. No, she may not be working full time, but

she'd be

> available in case of emergency, etc, as I was while I was in

pharmacy

> school. I live near the pharmacy that I worked in from 1999 to

2003 (when I

> graduated from Pharmacy School). For long stretches of time, I'd be

> scheduled for one or two days a week, because of class. But the

pharmacy

> manager knew that if something came up, and I wasn't in lab, and he

needed

> extra help, I'd come in.

>

> I don't consider them 'freeloaders' if they are willing to learn

and take an

> interest in things. If it educates them, and they educate others,

then the

> profession of Pharmacy as a whole, gets a boost. Some of them

don't leave,

> even though they may have come in with the thought of only being

there for a

> little while. They may find out they really like it and stay.

Others find

> out that it isn't for them and leave. Either way, everyone has

learned

> something.

>

> Education is the key. And the fact that some of the 'freeloaders'

as you

> call them, are willing to work part-time, and don't make a fuss

about not

> enough hours, because they are there to learn if they like/don't

like the

> idea of Pharmacy.

>

> The technician that transferred out to another Kroger Pharmacy

(THANK

> GOODNESS!), was already certified when she came to the Kroger I was

working

> at. I don't know HOW she became certified. She didn't really have

much of

> a brain sometimes. But I wanted to give her a chance. She,

somehow, ended

> up with the impression that whatever the 'bottle size' that showed

up on the

> screen was what you were filling for. She once filled a TriPak for

9

> tablets. When it was written for 3 tablets. The patient only got 3

> tablets, but the prescription in the computer was done for 9

tablets. She

> didn't seem to understand what was wrong. But then she did say

that it

> wouldn't make sense to automatically fill a prescription for Soma

that's

> written for #90 with the whole bottle of Generic Soma (which we

kept in

> 1000ct bottles). And she is planning on being a Physical

Therapist? When

> she has trouble passing a basic Ethics exam? That is a person who

does not

> need to be in healthcare.

>

> I'm willing to give people a chance. Why? Because everyone

deserves one.

> If it helps to lead them in a direction they may otherwise have not

> considered, then everyone has learned something.

>

> Everyone that was hired was serious in becoming pharmacy

technicians. Maybe

> not for life.

>

> But then again, I wanted to be a Vet, but couldn't get into TAMU

(applied 5

> years, interviewed 5 years and was denied 5 years). I'd always

said that if

> I didn't get into Vet School within 2 years of getting my

bachelor's (which

> I never wanted in the first place, BTW, I wanted my first degree to

be my

> DVM!!), then I'd start pharmacy school. I started Pharmacy School

27 months

> after I got my bachelor's. In Animal Science. Why Animal Science?

Because

> the pre-vet advisor in the Biology Department (which my original

major was

> Biology) once told me that I had to choose between my animals and my

> schooling. (She wanted me to take a once a week evening class, I

had does

> in milk that I was milking twice a day at specific times. I wasn't

going to

> re-arrange that.) I told her I don't choose. Sometimes one wins,

sometimes

> the other wins. I walked out of her office and filed a change of

major.

> When I graduated with my BS in Animal Science, I had a 3.45 over

almost 200

> hours of college classes. I was within 2-4 classes of about 4

different

> minors. Never did officially minor in anything. I just took what

I wanted,

> when I wanted to. Was that a waste of the time of the instructors

in the

> CompSci classes that I took, because I wasn't SERIOUS about making

computers

> my life's work? Or the math instructors because I wasn't a Math

Major? No,

> it wasn't. Because I learned from them.

>

> Was it a waste of time for the Electrical Engineering Department to

put an

> Animal Science Major as the supervisor over their computer lab?

(And yes,

> that WAS me for several years.) Or for the Mechanical Engineering

> Department to put an Electrical Engineering Major over their

computer lab?

> (THAT was my brother.) Although the CompSci major over a CompSci

lab was

> completely logical. (THAT was my husband.) And we were all the

supervisors

> @ the same time. The EE Department knew I had no intention of

majoring in

> Electrical Engineering nor Computer Science. Yet, I was in charge

of one of

> their largest computer labs (40+ computers, between Macs, UNIX, and

> IBM-compatibles) for two years. I was responsible for the

computers, the

> network interfaces, printers, etc.

>

> What gives you the right to say that I wasted my time and energy in

training

> these individuals who aren't planning on spending their life in

pharmacy?

> It's not your place to say. If I chose to give of my time and

energy to

> someone to help them learn, then that's my choice. I chose to help

others,

> be they humans or animals. I've always done that, and will always

do that.

> If that makes you think less of me, well, that's your problem.

>

> Then again, maybe I'm just weird. *laughs*

>

> Della

>

> P.S. Why don't you sign your posts? It's always nice to have a

name to go

> with an email.

>

> Re: new

>

> Della:

>

> Why would you, why do you, hire people who are not serious in

becoming

> pharmacy technicians as their lifes work? Furthermore, why do you

allow

> these people opportunities when they have never been serious about

this

> profession? Why do you spend engergy on these people? You find

yourself

> training these freeloaders and as quick as there trained, they

leave you?

> Why would you do that? It makes no sense. Isn't your time valuable?

Why

> would you entertain people who abuse the profession for their own

benefits

> into your pharmacy? Why?

[Guest guest]

IF those people are available at the time they are needed, and IF they

don't have fits because they won't be able to get 40hrs/week.

And no, we generally aren't 'inundated' with medical students. We

have more applicants who are wanting to try and go to pharmacy school

than medical school. Should I not consider hiring them because they

may be leaving in a year to go to pharmacy school?

And anyone who entered the Kroger I was at and asked about a job, I

referred them to the Hiring Coordinator that dealt with our store (and

several others near us). When I needed a technician, I would contact

her, she would go through applications she had and send me a couple of

possibilities.

The 'technician for life' folks (for the most part) wanted to work

full time (the 40hr/week type schedule) when many times, all I had to

offer was part-time (maybe 20-25 hrs/week). And the 'serious long

term' people (using your phrasing) weren't willing to work part-time.

Which I can understand.

If you come in and want full time, and I can't offer full-time because

of limits in hours, I wouldn't have a spot for you either.

So, sometimes the choice isn't as clear as you would like to make it.

The folks who HAVE been there the longest end up with the better

schedules (generally) as long as they are available for those times.

If they aren't, it goes to the next person in line (seniority wise,

per Kroger Contract). If you REFUSE to start part-time, then you

have no chance at being long-term, because there just (generally)

aren't enough tech hours at many pharmacies to have more than 1

full-time (40hrs/week) technician.

Della

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:13:35 -0000, microword77 <microword77@...> wrote:

>

> The problem of doing what you do Della is as follows: If I were to

> enter your pharmacy and inquire about a pharm tech position, being

> that your inundated with these medical students, you really don't

> have a spot for me. Do You? Thus, I lose an opportunity at your

> pharmacy because your inundated with 6 month non-serious ready to

> leave in a heartbeat tech temps. Isn't that a fact. And you think

> that is helpful? Give me a break! There are serious people out there

> who are interested in working as a pharm tech not with the mindset of

> leaving in 6 months. Why don't you consider these people rather than

> block the door for these people. A person who will work for me and

> remain in the long run should be given ample opportunity over these

> pishers!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

LOL...Actually I saw Kathy's email addy on the website for the

group and had no idea she was the list moderator. I thought I was

emailing a regular old group member to brag about my pug and my pug/chi

mix. LOL. I'll tell you this. It doesn't matter how much pain I'm

in....those pugs make me laugh at some point every SINGLE day. Such

loving, goofy little dogs. I need to find pix to post.

Jayson

[Guest guest]

Hi

Welcome to the group,, alot of great info and stories to be shared here.

I too, was on MTX, and at one point a couple years ago, it made me

sick, I had mouth sores, none of the other anti-inflamatory meds worked

for me, and I had flare after flare. I had it !! I stopped everything,

not knowing what I was going to do next, but I as at a point where I

thought I would rather die than feel that sick from meds, and still

have pain and swelling. I did not experience any ill affect from

stopping the MTX cold turkey. I found that taking this rebel empowering

when I for the longest time I felt powerless.

By chance, ( or by divine intervention I like to think) I found myself

in the office of a Reiki master/teacher.

For the first time in 6 years, I was pain free. Within a week, my

wrists returned to normal, my skin did not completely clear up, but

there was considerable inprovement. I can live the the P, but the A was

draining my lifeforce.

That was my experience. I have since gone on to obtain my Reiki II

level with no real plans yet to seek Master/teacher level at this time.

I had a relaspe in Oct last year, and in and out of minor flares. This

caused by very stressfull life situation that it is still being

experienced.

I have begun Enbrel, and will see where this takes me. I would prefer

that I not go this route, however, I must for reasons I wont get into.

I have learned from a few people, that total cleasing, can play a huge

roll in improving both P and A for a period.

Lots of ways to,

Namaste

Sharron

- In , " belkis1015 " <belkis1015@y...>

wrote:

>

>

> hi all..i am new to the group. from ft laud fl, i'm 46 have been on

> methotrexate, and mobic for 1 yr and 1/2 doesnt seem to work. my

> rheumy left town..have 1 month of meds left till i find new dr..

> (probably a good thing)..thinking about alternative medicine..anyone

> gone that route?

> can i stop metho cold turkey?

[Guest guest]

Hi Belkis,

Welcome to the group. I'm glad you were able to find us. You should be able

to get whatever info or advice you require here.

Regarding Alternative Therapy, there are some in the group who use it or

have done in the past.

I tried acupuncture for instance but eventually stopped because I didn't

feel that it was doing too much but others have sworn by it. You will probably

hear from others on different things they have tried or try.

I reckon in a month or two you will feel that you made a good move in

joining a group where everyone can understand what you are dealing with.

Good luck,

[Guest guest]

Wow, I needed to hear that about the remicade. I've been on Enbrel a

little over a year and it's been a miracle. But I have had some

problems with joint pain and skin flares recently and asked my doctor

if he would please double the dose of enbrel...

He said he would not. Then he said he would like to try Remicade on

me to see if that helps more. So he's putting through to my

insurance for it. I'm worried about messing with semi perfection,

but he was rather insistent. I asked if I could go back on Enbrel if

the remicade doesn't do the trick for me and he said yes. But, I'm

worried it won't work as well a second time around. Has anyone had

experiences with switching these drugs? and with switching back?

I'm also on methotrexate and a medicine cabinet full of symptom

relievers.

Thanks Lori

>

> There are many different experiences with PA, but here are some

ideas that

> I put together from my experience to help other new members to the

list. I

> hope this is helpful for you.

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

--------

>

> The key point with PA:

> For people with psoriasis and PA, something called " TNF-alpha " in

your wacky

> immune system causes inflammation in the joints as well as skin and

nail

> problems. The inflammation leads to the pain and swelling, and if

joint

> inflammation continues over time (even a couple months), the

inflammation

> can cause long-term or permanent joint damage, and the PA can

spread over

> time. Your goal in treatment is to get the medicines that will

stop the

> inflammation as completely and as quickly as possible with minimal

risks,

> costs, and side effects.

>

> The high-end medicines are called " biologics " as a group and have

names such

> as Enbrel, Humira, Amevive, Raptiva, and Remicade. The biologics

stop

> TNF-alpha and can return many people to an active, pain-free

lifestyle like

> they had before PA struck, but the biologics cost a lot (over

$1,000 per

> month) so it makes sense to try other medicines first, and

depending on your

> medical coverage, what country you live in, personal wealth, etc.,

you may

> have no choice but to try other things, but make it your goal to

get your

> inflammation down fast, before you have any permanent joint damage.

>

> Here's the treatment scenario from my experience:

> 1) My PA started as mysterious pain and swelling in my second toe

just

> around my 36th birthday. At first it seemed like a sprain or broken

toe, and

> a few months later, my big toe also began to hurt and people

thought it was

> gout, but within a couple months I had a classic " sausage toe, " a

common

> symptom of PA. Before I started treatment, my toes hurt too much to

walk and

> I was hopping on my good foot or going around on crutches. My

rheumatologist

> first put me on Indomethacin, a prescription NSAID (non-steroid

> anti-inflammatory drug - same drug family as Tylenol or Aspirin,

etc.). This

> made a huge difference and took me from unable to walk to able to

limp

> around on my own. A good start. But an older prescription NSAID like

> Indomethacin or Voltaren can hurt your liver, stomach, etc. I was

unlucky

> and Indomethacin gave me migraine like symptoms and gave me bad

liver blood

> tests. Skip these regular NSAID's if your doctor and medical

coverage

> allows.

>

> 2) Beyond the older style NSAID's, next may be newer pain drugs

which are

> easier on your stomach and liver. In my case, I also got one shot of

> cortisone after the Indomethacin made me sick. The cortisone really

helped

> get the inflammation way down from " can't walk " to " not so bad " .

Using a

> lot of cortisone seems dangerous, but I found no evidence at all

that one

> shot is dangerous, and if you're in really bad shape, you might try

a

> cortisone shot to bring the inflammation way down. In any case,

neither

> cortisone or anti-inflammatory meds (COX II drugs like Bextra,

Celebrex in

> my case) worked well for me and my PA kept going. If you feel great

with

> anti-inflammatory pain meds, you can stop there, but many people

need to go

> further in treatment.

>

> 3) The next stop in my case was methotrexate (MTX) along with the

Bextra. I

> only took MTX because my insurance required trying it before moving

on to

> the biologics (Enbrel or Remicade or Humira). MTX actually helped

me (at 15

> mg per week), and it helps most people, but while on it, I could

still not

> walk very well, inflammation continued, and the PA continued to

migrate to

> more toes, further into my feet, and to the heel in my other foot.

Having my

> " good " foot go bad was really upsetting and reduced me to taking

really

> small steps when I tried to get around. MTX is enough to wipe out

PA for

> many people, but MTX has long-term hazards to your liver too. Also,

it often

> takes a few months for methotrexate to kick in. If your

inflammation is

> severe and you can skip MTX, I recommend skipping it to get the

inflammation

> down faster. When MTX didn't stop my PA, my doc recommended trying

Arava

> (another drug in the class of MTX). Based on what I learned from

this group

> about what seems to work for people and what doesn't, and because

of some

> scary reports of Arava side effects, I said, " let's just go to the

good

> stuff. " Fortunately, my rheumy and insurance company gave the OK.

(Note:

> Many doctors prescribe 1-2mg of folic acid per day for people

taking MTX as

> the folic acid can greatly reduce or eliminate any side-effects of

MTX. Ask

> your doctor for it.)

>

> 4) The good stuff in my case (biologics). I took Remicade from

November

> 2002 to October 2004. In the months before Remicade, while on an

MTX-Bextra

> combination, I was limping badly, slow, too sore for most pleasure

walks,

> getting around in general was a pain, jogging was out of the

question. But,

> within a few days of starting Remicade, I was 80% better. I could

take a

> full step again. Now, I'm 99% better and can run around with my

kids or

> take a long walk without significant soreness. An x-ray taken a few

months

> after I started Remicade showed no bone damage and just a little

joint

> narrowing in that 2nd toe, which still doesn't bend as well as it

used to.

> My blood tests are back to totally normal, including inflammation

(SED

> rate). Also, although I never had nail problems or much in the way

of skin

> problems from psoriasis, what little I did have mostly cleared when

I went

> on Remicade. The only thing I didn't like about Remicade is that

you're

> supposed to take MTX with it, but since I only took 7.5mg MTX per

week and

> Remicade worked so well, my concern about MTX was very low.

>

> After two years of feeling fine on Remicade, I decided to see if I

am in

> remission. I stopped taking Remicade in October 2004 and stopped

MTX in

> December 2004. So far so good. I'm still pain free.

>

> The biologics stop the TNF-alpha that's the root cause of the

inflammation

> and they really can give you back the life that you had before PA

(they

> don't work for everyone, but odds are good). While no medicine is

free of

> dangers and side-effects, many experts consider the biologics safer

than

> most other types of medicines. Also, it's not a cure to your wacky

immune

> system (you have to take the drugs indefinitely), but as long as

TNF-alpha

> is under control, you'll be fine, and sooner or later, we'll get

better,

> safer, and cheaper drugs.

>

> Good luck!

>

>

[Guest guest]

julie,

it sounds like you and I are in the same boat as far as it comes to the

Enbrel. It really does help my skin but it does not seem to help my PA at all.

In fact, it seems like the Pa has gotten worse. I don't understand it either.

I got to a point 2 months ago I could hardly walk because of my knees. I seem

to be doing better now because of Arthrotec 75 and Soma muscle relaxer. Zoella

---------------------------------

Mobile

Take with you! Check email on your mobile phone.

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group,

I am having a some problems with my wrists fingers and especially the thumb

of my right hand. I started Enbrel in Jan too but I had dropped my MTX dose

from 25mg to 10mg. In my recent visit to the Rheumatologist professor they

advised me to start increasing the MTX again by 2.5mg a week until " I feel

great " was the way it was put to me. lol Of course 25mg is the max you are

supposed to take for PA. I am at 15 now. Is it just Enbrel you are on or

something

on top of that?

Good luck on your next drs appointment.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/12/2005 6:27:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

lildebfin@... writes:

The rhumetologist told me

if I didn't have the imflamation in my spine then he would give me

something else, but because of that he suggested enbrel. He said I

need to take care of this as soon as possible. At times now it is

debilitating, I am scared and don't know what to do. Any help or

suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

A lot of my pain was in my SI joints as well, and I started first on just

Bextra, then added Sulfasalazine (similar to methotrexate with less side

effects) for a year. I just recently started Enbrel because the pain has now

moved

to my neck and the Sulfasalazine and Bextra are no longer enough. I

resisted the biologics (Enbrel, etc) for a long time because of the same kind

of

cancer risk in my family, along with a suspicion of lupus which can sometimes

develop with Enbrel. For me, the decision point came when the Bextra was found

to cause heart disease, and knowing that the Sulfasalazine can cause liver

issues, I finally just decided they are all risky and I would rather protect

my spine.

I am sure it isn't pleasant, but a hip or knee can be replaced. SI joints

and the cervical spine joints can't (at least I don't think so). This may be

why your rheumy is trying a more aggressive drug approach? One thing you can

ask for if you are scared is to try something like mtx or sulfasalazine or

arava for 6-12 months, and then do another MRI to see if the damage has

stopped or if it continues.

Good luck...

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I'm 39 too and the biologic drugs were awesome for me as they are for many

people. I would suggest you try it for a while, protect your joints, get

away from debilitation, and hold on for newer drugs that may be available in

the coming years.

The odds of improving your quality of life are pretty good with Enbrel (or

other biologics if Enbrel doesn't work for you). I don't know the stats, but

I suspect that the chance of Enbrel making a difference in cancer is pretty

low; the stress, pain, and side effects from other options, I think, would

be worse.

Good luck!

[ ] New

Hello Everyone,

My name is Debbie, I am 39 years old. I am from Carmel, New York. I

have been on this quest for the cause of my pain for about three years now.

It started out as tailbone pain and has basically radiated everywhere else.

I am told the tailbone pain is referred paid from my sacrioliac joints. I

have been to othopedics, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, and finally a

rhumetologist. I am on the second rhumetologist. The first rhumey told me I

have Psoriatic Arthritis and cervical arthritis in my neck and gave me

celebrex, I took myself off of it, I was nausous all the time. I went to the

second rhumey at the request of my PCP and they ran a whole bunch of tests

which all came back negative (lupus, RA). The Xrays showed I still have

sacriolitis on both sides. I had MRIs three years ago and one side had it

and nobody told me you never get rid of it, the second rhumey is the one who

told me that. I also have inflamation of the breast bone, that showed up on

a cat scan of my lungs. I had an active case of psoriasis three and a half

years ago, I broke out on the palms of my hands and the soles of my

feet,(which was just great let me tell ya) and a couple of spots on my legs,

that was 9 months before I was getting married, mind you I never had this

before. My brother and sister have had it for most of their lives. It only

went away when I went to an orthopedic with the chronic tailbone pain, he

gave me steroids. The chiropractor is the one who mentioned psoriatic

arthritis to me. I went to a dermatolgist, he told me no I don't have

psoriatic arthritis because I don't have a bad case of psoriasis. The second

rhumetolgist tells me all the pain I have is because of psoriatic arthritis

and the only medication is enbrel. This will treat most of my pain. I am

quite nervous about that, it lowers your immune system, higher risk of

lymphoma. Both my brother (appendix

cancer) and sister (Leukima) had cancer and are in remission. I just don't

know. I want to go for another opinion down in Manhattan, does anyone know

of a Rhumetologist down there. The rhumetologist told me if I didn't have

the imflamation in my spine then he would give me something else, but

because of that he suggested enbrel. He said I need to take care of this as

soon as possible. At times now it is debilitating, I am scared and don't

know what to do. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Debbie

[Editor's Note: Debbie, we're sorry to hear you're going through so much.

I'm no doctor, but your chiropractor should be fired. MANY people with

psoriatic arthritis, including myself, have relatively little psoriasis.

You would not rely on a chiropractor to advise you about a problem with your

pregnancy, nor should you believe a word he says regarding PA - he is simply

not competent, licensed or trained to make the statement he did. Enbrel

works for many, many people and not only provides short term relief from

pain but also delays the progression of the disease. The are also many

other fine medications that work for many people. There are a number of

terrific rheumatologists at the NY Hospital for Joint Diseases and I go to

the head of rheumatology at a hospital in Brooklyn Heights if you are

willing to cross another bridge. Wishing you wellness, Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

Hi SPR3TS and Debbie,

SPR3TS,

You hit the nail on the head, it really is about buying time until

the next line of medicines or perhaps the cure comes. Sometimes, I

forget that, thinking there is nothing down the road. But I bided my

time for 17 years with methotrexate and prevented much damage with

it, still had damage but I know it would have been much worse. I

especially know this the few times I've gone off it. Then the

biologics came and it was soooo exciting. I got on enbrel, and was

lucky enough to start feeling and seeing a difference within weeks.

The frustrating thing for me is that it hasn't lasted. We are going

to 'up' my methotrexate again and go with more medrol packs *which

I've decide I don't like, but am going to humor my doctor with one

more time, even though I KNOW that I flare even worse after the dose

is done. Still waiting for authorization for remicade. But what I

fail to remember is, these things were not available to me at all,

and for some people still aren't, my heart goes out to them.

I sat for years with methotrexate being my only option, hoping for

more and in rapid succession, five more, all biologics, came on the

path. Three which I've heard great success with, enbrel, remicade

and humira. If I can squeeze some life out of a few of those maybe I

can hold out to the next big discovery.

There's hope in them there hills!

Lori

> Hi Debbie,

>

> I'm 39 too and the biologic drugs were awesome for me as they are

for many

> people. I would suggest you try it for a while, protect your

joints, get

> away from debilitation, and hold on for newer drugs that may be

available in

> the coming years.

>

> The odds of improving your quality of life are pretty good with

Enbrel (or

> other biologics if Enbrel doesn't work for you). I don't know the

stats, but

> I suspect that the chance of Enbrel making a difference in cancer

is pretty

> low; the stress, pain, and side effects from other options, I

think, would

> be worse.

>

> Good luck!

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have found that the National Psoriasis Foundation has printed out a brand

new leaflet that explains all the available treatments.

Metho trexate is an anti- metabolite and slows down the reproduction of

cells, while sulfalazine belongs to the sulfa group of antibiotics.

While our list can be very helpful and informative, you should always

remember that none of us is a professional--we are patients ourselves and are

giving you information that we formed during our own treatment experiences.

_www.npf.com_ (http://www.npf.com)

Sincerely,

S.

Group founder

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie, I have PA without psoriasis. I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years

ago...had a " sausage joint " of one finger....all the others were

already frozen by the time I was referred to the rheumy. My rheumy

started me on Azulfidine and I took that until last fall when my SI

joints began just killing me! I was switched to methotrexate. I am

taking 7 pills and two weeks ago my SI joints quit hurting! So it

took from November until end of April to start working. I think it

is the medicine and divine intervention! Now I have plantar

fasciitis of my heels and my ankles are bothering me...but I think

it is because I got so much better from the SI point of view that I

was doing more and having more activity and that is what brought on

the plantar fasciitis. I was thinking I would be put on either

Remicade or Enbrel if the methotrexate didn't work, but it looks

like it is....or at least it is right now. Don't be afraid to try

the biologics...I sure will if I need to!

Sharon (hanna1946)

[Guest guest]

Ooops! Sorry! If I said I was on 7 pills of MTX a day...I meant a

week! Yipes!

hanna1946

> Hello Everyone,

> My name is Debbie, I am 39 years old. I am from Carmel,

New

> York. I have been on this quest for the cause of my pain for about

> three years now. It started out as tailbone pain and has basically

> radiated everywhere else. I am told the tailbone pain is referred

> paid from my sacrioliac joints. I have been to othopedics,

> neurosurgeons, chiropractors, and finally a rhumetologist. I am on

> the second rhumetologist. The first rhumey told me I have

Psoriatic

> Arthritis and cervical arthritis in my neck and gave me celebrex,

I

> took myself off of it, I was nausous all the time. I went to the

> second rhumey at the request of my PCP and they ran a whole bunch

of

> tests which all came back negative (lupus, RA). The Xrays showed I

> still have sacriolitis on both sides. I had MRIs three years ago

and

> one side had it and nobody told me you never get rid of it, the

> second rhumey is the one who told me that. I also have inflamation

of

> the breast bone, that showed up on a cat scan of my lungs. I had

an

> active case of psoriasis three and a half years ago, I broke out

on

> the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet,(which was just

great

> let me tell ya) and a couple of spots on my legs, that was 9

months

> before I was getting married, mind you I never had this before. My

> brother and sister have had it for most of their lives. It only

went

> away when I went to an orthopedic with the chronic tailbone pain,

he

> gave me steroids. The chiropractor is the one who mentioned

psoriatic

> arthritis to me. I went to a dermatolgist, he told me no I don't

have

> psoriatic arthritis because I don't have a bad case of psoriasis.

The

> second rhumetolgist tells me all the pain I have is because of

> psoriatic arthritis and the only medication is enbrel. This will

> treat most of my pain. I am quite nervous about that, it lowers

your

> immune system, higher risk of lymphoma. Both my brother (appendix

> cancer) and sister (Leukima) had cancer and are in remission. I

just

> don't know. I want to go for another opinion down in Manhattan,

does

> anyone know of a Rhumetologist down there. The rhumetologist told

me

> if I didn't have the imflamation in my spine then he would give me

> something else, but because of that he suggested enbrel. He said I

> need to take care of this as soon as possible. At times now it is

> debilitating, I am scared and don't know what to do. Any help or

> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Debbie

>

>

> [Editor's Note: Debbie, we're sorry to hear you're going through

so much. I'm no doctor, but your chiropractor should be fired.

MANY people with psoriatic arthritis, including myself, have

relatively little psoriasis. You would not rely on a chiropractor

to advise you about a problem with your pregnancy, nor should you

believe a word he says regarding PA - he is simply not competent,

licensed or trained to make the statement he did. Enbrel works for

many, many people and not only provides short term relief from pain

but also delays the progression of the disease. The are also many

other fine medications that work for many people. There are a

number of terrific rheumatologists at the NY Hospital for Joint

Diseases and I go to the head of rheumatology at a hospital in

Brooklyn Heights if you are willing to cross another bridge.

Wishing you wellness, Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/12/05 11:27:07 AM GMT Daylight Time, lildebfin@...

writes:

My name is Debbie, I am 39 years old. I am from Carmel, New

York.

Hi Debbie,

Sorry that this is so late but welcome to the group. I'm , 48yrs old

from Scotland. I've had P since the age of 23 and PA for 17+ years.

I hope you find what you are looking for here. You should, there are a lot

of knowledgeable, " experienced " and caring people here.

Again, welcome.

[Guest guest]

Lara,

I had my surgery with Dr. Mann too! I'm a little older than you -

29, and had my fusion in 1989. What part of Illinois are you from?

I grew up in Machesney Park (near Rockford), currently live in

Shorewood (near Joliet), and will be relocating near Rockford again

later this summer. My fusion is doing great according to X-rays,

but I've had a lot of pain problems too. I also have multiple

sclerosis, which is where your body attacks & destroys the coating

of your nerve cells. It has caused me to develop some disabilities -

I use a walker and sometimes a wheelchair because my legs are so

weak and my balance is messed up. I have a 17-month old girl, and

my 2nd girl is due any day now. After having the baby I hope to get

some more tests done to check out my spine. I have suspicions that

it has rotated since the original surgery (ribs & one breast stick

out more on one side, belly button is no longer centered), and would

like to see if some of my mobility problems are related to the

scoliosis or if they're related to the MS.

As far as being an EMT goes, congrats! Before I went on disability,

I used to teach college biology to nursing & EMT students. It may

wreak havoc on your back though in the long run. Dr. Mann was

unhappy with me when I started taking karate for few months in high

school - my mom made me stop. It's true that strenuous activity can

wear out your unfused vertebrae below the fusion. He also told me

that at some point I'd probably have to have a 2nd surgery to

continue the fusion when those vertebrae " wear out " . I saw him a

few years ago (even though I'm an " adult " too ) and he was really

nice. He didn't say anything about the 2nd surgery, just said that

x-rays show the fusion still looks great. I've emailed him

personally with a few questions about how my MS might interact with

the scoliosis to be causing me more back problems, and he responded

quickly and very politely. I was pretty impressed with him.

Anyways, welcome to the group, and I hope to hear more from you!

> Hi. I already posted another one but thought I better introduce

> myself a bit better. My name is Lara. I'm 24, live in Illinois,

> work part time as a EMT and babysit my cousin part time. I got

> diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 15. Got stuck in a brace for

a

> year than when that didn't do anything decided on the surgery. I

> didn't have any pain before or really after. I have had some

muscle

> pain in my left shoulder area from time to time and just recently

> has it gotten worse but other than that I've been fine. I'm

really

> stubborn and wish I could be an EMT forever but unfortunatly I

think

> it would be best for my back if I didn't. Its a lot of heavy

> lifting. My doc recommended me not lifting over 25 lbs. I cross

> that just lifting the cot, so put the patient on there I'm way

over

> his limit. Oops! I just have no idea what else I'm going to

do!!

> My doc was Dr. Mann at the Univ. of Madison. I would recommend

him

> to anyone. Loved him. He did say I might have to have anyone

> surgery somewhere along the line and I really wish he could do it

> but unfortunatly he is a peds doc, and i'm an " adult " now he

> says. lol Anyways thats me. Glad to be part of the group.

> Feel free to ask any questions!!

>

> Lara

[Guest guest]

Hello ! Nice to meet you! I really liked Dr. Mann. I too,

have emailed him on several occasions just to get his opinion on

some questions I've had along the way and he does answer them very

prompt. I did just recently get engaged and was wondering about

having children (not that I'm planning anytime soon, but for the

future) and he just reminded me to save my back for fun and family

not for my boss. Did you have any problems with having your first

or carrying your very soon to be second? (Congrats, you'll have to

let me know when you have her!) I guess I am just worried if he

doesn't want me to lift more than 25 lbs. I can't imagine carrying

an additional baby around for 9 months is that easy on the back. I

know that Dr. Mann left my bottom 3 vertebra alone so I would have

more flexibility, well i think thats what he said, and I'm not sure

how far he went up. I'm gonna send for the x-rays just so I have

some on hand in case something happens and I need them some day.

But he did say since he left those alone and my curvature was so bad

that it may need to be done when I was in my mid thirties or so. So

any time I get a pain I dread the time it could be getting closer.

Wow, I've wrote a lot and totally skipped over one of your first

questions...lol...I live in Polo. If you've heard of that its

amazing most people haven't. Its a very small town. My fiancee

lives in Oregon though. Its about 35 miles south (maybe) of

rockford. Polo is about 45 south of rockford. Not only am i an EMT

I am also on Polo's volunteer Fire Dept., their very first and only

female! Yea me!! Unfortunatly my fiancee is a police officer here

in oregon, which means he has to live here and I'll have to live

here so I'll have to quit the fire dept. I've only been on for

a little over 2 years and I'm dreading the time I have to quit.

Granted Oregon has a fire dept. but I'd have to go through

everything all over again. They haven't ever had a girl either and

I'm not sure I want to be their first. At least in Polo my dad was

on and I always had him for support. Here I would have nobody.

Plus, being female, naturally I'm not as strong and with my back I'm

really not as strong and if I can I'll try to get out of the really

heavy lifting stuff. But today my fiancee came home and said he

just got on the fire dept. here in oregon. Grrr...I'm mad just

because he couldn't ever understand why anyone in their right mind

would want to run into a fire, but now he wants to all of a

sudden??? But yet he has wanted me to quit since day 1 when we got

together. Sorry didn't mean to bitch...lol...I don't even know you

hardly and i went off...lol.

As far as the disability goes, I'm really worried about that. I'm

getting these so called muscle spasms in my shoulder and they hurt

really bad, whether I'm sitting or not. So if i have to be on some

kind of muscle relaxers all the time, am I going to be able to

work? Is this because of my scoliosis? I really don't want to push

papers in an office all my life but geez, I don't think I could sit

at a computer all day and type either. I'm really concerned about

this all of a sudden. This last week being off of work has made me

think. I'm sure if I have kids it won't be so bad, and my fiancee

would prefer me to stay home anyways, but I'm more worried about

money more than anything.

Well I'm sure this is long enough and you'll get bored reading this

already, but thanks for writing me back! It was great hearing from

someone that understands everything!!! Hope to hear from you again!

Lara

[Guest guest]

Lara,

Yes, I have heard of Polo, and I've even been to Oregon, IL a few

times!

I had just turned 13 when I had my fusion. My curves were both

about 65 degrees, and Dr. Mann corrected them to about 45 degrees

each. But in my last x-ray they measured at closer to 55 degrees

(due to settling before the fusion solidified???). He fused me T4-

L4, so I only have one unfused vertebrae at the bottom.

My mom was really concerned about how the surgery would affect my

ability to have kids, and they told us that it shouldn't cause any

problems. I didn't have any problems with having my first baby due

to the scoliosis, and so far haven't had any with the 2nd baby. The

multiple sclerosis is wreaking havoc on my body though!! As far as

the scoliosis goes, the only thing I've noticed that is " different "

is that I don't seem to have a lot of room here at the end of the

pregnancy. The scoliosis has shortened my torso so that my ribs are

almost sitting on my pelvic bones. So the baby pretty much has to

grow " out " of me because there isn't much room " in " me, if you can

picture what I mean. As far as an epidural goes, I didn't get one

last time and don't plan on having one this time either - the MS

caused me to not feel my contractions until they very end, so it

wasn't necessary for me to have pain meds.

I've had a lot of back pain, especially with my current pregnancy,

but I don't think that's too unusual even for a non-scoli person.

It can depend on the baby's position, etc. As far as your muscle

spasms go, have you tried doing stretching exercises? Your doc

should be able to suggest some good (and safe) ones. With MS,

stretching usually helps muscle spasms and stiffness so I would

think it would help here too.

It's a great idea to get possession of your x-rays. Sometimes you

have to pay for them, but it's worth it to have when you see another

doctor (not to mention to show friends at parties, heehee).

Congrats on being a firefighter, and for getting engaged! Both are

exciting. Good luck and feel free to email me privately anytime. I

will probably unsubscribe from this list when I have the baby.

rebeccamaas@...

> Hello ! Nice to meet you! I really liked Dr. Mann. I

too,

> have emailed him on several occasions just to get his opinion on

> some questions I've had along the way and he does answer them very

> prompt. I did just recently get engaged and was wondering about

[Guest guest]

When I first started taking Lex, I had heartburn for the first few

days. It went away within a week, and it really wasn't that bad as

long as I kept some antacid tablets with me and kept something in my

stomach.

Just make sure that you don't take the Lex on an empty stomach, and

remember that while you may have some initial side effects, they

should fade within a week or two. Mine did.

~Ru

>I joined this group to learn more about the side effects concerning

gastrointestinal upsets. Any input you can give me on this med and the

side effects would be greatly appreciated. Theresa

>