it's La Again

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pat for finding those story threads! Any time I can laugh

about the arthritis it does me good!

Lee Ann! I do hope they get the heart problems under control. My

sister (only 25 YO) had heart racing, etc. and at first they

diagnosed panic attacks. More problems continued. She had a

standard blood test for thyroid. It was fine. Only after more

problems and a trip to the ER did they finally do more thyroid tests.

After a " third generation " ? test, they determined that she had a

severe hyperthyroid problem. She had to really fight to get the

additional testing done after the first test seemed fine. She has

since learned that the standard test is only about 80% accurate. A

lesson for all of us.

Medic Alert Bracelets/Necklaces-- the Medic alert company has a

free number to call 24 hr a day to get the FULL medical history of

the patient. Emergency assistance people can even get it faxed to

the hospital in just minutes. The yearly fee to keep that service is

$15 \US. You can update it at any time. I have a very full bracelet.

The info they get when calling is overwhelming :-) My hubby and

daughter were teasing me about needing more bracelets,

necklaces, etc. It was my 13 year old who said " before you know

it you'll run out of jewelry space and you'll have to have it tattooed

behind your ears like a dog! " Charming child.

Becky and others: My rheumy says that in his experience, MOST

of those he has put on ARAVA have a problem with diarrhea with it.

Any personal rebuttals? If any GI problems are possible with a

drug, my body embraces the opportunity to be involved in the party--

ugh.

Arthritis tip: I really avoid using a cane but sometimes I must.

SOmetimes because of pain but often I use a cane when I know

that severe fatigue, pain, bad weather, medication, whatever--

causes me to be unsteady. I DON " T want to fall. Things don't heal

like they once did! HOWEVER....I recently had a friend take an

ordinary wooden cane and paint it for me. I chose bright purple and

white flowers. (90% of my wardrobe is in shades of purple). Some

might choose bright circus colors, your favorite animal, etc. She

painted it with easy to find acrylic paint, several assorted

paintbrushes and we had a good time! I tried to find an " unusual "

cane in my area but nothing suited. Then I went to the web.

Lovely items! $100 ++ whoa! If you are into crafts or know

someone who is, decorating the cane is great. Instead of just

staring at me because I don't LOOK like I need a cane, people

actually comment positively on how pretty the cane is, where did I

get it, etc. Kids sometimes comment on it and the get the

courage to ask me questions. I like that because parents often

listen closely too :-) I get to tell them that not all arthritis hits

grandmas and people who look fine can actually have a lot of pain,

etc.

Smiles to Everyone La

Thought from LaRita

There are years that ask questions and years that answer.

Zora N. Hurston