Dieting with Obstacles - FRIENDS WITH RA & OA...#10

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Hope everyone finds us ok. We're all going through so much, these days, healthwise. I'm so glad we've got this place to go to.

I really don't want to whine, but I've pulled something in my (already bad) back! Barely able to move. It's been about 3 days now, & I'm wondering if I'm ever going to get over it. I holler with every move. That's why I haven't posted much....can't stand to sit here long. I hate to complain all the time. Seems like that's all I do! :^:
I'm gaining weight, too! I had that under control until lately. It's just getting out of hand....big time. I've got to get on a diet, or buy bigger clothes...& I can't afford to go shopping! I'm also stubborn. :lol:

I do hope everyone is feeling better. We'll all take a deep breath....& maybe tomorrow will be better!!!!
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Good morning my new RA buddies. Hope this morning finds you all feeling good. Not too bad here.

Pam-you wanted to know about my baker's cyst. Well, I had this burning achy pain in my calf for awhile. It was actually getting kind of painful to walk. I called my doctor and he wanted me to go have an ultrasound done on it. He sent me to the ER and I had it done. The cyst burst causing the burning and the ultrasound technician said you could see that it leaked into my muscle tissue in my calf. I'm experiencing the same feeling again in the same leg but I've been putting it off because it would mean more steroids. My mom also had a baker's cyst last year. Her's caused the same sort of pain but she also had redness and it felt warm to the touch. They gave her a shot of cortisone in her knee and she hasn't had any problems with it since. On the other hand, she is showing all the signs of Ra but I can't convince her to go to the doctor.

She can no longer straighten out her arm all the way. Her feet hurt, she gets swelling in her ankles and her knees. Very fatigued. Doesn't this all sound familiar? I wish she would go.

Good morning, Angel-lover, RAR, and the rest. I'm new so I can't remember everyone.
Has anyone heard from okidoll? I hope she's okay.

~chris

Googd Afternoon Ladies hope everyone is having a pain free day Angel hope you are starting to feel better with your back real soon now I am wondering if maybe that is a cause of my legs hurting a bakers cyst as it really seems to be going around but really it is both legssooooo going to start to wear my support hose again and see if maybe that will help some Chris really know howyour mom feels as I hate to go to the DR as they always find something more wrong with you!!!!!!!!!!well enough of my complaining you ladies have agreat weekend I have to work all 3 days so wont be back until monday Rita

Hello everyone, Sorry I haven't been around for a while, but I've had a really crazy week. We've had something going on at church every night, and work has been really busy, so when I get home, I drop into bed.

Things are going fine with me, still having a pretty good week, but I've developed a rash. It started right behind my knee and has spread both up and own my leg from there. It's not hurting so bad I can't stand it, but I did call my Rheumy and ask if he thought he needed to see it. (Every time I go see him, one of the first questions he ask is if I've had any rashes) But either he wasn't in, or it didn't seem worth the effore, cause I haven't heard back from him.

Tonigh is my Bunco night, so I'm getting ready to leave, just wanted to stop by and say HI!

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Ever had one of those nights where youre awake more often than asleep? I seem to be getting more and more of them lately. Its 5.00am and I am down on the PC reading posts and perusing Ebay. Oh well at least my server isnt busy and the pages come up quick. :lol:

Anyway Chrily thanks for the info about the Bakers cyst. I am pretty sure thats what I had in my left leg, in fact two or three times over the last couple of years but they can keep their cortizone shots . I have avoided them so far and will carry on doing so as everybody keeps telling me how painful and how useless they are. :nono: Needles for this and needles for that, when on earth does it stop. We take enough pills to rattle then take moe to stop the side effects from the first ones.Then we get told not to stress out as it will start a flare or we get stressed out by being in one. Sorry I am very stroppy when I dont get my sleep. I will get over it I always do.

Angel, you seem to really be in the wars lately....You need pampering for a bit. As for the weight bit, I can relate to how your feeling. I havent put any on AS YET but I have been midnight picking what with not being able to sleep and worst of all biscuits. :yikes: I have started drinking loads of water again hoping to dilute them :lol: I will sort myself out again when the time is right.

RAR when I went in for surgery they gave me those sock things to put on so when I came home they said I could have them and I put them on now when I am flying (in a plane) and when my legs ache just like you and they are really good. My Doc is the same when I visit, she gets the lot. Well we cant help the way we feel and their job basically is to try and put us right so they expect us to winge a bit or we wouldnt be there. ;)

Ageoldie enlighten me please, what is a Bunco night? Sounds very intriguing. Its great to hear when somebody is too busy to feel ill. You sound as you lead quite a full life. Are you still swimming too? I must get into that routine of going swimming like I planned to do and didnt.

Right I am going to try putting my head down again before its time to start another day. Hopefully I will get a couple of hours to get me by. Take care everyone even those I have mentioned by name. Which reminds me Laura has been missing for a long time, hope shes ok. Catch you all soon.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Virgoanspirit/animations/fairybookgreatday.gif

Hello Everybody- Just a few words so that I don't have to go hunting you everyday. I have been slack but I do read the posts..My sister Eleni is still waiting to have her pacemaker installed along with a defibulater. I hope that is soon. She may be in the hospital the same time as me. I have always tried to be there for her. Maybe she will go sooner and I still can. If not I know she will know I am there in spirit. We have a lot of family who will be there for her.
We have another storm coming. I hope it stays out to sea,but, it probably won't, I hope it doesn't go near any of you..
Got to get busy and be sure my house is in order before I go in the hospital..
My hubby is not a housekeeping man..
Bye and hello to all of you...Joanne

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Joanne... When are you going in the hospital? I didn't go back to check the posts, but I know it's soon. I'll be praying for you & Eleni. It would be cool if you two could be in the same room. It would be handy for your families at visiting times.
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I hope the hurricane stays away from you, also. It may head for Alabama again, too. Our daughter had to move out of their house today, temporarily. :(

Iamgonnadoit...Loved your graphics! You're finding some great places to go to. :D I know exactly what you mean about lack of sleep. In fact, it's 11:30pm now. Some nights, I sit up on the pc all night! :^:

ageoldie...I keep a rash most of the time. Mine is side effects from meds. Mostly the Methotrexate. Just be sure your Dr knows about it (remind him/her)when you go for appt. It can be very irritating. All my side effects got so bad...especially the mouth ulcers...that my Dr put me on Leucovorin this time, instead of Folic Acid. I take one tablet 24 hrs after the Methotrexate shot. I think it's better, but may have to increase the strength, still.

Hello Rita...thanks, my back is much better. Had a very bad week with it...but, finally got that behind me.

Hello Chrily...hope you're doing well. Yes, your friend sounds like RA. Symptoms of RA also are symptoms of other diseases, also, though.She needs to be checked.

Hello Okidoll & anyone else....it's late & can't think!!!

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Morning all...Just checking in.

Angel-lover- My mom looks like she has RA to me, but she does have sarcoidosis. So does my brother. It is an auto-immune disorder too with some of the same symptoms. They do treat it the same way however. I pray that she goes in before its too late and the damage is done....

Question for you all. I'm not very good with computers, but want to know where you guys are finding all the graphics and stuff you use on here. I'd like to have my name all done up neat on the bottom like yours. Just sign me "computer illiterate"....

~Chris

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Hi! Today has been a lovely day weatherwise so I was in the mood to have clean out.....bad news ....chaos. Still I did manage to sort out downstairs, go up the field to the ponies, run the dogs, and now I am cooking. I also weighed myself :goodscale Yep I have lost some more.......50 .7 lbs = 23 Kgs....which makes me UNDER 200 lbs JUST!!!!! YIPPEE! Anyway the reason I have come on at this minute in time was to try and help Chrily and I got side tracked...... Right if I start you off somebody else can explain the next bit.....Anne and Angel are best at that. Go to search in explorer and depending what you want first put in either signatures or snaggables. When you have found graphics that you want to save, right click and save in your Documents or pics folder. When you have accumulated a few nice graphics then you go to the next step of what to do with them. :?: Hope you understand so far...... Right gotta run as we have to eat.....Byeeeeeeee! :chef:

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Well...my graphic thingy is down tonight, so can't do what I'd like.

Just go into a search for name signatures...it'll take you on some great adventures! If you want me to find you one, tell me what you want.


Iamgonnadoit....WOW!!!!!!!! A lot of weight lost!!http://soback.kornet.net/~pixeline/heeyun/monster7.gif Great work!

Gotta go....sleepy......
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I have RA and Lupus, Mom has Lupus and my brother has recently been diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroid. My Grandmother also has RA and Osteo-Arthritis.

I find it fascinating that these auto-immune diseases run and ravage families.
I keep thinking there has to be some key to all of this that is being missed.

Good Morning Ladies thought I would pop in since I got up early slept most of the day away monday and it was the only day i have off just realized that I am getting old just dont have the pep like I use to :lol: so up early to get started got a lot of sweeping to do on my cleaning jobso going to get there before any one comes in so I can get done been there 12 years so know everyone and some like to talk but it seemslike I cant talk and work at thae same time any more so I know I am slipping:lol: so wishimg you all have a grea day it is funny that some families do seem to pass down certain diseases like in our family high BP.cholestroloa.ra. diabetic, OA thank goodness so far only have OA, and cholestrol Rita :dance:

Hi darlings of the world...
I thought I'd check in and see how we were all doing. My RA did a major flare for me last night right in my wrist. It swelled and is pushing on all the carpal tunnel things. My hand is burning and stinging and my fingers are swollen like sausages. It hurts (enough to make me cry) all the way up to my shoulder. I was up most of the night with it. This is one of those days that makes a person too frustrated for words. I can't twist, grip, or grab anything and while I type I have my arms resting on my pillow. I had to sit up all night because laying down was excruciating. Sitting up helped and kind of hanging my arm over the side of the couch. Anyone else have that happen?

Okidoll- My grandmother had lupus too. My mom has sarcoidosis. So does my brother. My sister has endometriosis, which they are saying now is another auto-immune disease. I did read somewhere that it does indeed have a tendency to run in families. Wierd!

On the brighter side of things, I did weigh in yesterday and have lost 3 pounds. Yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~chris

my hand is starting to hurt some more.

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Oh Chrily....I AM soooo sorry you are hurting so bad! :( Many prayers go out to you. Those flares seem to take forever to get over. Have you called your Dr? Seems something could be done about that. A pain shot, or something. When I have a flare it's all over (so far)...not just one area. I'm not familiar with that, so don't know if a Dr can do anything or not. Get better.

Hi Rita...glad you got a good rest Monday. It may be a little of the old age in most of us....but, these diseases can really take a toll.

Well okidoll....I don't think anyone in my family had RA at all. I'm sure it's hereditary....but, I had to be the lucky first one in our family! I hope it stops with me, too! :^:

Hello to everyone....hope you're having a beautiful day![/COLOR]

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Just stoping in to let you know I'm still around and reading. Nothing new around here. BTW Bunco is a sensless game played by 12 women. You sit at 3 tables of 4 and try to roll 3 6's on dice. It's a really dumb game, but really fun. It is also a good excuse for a monthly girls night out. Our group always eats and play until late and then talk until even later!

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Good to hear from you ageoldie! Hope you're feeling well today.

Chrily...I do hope you're better.

Hello to everyone else! Have a great Wednesday!

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Hello Everybody- Well this last storm put me on the shelf for a few days..I can tell you you don't know what you have till you don't have it.. With no air conditioning for 3 days I thought I was going to get sick..I hope this is the end of it. We do still have 2 more months of hurricane season.
Angel- I have surgery Oct. 7. I will be away for a few more days.. My sister will be in a different hospital. Being in the same room would not be wise. We would be worrying about each other.We don't know yet when her surgery will be.. She may find out today or at least this week.
In the future I will try to make an effort to address all of you great ladies. I do read the posts and wish you well. Great on the weight losses..
Bye...Joanne

Good afternoon everyone. Hope you didn't forget about me.
:(
Have been so busy with moving, getting kids settled in new school... my sister had gastric bypass surgery and is having a rough time of it with complications. I haven't been around much lately.

I seem to be in the middle of a bad flare. I can't seem to get on top of it, I have a few good days, overdo it and them KABLAM, back at square one.

Anyway.. see a lot of new faces. Wanted to drop in and say hi, and let you know I haven't forgotten about this lovely community of folks.

Kim

Hi All,

Long time no post! My computer died and I just got a new/used one set up today. Monitor is so much bigger I feel like I should take my glasses off! lol. It's right in my face.

I'm doing okay. Bad flare up this week with my back....think it's the weather. Just taking it a day at a time now. Glad to see that my old friends are still here and that there are some new ones :).

Joanne...I'll keep you in my prayers.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Deb

Hey gals...
I am here and have survived the last few days. My hand in feeling a ton better and I'm almost back to my not-so-normal self. God bless Bextra!!!!

Tomorrow I get to do my Methotrexate. I made sure I got my pills refilled so that I'm not short on my dose this week. I think that's what set my flare off this time.

Okidoll-thanks for the PM. I hope all is well and wishing you a pain free day.

Hey Deb-I'm one of your newest newbies. I'm 33 and have had RA for 4 years now. I'm a stay at home mom of 3 girls...ages 11, 5, and 2. Glad to meet you.

Hey Kim...same goes for you. Nice to meet you.

Joanne-I do wish you well on your surgery.

Angel-I am definitely feeling better...thanks for asking.

ageoldie-Bunco sounds like my kind of game. I think the companionship would be my favorite thing. I really don't have any friends, except online. I hang around with my sisters and my mom.

RAR-Howdy. Hope your pain free as well.

I think I got everybody. I'm new to all of you, so if I missed anybody, please let me know. TTFN for now.
~chris

You just mised me, but that's ok :)

Deb - wondered where you got to. Hope the flare settles down.

Khewes - nice to see you back. Are you all finished with your move now? You moved to the country, right. I am sure you will enjoy that.

Joanne - glad the hurricane didn't get you too bad. I sure hope they are soon past. This has been a horror.

Hi Angel - hope things are going well for you.

Barb - would like to know more about BUNCO - like the rules etc. Sounds like something I would like to play.

Rita - Hope you are doing ok. Nice tohave you back with us.

Pam - it's nice to get back to normal. Hope you are feeling better.

Now, I am sorry I haven't been around. I have been struggling with a flare myself, plus a sinus problem going on. My son is getting married on 16 Oct., so have been busy trying to get an outfit together. The worst part was shoes, because they are all so uncomfortable. Maybe I should just were slippers with my nice new outfit :lol:

It seems we have been away every weekend and will be until after the 16th. It takes me 2 days after that to regain my energy, and then it is time to go again. I was looking after my granddaughter last week at her house, which is 2 hours away, so I was not even in my own bed. You all know how that one goes.

Anyway, I do hope you all have a great weekend.

Now Chris, I forgot you in the above post :lol: An FM moment or perhaps an almost senior moment! I am glad you are feeling better. I guess the best we can hope for is almost normal, but then again, who is "normal" anyway. Hope you have a good weekend.

Oh my gosh, I forgot my Canadian friend in my last post.

Happy Canuk-Hope those flares don't keep you down. I really hate the bad days, but for me personally, it makes the good days that much better. I've had a couple bad flares this week too. It started in my wrist and pressed on that medican nerve in my carpal tunnel and sent pain up to my shoulder and my hand swelled like a blown up rubber glove. I wasn't even able to sleep. I haven't had my hands flare for a long time. This time around, I didn't cry. My anti-depressants must be working. Anyhow, after my right hand started feeling better, by left one did the same thing. I'm not sure if that's a pattern with my RA or just the after effects of over-compensating for my other hand. Maybe both.

My kids want to watch a dvd so I better go help them. TTFN

~chris

Hi
Its been a while since I have posted. Its stirfried. How are you all doing? I just wanted to say Hi.
I went to klamath falls in oregon and after I came home I ended up without a home. My aunt and me had gotten into a big fight and I decided it was better to leave, we have since made up.
My younger daughter Jenny got marriede. It was a beautiful ceremony, But things just got worse after that. My oldest daughter ended up losing her son for a while . She was doing poorly and had gotten into drugs, so bradys father came and took him. It has been awful for us here. but yesterday we had a intervention and finally got her into counsolling. She was trying ti kill herself. But she slowed down on the drugs thank god. so she is now working trying to get her son back. And with lots of therepy and n.a. she will do it.
I have been so stressed out worrying about her . I was certain that after losing brady she would try to hurt herself. But thank God now everthing seems tyo be going better as long as she fulfills her promise. sarah says she just wants to be healthy again so she can be the best mom she can be for her son. I sure do miss my little brady . I haven't seen in in 3 weeks and hge was only home a month before he was taken . But I am making plans to visit him. this month. n I don't know when I will be back in here to say hello again. I have moved to grants pass so I can be a little closer to brady and since IU don't have a computer that up and running It may take me a while to check in. I need a monitor for my computer. But my sister has one so I will be checking in about every week or so.
I finally lost more weight through dieting and stre3ss and am down to 178 now.
Hope to talk to you soon.

laura
sw
197
cw
178
gw
140
take care and god bless.

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Laura This hugs for you and all the rest of you who need one! It's alazy Saturday afternoon and I'm just playing around "stealing" graphics from everywhere I can find them! I especially liked this hug.

Kim Tell me about the complications your sisters is having after her WLS. Maybe there is something I know of that will help.

Deb Have you decided about wheither you are going to have the surgery or not?

[B]Everyone else, hope you are all doing okay and enjoying the cooler weather. I know I am!!!

age oldie
thank you for the huig. I loved it. I am in so much pain and I am out of pain meds until the 6th . I think my sick daughter might have gotten into them while she was still using, anyway I cant get them fillede untill then.I tried going to a hospital hereAs I am not at my old town The DEoc treated me like A DRUG ADDECT , i was so embarrassed, the man did not even off er me a lousy ibuprophen or a torado;l show which isn't even a narcadic. I will survive. I can understrand I guess why that think that way about people. He tried to call my Doc to get a okay but I guess it being sat. doc ross wasn't home. But still made me cry and feel lousy. so I will just wait and deal with the extra pain by doing without.
Hello to Deb Anne Grasshopper , anne,charlotte and khewes and to all of you take care. Hope to post again soon
laura
weight 178

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Virgoanspirit/animations/Cute%20Pics/awwshucks.gif You forgot me too!!!! :( Only joking....Well I know for a fact I cant remember everybody so rather than miss anyone out i will send my post to you all. I am suffering major brain fog atm. I have started my new drug in place of methotrexate now. Its Leflunomide and I take a 10mg tablet every day. So far so good but its not a week yet so I must admit I am still kind of wary. I have had a virus all week but I actually think its moved on today. Most of you sound as if you have been through the mill this last week or so with flares and the like. My arthritis has been fine for a couple of weeks but thats only cos I had a steroid jab at the end of August. They usually last 6 weeks. Anyway feel better all of you ! I really must say while its fresh in my head that its lovely to see you back Laura. We had all wondered where you had got to. You have a lot to take on board and you know we all think of you when youre not around as we do one another I am sure.
It has been a really long day today, must be because I was up so early. We all have days like that I suppose. I have had a very active weekend for a change and spent alot of time in my field with the dogs and ponies. Havent done it for a while so it was smashing. We often "borrow" kids and take them with us and they help us groom and muckout and I teach them to ride. We took a couple yesterday and they had never touched a horse before. It was lovely. They rode (on lead rein obviously) and thought it was wonderful and they rain my dogs ragged which was great too. Then today we had to transport a pony thats going out on loan to another yard and that took us most of the day. Its been pouring with rain all afternoon too. I am exausted so I will be in bed pretty soon. I fell down a rabbit hole yesterday, I ask you , was that a sight or what? Theres me on all fours and the kids thought it hilarious. :lol: DH was the other side of the field. I didnt hurt myself luckily enough as it was on grass but do you think i could get up. Well I did in the end. it was quite funny thinking back, seeing the position I got up in but it wasnt at the time. Right I am off to bed catch you all soon......Warm healthy vibes coming out to you all........http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Virgoanspirit/animations/Cute%20Pics/GOOD20NIGHT20SWEET20DREAMS20GLITTERY.gif

Yep. Move finished. I love country life, now if I never had to leave my house and go to work, I'd be a happy camper.

My sister's surgery.... she has a bleeding disorder. Takes huge amounts of blood thinners. She formed a large hematoma underneath the abdominal wall. It became infected. She is waiting a C.T. scan today to see if it's resolving. If not, she'll have to go back to the operating room to have it out. Which will promote more bleeding/clotting/infecting.. etc etc etc. It' s just a huge mess.

I'm currently self medicating due to my incompetent insurance company. Ladies, think of yourselves just taking Advil daily, then you'll know how I feel. I didn't even want to get out of bed to pee this morning.
:(
This disease sucks.

HI!!!!!!!! Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a pain free day havent got much of a chance to read the posts so have to go back!!! Angel hope that you are not still having problems with your back!!!!!!!!!well ladies got to get started for the day so have a good one Rita:dance:

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Hi everybody!! I'm glad to get back on again. I've had MAJOR pc problems!!!!
Maybe I've got it taken care of. Went back to read the posts.

I had a treatment today, though.......so.......gotta sleep the day away. Talk to you all later.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/painfreeday1.jpg

Hi Alll!

Nice to meet the new newbies :). Nice to see some new faces. Chirly, I'm 34, don't have RA (thank GOD!), but I have a bad back. Think the lease on my body ran out when I hit 30....just wish I'd gotten the delux model instead of the gremlin. Sorry, bad joke. Just wish I could say that I did something really adventuress in my past life to warrent what I did to my back.

Stirfiried, you're in my prayers. It sounds awful. I always worry if I get low on my meds...always worry about those flare ups. So sorry to hear about your daughter....I had a similar problem with one of my brothers....I hide my medications now. As far as the doc at the hospital....don't mean to be mean but your daughter could have gone in there seeking drugs...they might have a file with the same last name. Then again, most doc's are cautious to begin with.

Good to see ya still hanging around Canuck :)

Oldie...not sure about the surg. Just made an appointment for the nutritionist and pysch eval. Have to pay that out of pocker - ouch! Still have a lot to consider.

Hope everyone else is doing well. I hear the baby crying........need to feed her.

Deb

HI! Ladies just wanted to pop in and hope that everyone is having a pain free dayfinally had to put the heat on as Ohio is getting chilly this week just hate the thought of cold weather comming as it sure affects all my body parts!!!!!!!!! Deb sorry to hear tat you are having problems with your back at your age I didnt start to fall apart until I hit 50 and it seems like it is getting worse all the time for me sometimes I feel like some of the little old ladies that I take care of the complaining that I do well ladies have a great monday Rita

Just got the last of my shopping done before I get out of comission for awhile..My hubby isn't very good at that.. He said how were we going to manage meals when I get out of hospital.Big deal!!. I told him don't worry and if I didn't feel good he knew where the fast food joints were. :lol: :lol:
Welcome all you new people. This is a great place to come.
Hello Grasshopper. Glad to see you back.
Angel.. It is always nice to see you..
Khewes- Watch that advil.. They are a help but not always the answer. Although I miss mine right now. I haven't been able to take any this week because of the upcoming surgery.
Iamgonadoit- I wish I lived in the country. My daughter has a ranch and I can't begin to tell you how much I like it there. She is in the most northern part of Florida and it is real pretty there.There is more than 12 acres from her house to the road, and hundreds of acres in her back.
Rar- Hope you are having a good day.
Bye...Joanne

Hi all,
Had to check in and see how everyone was doing really fast like. I've had a good day. Only had the stiff, sore feet this morning. Yeaaahhhh! A day like that is a good day to me. I got in a small walk today. To and from school with my girls. Also raked a bunch of leaves tonight. Sometimes I feel guilty for not being in pain when I know that there is alot of you out there that are having a bad time. I am sorry that all of us are going through this. Do you ever feel like your getting cheated out of life? There is so many things that people my age do that I can't. Oh well, I guess God has a plan-a plan that is bigger than me. It does make you appreciate the days without swelling and pain. Have a good night girls, and we'll check back in the morning. Take care of your back Deb. Okidoll-you're MIA again.... :)
TTFN
~chris

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Good Afternoon Ladies hope you are having a pain free dayhope that if you are having nice weather you are enjoying it just got up and with a head cold to top it off that is probably why I have been feeling extra achey this weekChris know how you feel with the stiff hurting feet have it every day !!!!!!!just put up with it like all my other aches and pain well ladies have a good one Rita:dance:

Just letting you know Joanne's surgery went well. NO cancer!!! She is in a lot of pain but doing good.

Just gotta check and see how you are all doing. I feel great today.

Joanne-So glad your surgery went well. No Cancer! That is great news!

Anne-How are you doing? I snuck in and saw your post you left on another site with the puppies and the kitties. How cute!

Rita-I hope those aches ease up for you. Praying for you to have some relief.

Charlotte-I finally looked at your web page. I read your testimony. I am such a shy person, I have a hard time talking to people, let alone write people. I'm scared to even go through the water baptism in front of our church congregation. My mom says it has nothing to do with being shy. She says its pride getting in the way, that I'm more worried about what I look like than what God wants me to do.

Hello Deb-Still haven't officially introduced myself to you. I'm a stay-at-home mom of 3 girls. They're Tiana, Kayla, and Nicole. Ages 11, 5, and 2. I live in Billings, Montana and have had rheumatoid arthritis for almost 5 years now. My doc has me on Methotrexate, and Bextra. Seems to be an effective combination so far.

Anybody I missed, I am so sorry. Hello to the rest of you and wishing a pain-free day for you. I have to get on the ball and get my house back into shape and take my meds. Today is my big "drug" day as I call it. This is the day I have to take everything. Then I get to feel nauseous for awhile. What a way to look forward to Saturday.... :lol:

TTFN
~chris

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/smilesmaskblinkie.gif

Hello everyone,
Soooo glad Joanne came through the surgery ok. And sooo thankful there's no cancer! Thank you Eleni for keeping us informed. Tell her we miss her, & praying she's back soon. :)

Chrily....I'm not saying your mother is wrong about it being pride. I'm not sure. But, I know I was that way from a very small child. I wouldn't talk to anyone, hardly. I had few friends in school. It wasn't because I had money....we were poor, but had enough. I got out of a lot of my shyness when I was promoted to Instructor at a sewing plant. I'd been sewing for several years, & always admired the instructors (the good ones, anyway ;) ) for how they could help people get to production & keep their jobs. I had no choice, but to be more outspoken. It helped me tremendously! I loved my job...& had many friends...especially my trainees. Now, that I'm not able to work on a public job, it's helping me with my singing, & volunteer help at the TV Station. God opened a better door for me! :) In fact, I suppose some people wish I'd shut up, now! :D
Thanks for checking out my website. :)

Good to hear from you Rita. Yep, stiff, achy feet here, too! :^: Got some rainy weather here, again. Nothing like Ivan...that came through, though.

If I'm slow about posting for awhile, I'm either having trouble getting in here or I'm working on a project for my children for Christmas. They love looking at the picture albums of our years as a family when they were young. I'm making them all an album with lots, & lots of pictures. They will have pics of mom & dad before & after marriage. Our family life, & then...all their family lives. I thought it would be good, too, in case any of us had another fire. Some of us would have copies of pictures. I came very close to losing them. Was lucky they weren't in the storage building. See....I'm blessed.

Hello, Kim, Young Grasshopper, Iamgonnadoit, Stirfried, ageoldie, & Happy Canuk.....Hope I didn't miss anyone. Hope all of you have a good week end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/woo27.jpg

Charlotte,
Your idea for the photo albums is a great idea. I know there is alot of photos my mom has that I would love to have copies of. Only 2 of my grandparents were alive to see my first daughter born. Then my grandfather died from a second stroke and my grandmother just died 2 years ago only one month before my 3rd daughter was born. I would love for them to see pictures of their great-grandparents. Most of the photos are what my mother took. I'll have to bring up the idea with her and see what she thinks. TTFN for now. I have to get finished "beautifying" myself because she called and she sounds kind of down or bored or maybe both. So we are going to go to "Gamma's house" (that's how my 2 yr. old says it). See, my mom is alone. My stepdad died 3 years ago of a heart attack and she still has a very hard time. Sometimes I wish I could just take all the pain away for her. It's been so hard on her. Her husband, then her mom, and now she is having problems with her hands and feet and such. I also wish I could get her to go to a doctor but she's just not ready yet. I can't push her I guess.
Well, TTFN for now and have a great day.

Hi All,

I hope everyone is having/going to have a great holiday weekend. The weather is great here...! Be nice day to go to the beach....not go into the water but wouldn't mind sitting on the sand and looking for a while.

So glad to hear the Joanne's surg. was a success. Sounds like the wrong way to phrase it but I'm sure you all know what I mean!

Chirly, nice of you to post some info on yourself. I've always wanted to visit Montana. Even thought about looking for teaching job out there before I screwed my back up. Figure it's got to have the same weather as Upstate NY....cold, cold, and did my breath just turn into snow in front of me cold. lol.

Angel, the albums sound like a great idea. Years ago, one of my aunts went around and gathered all the old pictures and documents of the family and made albums. I've thought it would be nice to scan all the photos that the family had and then make CD's or something for the family. And, although it's a morbid thing to do, I always thought it would be good to get a medical record for the family. Don't know about you, but sometimes it's good to know that someone else is having a similar problem. The way life is these days you don't really get to see extended familly and talk.

Well, that's it for now. Still gathering info about the WLS. Still thinking about it, etc. Still not sure. Back is doing okay....so I"m a happy camper for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Deb

Good Afternoon Ladies hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday I am still fighting my head cold took enough meds that when I went to bed this morning that it would knock me out for a week guess again well wide awake couldnt sleep so thought I would just get up and do a few things around the house probably when I am at work tonite it will kick in:lol: lets just hope it doesnt glad that Joanne is finally over with her surgery and things went well will keep her in my prayers so to the rest of you ladies have a great day Rita:dance:

hello,hello!
i just found this thread and was wondering if i could join?
my name is doni,im 43 a sahm who homeschools.
when i was 37 i was diagnosed with ra.i was devestated.
i have a ra nodule on my r.big toe that makes it twice its size and makes wearing shoes uncomfortable.
i wear slippers mostly or barefoot.
i was reading the post and someone was talking bout there wrists.
i have that,
i thought it was carpal tunnel cuz well i had the symptomsno grip ,weak,tingling ,burning,ect,went to the dr. and he informed me it was the ra messing with the nerve that falls with carpal tunnel.
what do you do for it?
i wear a brace for carpal tunnel and when it gets bad i go on pred bursts.
im on celebrex and methatrexate.
cant go see the dr. when i want or get meds i need cuz no ins.
and they go by gross so they say no help hubby makes to much.
i am currently trying to lose weight so far this yr.ive been successful somewhat.
ive went from 275 to 242 since may this yr. on jorge cruise plan.
i exercise with the firm,and recently developed a passion for pilates.
im slow on the moves tummy is in the way,but i find it stretches me out so to speak and i feel i can move better.
dr. says i gotta move or the ra will put me in a wheel chair and i refuse to let that happen.
well i have droned on forever.
i hope i can stay and get to know all of you better.
and as all you been saying,
have a pain free day!
275/242/237 mini goal
doni

Hi Doni,
I'm one of the newer members here. I'm the one though that has been having problems with their wrists. I can't give you any good advice on that one because I haven't found anything that works. I sleep sitting up when it happens because laying down makes it worse. I did find that wrapping it with an ace bandage helps for me a little because it puts pressure on that nerve.

You seem to be on about the same medicine I am. How much methotrexate do you take. I'm doing 20 mg. on Saturday. My doctor says that is about as high as he likes to go. My next step will be Remicade...I think that's what he said. After my last child, who's 2, my RA went into overdrive and hit me hard.

I'm also a SAHM. I'm 33 and have had RA since January 2000. I never got the official diagnosis until a little over 2 years ago. I have 3 girls: Tiana, Kayla, and Nicole. I live in Montana. I've also been married to my second husband for 5 years now. It'll be 6 in January.

Welcome to our little group. TTFN and talk to you soon...
~chris

hi chris,
thanks for the warm welcome!
have you tried sleeping with the wrist brace for carpal tunnel?
it helps me to sleep cuz it hasa metal strip going across that nerve and the pressure helps from stinging ,numbing ,burning.
there bout 20.00 for a good one.
do you have the nodules to?
i cant remember the milograms but i hafta take 5 pills on fri.

i live in in indiana married to brian 16.5 years and have 1 daughter catagan she is 12.1 siamese furkid.
thanks again for the warm welcome.
its nice to know i have made friends who understand this disease,
thank you!
doni
275/242/237 mini goal

Doni,
The next time I go to Walmart, I'm going to have to check out the carpal tunnel braces. I don't have any nodules. I'm not sure how you are but most of my flares happen in my legs and in my hands. I had liver problems when the doctor had me on sulfasalazine and had to stay off meds all together to get my liver count back to normal and boy let me tell you, the pain was excruciating. It took me 10 minutes to go to the bathroom at night and its right next door to our bedroom. It took forever to stand up and walk. I scared so many people in my family...including myself. With the methotrexate, I only have a very rare flare up. My feet hurt some in the morning and I'll ache more if I overdo it with anything. Other than that, I feel okay.
You are taking 12.5 mg of Methotrexate a week if you take 5 pills. Mine come in 2.5 mg tablets. My doc has me maxed out at 20. I finally got of prednisone. I was on that for a year or better.
More personal info...I got 4 little fur balls of my own. I have a long-haired gray granny kitty...she's 8 yrs. old. Her name is of all things...Kitty. Also have 2 tiger stripe cats. They are Mom and son (Sara and Junior). Juniors not so little. He's the biggest cat we have. And we have a white cat with an orange tail and orange ears. He's our recreational hunter. His name is George, but when he goes on his little killing sprees, we call him Ted Bundy.
TTFN for now. I have to go give Tiana her good-night hug and kiss. Kayla and Nicole are already tucked in and out like lights. C ya tomorrow.
~chris

Hello Everybody...Just touching base. I haven't read all your posts yet, but I will. I can't sit here long. I know things will look up soon...Joanne

hello!
chris,i believe the brace will realy help you especialy at nite!
its worth it.
my flares are in my feet and hands.
my feet will burn so bad i cant stand to let my feet touch at nite or ill keep them out from under the covers.
it drives me insane!
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU!i understand completely.
you have a perfect family!
furkids and all.
lol!
i like george aka ted bundy!
thats to funny!
have a great day chris!

joanne,hi there!
hope everything gets better for you,post when you can.

Good Afternoon Ladies hopeing that you are having a pain free Monday including you Joanne!!!!!!! Chris you have the perfect family of the little kittens besides having 3 dogs have 3 siamese who all are related to each other really love to watch them play at times get mad at them as they can mess things up in the house so I feel at times my kids never left as these are just as messy:lol: I know how you feel with pain in your feet have been there many times it is no fun with the burning!!!!!!!!!well ladies got to get busy so have a great day Rita :dance:

Hey gals...
Checkin in after along day. I had to work today and then helped the DH clean his place of work tonight. The kids are all down for the night and I'm about that way too.

Rita-we did have dogs too. A bassett hound and a golden lab. Very busy dogs. Our neighbors weren't to fond of them. We never took puppy training classes and we lived out of town for a long time so when we moved into our house last year, they just weren't socialized enough. We aren't sure what happened but they got out of the yard and the bassett hound bit the neighbor. We didn't want to take any chances on it happening again so we had to get rid of them. Very heart-wrenching thing to do.

Doni-What's your little furballs name? My dad and stepmom had 2 siamese cats. Oh what am I saying...they had 11 cats altogether. They are now down to 2 cats. The rest have died of old age. Even our boy kitty we had at work. My dad had to put him to sleep a little over a month ago because he fell trying to get out of his catbox and hurt his leg really bad. It just wouldn't heal and he was 17 yrs. old...I still miss him. I catch myself being careful where I walk still so I don't step on him. Or I wait for him to meow. It's hard to get used to. Like saying good bye to a person.

Joanne-I wish you a speedy recovery. You must be sore huh? Post when you feel better and take it easy and be good to yourself.

Charlotte-haven't seen a post from you for a bit. Hope all is well with you.

Anne-Same goes for you...

And...Okidoll, Happy Canuk...where are you...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/welcometop.jpg

Hello everyone,
I tried to post yesterday. I could read the posts, but wouldn't let me reply. :( I don't know what's going on lately. Obviously, all of you could, so must be something going on with my computer.

Welcome to the forum, Doni,! So glad to have you. I like dogs & cats. We have a couple of horses as pets, though. :D Although we're only on 2 1/2 acres, we have 2 horses, plus our son's 2 horses (temporarily, I hope). The grands all love them so much. One, especially...Molly.

Good to hear from you, Joanne. I've been praying for you. Get better real soon. We miss you.

I take the Methotrexate, also. I take a shot on Thursday nights. The side effects are pretty bad, so the dosage is changed often. I also have to take Leucovorin 24 hrs after the shot, & folic acid daily. I keep hoping I can come off the Methotrexate, because of the side effects. So far, can't do it. :^:
My miracle worker is the Remicade treatments. I get tired of sitting there for 2-3 hrs waiting for it to go in, but it's worth it. My veins are so tiny (only thing tiny about me! :lol: ) the nurse has a rough time getting the catheter in. Needles don't bother me, though, & it's a good thing. :) My nurse, Kathy, said she gets so hyper, knowing I'm coming for a treatment, that she dreamed about me this time. :lol: She just doesn't want to hurt me. She said she drunk diet Pepsi before I started coming...now, she has to have the real thing! :dizzy: I'm also very sensitive to the Remicade, so I have to be drugged up with meds to prevent reactions. That's why I get to sleep in a couple of days, afterwards. (I don't know how I got started on all of this, but too much trouble to go to, to just delete it all! :p ) As you can see, Doni, we all feel free to talk here, because we all understand. ;)

Well, gotta go. Talk to you all tomorrow, if I can get this silly computer to let me!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/painfreescroll.gif

Charlotte-
Is remicade expensive? Someone told me it was. My insurance will cover it in February when my pre-existing condition waiting period is over. Methotrexate messes with me a little. After I take it, I get kind of nauseated and I get "bathroom troubles" (to be polite). I take folic acid everyday to combat all that. It does help. What in the world is Leucovorin? I've never heard of that before.

Joanne-How are you feeling today?
Doni-Morning gal! Hope you're having a good day too.
Rita-morning
anne-haven't heard from you for a bit...where are you.
okidoll-same goes for you...
Hi to the rest of you. I have to go work on my daughter's Belle costume for Halloween. She loves to be "princess" girls all the time. Fine by me. At least its not scary. I hate the scary stuff.

~chris

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/RApainfrog.jpg

Hello everyone,
Yes, Chrily....Remicade is about $3,000 for each treatment. If I didn't have Medicare, I couldn't afford it. I keep expecting them to try to stop paying, but it's been 2 yrs now, & no problem. Leucovorin is a very potent med used against side effects of Methotrexate. The norm is to just take folic acid & put up with the side effects. Only, I had EVERY side effect. One of the worse, is mouth ulcers! I have upper dentures (gee, eveyone's learning a lot about me! :lol: ), so that made it even worse. I have the nauseation, also. Itchy skin, stomach upset....ok,ok...gas problems! :^: Food has a bad taste. I have to ask someone else if the food is bad, or if it's just me. The Dr. says stress can cause the mouth ulcers, also....but, he thinks it's the Methotrexate...since I'm so sensitive to everything. It would be pretty expensive, except that I only take one a week....making only 4-5 a month. :)
Medicare doesn't pay for my prescriptions, I have to pay for everything else, myself, & I'm on a lot. I have other things I'm on prescriptions for...of course,all expensive.
Thanks for the pm....I answered it, so check your mail. :)
Today's a work day at the TV Station, so gotta go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/Angel-Lover/Number%208/STY13.gif

Charlotte,
Ouch! Remicade is expensive. I didn't realize it was so much. I'm definitely glad we have insurance now. It took forever for my husband's workplace to find insurance that was affordable. We had it before but it cost almost $700 a month, and they only covered 50% until the out-of-pocket expenses were met. That was impossible because nothing ever qualified for out-of-pocket. Very frustrating. The one they have now, which has better coverage, is only $385. Much better. $20 co/pays for regular docs, and $40 for specialists. My husband has been getting treated for hypothryroidism and they have paid for everything except the co/pays...more than $3000 so far. He goes back next month for further testing. He's had 2 ultrasounds. The first one showed a lump, the next one showed 2 lumps. He had a biopsy done and none of the doctors can agree if its cancer or not. One says yes, one says no, one is not sure. Hopefully its not cancerous.
I've been a member of the stay at home mom's thread and we do a water challenge everyday. You're challenged to drink at least 64 oz. a day and do at least 30 min. of exercise. It helps out so much.
Well I gotta go. While the girls are in school, Nicole and I are going to the pet store to my kitty box necessities and some more food.

Morning to all my RA and OA friends! Praying for a pain-free day for everyone.

~chris

Good Afternoon Ladies just wanted to pop in and say HI! hopeing that your wednesday is a pain free one got one of those days where nothing is going right:frown: so will be glad when it is over for me so the rest of you have a good one Rita:dance:

Hi All!

Nice to see that we've got new people! Hi Doni! :). Glad to see that Joanne is up and posting a little...hope you feel better soon.....or as close to "better" as you can get!
All is well on my end.

Deb

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