Good morning Ladies hope that everyone is having a pain free day just got in from walking 8 blocks now I am ready to die didnt realize how out of shape I amCharlotte thank for the info about RA my wrist is always swelled on my L handdid get x ray on it and the dr said it wasnt broken tghen on my other hab\nd my knuckle on my hand is always swelled do know I have oa of the knees and hips so am taking meds and live with it I sure know what you are going thru with the roof when works needs to be done no one is around but let them have somethingthat they need help with that is a different story Ageoldie good luck with your test and may you have postive results had one several years ago and just glad that it was over quick!!!!!! well the rest of you ladies have a great day RitaRita

Hello gals, I'm having a bad time lately.


First off, let me apologize for not being more social. I was trying to do one of those Oprah change your life for the better weeks. Thinking the only thing keeping me from exercising more was just me. I don't know, but I'm really hurting and so weak.

I have been ignoring an issue for about the last year and a half --
I'm very fortunate not having to work. I'm only 31 but haven't worked since I was 26. My husband is an angel . He works at a job that wasn't his chosen career path because it takes care of us. He doesn't complain, but I know he probably wanted to have the career he studied for (meteorology). That being I used to have all the time in the world and more energy to work out and take care of my house, but I'm finding I can't do it.

I started out really well this week. I walked on my treadmill two days straight with 35 minutes on one day and 45 the next. Well, I feel like ****. I have noticed this has been happening for over a year now. I don't know what to do? I'm really, really frightened and saddened, because it isn't just about losing weight, but it makes me think I'm losing this stupid battle. I'm afraid I'm going to get bigger and bigger. I

I guess I'm just whining, but it seems like an evil cycle --- I need to move so I'm not so stiff and exercise is good for the body and soul, but after I've done I'm just drained and hurting for the next several days. I've got to get a handle on this.

The dreaded colonoscopy is over, everything was fine, now I can relax for another 5 years! And Angel you are so right, the prep is much worse that the procedure.

Okidoll, you really should find some water to work out it, it does wonders for your body. The days I don't make it to the water, I can really tell my whole body stiffens up.

Angel hope you make it okay with Ivan, and hope your daughter does not get too much damage.

Well, I'm sleepy again, so I think I'll end now.

I'm glad your test went well, Barb. My mom is getting ready to have her's done. She' is thrilled

gosh I just love those smilies!!

well, yesterday I decided to break it up. I did walk 15 minutes at 2.8-3.o mph on my treadmill
so ... i guess that is something.

Hello Everybody...I think of all the tests the colonoscopy is the worst. The prep is so awful, I just want to say no way . At least it will about 5 years befor I do it again...The older we get the harder it is..
I am having some surgery first week in October.. I will be losing some more of my female parts..More fun!
I hope you all are having a great weekend...Joanne

Good afternoon all. I just had to check in and see what the RA world is up to.

Okidoll, I hope you don't get to discouraged. Its funny how a couple of bad days can threaten to undo everything a person's worked so hard for. Maybe it would help to break it down a bit and walk for 15 minutes a couple times a day. There's no sense in overdoing it then paying for it for the next few days. I think that is possibly harder on your body than doing little bits at a time.

I'm to that point too. Things are starting to hurt more and I get some swelling and tender spots. My arm hurt for 3 days after I held my brand new nephew for like 20 minutes. I'm taking methotrexate and bextra. I'm maxed on both of them. Trying to hold out for February though. That's when my insurance will finally pay for treatment. Darn those pre-existing clauses. Then I'll get to try some of the newer stuff like remicade or enbrel.

Hang in there! Hope everyone has a great rest of the day..

Chris
( l like the dancing banana, don't you?)

Goodmorning Everybody..I hope your weekend was good. I ate out and we all know that is going to put on the extra pounds..I did some work in the yard last week and I am still hurting.. I haven'y walked this week and that is no ones fault but mine. The Dr. gave me a date for my surgery and the waiting is playing it's tricks on me.. I just want to get it over so I can settle down.I think all these storms here in Fl. has put everybody out of sorts..
Welcome Chrily..WW is a good program. I liked the 123 point system the best. It worked for me when nothing else did.The RA meds you are on will not help you in your journey to lose the weight. Just don't give up though. Stay on your program and try for some exercise daily. Water therapy is usually the easiest for people with RA or OA.
Bye...Joanne

chrily!

Thanks for checking in. Hope you stay with us. I hope the Remicade helps you as much as it does me. Maybe you'll get to start it soon.

Well, we survived Ivan. We had a power outage....& lots of kids here. We had a small birthday party for a 4 yr old granddaughter from South Al. When the others came, they got stuck here. That was fine, only nothing to cook supper on, or no place to sleep. We finally cooked the spaghetti on the grill...I had already thawed the ground beef, so I had to cook it. Then, for sleeping...we had to think of a way to put air in the air mattresses! If you're ever in a tight, remember, wave a garbage bag around to fill with air, then hold it to the hole on mattress & push the air in from the bag!! Didn't take many bags, at all! We had people everywhere, but, enjoyed being together. Daughter's house in South Al got damage. Large tree fell through garage onto truck..both are gone. Lost about 4 more large trees. There little town received a lot of damage. There motor home in gulf shores...stored out in the elements, didn't receive a single scratch! There's a lot of people in out community still out of power, but, ours is back on. It was a beautiful weekend.

Joanne...what day is your surgery on? Please keep us informed.

ageoldie...glad your colonoscopy went well. Take care of yourself.

okidoll...sorry you've been having such a bad time. One of the things we have to do with this disease, is to accept it. Realize your limitations. You can't exercise as much as you could before you got it. I can't exercise at all. My feet hurt a lot, just to walk across the yard, or wear shoes. It's not a death sentence...you can have a happy life...but, not the life you once had. I had to put a lot of things behind me...but, I picked up other things. I love the volunteer work I do at the TV Station. I love to sing. So, I concentrate on that. The fatigue is overwhelming sometimes....just stop & do nothing....when that happens. Do what you can when you feel like it. I use to worry, also, about what others thought, because they don't understand. But, you know what? They don't know my feelings...so I stopped worrying.
If you feel like walking on the treadmill, that's good...but, don't push yourself. You can lose weight without it, I did...last year.
I know what you mean about your DH. Mine is great, too. I feel guilty because I don't help more. Sometimes, even the meals are fast food I bring in, because I've been too weak to be up. I feel guilty because he's worked hard all day.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you're not alone. A lot of us are in your same situation. Don't beat yourself up for what you can't do. Just do what you can. Hope you're feeling better.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Good Afternoon Ladies hope your Monday is going well !!!!!!!!!Angel just read your post you sure made my dayand made me realize I need to be more thankful for the things I can doand Quit feeling sorry for myself!!!!!!!!!!!thanks Rita

Good evening. Had to check on all my RA and OA friends to see how you were all feeling today.

Okidoll-hope you're feeling better.

RAR-hope your day is going good.

Joanne-I'm not too familiar with water therapy. Do you have to know how to swim? Because I can't swim at all, not to mention I look horrible in a bathing suit. I'm going to keep up with WW and see if I can lose some more. My problem is I think I unintentionally cheat on it.

To the rest of you, I hope you all had a good day. Mine hasn't been bad. The calf on my leg is feeling funny again. I had a Baker's cyst that ruptured not to long ago, so I'm assuming my leg has the same thing AGAIN!

Barb-glad your test went well. I've heard so many horror stories about it. Horrible but a good test to have.

TTFN and sleep well, girls!

Angel- Oct 7 is the date for surgery.. I am trying not to get anxious.. I feel that it is just a problem that has to be resolved. I hope we all have seen the last of the storms..I love the rain but not the damage from heavy winds..I pray that things get better for you soon.
Chrily- Any spa can give you information on water exercise for people with arthritis. Sometimes with a Dr.'s order your insurence will pay for it..My dear no one cheats on their diet unintentionally..We all my be guilty afterward but I feel we know just what we are doing at the time..Inbed the word NO in your mind. Sometimes it helps to get all the foods out of the house you shouldn't eat. Don't go in the door of fast foods.Just some hints I hope that helps..
Rar - That is good advice for all of us..We all are in command of ourselves..I have been stressing a lot lately..
Hello everybody..Where is Grasshopper?
Bye..Joanne

Good morning...I took a walk this morning for 30 minutes. YEEAAAAHHHH!

Angel-what kind of surgery do you have to have? Hope I'm not trying to be too nosy. And yes I know...my cheating is intentional. I think that is the hardest part for me is to actually see the numbers in front of me with my daily points for WW and know that I'm not putting in 100% so the results aren't meeting my expectations. I would have to rate myself a D+ for effort and trying. Maybe an B- for lying to myself.

No aches and pains this morning. Another good day, I should say. My little girl was sick all night though and she's not breathing very good yet. I'm guessing she will have full blown asthma when she gets older. Right now the wheezing and labored breathing only happen when she gets a cold. I feel so awful for her...makes this mommy want to cry.

Okidoll-haven't heard from you. Kind of worried about you. Hope you're feeling okay.

Gotta go clean the "mansion"...(okay, clean the house)

~chris

Welcome Okidoll and Chris.

Sorry I haven't been around much, but had company and fighting this darn sinus thing. For some reason, the old FM decided to flare, so have had dreadfully sore feet and hands along with my arms. I think I also need a trip to the chiro, for the lower back.

Angel - glad those storms are past you at the moment. What a time. Angel, we need to call one of those home shows and have them come out to visit you. They would have it rebuilt in just a few days, with the manpower they have. Iknow it takes time.

Joanne - Oct. 7 isn't so far away. I know you will be just fine and probably feel so much better. Just take it one day at a time, and try NOT to stress over it.

Chris - dieting is such a terrible word. Lifestyle changes makes it better and it is actually what we are doing.

Okidoll- hope you are feeling better. Exercise is a hard one, when you are in pain. Aquasize or water areobics is a good exercise, but that also can be hard on the body. You just have to find the right thing for you and take it in SMALL doses.

Rita - nice to see you back. Hope you are having a good day. I agree with Angel's advice as well.

Okay, I have a little spare time to check in. I'm kind of achy in the feet today. And the fatigue is really really bad today. If I even closed my eyes, I'd be out like that.(snap) I'm doing okay with eating today. I still have 10 pts. to use on dinner tonight for weight watchers. Awesome.

I got the results of my blood work I had done last week. I guess my C-Reactive Protein is elevated above normal. It's supposed to be .8 or less and mine is 1.0. That explains the achiness. Other than that, all looks good.

Okidoll-Where are you? Hope you're okay. Please check in.

Angel-How's your day going? Hopefully pain-free.

Rita-Hope all is well with you too.

Joanne-Surgery day is approaching, huh? Have a great day.

Happy Canuk-hope your hands, feet, and arms are feeling better. I hate that when everything decides not to work at the same time.

To everyone else I may have missed, Have a great day! (and stay outta trouble)

~chris