good news! I do NOT have rheumatoid arthritis..just the garden variety osteoarthritis and some bursitis in my hip. The doctor said that 25% of women have higher than normal antinuclear antibody scores, but no RA. I'm one of them she said. Hooray.

Pam, the inflammation is throughout the body and must be CV related. I'll have to check this out more with GP because rheumatologist was "underwhelmed" she said. Laughing about that way to give good news.

Rhonda, I'm wondering if weight lifters usually have high "inflammation indicators" due to the normal strain on the muscles that lifting causes. Just a thought.

Rhonda, This is fantastic news.

I was outside most of the day shooting. Beautiful day! Tomorrow is to be prettier. Life is good.

Sloan, I don't know about that. I did tell her that I lifted weights and she didn't mention it.

I think I figured out the inflammation thing. The GP saw the antinuclear antibody score (ANA) and believed that it meant some kind of autoimmune problem, and the specialist is saying "no" I'm just one of those who test high.

The tests results are lengthy and complicated. I'll spend some time on the Mayo clinic site this weekend for sure.

I had a wonderful massage this afternoon. :-)

Rhonda, great news that it's not RA. Last summer I had that bad blood work that showed my liver counts were off. Worried since I take Lipitor and Niaspan, but a later test showed things were normal again. Do you think it was a fluke? Will they retest later down the road?

I had an eye appt this afternoon. He dilated my eyes almost 6 hrs ago and they are still not back to normal. I have the start of a catarac, some nerve damage in right eye, which may be nothing, or could be early sign of glaucoma. Said not to worry, he will keep an eye on it. My near sight is worse, far sight is better.

Hubby just showed me his glucose level, it's 65, he is feeling bad, need to see what is going on.

Pam, I'll be retested in 3 months. I am a member of a listserv of international drug researchers and I'm reading a lot about statins and women right now. You know, we are not well researched, and there's no excuse for it.

I hope things improve for you and your DH.

I just read a study saying that deaths from automobile accidents has now been surpassed by deaths from the misuse of prescription pain medication. Honestly, people are NUTS!

That aside, i'm looking forward to the new year and I hope you all are too.

Rhonda, I'm glad you are doing research for yourself. With your background in healthcare, I know you are well aware of the differences in the expertise of physicians. It is always best to self advocate. 2 1/2 years ago, I saw a surgeon about my hip who basically laughed at me regarding my hip pain. I left his office feeling very defeated. Last week, the physician I saw looked at my x-ray, did two quick evaluations of my hip, and told me what is wrong with me. He even said this has been going on for years, duh! I wanted to go back to the first doc and punch him in the nose. Missing the diagnosis was bad enough, but his treatment of me was inexcusable. As a nurse, I have always preached that we are the consumer, the doc is just a provider, and if we aren't happy with the service, we should seek other opinions. I am really mad at myself for not seeking help sooner. All that to say: you go girl! Keep reading and asking lots of questions until you are satisfied.

Pam, I hope you and your hubby are feeling better.

Rhonda, let us know if you find out something on the statin drugs. Curtis can't take them. He says they make him weird. I take Lipitor daily and haven't noticed any problems.

I go on Medicare tomorrow. Never knew I'd be excited about that.

We're going to a funeral this morning for a 99 yo lady. I taught several of her grandchildren and know her children as well. We may go to the river to fish this afternoon since it's supposed to be mid-70's today.

Ya'll have a terrific end of 2011.

Good Morning Chicks! I slept late and I feel wonderful. No PT or any appointments today; just dinner with my honey and some movies and maybe popcorn later. We always stay up until midnight on NYE. That's not that late for us anyway, since we are almost always up until 11 or 11:30 every night.

Rhonda, I'm THRILLED that you don't have RA! I hope you get to the bottom of what IS going on so that you can get some pain relief.

Sloan, I'm glad you share. I'm a great advocate for myself, much to some Doctor's dismay! I'm trying to get my husband to be better at it for himself and for me when I'm unable. What will they do for your hip?

Sandra, our weather is warmish for us at this time of year and we've only had 1.5 inches of snow so far. I'll take it.....but mid 70's would be awesome! Have fun later today if you go fishing. Sorry you have to go to a funeral. Not a fun way to end the year. Still and all, she had a nice long life.

Pam, I have taken drops for my eyes for over 10 years now because of high pressure. It's a small price to pay to avoid nerve damage. I'm surprised your Doctor is not more concerned about the damage he's seeing. Mine is always happy to tell me that he's glad we caught mine early because there is no damage. Just curious.

Nancy, how's the SBD going?

Jim got on the treadmill today. He was having a hard time getting his blood sugar numbers down. Wish I could walk.

No Mary Ann today?

I need to spend tomorrow trying to put everything away in my MBR. They did the punch list yesterday and I'm happy with nearly everything. Two things aren't perfect but I don't think anyone would even notice if they looked hard. I need new towels.....the old ones don't look right even though I have the same color in there as before and I need to hang the pictures.

Gotta go shower!

Happy Almost New Year!!!

GOOD MORNING AND A HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE LADIES

Woke up late as I had a bout with my hip and had to get out of bed to get the stiffness out. Now I see its almost time for dinner but I just eat breakfast so its going to be a strange NYE for me. Going to was my sheets & towels today,and get the house straightened up just in case I have visitors. Tomorrow after brunch we are going to see Mission Impossible Movie.

VICKIE-Sorry, I didn't post yesterday I had lots to do,Went out early to get my meds and some vitamins before walmarts got crowded.
Now I have a few minutes before my dinner is done. This afternoon I have laundry to do,and get my baking & food pantry cleaned out.


PAM-I don't know if I will be up for the ball to drop either. I think Dick Clark as this show on ABC. I'm just going to have popcorn and eggnog if I stay up.

SANDRA-My movie buddy Mary took her grandson to see We Bought a Zoo,and he was disappointed as he thought there 're more animals than what he saw.

Have to go,and start my dinner

HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR,AND I'LL SEE YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR


Have a great day

Vickie, I'll bet your new bathroom is gorgeous. Are you posting pictures on FB yet?

Maryann, I am not positive I'm taking the grands to see it Monday. It may be a little deep for the 9 yo.

We opted not to go fishing. I've been putzing around in the yard. Curtis is riding the mower. We're just enjoying the afternoon. This morning's service was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady and her family.

I peeked at the scales this morning but will have my New Year's WI tomorrow. Looks like I will have maintained since I began that Christmas challenge even though I started out losing. Oh, well, life goes on. (I'll be happy even if I just see a 1 pound loss and I won't be upset if I have that maintain. It was during the holidays.) Again.......life goes on.

Happy New Years eve chicks.

Sandra, sorry you had to end the year with a funeral, but 99 is a very full life. We have a beautiful day here too. It's still 75 out and almost 5:30.

Maryann, hope your hip isn't going to act up again. Enjoy your eggnog.

Vickie, we want pictures. The eye dr in KY quit taking our insurance, so I made an appt here in Florida. First time seeing him, so he has no history with me. He says it's not bad right now, and he will keep an eye on it. My insurance covers glasses every 2 yrs and exams every year, so I'll see him again next year. No other dr has mentioned this to me, so not sure if it's new or something pre-existing.

Oh yes, Sloan, I do research things as much as possible. But, as "consumers" we're at a serious disadvantage in terms of knowledge base and having access to information that can be trusted. At the same time, we do have to ask lots and lots of questions. And, I do. Regrettably though it is like a foreign language at times; you can learn to ask questions but understanding the answer can be difficult!

We're having spaghetti tonight, saving the ham and black-eyed peas for tomorrow.

We're having Jumpin' John tomorrow along with polenta corn pones. Would you believe CORE?