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.

I do hope everyone is feeling better. We'll all take a deep breath....& maybe tomorrow will be better!!!!

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 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

FOR JOANNE

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.

FOR ELENI

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. 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!!!

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

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 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!

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 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 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

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.

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!