[Gus1234U]

[January]

Child, I hope your surgery goes well. I hope it's a wonderful success.

Shattered, I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. I hope it eases very soon.

Liz, I'm so glad you're staying home with your critters. Take care and please don't do too much.

Christina, I'm so glad you're home. I hope your hubby feels better and that the Dr. will be able to help him feel much better.
Please take care of yourself, too.

Kiya, that rhuemy sounds like a jerk. Maybe you need a second opinion. I have to tell you that I use excedrin for the pain.
It's the off brand. I can't drink coffee and neither should you, since we have colitis. Anyway, the excedrin helps. Also,
Coricidin BBP Maximum flu medicine helps. It's in a red and white box. I know I preach Coricidin HBP flu all the time,
but it really does work for about everything. It's kind of like duct tape.

Cake, what is happening with you? I didn't see a post from you. Are you all right?

Gus, thank you for the wonderful pictures. I really liked the bird. I looked at it for a long time making sure it wasn't a flower in disguise.

I've been sick for a couple days with some kind of gastro flare. This is only the second kind I've had like this, so something new is happening. I think it would be easier to just quit eating, but I know I can't.

My apartment is still a complete mess. My friend hasn't had time to help me and I can't put everything away alone. I can't even reach part of it!

[childofchaos831]

I am getting so tired of my mother completely disregarding my pain. Just now, she wanted me to sign a birthday card (for her friend) and I asked her for a pen, because it wasn't where it normally is. She said "then it's in my purse" which I commented about being closer to her, with a bit of annoyance. She got onto me about my "tone" and I just said I'm in pain and that's why I didn't want to have to go out of my way to get her purse when she could reach it. Her response, "enough already!"

I really hoped that being scheduled for surgery would convince her that there is actually something going on and I am actually in a lot of pain, but apparently not. Yet again, it's all about her. In the past, she's commented that she's in pain too. The thing is, she gets to lie around all day and take Norco, both of which are not options for me. All day today, she left her room once, only because I took a nap, because I was hurting so much I couldn't do it. Everything else she needed, I had to get her. She has actually said in the past if she could figure out a way that I could go to the restroom for her, she would do it. That is how lazy she is.

Telling her I'm in pain only makes things worse, but then not doing things the instant she tells me too is also a bad thing. I can't win. Nothing I do is ever good enough, and even good reasons why I am waiting aren't good enough. I have to do the cooking, the dishes, the trash, the laundry, but then God forbid I need to sit or lie down for bit because I am hurting so bad I can't breathe.

[cakeladie]

I am here. There is a lot going on. I don't feel well at all. Ina, also dealing with my daughter and her issues, ex husband and his issues and I just can't seem to catch a break or more then 2 hours sleep at once. I could screen. I really could or I could just sit here and cry.

Hope everyone is doing ok. I care for each and everyone if you.

[Kiya]

(((Wrapping everybody in great big, careful hugs)))

I've also been sick for several days, unable to keep food in. I am now eating oatmeal (GF) fo breakfast and then hard boiled eggs throughout the day. Finally my gut is holding together.
Yeah I kinda wanna smack that doc... "Take Prilosec for the gastritis from the Advil". Medicate symptom after symptom.
Hoping to get back into the fibro clinic I forgot about.

Been there with the mother who has all the demands I can never get right and who's pain was always worse than mine, even when I was booked for surgery. Totally get it :/ feel ya!

Take care everyone

[lizardlady]

Folks am going to be off line until tomorrow night. Hugs to all.

[Gus1234U]

(i have been moving everything out of "MY" corner~ so the Habitat people can get to things when they finally get here... thought shur i would die of pain, but it was only moan and groan )

[lizardlady]

Plans got changed - again! I'm home tonight. I will be able to access my office tomorrow. Staff is being let into the school to clean up and prep for the kids on Wednesday. I'm scared to see how bad the damage might be, but so happy to be able to go to my work "home."

[January]

Mothers who do not take care of their children stink! I'm so sorry that happens to both of you.

Gus, be careful when you're moving that stuff! Please don't do too much too quickly. You might have to make more trips, but please move it a little bit at a time.

Liz, I hope your school is not in too bad of shape and that you don't have to work too hard to get it ready. Please let us know how it goes.

Cake, you know our hearts are with you. I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time.

I went to the eye specialist yesterday. The Sjogren's has progressed so much that my tears no longer have the ability to fight infection. That's why my eyes are staying infected all the time. I am on an antibiotic ointment in both eyes for two months. I also had to order new glasses because my prescription changed. I found a reasonable, beautiful pair and it was still too expensive, so I bought an ugly pair instead.

in pain.

called the doctor today about it

can't come out until next week

so will have to struggle through weekend

(why are doctors surgeries always so ****ing full?)

[Gus1234U]

is it just me, or is everything getting harder and taking longer ?

[~Christina]

Saw my rheumatologist today. Since Arava failed for a couple reasons, having blood work prior to trying out sulfasalazine.

I guess it's nice to know that it's just not fibromyalgia but psoriatic arthritis also.

I don't want either dammit !

But maybe I'll finally get just a tiny bit of relief.

Mentally I just can't respond to everyone ,

Just know all of you are in my thoughts , please be kind to yourselves (((( hugs))))

[January]

Shattered, I'm truly sorry you have to wait so long to see the Dr. That stinks.

Christina, I'm glad you have some answers, but I'm sorry you have psoriatic arthritis. I have psoriasis, too, and my rhuemy said that the meds I'm taking cover it in case I've got it along with the Sjogrens. I guess it's a twofer. I took that med for years and it helped my colitis, so I feel it would help your problems. If you can get the coated tablet it tastes better, but either way, it's not bad. I really hope it works for you.

I went to the pain specialist today. He said the horrible shooting pain down my leg is bursitis from my hip! Who knew? I have to have an outpatient surgical procedure where he puts a shot in it. They won't let me have it and drive myself. I think they're nuts! He's going to use a fluroscope, (sp?) to place the shot.

I took my appointment book with me in case I needed to make a follow up appointment. The Dr. saw it and wanted to know what I had scheduled for the month and next month. I was shocked but showed it to him. He demanded to know what I had scheduled at WVU, why I went there and how I got there. He also wanted to know how I was going to get back there. I felt interrogated. I told him all about the tumor and Sjogrens being out of control in case it's all related and could almost see his eyes glaze over. I definitely saw his nurse's eyes glaze over. He was impatient and when I left, the nurses beat me to the elevator! I felt like I'd been abused, to be honest.

I then went back to the eye glasses store and told them I would not pay money for something I hate and have to wear. Another lady waited on me and we found a pair I really like for the same low price. I feel better about that.

I feel like I'm running full out and can't get slowed down. I was supposed to get bread today and totally forgot it. Tomorrow or Thurs. I need to take Belle into town to the vet to get her nails trimmed. It's fifteen miles one way into town and I hate the drive. It's got to be done though. I think I need a large bowl of ice cream, but I'm allergic to milk...

I am honestly surprised I've not keeled over

yesterday pain was so bad it felt like nails digging in to you.

not cool

really has an affect on my mood today

[Gus1234U]

[lizardlady]

It felt so good to get back to the office yesterday. Most of the mess outside was already cleaned up. I had to put my office back together after prepping for the storm. Got to check in with the people I care about to see how they fared.

Human resiliency amazes me. Every last one said they'd been "lucky" and "nothing bad" happened. These are folks who had roof damage and water in their house. One lady's husband is on oxygen and has one of those gizmos that sucks oxygen out of the air. The only way they could recharge it was to go sit in the truck with it plugged in there. Others had trees down, that sort of thing. Every last one considered themselves "lucky." I guess compared to other areas we were lucky.

After work I drove into town to pick up some chicken food and saw some of the damage there. I broke down in tears. It was not so much the damage as the aftermath of all the stress. It was like I could finally let myself cry.

Speaking of stress, two weeks of stress combined with the physical efforts of getting ready, then cleaning up, has triggered a fibro flare. I sat at my desk just rocking back an forth at one point today.

I think I mentioned this before, am not sure. My memory ot the last couple of weeks sucks. I know it's stress related, but still annoying. The agency I work for used to be a great place, not so anymore. They ordered us back to work the day after Irma hit. If you couldn't get to work (no gas, roads blocked) or had things you had to take care of at home you could use vacation days in order to stay home. The school system where my office is located gave all their people last week off with pay. Staff were asked to return to work Monday, but were told if they needed to go back home they could. Again with pay. Folks are having to take time off during the day still to deal with insurance adjusters. Once again, they get the time with pay. That's the human and decent way to be. PC's language censors will not allow me to use the language I want about our senior management, but let's say their parents were never married, their mother's were dogs and their heads are shaped like a man's reproductive organ!

[Gus1234U]

[Gus1234U]

[BlueEyedMama]

Thinking of all of you. I just wanted you to know that.

*Gentle hugs all around*

[Gus1234U]

the purpose of flowers is to produce seeds;

those of us who live on the edges of life must produce endurance.

[~Christina]

I'm a mess it's been 8 weeks ago tomorrow and I'm still in a rage .

My husband is on oxygen ( new thing) worried sick about his health and how this will change our lives.

I explode over everything, I've yelled at my poor dog twice today , I feel horrible for that , I'm snapping at my husband way too much.

I have had to backspace every thing I type on PC because I really don't need banned.

I'm meeting my daughter tomorrow night after her work , midnight , I'm hoping her bipolar self can help my bipolar self out.

I doubled my Valium , thus far no help , I might need to call my new Pdoc Wednesday if I don't find some relief , most likely go IP and I'm okay with that , I am a rage-y mess.

Oh yeah and I have infections in both my ears and can't hear.

Sorry for the rant !

Be kind to yourselves !

[Gus1234U]

[January]

Christina, I send you the gentlest of hugs and I hope so much your ears heal and that your pdoc can help you.
I'm so sorry you are hurting so much.

I am here. I went to the gastro yesterday. I go to the rhuemy today and then the new pdoc on Friday. I'll write and let you know what happens. I am desperate for help.

I love you all.

[Kiya]

Hi all, just caught up with everyone's posts. So much going on for every on! Wrapping you all in big hugs. I too am too exhausted to reply to everyone (and have a virus to boot), so while I'm itching at this full body rash (extra fun symptom), I'll say I'm glad y'all are safe from the Hurricanes, home, and recovering; I'm sorry so many of you are so ill and can't get in to dr's or Dr's are being stupid, I'm hoping everyone can get what they need and find a way to feel a little better. I care about you all!!
K

[jaynedough]

Hi. Not sure if I've ever posted here. I've lurked a lot. I've been really struggling with the pain issues I have and am almost bed-bound. It's scary.

I'm sorry so many of you are struggling. Sending gentle hugs and good thoughts your way.

I've posted the following insight elsewhere on PC, but it has helped more with the fibro and DDD. I'm posting it here, even though you probably either already know this, or it doesn't apply.

There was something I learned a few months ago. It might seem obvious to most people.

Some days are neither "good" nor "bad." Some days are OK. And that's OK.

When you have chronic illness(as), this can be easy to forget, but it's so important.