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Posted 4/8/2013 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone!

It's Monday smilewinkgrin yeah

Time to check in and let us know how you are..... how you "survived" the weekend..... and what you've got planned for the week ahead.

Hope everyone will take a moment to give an update.... and that you all have the best week possible tongue

Take care -- Tina
Posted 4/8/2013 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
The weekend was a tough one for me. Just as my broken ribs on my left side were starting to feel good, I've now broke ribs on my right side. Not sure what to do, they hurt like heck.

Today, I go to NIH for accupuncture and consult with pain management. They had my PCM take me off my muscle relaxer and boy are my muscles tight.

Thursday I go to get my markings on my left thumb, so that I can begin radiation treatment on my poor thumb. Sure hope it works, the plan is to do only one thumb at a time. Worse possible outcome, I get an infection that won't heal and they have to amputate the thumb.

That's it for this week, hope you all had a good weekend. Praying that you all have low pain levels and a great week.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 4/8/2013 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Friday is a big day for me, my RA appointment, wonder what he' ll think is causing the macular degeneration in my eyes, I was taken off methotrexate ( medicine treats RA) and my joints are so verysore and swollen I might ask for a steriod injection to get some relief its that hard on me right now and I' m taking extra pain meds. My low back pain is flairing so very bad, it starting my days at a 7, on that scale, gonna be lurking this week.
Sure hope everyone here gets low pain days this week.
Posted 4/8/2013 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
My friends condition is the same...this is a tough one, I haven't gone to see her still because she has been so sick and I have been feeling unwell and do not want to risk getting her sick...she has been unresponsive, other friends that have gone to see her have only bene able to stay a few minutes. It sucks. Please keep praying for her...

So...for me, overall doing ok...Have been having same pains and not feeling well on top so I have not been doing my exercizing. The flexeril is making me gain weight again, it always has this side effect with me, so I am going to try and cut it out for a couple weeks... I have a business trip this week, only a couple days so I should be fine. Not looking forward to the plane ride but I will bring a good book...

Sending you all positive thoughts...
Posted 4/8/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm hanging in there. Nothing new really. Depression is more stable so that helps me in coping with this never ending pain. Still waiting for a call for a surgery date.

Hope y'all have a good week.
Many Blessings.

Suzane
Posted 4/8/2013 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
you can see my separate thread about our Charleston anniversary trip.

it was great trip and lots of fun, and time with our daughter, but paying for it with extra pain today.

Charleston is a walking city, so its hard not to over do things, plus hard walking over cobblestones, broken and uneven sidewalks, etc. It's an old, old city for sure.

It was worth it though.

david
Posted 4/9/2013 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Finally had my appt today with the hematologist.... she was amazing! One of the best doctors I've ever seen. Examined all of my labs and so forth - and told me she didn't know how I've been functioning at the levels I'm at..... or how I'm even upright. Not only is my iron way, way too low.... my B12 is one of the lowest levels she has seen, plus my folic acid is low.

So - pending insurance authorization - I will immediately start iron transfusions.... B12 injections..... and oral folic acid.

She said it should help w/ my extreme fatigue, weakness - and the horrendous black circles under my eyes.

I felt encouraged and listened to! I know it won't solve everything.... but I'd give anything for ANY improvement!

I still have a long busy week before me.... and, honestly, I'm exhausted. I haven't been sleeping well.... and I'm just wiped out.

Take care all.... Love, Tina
Posted 4/9/2013 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
…been a busy last several days! Worked the weekend…had photo shoots for first communion at our local church. Mrs. Scream has been the photographer of this for several years…and since the business is almost sold (waiting on legal review of the contract)…and I believe this will be her last time to shoot it.

We had dinner tonight with Mrs. Scream's daughter and the two grandkids! My grandson just loves me! Wahoo!…so much fun to spoil them! smilewinkgrin

I have been struggling with our local Walgreens here..stocking the Nucynta…and I have had to wait for as much as week past the due date! mad ….well tonight was the last straw! My meds should have been filled last Wednesday…but they said they had to order them, and would be here by this last Friday. …and did they make it! NO!!!!….so I asked them how much longer, and they said Friday again!….I said Give ME My script Back!….you have lost my business…after playing this game for the last several months with them.

I went back to a pharmacy we had to use to get the Nucynta filled after Walgreens failed miserably….and had such a pleasant experience…I'm switching to them from now on! They treated me like royalty there! …and said they will make sure my meds are stocked on a regular basis. I was actually speaking with the head honcho there! I'm impressed!

Dr added Lyrica to the mix, and it seems to be helping so far. I have had some really decent days and evenings here…and have been much more active at home since I have been feeling better.

…now for some bad news!…Mr's Scream has been complaining of Lumbar pain for quite some time now…and finally went in to have it checked out. After a set of X-rays …her L5-S1…is pretty thin, and her spine is showing a little more of a curvature then should be. The disk is where the pain seems to be centered for her. The Dr is sending her to physical therapy to see if that will help. I hope the Dr will follow up with an MRI to have a better look at whats going on. I hate to see her suffer some of the same problems I have! cry ..such a lovely and wonderful woman! We are so much in love…and passionate about our feeling towards each other.

…cant remember what is on tomorrow…but we are extremely excited about getting to see and visit with one of our very own members here….Cogito! I can assure you he will be treated to Dinner at one of our finest steakhouses. Be hungry man! smilewinkgrin …and be "Thirsty My Friend!" LOL …I dont drink…bui just had to stick that in there! tongue

I hope the 2nd half of the week slows down a bit!…

Everyone have a great rest of the week!

SE
Posted 4/9/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Tina that is awesome news yeehaw, finally a dr that listens & asks the right questions. I do B12 shots and they really do help. My insurance will not pay for me to go into the office for the B12 shots. So, the dr writes a script for my little bottles of B12 & needles costs about $17 for 6 months worth.I have a neighbor that is an RN & he gives me the shots. I also have anther friend that can give them to me too. So, its really cheaper for me this way than if I went into the office for the shots.

I hope you can get all f this approved,you will feel so much better once you get started...Susie
Posted 4/9/2013 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
…Tina!…so glad you had a great appointment today!….you see!…prayer can help! wink

SE wink
Posted 4/9/2013 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
I had a great weekend. We just bough a new car so my DH, daughter and her partner went for a drive to the snowy north of Scotland. Snow in April??? What is happening to the weather. It was all lovely, scenery, company, food etc

We have my daughter and her partner staying with us as they are waiting for the keys to their new home. Really enjoying having them here.

My big thing is that I drove for the first time in about eighteen months. That felt so good. I was sore afterwards, but I was very nervous and that I am sure would cause some pain. I am hoping that will help me gain back some independence. My daughter will be living near me so I want to be able to drive to her house.

I saw my doctor last week. All is looking good. June fusion is not fused yet but showing sign of fusion. My December fusion isn't doing much but my doctor isn't worried, he says there is a faint shadow and that is enough to convince him that it will happen. Only downside is a problem at L5/S1. We are hoping physiotherapy will help, if not we will try injections. Surgery is a last resort....way way down the line! I have an amazing therapist too, one of the few who truly understands chronic pain.

All in all, life is good. A huge turnaround on a few months ago. Even my depression is better.

Hope everyone has a good week, as pain free as it can be!

Jane
Posted 4/9/2013 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all and forgive my short and sparse responses this week. The kindle is off being fixed and I am led with my phone which even with my new glasses I cant see. So my sons now in Florida with me and on the job hunt
I have Neuro appt today.


I've got a duodenal ulcer from the early years when all anyone would do for my pain was shove tons anti-inflams at me. Now I'm paying. Its been bad this week.

David so glad you had a nice anniversary.

I take B12 as part of my daily routine for pm. Its made a huge difference in the amount of energy I have and overall health.

Hopefully everyone will have a good week.
Posted 4/9/2013 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Tina, that's great news about your appointment.

I had a good weekend, though I overdid things a bit. I got my new wheelchair about a fortnight ago but because of my SCS surgery I hadn't really had a chance to really give it a good run. Saturday morning we went to the shopping centre a couple of towns over - and usually I need to be pushed because the floors though they 'look' flat to the eye are very uphill/downhill and usually propelling myself puts too much stress on my shoulders and tires me too much overall. I was able to do the entire shop pushing on my own and still feel well/comfortable enough to sit and watch a movie with my Dad on Saturday afternoon.

The last couple of days have been a bit rough. On Friday my left leg started breaking out a few new sores. Started antibiotics again on Saturday but it is now looking very infected - burning hot, very swollen from knee to toe even by normal standards...and so itchy/painful I could easily scratch it to pieces.

Feeling shocking tonight too - I had my flu vaccine today. I had a bit of a reaction to it last year but we decided I was best to have it because I'm prone to bronchitis and pleurisy. Within seconds my arm was swollen and I was itching all over. Antihistamine has settled things down at least but could have done without that!

Lots of appointments this week... I saw the ortho again yesterday. He suggested that we try a cortisone injection into my hip joint to see if it will settle the pain. He says if it doesnt work, the next step would be arthroscopy- thinks I may have a labral tear, but would be as reluctant to do any surgery as I am.

Tomorrow is my cardiologist - nothing big, just my 6 monthly review. Friday I'm seeing an ophthalmologist. My eyesight is getting worse and worse. I've been wearing glasses since I was 10 or 11 but now that I'm in my late 20's my vision should be becoming more stable - and it's not.

My really big news - is that I've decided to start my own business. As some people here know, I use a lot of art and craft stuff to keep myself occupied - I make bears, I paint and make cards, and I also discovered a knack for making nice soaps and things like handcream and lip balms. I know that I won't be able to get a job - my pain and other issues, especially sleep, are just too variable. My pain control is still incredibly poor, but I think I can make this work and I feel like I need to challenge myself. Wish me luck!!

Laura
Posted 4/9/2013 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Had a very busy weekend. I went for PT on Saturday. Had to wait approx one hour and a half before I got through. It was very busy. I dislike having to wait. Spent Sunday doing the usual chores-washing, ironing, etc. I even painted a room. Needs another layer though.
Didn't work yesterday. Spent it with the boyfriend. No major plans for the upcoming week. Just work. Have some relatives coming in for a holiday from Canada on Wednesday. I'm sure they'll enjoy the nice warm weather here.

Barbara, sorry about your ribs. Hope you got it sorted out and you feel better soon.
Chartreux hope your app goes well on Friday.
Suzane, praying that you get a call for surgery soon. Hang in there.
Tina, happy to hear the good news.
SE, sounds like you have a full week ahead.
Jane: Happy to hear you 'sounding' better :-)
Vickie: hope your get your kindle fix soon and hope your app went well.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead.

UA
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