BS: So that's why I feel like crap!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 02:59 PM

Refreshhhhhh

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: maeve
Date: 27 Jun 12 - 08:26 PM

Well sure- Tamara might want to post here or in the other thread, but she may also not wish to post...she hasn't done so, thus I imagine there's enough going on she may prefer to send a PM, or for that matter an email, to anyone she wants to contact.

I just want her to remember there are many folks here who can offer a listening ear, in private, should she want such a thing.

Got that, Tam?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 Jun 12 - 08:19 PM

Yes, that would be good, either on this thread or the one about your daughter.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: maeve
Date: 27 Jun 12 - 06:57 AM

Tamara, we haven't heard from you for a while. How's it going? Fire off a PM to someone here if we can offer support, eh?

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 23 May 12 - 07:19 PM

What a dreamnightmare! And it's obvious how waking up from it would feel even worse... Here's hoping you sleep better tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 May 12 - 05:56 PM

Those of us who live in northern climes find we usually need to take vitamin D supplements as we age. My doctor (on the basis of blood work) recommended them about 5 years ago and I've been taking them since.

Recent studies have shown (as I have suspected for a loooooong time) that full fat cheese and full fat dairy is not the problem to cholesterol levels they once thought it was and has other health benefits:

"Studies at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that 79 million Americans are on the brink of developing diabetes. Here's the good news for cheese lovers: Harvard researchers have discovered a natural compound in full-fat dairy that could substantially lower your risk of blood sugar snafus and even full-blown diabetes. It's called trans-palmitoleic acid, and Harvard's 20-year study shows that folks with the highest levels of this fatty acid in their bloodstreams have a 60 percent lower risk of developing diabetes, possibly because this compound helps muscles burn blood sugar more effectively. To do: Enjoy eight ounces of full-fat milk or yogurt, or one ounce of full-fat cheese daily. Bonus: In the same Harvard study, people who enjoyed a serving or two of full-fat dairy daily also had less body fat and healthier cholesterol levels."

Despite being from Wisconsin, I'm not particularly crazy about milk. (Although I've discovered a commercial organic full fat brand that tastes GREAT and isn't much more expensive than usual supermarket milk.) But there is NO life without cheese...and I eat it multiple times a day. (Multiple varieties, too.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 May 12 - 01:51 PM

Sorted things out with the line manager. We are friends again. I am not to worry about losing my job due to sick/disability absence. I am doing a fabulous job. Lyrica (prgabalin) defo making paranoid. She completely understood. Said not to worry about making certain the hubs are covered. No one will be penalised if a hub is not covered due to extraordinary circumstances such as illness.

Had terrible terrible nightmare early last night while dozing on the sofa. Lost my daughters. Lost both of them and was frantically looking for them. Andie (young adult) had not been in contact for weeks and weeks and I didn't know where she was and had no way of contacting her. Leaving messages with her friends.

Hilary (about 5 or 6 - which is weird because the girls were only 3 years apart) was missing from the house which was a cobbled together mish mash of the house they grew up in and the hose I grew up in. The house was in my old neighbourhood. Knocking on doors, checking back yards and old scummy pond/pool.

Utter terror. Couldn't find them, woke up gasping and shouting. Then reality hit me and it was in some ways worse than the dream. There is no finding Andie. She is not ever coming home. Shaken and sobbing for several hours after that. So did not properly go to bed until around 2am. Thank you sudoku.
Still sleeping very poorly with lots of waking up in pain.

Spent this morning shaking, crying, feeling unsettled, unable to focus on anything.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 May 12 - 12:59 PM

*and breath out*

Thankyou for clearing that up.. For the record, people with my own illness have a high incidence of suicide. I've been at high risk myself. It's something I'm somewhat sensitised too. Apologies if I took your post the wrong way.. Words can mean different things to different people.
Bummer about Yvie & Mike btw - was looking fwd to catching up! Tsk.
See you Mon or Tues x

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 May 12 - 12:47 PM

well that was interesting... NOT

100 mg of pregabalin last night and 50 this morning and spent the first 3 hours at work weeping uncontrollably. It was embarrassing that I could not get it under control. Not done that since Andie died. Not only was it embarrassing, it was scary. I felt afraid mainly of not being able to cope.

Around lunchtime was even weirder. Went all manic. Unable to sit still or stop talking at hyper speed. Calmed by 2 and then 4pm came the email from line manager. Report from my supervision last week. Advised that I take a course called Working Under Pressure. Now I am just fire breathing angry. I cope beautifully under pressure. It is one of my strengths. always remarked upon with admiration by previous managers. Called me unflappable and phlegmatic in the face of enormous stress.

This is utter shit! Well. I am just going to take my meds as prescribed and if this emo roller coaster happens again, I am going home and going to bed. I don't effin care if the hub is left uncovered.


Thanks for good thoughts.

CS Not suicidal. Just ready to give up, go home and carry on as long without medical care as my body will.
It is Jubilee Monday or Tuesday we are supposed to meet up. We are in Swansea this weekend with TSO's daughter. BTW... Yvie and Mike have pulled out of Piggies. Thank you for the breathing link. Saved to favorites and will send link to work.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 May 12 - 11:06 AM

A thought, Yvie might be a good source of advice where stress relief techniques are concerned. Might be worth having a chat with her when we see her?

It's also worth remembering that the nervous system can be like a strained muscle that needs proper soothing to recover proper functioning. Implementing stress reduction techniques can take practice and patience, just like the healing of a muscle sprain with massage and so-on.


http://www.livestrong.com/article/372808-guide-to-breathing-exercises/

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 May 12 - 10:55 AM

And now that you hate me, do you still want to get together this weekend? ;-)

Not quite sure where you were talking about though. I'd had a few birthday shandies..

Focus on the upcoming folk season, Pigs in a fortnight. There will be fun and friends and a break from the stress. Hopefully a space to stop freaking for a few days!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 May 12 - 10:47 AM

" in the interim between date of assessment and today, my pain and inflammation has increased. "

That's a legitimate reason to reapply.

"I am trapped. I just want to go home to Virginia to die now. That is all I want. I can't do this anymore."

STOP IT! Life can be difficult sometimes T, you've just got to suck it up sometimes. Indulging in death fantasies won't help, you, your daughter, or your husband, who loves you to bits!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 22 May 12 - 10:41 AM

Wish I could do or suggest something that would help...
The misery of your situation(s) makes my heart just ache for you.
Oh, for a magic wand...

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 12 - 05:46 PM

More seriously, is there no-one any use in your union who can take on your bullying management?

Is there no local contingency layer to sue your bullying employer?

Are you at least suing those French bastards who run the government's plan to drive all those disabled to suicide?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 12 - 05:41 PM

100. Where woz you Terry?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 May 12 - 05:19 PM

Virginia, I can't offer any advice, but I'll continue praying.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 May 12 - 02:41 PM

A sensible doctor, and there are many, does not prescribe dangerous drugs unless normal procedures fail (and the patient referred to specialists).

Leg cramps are common, not all treatments work of a specific individual. RLS (restless leg syndrome) often accompanies. Simple actions, such as more fluids, flexing muscles by walking or riding a bike, etc.- but they might be symptoms of something more serious. Sometimes Tylenol helps, but too large use of this over-the-counter drug can lead to severe liver problems. Good medical advice and follow-through are essential if cramps are seere or cause change in your activities or lack of sleep.

In our area of lack of effective sunlight (Canada), most general practicioners recommend that all patients take vitamin D supplement at the rate of about 1000 units per day.
Diets are often low in potassium, and supplements (bananas, sea salt, pickling brines utilizing potassium, etc.) are simple.

Methotrexate (for rheumatoid arthritis) has side effects, including nausea, loss of appetite (and in extreme cases loss of hair), bodily discomfort including leg pain, are warning signs that should cause the doctor to rethink his prescription of this drug. It has its uses, but side effects should be watched for. A good article is put out by the U. S. NIH- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682019.html

Also see Mayo Clinic summary, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020/tab=InDepth
The Mayo Clinic has published a good book on arthritis and treatments (many depend on your life style, not drugs).

(Cortisone shots have helped my hips, but could be useless for someone else, do not take my experience as applicable to you).

Lots of good data on the net about drugs and their side effects, from National Institute of Health, Mayo Clinic, etc.
But your doctor should have carefully instructed his patients about side effects of drugs that he prescribes.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 May 12 - 01:35 PM

So I failed the ATOS assessment. Unfortunately in the interim between date of assessment and today, my pain and inflammation has increased.

Pain clinic doc and nurse today said I must reduce the stress as it is contributing to increased inflammation and pain.

How?

Nothing I can do about my daughter's situation accept to keep sending her money.

Nothing I can do about the work situation but grin and nod and work my ass off to keep managers happy.

The last 4 months I have been covering for up to 4 colleagues including my line manager when she was out on leave for 3 weeks. Last week I got reamed in supervision for not prioritising tasks effectively. Some of my work got put on hold to deal with her work while she was on leave.

Scared shitless that if I miss work because of the pain then the hubs won't be covered. If the hubs aren't covered they will shut some of them down and make some of us redundant. My absence (even though disability related) almost lost me the job in December. Who do you think they will let go first?

I need the job to buy my daughter's medicines and help pay her medical bills. More stress.

I am trapped. I just want to go home to Virginia to die now. That is all I want. I can't do this anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 01:56 PM

ugghhh

ATOS medical assessment is on Monday 23 April.


ugghhh again

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 03:38 PM

JackTheSailor

There is Shop Mobility which you can rent scooter to help you get around the shopping centres and the High Street. Nothing else, unles I hire for myself. The council for which I work will not bear the cost. Oddly enough if I was on benefit I could probably get one through the council. But I can't store it in our 1st floor flat and already asked at my primary work place if I could store there. No room and would not be permitted to charge battery there.

So much for Access to Work.

In other STRESS worthy news

Paypal account hacked yesterday. Bank of Scotland account added, security questions and password changed, 4 payments (each for £121.00) made to different Easter European names and emails.
Called paypal, very helpful on the phone. Walked me through changing my security information. Stopped all transactions there but can't guaranty they won't come out of bank account yet. If they do they will refund. Sending 4 emails with case number one for each transaction. Use as proof to my bank if I become overdrawn as a result.
Bloody annoying and very stressful and is this a result of having new BT Infinity installed? Rep at Paypal said I should check to make certain that there are not others in our flats or near neighbours on the same IP address. Even more annoyance?
Hackers changed contact phone number on my account too by switching a few of the last 6 digits around.

Should I report this to police?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 03:16 PM

700 meters is not that far to walk. Its is a very short taxi ride. Perhaps there is an alternative. Here in the US, Medicare provides electric scooters to people with mobility problems. Is there a similar plan in the UK?

Medicare scooter

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 02:04 PM

Christ almighty I am so tired. Damned bosses at work won't provide taxi fare for me to get from compulsory meeting at one site in the morning to work at another site which needs cover in the afternoon.

Why can't you walk?
Because I have a disability which won't let me walk more than 40 metres. The 2 sites are more than 700 metres from each other.

Why can't you use bus?
Because the bus stops are more than 600 metres from each site. My line manager knows all this. She would normally provide the lift.

She is not available due to compassionate leave.
You have been dumping all her work down onto me for the last 3 weeks. Didn't you think I knew that?

Why can't you ask one of your colleagues to give you a lift?
Why should they pay (their time and petrol) to transport me from one site to another?

Why can't you provide the lift if you don't want to pay taxi fare out your budget? You are supposed to be at the meeting. Because I am going to your line manager's family member's funeral.

I am not paying out of my pocket to go from meeting at one site to the site(my normal workplace) where they need cover.

STRESS!

Hilary's sugar is going up again now she is out of hospital and her PCP is being a bitch about prescribing long acting insulin.

SSSSSSTTTTTTREEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!

My inflammation is on the rise. Range of motion in hips almost nil. Hands and wrists throbbing. Feet too. Can't get my bones warm. Can't sleep.

ARRRGHHH.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 01:44 AM

Jeez!..With all those nasty tasting 'remedies' god only knows how her stomach, and the rest of her will feel like!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 06:59 AM

Well I have been devout about all the meds and vitamins supplements. Only missed one dose of lyrica (pregabalon) but my RA inflammation has gone higher so dosage of methotrexate has been increased.

Still waking 3 to 5 times a night with pain. My hands and feet hurt terribly. Walking is stilted, hips still seize up. Using walker helps with feet and hips but kills my hands wrists and shoulders. Started wearing writs braces again.

Still no DLA. I think they forgot. Have Access to Work (fares to works for taxis if needed) and disabled bus pass.

I think perhaps the stress of Hilary's illness has exacerbated my illness. That and I am currently covering for 4 colleagues at 2 different sites at work. Go home every day worried about what did not get done. This is unsustainable.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Iona
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 04:04 PM

VirginiaTam:
Oh, that's awful, I'm so sorry! My mom almost died of it several times, too. :( You're right, sleep has a LOT to do with it.

Got adrenal failure? Sleep all you can, it will help them to heal .

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 03:43 AM

Historically for me swelling of the feet and ankles accompanied by occasional strobing vision and sparks and waking a couple of times a night with a painful and audible blood throbbing in my head have been associated with high blood pressure events. These are the symptoms led me to A&E a couple of years ago which then landed me in observation ward for a BP that was alarmingly high. Something like 214 /96.

This morning the headache was so bad TSO wanted to take me to A&E. Instead I had him brush my hair, I took all my meds and vitamins with fresh squeezed juice and then wrapped a frozen buckwheat neck wrap around my head. I feel quite a bit better.

Got online to find out if it is safe to take pain killers with Lyrica and found out that Lyrica can cause edema in hands and feet. Ahhhh! Perhaps that swelling is also in skull causing same feeling I had with high BP events.

Still going to do what Doc said and get a BP gauge to measure these weird events.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 08:54 PM

The P-Vine has been stuffing me with Vitamin D because I wear sun-block...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 08:45 PM

"Is edema in the feet associated with high blood pressure?"

It can be, but there are many other causes of edema. For that condition one should seek a doctor's advice because narrowing down the cause involves blood tests, medical histories, etc. It ain't a yes-no answer.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:40 PM

"Mainly the edema is back in the right foot, but some other familiar symptoms associated with high BP thought not terrible."

Is edema in the feet associated with high blood pressure?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:01 PM

Appointment with GP today. My vitamin D blood serum level is the lowest seen in his surgery to date. Normal is 50-140 nmol/L. Mine is 19.

It is true that Vitamin D deficiency just recently has been linked to so many problems. So no reason for me to be going off about poor care. This is a new thing.

My fear is that I may already have osteomalacia (bone deformity). I am finding rising from sitting and stairs very very difficult. My walk is much altered over the years.

On the upside treatment is simple and once we get Vit D serum level to normal range maintenance is easy. Though it can take months to get it up to normal and longer for the bone pain to diminish.

Pain was much less for a time but seems to be creeping up again. I am waking several times a night again. I think perhaps it was the Lyrica that was masking it well and now is not so much anymore. If this continues, I will talk to pain clinic doc. He seemed to think that I will need the Lyrica increased gradually until the Vitamin D is sorted.

As an aside the near loss of job just before Christmas, which turned into having 2 jobs in 2 venues has been putting more stress on me. 4 colleagues down (2 resignations, 1 carer for member of family and 1 going part time for 6 months until retirement) means there is more workload on me. This may be contributing to my wakefulness and increased pain.

To end with a bit more good news. I was worried that the methotrexate was causing my BP to go up again.   Mainly the edema is back in the right foot, but some other familiar symptoms associated with high BP thought not terrible. Doc took my BP today. 135 over 85. Brilliant!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 05:45 PM

So glad to hear your pain is diminishing and your health is improving! May this improved state of affairs continue!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:38 AM

Iona

My 23 year old daughter died of adrenal failure in 2005. 6 months later I started getting sick.

Forgot to add I am sleeping for longer periods with fewer wakings. Amazing how much difference sleep makes. :)

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Iona
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:26 AM

You guys ever hear about adrenal failure? My mother has it baaad. But she's followed the instructions of the folks on this site , and she's on the road to recovery, and now can leave the house without crashing afterwards!! Hurrah!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Crowhugger
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:57 AM

Hey that's wonderful news, VTam! I'm so glad I checked into this thread. Fingers crossed it lasts and lasts and lasts...
:-)

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 04:36 PM

Discovered on Friday and Saturday my joints can still predict snow. :(

6+ inches of snow on Saturday night :)

I couldn't go play in it on Sunday. :(

Friday used walker/wheelchair thingie to get around to hospital appointments and to town for eye appointment :)

Annoyed some people on the buses who were sitting in the designated wheel chair area. I got angry stares. :(

Even though today is National call in sick day and even though I was in lots of pain, I slogged through snow and slush (not really as TSO literally drove me door to door) to get into work today and got a lot of backlogged work done. :)

All in all, either the Vitamin D or the Lyrica is working (or maybe both together) as I rarely have the constant throbbing ache and I can now even press on the long bone areas with only a little pain. :)

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 05:05 PM

Good news, VT. I'm happy for you.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 04:48 PM

is it premature to change the thread title to

So that's why I am feeling better?

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 03:25 PM

I'm so pleased you're beginning to feel better VT. Long may it continue.
Charlie

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 03:05 PM

Raptor I am happy for your successful and productive experience with doctors.

I have been suffering and getting more and more ill for 6 years with a possible under / mis- diagnoses.

I am almost a month into the Vitamin D supplement and 2 weeks into the Lyrica meds and I am sleeping great and feeling much much better. My long bones are no longer throbbing with pain, though they are still tender if I press.   I was nearly jogging around work today. It is just wonderful to be able to move like this.

I still get very stiff after periods of sitting but it quickly dissipates upon movement. I do not wake feeling like I am coming down with the flu.

It will be interesting to see if the my blood results show any changes. They have changed little since first diagnoses of RA regardless of the dosage of the methotrexate to suppress my immune system.   

Hoping this is not a temporary remission and that the vitamin D is really working. Long may it reign.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Raptor
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 05:42 PM

Doctors brought me back from the DEAD this past year. I trust them more than the bitching old malcontent folkies slagging them around here.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 05:14 PM

Thanks Kat and others.

I will be looking at that juice diet thing this weekend.

Been sleeping very well the several nights. Yesterday evening spent singing (and little guitar playing as much as hands let me). I was just so up. Felt good.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 12:27 AM

ChanteyLass, thanks, glad it works this time.:-) I have already seen the effect juicing has had on me, besides losing weight. I had a wonderful visit with the kidney specialist, today. Posted about it in the decluttering thread. Really good news!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 12:02 AM

Mathematically (and maybe metaphorically) you're 1 over a hypochondriac, ChanteyLass!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 10:14 PM

Kat, thanks, that works, and I can understand they mix-up.

Everyone, reading the health threads has made me aware that Mudcat is a community. I love the way people support each other here. I continue to wish for healing for all of you.

Right now I'm pretty good--chronic conditions are "under control" and I have no new complaints. When I see a doctor (and I have many), I always hold my breath while he goes over test results, takes my blood pressure, etc. But once in a while a doctor asks me how I feel and I say fine. Then he tells me that my tests show a new problem! A hypochondriac complains when nothing is wrong. I must be the opposite of a hypochondriac!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Crowhugger
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 04:54 PM

»But I do feel my care has been a bit uncoordinated«

Lately I take a "human resources" approach to my health care:

I consider my General Practitioner, an M.D., to be my Vice-President of Health Management. My husband is sort of a co-CEO with me, although I am the senior partner of the two of us as far as my own health is concerned. I serve the same junior-CEO role for him. We both have chronic illnesses that can incapacitate, so it can easily happen that when we need to be our own advocate, we haven't the energy for it. Enter the junior-CEO.

Even though I respect my GP, he is only my VP--the buck does not stop in his lap, it stops in my life and to a great extent also my husband's, since he picks up the slack when I'm unwell (and vice versa). As CEO of my health I am the top dog, fully entitled to bring in whatever other consultants I deem appropriate, from various health professionals to Mudcat. That also means it is my responsibility to help them understand (even if they won't totally accept) each other's presence on my team, not always easy to do!

A GP probably should be quite on top of things--in the strictly medical world he is as much a general manager as anything, the one medical person who gets copies of all the specialists' reports. However I have had enough experience with the medical establishment to know full well that these people are just human beings. A family squabble at breakfast or a dying patient can mean mean bad note-taking for that day. So I always remind him of whatever I think is relevant to a given visit, even if he doesn't happen to ask me. Just in case he didn't read or didn't keep quite good enough notes. Fortunately, he is not one who resorts to blaming the victim.

As far as medical types understanding fatigue or pain or anything else, again, they are human--by which I mean: If they haven't felt it or at least lived in very close quarters with it, no they probably don't understand it. And I don't expect them to. But I DO expect them to BELIEVE me and RESPECT me. Unfortunately that can be scarce when it comes to non-cancer pain. Fortunately, I have a great pain specialist on my team.

Years ago my husband and I had the the same specialist, a jackass IMO whom I soon dropped like a hot potato because I found him to be a "medical chauvinist pig" -- he was inadvertently disrepectful of women in his practice. I know this because a volunteer position I held made me privy to a lot of talk that would never be repeated in public or in writing. Men found him to be a perfectly fine doctor. He was of a generation where many considered women to be 2nd class citizens who may speak only when spoken to.

Eventually due to some sort of illness this doc had to take prednisone and some serious time off work. When my husband saw him after that experience, the doc was a whole new empathetic individual! He had a whole new appreciation for both fatigue and the crazy side-effects of the wicked but sometimes necessary drug, prednisone. They ARE human. We all only know what we know, including health professionals.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 03:02 PM

ChanteyLass, that would be because I put the wrong name up for the website. Duh! *shakes head at self* Here is the Australian site which leads to others, I think, if not it's still got all the recipes, etc.: Join the ReBoot.

Donuel, that is wonderful! Reminds me of a church marquee sign I saw this morning: "God can make anything new, including you." (Of course, the deity of one's choice or not can be substituted.)

Bobert, you are a darlin'. Thanks, but I really am doing fantastic and losing. It feels so good!

VTam, hope you are doing better.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 10:23 PM

Hey, Donuel... 3 months ago my mom was blind and now she can read a newspaper without glasses!!! Just a matter about the correct eye drops...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 10:08 PM

The most amazing thing of all is that even my vision has improved by a good 50% over the last week.

The change is staggering. Perhaps its tmi but even the big O went from 70 to 100.

The only thing I can think is that some kind of auto immune disorder has disappeared or gone into remission or maybe an undiagnosed type 2 diabetes has come under control.

I am truly not bragging, I only want to impart that such rapid change is obviously possible. At first I was holding my breath that the improvements would pass. So far so good.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 09:04 PM

Aging sucks... Most of us are into the last half of our lives and, hey, in the words of Buddy Miller "No one told us about this part"... But then I talk with my 92 year old mother and go, "Hey, I'm not so bad after all"...

I haste it that any on my friends here are going thru anything... All ya' can do is be smart, be informed, eat right and get in as much exercise as you can...

Sorry, Tam... And Kat... If I could take it off ya'll I would...

"Put the load right on me"...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 08:47 PM

the wierdest most perplexing and profound thing happened nine days ago. I woke up with no headaches, neck aches, arthritis, sore hip, ultra frequent having to go or severe chronic fatigue. Its like I have instantly returned to the state of health I had over 10 years ago.

If I could bottle whatever happened, I would give you the first drink.