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

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Folk singing Dr
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 10:18 AM

Sorry, iPad keyboard autocorrect crap and it posted without preview edit due to fat thumbs.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 10:38 AM

If you take a statin medication for cholesterol, you should be taking CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10)

I think if a doctor has read available studies on it, he'd agree.

I felt miserable, had I had weakness and muscle cramps, and starting CoQ10 was like a miracle.

I also take vitamin D. Even if I were to spend the needed amount of time in the sun, I'd need sunscreen, and I don't eat/drink enough vitamin D rich foods.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: bobad
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 11:14 AM

I take statins and my Doc told me that the evidence on CoQ10 is not definitive and since I don't have identifiable side effects I don't take it, chiefly because of cost - it's not inexpensive.

This from the Mayo Clinic site:

Can coenzyme Q10 reduce the risk of serious side effects from statin medications?
Answer
from Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D., Ph.D.

At this time, coenzyme Q10 is not universally recommended for preventing statin side effects.

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance made naturally by your body. As a supplement, it's usually sold as a capsule and is marketed under brand names such as Co-Q10, Coenzyme Q10, LiQsorb, Liquid Co-Q10 and Q-Gel.

Some researchers think that taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement may reduce the risk of serious muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis). And some small reports suggest that troubling side effects — muscle and joint aches — from statins might be reduced if you take coenzyme Q10 along with a statin. However, no large studies have confirmed this theory, so current guidelines don't recommend routine use of coenzyme Q10 in people taking statins.

Coenzyme Q10 doesn't cause side effects for most people. However, as with other herbal and dietary supplements, it's not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you have muscle aches or other troubling symptoms after starting statin medications, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Statins are effective cholesterol-lowering medications for many people, and it's important to do everything possible to continue taking them as directed.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 01:42 PM

WELL! Folk singing Doctor, you sound JUST like my bossy arrogant sister, (a doctor in Scotland). I've never yet been privileged to experience "the best efforts of doctors", the ones I've come across in my long life have all been like you, ie dismissive, critical and unsympathetic. How many ordinary folk have a "healthy diets that contain myriad vitamins"? Put up or shut up indeed! That is exactly the kind of utterance I'd expect from a doctor. Utter bollocks and shame on YOU!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Noreen
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 08:17 PM

In UK hip replacements are not usually offered for RA damaged joints
Really? I know someone with RA who has had both hips replaced- and several other bits.

From Arthritis - NHS choices:

Hip replacement is the most effective treatment for a hip joint that causes pain and cannot function properly. The most common reasons for surgery are:

Osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when connecting tissue between the joint is damaged, causing bones to rub together painfully.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This is caused by the immune system attacking the lining of the joint, resulting in pain and stiffness.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: andrew e
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 08:40 PM

I like this website.

Natural Health News

http://www.naturalnews.com/

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 05:23 AM

I am not on statins. My cholesterol is not terrible given my age, weight and general unfitness. I was told the best treatment for it is exercise. I am not on blood pressure meds. Last 2 checks of blood pressure were good. Best treatment to keep it that way, again exercise. Told to come back in 6 months for another check, unless I started feeling bad again, which I am because the methotrexate dosage has been increased and it is building up toxicity again.

My diet is pretty damned healthy since the variety of fruit and veg is so good and available in UK. It was not so good in the US as supermarket fare was pretty crap and expensive compared to the income I had to spend on food.

Breakfast is either muesli or cornflakes with skim milk and fruit. About once a month I have whole meal toast with teaspoon of organic peanut butter. Cooked breakfast (eggs, mushrooms, toast) never happens more than twice a month, weekend treat. Bacon or sausage is a once or twice a year treat.

Weekday lunch is 2 raw carrots, 2 celery stalks, 4 inches of cucumber, 5 cherry tomatoes and a handful of grapes every day supplemented with other fruit in season and either light soft cheese on Oat Nairns (no more than 4) or a bit of roast chicken or turkey. Unless I have made homemade chicken veg soup. Then it is only the fruit that supplements. I usually miss lunch on the weekends because I have breakfast late.

I live with a vegetarian so weekday dinners are typically vegetarian. I am not big on cheese but do like Quorn products. Use extra virgin olive oil or cholesterol busting spreads. Rarely have butter in or on anything.

My favourite drink is ice water (lots of ice). One coffee per day. 0 to 2 cups of pepperment tea per day. Red wine or real ale about once a month. Occasional juice. No soda. No squash.

My partner likes chocolate so the rule is he can only have Cadbury Turkish Delight or Cream Eggs in the house, both of which I find vile. He buys crisps for lunch. I am not big on salty snacks so this is no temptation for me.

My diet is pretty good quality and quantity wise.

I do have sensitivity to sun thanks to all the meds I have been on. I get blistery hives, so when I am out, I must cover up.

I am sedentary because well to put it bluntly it hurts to move. My feet and ankles feel fused, locked in position. My hips seize up within in 5 minutes of walking. I have a walker which when I use causes pain in the shoulders and wrists. Also being in constant pain, I usually don't feel like doing much of anything. The simplest tasks exhaust me. As a doctor I am sure you understand fatigue and its relationship to rheumatoid arthritis?

I was told by my RA nurse that joint replacements are an unlikely option because the disease would just attack the tissue around replaced joints. Though I have heard of others getting joint replacements with RA.

My RA consultant doesn't see me for a couple of years and then tells me off for taking a break from the methotrexate when it clearly shows in my records why I was taken off. Increased liver enzymes (her own colleage told me to stop taking it) and high blood pressure, angina and palpitations which (3 times now) gets unmanageable as the metho builds up in my system. Symptoms which magically fade when I am not taking it.

Am I missing something here or are the professionals, monitoring my care, missing something? Sorry to be such pill, but then I am full up with them.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 06:17 AM

I thought that the put up and shut up attitude was a thing of the not so distant past. Sometimes I think that some doctors (not all) are on a planet of their own and that we really haven't got anything better to do in our day than trying to find a proper answer or diagnosis to our problems. They seem to forget that people have individual lives and have all sorts of different situations like mobility, family worries or finance to fit around their illnesses. My reaction sometimes is to just not bother to go to a doctor at all but then if something cropped up my family would not be very pleased with me for not going.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: Musket
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 12:32 PM

What have I learned from this thread? Possibly that some people reckon all doctors are bossy and arrogant. I'm married to one and she is bossy, but instead of being arrogant, I would say she is infuriatingly correct, even though at times I might not wish to hear it.

Doctors do have the problem of not always being heard or their evidence based advice being compared to an airhead in a beauty magazine who says something different. I don't blame the vast majority for not wanting to debate nonsense. Either something works for you or it doesn't. Ben Goldacre in his many newspaper articles and his excellent book Bad Science points out that placebo effect is about 20% Which means even if something that is moonshine such as homeopathy, one in five people will get a positive effect from it.

If Patsy feels not going to see a doctor is the answer, I would agree. After all, a doctor is interested in your healthcare needs, not your unfulfilled aspirations.

I drink more than I should, eat a little more than I should, and not always of the healthiest items, and exercise? Well, I could do better. I feel OK. I really do. But, and this is the important bit; the advice a doctor would give me to change my lifestyle is still good objective advice, even if I might not want to heed it.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: foggers
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 01:29 PM

I would be the first to defend the NHS in UK; our own recent experience of serious illness led to a procession of health professionals in our lives, ALL of whom were great. I say that in the context of understanding the pressures and limitations faced by health practitioners from paramedics, hospital based staff, our GP and practice nurse.

We have free health care for major conditions and free advice on other health issues such as smoking and weight loss. Compared to other parts of the world we are most fortunate and we should be fighting to keep our NHS a public service, rather than criticising NHS staff who maybe don't know everything we believe they should, or who may occasionally present as inattentive\arrogant. (In the same way that some folkies live up to the stereotype by having long hair and ethnic fair trade clothes!). The NHS is not perfect (nothing is) but I'd far rather have it than not.

And I don't interpret VT's experience as a critique of the whole NHS; it is one person's narrative of their health issues; and I am glad to hear of some early signs of improvement!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 01:57 PM

I still have hope I am going to beat this disease. But I do feel my care has been a bit uncoordinated.

I have had seriously high blood pressure events. One that landed me in hospital observation for 6 hours and got me referred to a cardiologist. Discovered angina and palpitations and tiny bit of sluggishness in lower left quadrant of heart. The high BP, angina and palpitations cleared up after coming off methotrexate, twice now. I have been tried on about 4 different BP meds which caused reactions the worst being raised liver enzymes. Starting to get the palpitations again as I have been back on metho and increased dosage for about 8 weeks.

I guess I find it a bit annoying that my consultant (who tried to get me to see her privately, implying I would get better care) didn't bother to check my notes to see why I had come off the methotrexate, before she started fussing at me for it. It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Today I had pain clinic review with nurse who after seeing results of my vitamin D test asked me to wait to see clinic doctor. I have been informed that I will have to take daily vitamin D supplement for the rest of my life, different dosages and have regular blood tests. He will send letter to my GP and warned me that the GP probably will not pay for the supplement, so I will have to. No problem. I can do that.

He also prescribed something called Lyrica pregabalin for neuropathic pain. One in the morning and one in the evening. Oh goody. Yet another pill.

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: foggers
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 02:37 PM

Yes I think the biggest problem people experience with health services comes down to the issue of coordination between different departments etc. I hope that someone in the team around you takes hold of the situation, looks at your history, the interactions between your health needs and the various treatment options, VT. Fingers crossed for you!

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 02:52 PM

Vtam, I haven't been in here for awhile, but have read your last two detailed postings. As you may know I have had a ton of health challenges over the years which have made it very difficult for me to get up and move because it hurts too much. That's the least of it, but does have a profound effect on everything else which needs mending.

One day I was really scared and down about what was going on with pulmonary hypertension and chronic nocturnal hypoventialation (not breathing in and out deeply enough and filling up with CO2.) That's being addressed and getting better, BUT one real change which had to happen for me was to figure out a way to lose weight.

That day I was so down, I went to Netflix to watch something just to get my mind off of things for a bit. One of the first random suggestions to come up was a docu made by an Australian called "Fat, Sick, And Nearly Dead." It felt as though the Cosmic were sending me a message, so I watched it. It was inspiring, full of important nutritional information AND,, most importantly for me, it made it easy to change my diet for the better. I lost 3.5 lbs the first week, safely, still eating regular meals. All I added was up to 32 ounces of juice extract from fresh fruits and vegetables. He had one visual which really worked for me: a large platter filled with the recommended daily intake of fruits and veggies. It was huge. Like you, I thought I was being so good eating celery, carrots, etc., but, as the docs and nutritionists in his film show, that is not nearly enough to get the micronutrients our bodies need. When he showed that platter, he laughed and said there was no way he could eat all of that in a day, nor could I, BUT by getting a juice extractor, it becomes a fairly easy and healthy task.

Since I started, I have had more energy than I've had in years and I *crave* the juice instead of the bit of chocolate or whatever I used to. My docs are amazed at how much better my colour is and I continue to lose weight which can only help everything else.

IMO, every health professional and anyone who is interested in good nutrition, skinny, fat or in-between, should watch it. It is highly entertaining and fun as well as very informative.

One woman who might have needed to lose 10 lbs at the most, said she felt 21 again. A trucker who started out at 439 lbs and on scads of meds lost 202lbs, got off the meds, and is now helping others to turn their lives around with good nutrition through juicing. They have a free website with recipes for soups, smoothies, and juices, at www.ReBootYourLife.com. I hope this is helpful and you get a chance to watch the documentary.

With all good wishes,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: So that's why I feel like crap!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 05:14 PM

Kat, have you been to that website lately? I just tried and apparently that site "may be for sale."

VTam. I've been following this thread but not known what to write. I have no advice to offer. I hope you find a solution to your health care and health problems.

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.

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 - 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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,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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 12 - 05:41 PM

100. Where woz you Terry?