NAKED JOHNNY DEPP PICS!! I wish! Actually, I'm sick and need advice...

[peggyb]

People, I could use your expert advice. I myself love to read through the threads and see if I can give advice to anyone, now I need yours. I'm in a downward spiral and need to break out of it. The week before Christmas, I got sick with a cough and laryngitis, saw my Dr., took my meds. That's all better, but I am suffering from crippling fatigue and pain now. It seems like every muscle and bone in my body is screaming with pain. I have gp, pa, and fibromyalgia. I have limited insurance, my husband's out of work, and I haven't worked in almost two years due to my chronic illnessess. I've been tired ever since before Christmas, but it seems to get worse every day. I get up and try to do some things around my house, or try to get out to shop or whatever, but the fatigue and mind-numbing pain take over quickly and all I want to do is lay down and sleep it off. I've been sleeping between 9-14 hours a day, and although people with our condition do need extra rest, I think this may be too much. It's made me depressed, so that's another hurdle I need to jump over. It hurts just to sit here and type. In the past, I've just given in to the feeling and waited until I felt better, but this isn't the way I want to live. I don't want to spend most of my life waiting for bad feelings to pass. My husband is going back to college next week, and I need to take care of my son and my house (he's been doing it all for weeks).

So, what do YOU do when you're in severe pain, you're depressed, your joints are swollen and achey, your skin hurts to touch it, and you're overwhelmed with fatigue????? How do YOU get over it and move on?

All suggestions will be welcomed and considered!!!

[ouchyk]

Peggy,

Love the title LOL...gentle hugs to you while you go thru this flare. I hope it's short lived.

What I would do is call my doctor to see if it's possible that the infection is still active and let him/her know how your feeling. And ask for pain medication!

What are you taking for your P/PA/fibro?

Karen

[peggyb]

Glad you liked the title! I was hoping it would get me a little more attention!

My derm gives me free samples of Dovonex, Clobex, and Protopic. I don't see a rheumy right now because I can't afford it. My GP has given me vast amounts of Soma for muscle pain and Vicodin. I try like crazy to eat well, but chocolate is my downfall.

I can't even think clearly right now. (Don't blame the Vicodin, I haven't had any yet today.)

Johnny, where are you when I need you????

I had a major role in our Civic Theater's Xmas production, baked, shopped, went to many different xmas gatherings. I can't stand knowing I'm going to have to pay for all of that with excrutiating pain. Other people have fun, get tired, get over it, get on with it. I can't even remember what it's like to be "normal", it's been so long. How do YOU get on with it?

[Jillian1507]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going thru a tough time right now Peggy. Sometimes when my p is really showing (like on my face - which is horrible and embarrassing) or really itchy (like on my scalp and I have "snow" coming from my head) I get so depressed. I just want to be NORMAL. I wonder what I have done to deserve this - it's a pity party for me. Other times, when I'm more strong and willing to beat this, I think that things could be much worse for me, right? Who am I to complain when people have life threatening cancers, Lou Gehrig's Disease, etc. I pray everyday for myself and all of my fellow p's that this will just go away.....Keep your head up and post anytime you need us - we're all here fighting this craziness together!

[Gemstar]

Peggy,
Johnny Depp????You got my attention!!!! Do you know him personally???

Sounds like you might have "overworked and overloaded " yourself.
I hope that the play was a success for you but with all the Christmas activities..the play... the shopping...the baking... and so on it is time for the body to rest and if you don't - it will!!!! Lots of type of viruses going around right now unfortunately. I have a cold and my husband does too but he is otherwise healthy......so I am the one who is saying to him, "Does your body hurt?" and he says, "no",so I know that its the Fibro. Plus the virus has flared the p and the pa!!! Just sharing....I know how you feel.

Have you been checked for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Epstein Barr virus lately or had blood work done? I have p, pa, and that darn fibro, too, and I know how you are feeling. It is bad enough with the p and pa and put fibro on top and you have one big overload. It is not surprising that you feel depressed. When your body aches all over and your skin is so sensitive to the touch it is like ever nerve fiber is screaming. And that is hard to explain to anyone.......and it does effect us emotionally.
It must be difficult with a little one to take care of. Do you have anyone that can help out besides your husband? Anyone family or people from your church group that might help you out for awhile or just spend time with you so you can talk? It might help with the depression.
I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and I wanted to say that I respect all that you have accomplished with the play and all. It is people like you and so many others here that keep me going....people that struggle with so much yet don't give up..........so hang in there. PM me if you need to talk.

[baldwin123]

Hi Peggy,
I hope you get through this flare too... Its very frustrating to be unable to do the things you need and want to do because of how your body is feeling, and so frustrating to have the choices you make dictated by how you are feeling... but just know you will get through this flare and things will get better... its too bad you can't see a rheumy to help with the conditions, but I would definitely call the doctor, and tell him how you are feeling, give yourself permission to sleep and rest as much as possible before your husband starts school (you would be doing for him if the shoe were on the other foot), and look over your schedule for next week and see where you might need help from friends/neighbors if that is possible. That is probably how I would try to handle it. I was sick early in December, and I can say I am still feeling out of whack. It is very depressing that I didn't get Christmas cards out for the first time ever this year, my house is crazy and unorganized, so I can't say I have handled it as well as I would like, but the reality is, I have done the best I can, the kids are fed and clean, I have managed to work and get by! I hope you are feeling better soon, but you can't rush how fast your body will recover from the infection you had. Forgive yourself for needing help, and know it won't be always...
On another note, could your derm give you a med like enbrel or humira which might help with the PA as well as the p? There are assistance programs which can pay for these meds, if appropriate, and maybe they would help... it would be best if you could see a rheumy to consider the best meds for the PA, p and fibro...what does your derm recommend?
Take care, and have a good weekend!
Jen

[evergreen]

I would suggest doing daily stretching exercises like yoga or yogo-late's (yoga/pilate combo)...

[peggyb]

Thank you, everyone, for being so kind. And thank you all for recognizing the amazing man that is JOHNNY DEPP!!! I mean honestly, have you ever seen cheekbones and bone structure so beautiful on a man in your life???? When I was studying theater in college, I was voted "Girl Most Likely to Co-star in a Movie with Bill Murray!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Ok, back to the subject at hand. I have not been checked for Epstein-Barr virus for about 8 months now nor have I had any blood testing for anything else. What can be done for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? I was always lead to believe, "not too much." I want to take care of myself and see my doctors, but I feel so damned guilty about the money. I haven't seen a rheumy since April, and at that time he had given me tons of info on Enbrel (which I hate, sorry to all those it works for), Humira, and Remicade. I was most interested in Remicade because I hate needles, so we decided on that. Then I checked on the price. WOWZERS!!! I was told I'd need six vials at a time at $1000 a vial. Then we found out my dear hubby's company was going bankrupt and shutting down, so that was the end of that. I'm a person who hates beaurocracy, paperwork, and stress, so I've been lazy about looking into assistance for paying for drugs. Is anyone out there getting assistance for getting their prescriptions? If so, can you tell me what you had to go through? I know I can look up past posts on this, but honestly, I can't sit here for very long at a time, not yet. I HATE THIS STUPID DISEASE!!! IT'S TAKEN ALMOST EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME!!! Right now, my ability to concentrate most of all...but I had a massage today, wow, who doesn't love that??? I'm very interested in Pilates, is it horribly painful? Ok, I can't remember anymore why I'm even writing anything. Were we talking about Johnny? I'll bet he smells like cigarettes and wine and it smells great on him...

[ouchyk]

Peggy,

Remicade has been very helpful for many people. I'm hoping that someone who has rec'vd assistance will come along and post.

Perhaps you can enlist some help in filling out the forms? Maybe your doctors would be instrumental in doing this, the rheumy in particular, he has to write the RX..

Remicade
Centocor
www.remicade.com
888.779.9769

http://www.centocoraccessone.com/

I have not done pilates, but I do many stretches and exercise daily mostly what my PT has shown me so I don't hurt myself. ( I'm not very co-ordniated ).

DocMK has a lot of good information on Fibro and CFS etc hopefully she will be along in a few days to post the dx work up process.

Take care,
Karen

[baldwin123]

I have gotten assistance for Humira... it wasn't that hard to fill out the forms-different company, but basically it was just giving insurance info and proof of income (2 pages if I remember right)... and the doctor has to state your diagnosis and recommendation for this drug (page 3)... Once the forms are in, it goes through a reveiw process and they verify your insurance coverage,and financial eligibility and then tell you whether or not you are approved. In my case, I have to exhaust my prescription benefits,(which isn't hard with the cost of humira- I have a $3,000 cap on prescriptions, and it is exhausted after 1-2 months). Once I have no prescription coverage left I can begin to receive it through the assistance program, and that part is very easy, they send a 3 month supply directly to the house. It has been a really helpful program and I could not have afforded humira without it so please look into the assistance programs if cost is getting in the way of considering a biologic. :) Take care, and pm if you have any questions!
Jen

[docmks]

Hi Peggy,

I am traveling cross country right now, but saw your post and wanted to lend some support. I have the same slew of conditions that you talk about and I am so sorry that you are having such a bad flare right now. Hang in there!

I have PA in most joints, especially SI, R hip, ankles, joints of hands and feet, lower back. You name it. I am also prone to P flares on ankles, hands, etc. And I've been diagnosed with fibro, and chronic fatigue. A couple of things to think about. I have had some success using an antidepressant that also is effective in physical pain. The one I use is Cymbalta augemented with another one, Wellbutrin SR. Also, I have problems with hypothyroid; an fairly sizable number of people with PA and P also have thyroid problems. Be sure that your thyroid levels get checked if you haven't already.. Having a counselor/therapist is important for me dealing with my illnesses and chronic pain. I know that you are having some problems with finances and this makes it really hard to get this type of health, but it has made such a difference for me. Many communities have mental health professionals with sliding fees, you can begin by calling the local mental health association and asking for referrals. It's important in getting someone with a good medical background who is expereinced in working with people with chronic illnesses.

I wish you all the best, and I am glad that you have come to join us on the boards. We are glad you are here! Hang in there. We'll help you get the support and hopefully help that you need.

All the best, MK



People, I could use your expert advice. I myself love to read through the threads and see if I can give advice to anyone, now I need yours. I'm in a downward spiral and need to break out of it. The week before Christmas, I got sick with a cough and laryngitis, saw my Dr., took my meds. That's all better, but I am suffering from crippling fatigue and pain now. It seems like every muscle and bone in my body is screaming with pain. I have gp, pa, and fibromyalgia. I have limited insurance, my husband's out of work, and I haven't worked in almost two years due to my chronic illnessess. I've been tired ever since before Christmas, but it seems to get worse every day. I get up and try to do some things around my house, or try to get out to shop or whatever, but the fatigue and mind-numbing pain take over quickly and all I want to do is lay down and sleep it off. I've been sleeping between 9-14 hours a day, and although people with our condition do need extra rest, I think this may be too much. It's made me depressed, so that's another hurdle I need to jump over. It hurts just to sit here and type. In the past, I've just given in to the feeling and waited until I felt better, but this isn't the way I want to live. I don't want to spend most of my life waiting for bad feelings to pass. My husband is going back to college next week, and I need to take care of my son and my house (he's been doing it all for weeks).

So, what do YOU do when you're in severe pain, you're depressed, your joints are swollen and achey, your skin hurts to touch it, and you're overwhelmed with fatigue????? How do YOU get over it and move on?

All suggestions will be welcomed and considered!!!

[peggyb]

I've thought about asking about Cymbalta, it looks intriguing. I take Wellbutrin, just stopped taking Zoloft, take a little Xanax once in awhile. Yesterday I went shopping at a large megamart, and I broke down and used the electric cart-hadn't used one since my leg was in a cast a few years ago. So am I correct in guessing that this after-holidays pain and fatigue is not uncommon amongst my fellow sufferers?

I just want last August to come back...without changing one single thing in my routine, I started clearing up and loosening up and feeling fantastic. Honestly, I hadn't felt that good or alive or young in YEARS. It lasted until about mid-October. At the same time I started feeling better, I met a wonderful friend here on the forums (you know who you are, don't you?) that made me feel fantastic and beautiful. Why does God do this to us?? Why do we have periods of time when we feel human, only to have it taken away and replaced with pain and despair? Why am I a fabulous, gorgeous Diva one day, and a crippled up disgusting mess the next???? Having little to no control over this makes me insane............

[ouchyk]

Peggy,

I don't know why we have the rug pulled from under us.

I do know what you mean. Been there ( on prednisone and cortisone ) and felt the best I had in a few years only to find myself sliding backwards once again...Even when in pain, I bounce back. You will too.

All you can do is keep trying to fight back with everything you have and keep the faith that something will work. Find things that make you happy, it can be something little, like shopping, even if you have to use a scooter..what an adventure. I wouldn't even know how to use one and would probably be running over people in the store. :p

Try to find one positive a day, and focus on things that you can do. Even if it's getting dressed or driving a scooter without hitting anyone!

Some days all you can do is take it one hour at a time, or ten mins at a time, one min at a time...

I just moved in Nov-Dec talk about stress :eek: & post holiday flare!! YIKES. I think that we all tend to overdo during the Holidays...

Next year we can start the tips early for entertaining, shopping etc.

In the meantime, Start planning to come to Las Vegas in August for the conference.... lol....that would be something wonderful to look forward too!! I'm pretty sure scholarship will be available.

Hang in there, & to quote Diane " it will get better "

Karen

[docmks]

I've thought about asking about Cymbalta, it looks intriguing. I take Wellbutrin, just stopped taking Zoloft, take a little Xanax once in awhile. Yesterday I went shopping at a large megamart, and I broke down and used the electric cart-hadn't used one since my leg was in a cast a few years ago. So am I correct in guessing that this after-holidays pain and fatigue is not uncommon amongst my fellow sufferers?

I just want last August to come back...without changing one single thing in my routine, I started clearing up and loosening up and feeling fantastic. Honestly, I hadn't felt that good or alive or young in YEARS. It lasted until about mid-October. At the same time I started feeling better, I met a wonderful friend here on the forums (you know who you are, don't you?) that made me feel fantastic and beautiful. Why does God do this to us?? Why do we have periods of time when we feel human, only to have it taken away and replaced with pain and despair? Why am I a fabulous, gorgeous Diva one day, and a crippled up disgusting mess the next???? Having little to no control over this makes me insane............

Hi again Peggy,

These postholiday flares are probably really common. I know that my flare started in the holidays. I went on a trip right after Christmas (actually still on it) and took a two day trip to my parents house in Arkansas. I had the absolutely worse pain than I'd had in a while. My dermatologist talks about Psoriasis being so unpredicable and that certainly is true for PA as well. The first day of my journey a brand new joint began getting involved...my right shoulder at the place where the acromion process of the scapula articulates with the clavicle over the shoulder...its a bump over the front of the shoulder. At the same time, my right wrist is flaring. Pain moves around, sometimes it seems like a random process. This traveling pain of PA is something that makes it the most difficult to deal with. Just when we get used to certain patterns of pain, something new shows up. I try to get extra rest at these times, and in bad flares I assess what I have to do and try to trim my responsibilities back as much as I can --- do what is most essential in my life and cut back the rest until I start to feel better or at least get more rest. I find that xanax taken with some pain medications helps the pain med to work better. I learned this from my neurologist years ago when I was having severe and frequent migraines. Pain is so bad at raising the stress level and the stress level just makes pain work. So if you can take xanax with a pain medication once in a while, you might find greater relief.

I hope some of these suggestions help. Do hang in there and know that you are not alone. We're with you.

MK

[nomobties]

Ummm. Just for the record. I did not... like...you know... go into your thread wanting to see a naked Johnny Depp. Just so we're clear. Hope things are better for you.

[peggyb]

Nomobties---yeeeeaaaaah, suuuuure, not looking for naked Johnny pics...we BELIEVE you, don't we gang? (Just kidding!)

Docmks---you always have such good advice for people. I didn't know about the xanax trick with pain meds, will definitely try that, maybe sooner than later!! It's mild and rainy here in central Indiana, I can barely move my left shoulder, and my ankles have decided not to bend today....

I have found this site to be more informative and helpful than any other resource I've tried. It seems like I learn something new every day here, even if it means I learn about something I need to avoid like the plague. I've also found that I've learned to take the ups and DOWNS of this disease better...that means not so much crying anymore, and it's important that I don't cry, crying gives me migraines, and besides, DIVAS DON'T CRY!!! Instead of thinking constantly about the things I can't do as well as I used to, or can't do at all anymore because of the p and pa, I'm beginning to think about things I CAN do, even if they weren't my first choices....I've always wanted to be a professional singer and actress, which I did get to do on a small scale for a short time, but that's impossible now. Instead, I'm concentrating on something I showed talent for as a teenager and young adult, but gave up for the acting bug...novel writing. I'd still rather act, but this is pretty darned fulfilling as well.

Thanks to everyone for being so incredibly caring and supportive. And thank you, OBIWAN...............you know what for....nudgenudgewinkwink..........

[janay]

People, I could use your expert advice. I myself love to read through the threads and see if I can give advice to anyone, now I need yours. I'm in a downward spiral and need to break out of it. The week before Christmas, I got sick with a cough and laryngitis, saw my Dr., took my meds. That's all better, but I am suffering from crippling fatigue and pain now. It seems like every muscle and bone in my body is screaming with pain. I have gp, pa, and fibromyalgia. I have limited insurance, my husband's out of work, and I haven't worked in almost two years due to my chronic illnessess. I've been tired ever since before Christmas, but it seems to get worse every day. I get up and try to do some things around my house, or try to get out to shop or whatever, but the fatigue and mind-numbing pain take over quickly and all I want to do is lay down and sleep it off. I've been sleeping between 9-14 hours a day, and although people with our condition do need extra rest, I think this may be too much. It's made me depressed, so that's another hurdle I need to jump over. It hurts just to sit here and type. In the past, I've just given in to the feeling and waited until I felt better, but this isn't the way I want to live. I don't want to spend most of my life waiting for bad feelings to pass. My husband is going back to college next week, and I need to take care of my son and my house (he's been doing it all for weeks).

So, what do YOU do when you're in severe pain, you're depressed, your joints are swollen and achey, your skin hurts to touch it, and you're overwhelmed with fatigue????? How do YOU get over it and move on?

All suggestions will be welcomed and considered!!!

i found this interesting because i'm a weakling....i wouldn't be helpful. I usually whine then relax in the tub. Afterwards, i search for comfort. I'm like a five year old. I even go searching for my mommy. She usually gives me something.

I'm usually in severe pain, depressed, my joints are swollen and achey, and full of fatigue. My skin is easy to cure of pain when i soak in a hot bath. With the rest i turn into a five year old cause it's usually one of ten things and i want my mommy. :p

I hope all's better now adays.

[Spirrah]

Hello All.

I'm new to the board here but not to psoriasis. I have sister who has it all over and an aunt who recently died with psoriatic arthritus. I've had the inverse type for 10 years but this is a self diagnosis. I do have a few tips I can offer that have helped me if anyone would like them. It's not medical advice by any means; just a couple things that have worked by varying degrees.

[RichJ]

hi spirrah,
welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good night all

richard

[peggyb]

Hello All.

I'm new to the board here but not to psoriasis. I have sister who has it all over and an aunt who recently died with psoriatic arthritus. I've had the inverse type for 10 years but this is a self diagnosis. I do have a few tips I can offer that have helped me if anyone would like them. It's not medical advice by any means; just a couple things that have worked by varying degrees.


Hello Spirrah, thanks for dropping in! Of course I want to hear what you have to say--we all do! I get inverse p from time to time myself, a little bit just recently. Sure, any tips you have, throw them out there! You don't need an invitation!! Let's hear it!

Just a little update...I'm feeling just a teensy bit better, and my skin is in a holding pattern, one that I can handle right now. Not pretty, but it isn't killing me, thank you Jesus! I still get very tired, very early in the day--usually by 3pm I HAVE to lie down. The pa pain starts getting severe around 2pm. I'm taking it as easy as I can right now, but dammit, I'm still disgusted with the waiting game. It's January 8. I got sick around December 17. I'VE GOT A LIFE TO LIVE!! I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY LIFE ON HOLD WHILE I'M WAITING TO GET BETTER ANY MORE!!!

Does anybody else ever just want to run away, like getting in your car and getting an extreme change of scenery might help, or is it just me?

[Gemstar]

Hello Spirrah, thanks for dropping in! Of course I want to hear what you have to say--we all do! I get inverse p from time to time myself, a little bit just recently. Sure, any tips you have, throw them out there! You don't need an invitation!! Let's hear it!

Just a little update...I'm feeling just a teensy bit better, and my skin is in a holding pattern, one that I can handle right now. Not pretty, but it isn't killing me, thank you Jesus! I still get very tired, very early in the day--usually by 3pm I HAVE to lie down. The pa pain starts getting severe around 2pm. I'm taking it as easy as I can right now, but dammit, I'm still disgusted with the waiting game. It's January 8. I got sick around December 17. I'VE GOT A LIFE TO LIVE!! I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY LIFE ON HOLD WHILE I'M WAITING TO GET BETTER ANY MORE!!!

Does anybody else ever just want to run away, like getting in your car and getting an extreme change of scenery might help, or is it just me?

Yes, Peggy, I feel that way when I have a lot to deal with physically and especially when I have been literally stuck in the house for days with a pain flare-up. Maybe that feeling is that escape mechanism .....that we are fed up and let's "run away" from our illnesses, our pain, our lives in a sense. I sometimes just have to go out driving, even if I have no place to go. To me getting in the car and driving at least gives me a temporary sense that I am in control when my life seems out of control. Or going out - anywhere- that will take my mind off of my illness.

My DH has been renting funny movies for me to watch [Johnny Depp movies are good too ;) to take my mind off this current pain flare that I have been stuck in. At least it works for awhile especially when you can't get out. When I get frustrated, I often iron clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not always the best thing to do when you'll not feeling well.....but to me "getting the wrinkles out" gives me an immediate sense of control, a visable sense of accomplishment. DON'T SEND ME YOUR LAUNDRY LOL ;)

Are you able to adjust any pain meds so that you don't experience that same increase in pain at the same time everyday? Could it be that your body is in a cyclic pattern?

[Paco386]

Peggyb ... you're a riot ...

For a split second I thought I was on the wrong message board :eek: LOL

Hope you are feeling MUCH better! ;)

[ouchyk]

I still get very tired, very early in the day--usually by 3pm I HAVE to lie down. The pa pain starts getting severe around 2pm.

Does anybody else ever just want to run away, like getting in your car and getting an extreme change of scenery might help, or is it just me?

Peggy,

I slam into a wall at 3 pm. Done, finished...pain is at a all time high by this time of day...I can tell what time it is without looking at a clock...and my sleep dr said NO NAPS ...it's torture...well, I've been bad, I have to sleep, my body requires a bit of rest to rejuvenate. Good thing is that ambien still works at night despite my nap. I have to fess up about the naps at my next appt lol. I get my heating pad, a darvocet and zzzzz. I find this very helpful.

I'd like to run, only I can't. :o I try to get out once a day or every other at least, I'm not driving right now as I take pain meds and I was told NOT TO DRIVE on them. Not only that but I just moved and don't know the area all that well, I get lost easily......DH is very accommodating and takes me wherever I need or want to go.

You " sound " a bit better. Hang in there!

Karen

[Spirrah]

-grins- Thanks yall. And yep I'm from the south. lol! I'm certain I have hypothyroidism and am taking an alternative for it until we can afford a trip to the doc and it helps me quite a bit. It's called thyodine which I buy from greenwilltree.com . They have quite a variety of stuff. But this I have to point out contains animal products like adrenal, spleen, thymus, and thyroid. They are freeze-dried, crushed and then added to some herbs. Bladderwrack (seaweed) and Irish moss which contain quite a bit of iodine. The cost is $25 after shipping. They also have a vegetarian version if that's your preference. Anywho with that and a b-complex and a b-6 all taken after breakfast I feel like I'm on top of the world. -grin- I really recommend the b-complex After breakfast. It has made me sick on an empty stomach.. I started taking the b-6 about mid-April last year and then I quit after a week or 2 because it didn't seem to be working any more. I recently realized after reading up on it that it's got to have the other b's to work. The b vitamins together honestly do give your spirits a boost. It worked on my niece, my daughter, me, and my hubby (who was being depressed over getting diagnosed with diabetes.). With the b-6 added you also get an energy boost. Least I do. Oh and I crave veggies with it. lol! I was also suffering pain all over (not extremely so) and fatigue. When I run out of the thyodine and have to wait a couple of days the pain comes back. I feel it most in my joints. I honestly feel like an old woman at that point and I'll be 31 this Thursday. If I've been sitting for very long and get up, it takes a few steps before my joints loosen up and I can straighten out. The b's help the fatigue . Since I started taking both of them I've been sleeping better. My hubby couldn't wake me up 3 mornings ago and I'm a light sleeper. Guess now I know why. lol! I was t-totally out of it. Best sleep I've had in years and I've tried the melatonin stuff. It helps very little. The added bonus is I've lost weight. I'm 5'6". At my heaviest point I weighed 175 and now I weigh 145. My weight before my kiddo was 135 but I honestly think I was too scrawny then. I've also cut sugar. Have to despite an admitted addiction to chocolate and dr. pepper. -grin- So pointing to any one thing that's helping me lose weight would be difficult. My reason for cutting sugar out my diet is I'm allergic to sugar beets and that's the most commonly used form of sugar. If the product doesn't say pure cane sugar then that's what was used. The stuff makes my inner ears itch like crazy. I first noticed it when I was about 6. I had just eaten a bowl of cereal for breakfast and noticed an ear bothering me, shrugged and went back to playing. I finally made the connection about 2 years ago when all I had had yet that morning was a cup of coffee. I'm thinking now there ain't no way I'm gonna be allergic to my favorite coffee. lol! Thought about the milk and nope. Then I thought about the sugar. Maybe. So I went to the sugar jar and took about a half tsp full and ate it straight. My ears immediately went off like a fire alarm. Drove me nuts. So I took a benadryl, decided that was that, and we switched to pure cane sugar. Then last June hubby was told he had diabetes and now he's using sweeten n low and and I'm using splenda. Think I'm gonna have to go back to cane sugar because splenda is made from other sugars. I have noticed my ears 'buzzing' over it every now n then.

Solving problems is never easy. Life would honestly be boring if it were. ;) So you get to have fun and 'play scientist'. Take notes on what you are trying and keep a journal of it so you have a record of sorts to show your doctor. Take the time to do your own research. Analyze and be critical of everything until you find the answer/solution. Have fun with it and pretend to be the Great Sherlock. -grin- Yeah, I sound like I'm insane. But I have never claimed sanity anyway. ;) Besides you gotta throw some fun in there some where or you will go nuts. Listen to what your body is subconsciously telling you and analyze those funny little messages and do a little research. Ya never know what ya might find. Anytime I asked my mom what a word meant she'd tell me 'look it up'. She was always busy doing something or helping one of my 3 sisters whenever I'd ask and she couldn't help me right then. Well one day instead of getting mad at being told to look it up, I finally gave in. I had to know what this one word meant. So I went and pulled down this great big grey old thing for a dictionary and almost dropped it on my toe. Temper flared for a moment but I went on. I had to know. Welp, I sat down right there in floor in front of the bookshelf and looked that word up after asking how a couple of times. I finally found it after about 30 minutes.

I read the definition and thought about it. Then I learned a lot right at that moment. I learned the answer can sometimes be full of surprises. "Just like a box of chocolates. You never know whatcha gonna get." I sat there for the next couple of hours holding that dictionary in my lap and just turning page after page. I was fascinated! Since that moment I've always enjoyed looking things up. Never much cared for writing the term paper about it but it was always fun to discover what the next page would hold. And any time I slipped up after that and asked mom what something was or how it was spelled I'd get silence in return. The first time she did it I looked up, she grinned, and then it hit me. Then we said it at the same time, "Go look it up!" But ya know I can never remember what that word was I wanted to look up so bad. But I'm grateful to it just the same. :)

Any teeny tiny bit of info might hold the all important clue.

[peggyb]

Peggyb ... you're a riot ...

For a split second I thought I was on the wrong message board :eek: LOL

Hope you are feeling MUCH better! ;)
Hey Paco, thanx for the compliment...gotta tell you the truth though, I sure don't feel like a riot right now!! I feel very, very sad. For awhile, I thought it was a "Christmas is over, "Nuncrackers" is over" kind of post-holiday, post-show letdown. After thinking things over, I don't think that's what it is. (I stopped having post-show blues a long time ago. When I finish 2-3 weekends of 3-4 shows per weekend, I'm grateful it's over now!)

docmks--I talked to a nurse at my GP's office about the Xanax trick...she passed it on to the doctor, and the doctor thought it was a good idea...thank you for your input, I'll be trying it today!

janay--What do you mean, "I'm a weakling, I wouldn't be helpful"? You know, I wish my mommy would give me something when I feel bad, something other than grief...

ouchyk--Why did your doctor tell you "no naps"? You say you slam into a wall at 3pm every day, too--what time does your day start? Do you still work? Do you want to sleep just to escape from the pain?


Spirrah--I know you're right about the "play detective, look it up" thing...I'm just so sad and lazy right now, it's hard to do anything...and that's nothing but an excuse...
B complex after breakfast as an energizer makes sense to me...and you crave veggies, too? BONUS!!! You say you've lost 30lbs and cut out sugar--have you cut it out altogether, or do you still give in to the Dr. Pepper and chocolate?



I have really strong, nearly overwhelming feelings of wanting to run away...I've put thousands of miles on my car, driving away from town, then having to turn around and come back....literally thousands of miles....I get it in my head that if I leave, I can start all over, and I don't have to be sick or disgusted or lonely anymore. I think, if I go someplace else, far away, I can be a completely different person, but it's not true, is it? I'll be sitting on a beach somewhere on the west coast, looking out over the ocean, figuring out how to get to the next continent...and the pain will come back, and the skin will flare, and the fatigue will catch up, and I'll be sleeping it off in a hotel room somewhere, just like I would be at home, so what's the point....what's the freakin' point..........