Back from the Dr.

[Momster]

Hi Friends:

Well, I'm going to live.
The Doctor says my tests all came in negative and my cholestrol has even lowered since I went on my diet.
She feels that the pain and sleep deprivation has caused me to go into a depression and my body is just shutting down because it can't cope anymore with the lack of sleep and the pain.
Sounds like you hit the nail on the head, Oma.
Polly, my pain is arthritic, it's affecting my neck, left shoulder (from an old car addicent injury), lower spine, knees, ankles, feet and hands. The knee replacement on the right knee is functioning well and the left knee is deteriorating, so that's where it all stands.
She's put me on Celebrex for a week to see if that helps the pain and wants me to try Wellbutrin (or Bupropirn). Will give it a try, but I usually don't do well with antidepressants. She said it's a very mild dosage (150mg). Anyway, will see how it goes.
Well, I must go for supper.
No figure skating tonight so I will be looking forward to seeing tomorrow's Women's freedance final.
Talk to you all later.

Irene

[annie oakley]

Well it's good to hear you're ok.....too bad the arthritis is bothering you so much. My left knee(replacement is doing well) right knee is deterioating. I hope that you can get some sleep and feel better soon. I drank nearly a half bottle of wine last night and slept well. I am no longer taking any of my meds at all, so the wine didn't hurt, can't afford the meds right now, so I am stocking up on Aleeve. Anyway Momster, I am glad there's nothing real serious. I was worried. Love Oma

[JJ]

Hi Irene! I am so glad that things are Ok. Hang in there kiddo....spring is coming! Love, JJ

[Mars]

Glad the report was better than the scare they gave you by calling you for an appointment the very next day!

Hope things continue to get better! I think Spring will help that along, this part of Winter is very loooooooong.

We had a full front entry door with the little square windows up by the ceiling removed and a new door with a window. The blinds are between 2 panes of glass. The levers will open the blind up and down and tilt the levours. No cleaning! I love the additional light in the living room and the privacy the blinds give on the window.

Continue to check in, we miss you when you don't check in!

Love,
Mars

[starfire]

So glad the news wasn't something urgent that required major surgery or something like that, Maggie.

Please try to be kind to your body and your mind and get a lot of rest.

((((((Hugs))))))

Love, Shirley

[celia]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are having so much pain! For a about six months straight, I would wake up every night with either extreme stiffness or extreme joint pain and be unable to fall asleep. The constant sleep deprivation made me a total wreck. In the end, it didn't end up to being arthritis for me, but "arthralgias" (joint pains) triggered by the foods I ate.

I tried several different natural solutions to help my sleep during this period, but the pain was too overpowering until I started taking magnesium. It really helped me. I took a brand called Natural Calm that you drink, it's effervescent, right before bed. The stuff flys off the shelves at my health food store so it must work for people! Now I take malic magnesium, as the malic acid is said to be very helpful for pain. Apparently, the majority of Americans are hugely deficient in magnesium. I started have minor sleep problems again a few months ago and added in an amino acid, the brand name is seriphos, which supports the adrenals and helps regulate your sleep cycle. I sleep so much better. Pain is so powerful. If I eat the wrong thing, it can still jar me awake sometimes but overall, I sleep so much better.

Your pain situation may be very different than mine was. Everyone has to find their own solutions, but I thought I would share my experience in case it's of any help.

Time or Newsweek had a cover article on coping with chronic pain about a year ago, and they also mentioned pain clinics that help people learn how to manage chronic pain. If the pain continues at this level, perhaps your doctor would consider refering you to a clinic like that.

I really hope you can get some releif. Celia