Went to the dr again yesterday... he's still trying to put me on anti-psychotics, gave me samples, but I'm not taking them. He lectured me on the smoking, refused to see again unless I quit, and bf jumped in on it a bit too but not so bad... well, I pretty much broke down... threw the cigs away... probably wouldn't have if this dr hadn't told me he's pretty sure I have rheumatoid arthritis that needs to be treated, and he won't treat it unless I quit smoking...
He gave me some info on RA, and I've looked up stuff online too... most the symptoms fit... I even compared it with the osteoarthritis, the symptoms go with rheumatoid...
So I'm sitting here fretting over it... I know I don't need to worry about it, there's nothing I can do at the moment... there's not even much treatment for it if I do have it, but I'm planning to see a rheumatologist to find out for sure if I do have it...
Youre never too young for crap....Its part of life..:) Just grab the rope and HANG ON!! :) ------------ YESTERDAY.... TODAY and TOMORROWThere are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back YESTERDAY. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. YESTERDAY is gone. The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate control. TOMORROW'S sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW, for it is as yet unborn. This leaves only one day - TODAY - Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities YESTERDAY and TOMORROW that we break down. It is not the experience of TODAY that drives people mad - it is remorse or bitterness for something which happened YESTERDAY and the dread of what TOMORROW may bring.Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.
__________________
"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
Yeah, I am 30 years old, I have osteoarthritis in both knees (a catcher in baseball from age 7 to 18, every day, all summer long - that will do it), and on top of that, I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and just realized six days ago that I am an alcoholic, so you are never too young to come down with anything, and never too old to treat it.
As for the smoking, good luck with that, and I mean it. I forced my now-wife to quit before I married her, and five years later (cold turkey), she wonders how she ever smoked in the first place, and has thanked me for being her unwavering strength. As with anything else, see the need to make a change, and believe in yourself.
Hi Lisa, When the doctor told me that the mass showing up on a mammogram was cancer I said "okay, what do we do about it?" This was my GP who "forwarded me" to a spec. Right after his news he looked me straight in the eyes and asked "would you like something?" I asked," what do you mean?" He said, "I give you something for depression/anxiety?" Now one should be aware that this was when AH had just moved out, marriage was in caos, I had been moved to a different town, and my kids were not living with me at the time NOT by my choice but rather by some clever manipulation on AH's part. This dr. knew all about the mess my personal life had been in. I looked at him and laughed and he looked very puzzled. He thought I was in shock/denial. I said , "Doc. you know all the bullshit that has happened with J and I. I came twice looking for something to ease the pain. Took I went numb after 2 pills of the first round. 6mos. later the 2nd round was prescribed and I felt as if I were sleep walking after 2 days of those meds. Both went down the toilet. I am here. I am surviving. If I could survive that ...... do you really think a little cancer is going to scare me. Believe me when I tell you I don't NEED or WANT those pills." He, of course, thought I was crazy. LOL It has been 5 yrs since that op. I lost the boob....... so what...... What I gained was sooo much more. Lisa, what worked for me was prayer. I left it to God. Why He spared my life .......... He surely had his reasons. I just kept telling myself, "What will be will be." I did what I was suppose to. I have not questioned "what if?" I told you how much I love getting up and watching the sunrise and the earth's critters awakening. I live for each day and only that day trying my best to do my best.... even when I really don't "feel" like it. My knees get "catches" in them from time to time from years of playing softball (I was a pitcher mostly, but could play about any spot. In part it was the way I twisted in the delivery, and in part it was from never learning how to do a "slide" correctly.) My back is not as strong as it once was. Yet I go to work and as I leave.....the first thing out of my mouth is a silent prayer......very simple.... "Thank you." As hard and as painful as past days/mos./years have been here and there in my life, I am grateful for them all and I often wonder, "What the hey was I so upset/anxious and worrying about (it) for?" I am still going. I guess, JohnInNYC might categorize me as somewhat "addicted to religion". I trully believe there is a God. And I do pray each and everyday. Contrary to how I used to do, however, my prayers have changed. I've learned to be grateful and appreciate life........bumps, bruises, and even pain. I've learned to live one day at a time. Alot of the change has come from the people here. How they centered their minds on the "good" aspects of their lives. I haven't walked in your path, yet you continually inspire me. You have met some pretty tough challenges head on. You have been very courageous in coping with alcoholism. I believe you can use those same coping skills to meet the challenge of quitting cigarettes as well as coping and living with the arthritis. Will keep you in thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Wanda
Isn't worry aweful! Don't you just want to rip out your brain and throw it somewhere and get one that is peaceful and quiet. No such luck! Everyone has struggles. Instead of me getting Cancer, or going through an amputation. I have Fibromyalgia, Alcoholism, Bi-Polar, Hep B, CFIDS,, a Divorce, and a Prodigal Son.
My husband of 13 years next month has Diabetes 2, tinitus, high blood pressure, had Cancer and a finger amputated, has sleep apneia, and lost his job he was out of work for 4 months. But by GODS GRACE when we ran out of money at last my husband was hired.
When my bottom smashed me in the head. I gave up substances it went Alcohol, drugs, then 3 months later cigarettes. That was over 13 years ago February 18, 1994 for ALcohol, cocaine and May, 1994 for cigarettes. Withdrawals are never easy, no one wants to go through them. They are worth every minute. I would do it again if it meant saving my life.
By the way I take my medications that are prescribed today. I stopped fighting the Doctors and Nurses. Having a dual-diagnosis for Manic Depression it is necessary to have a stable mood. How about the first 3 steps. Do they help you?
Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over ( everything) that our lives had become unmanageable. Step 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to Sanity. Step 3. Made a decision to turn our life and our will over to the care of God. ( as we understand him)
Hey Lisa.........Just wanted to say I know how ya feel. My neuro is pretty sure that I'm in the beginning stages of arthritis, (I'm 41 and TOO YOUNG for this! but it runs in my family).... Without a CAT scan they can't know for sure but.....the good news, as told to me by my doc and someone on this board, it's manageable. Anti-inflamatories (ADVIL, NSAIDS etc) and exercise are the BEST thing for it. I started a yoga class last week, and it was amazing!
I think, if I were you (and of course I'm not) I'd find a new doctor!! One who wants to work with me, not just give me a pill!!
Nothing happens by mistake.......You just keep on pluggin at it....You'll (we all will) be fine
-- Edited by Doll at 11:05, 2007-07-22
__________________
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Hi all, Lisa, make that appointement as soon as you can to see the rheumatologist. If you can't get in for a while, I'm pretty sure any other physician can order the blood work done to see if you have it. I was misdiagnosed with rheumatologist years ago--I even had the blood work done and according to the surgeon I'd gone to see, the lab results were positive. Well, he'd ordered the wrong test and I think it was a ploy to pass me off on to another specialist, but I'm fine with the results of that because the rheumatologist (who I had to wait a while to see because he was so booked up) was a wonderful doctor. He told me I didn't have rheumatoid arthritis and later one my OBgyn and I went ahead order up the right test just to be sure. But during the month that I thought I had the early onset of rheumatoid arthritis I began to do a lot of research. I'd found one wonderful support/chat group on line--sorry, it was a few years ago, so I no longer have the webaddress but do a search and look through some of the groups. Two books that I really embraced during that time were The Arthritis Cure and Healing Joint Pain Naturally. Read them with a grain of salt, but I found some wonderful bits and pieces. One of the main things I came away with was creating an anti-inflamatory diet. Inflamation is the mother of most pain in our body and most Americans have highly acidic and inflamed bodies--mostly due to our diet. To help with the anti-inflamatory diet, a friend recommended I read Fat Flush--it is for losing weight but the theory behind it is to lessen the acidity of our body. I'm not saying these books offer the path you should follow. the latter one especially recommends taking certain supplements that shouldn't be taken while on anti-psychotics. Also, I'm no authority on this subject so read my post for what it is: just my personal experience. I guess I just want you to know that you are not alone; that even though as it turns out I don't have RA there are support systems out there and I think things you can do slow the progression of the disease and ease the pain. Don't freak out until you've actually had the test results completed 'though. You may not even have it. I had the symptoms too, but as it turned out I didn't have RA. Is there a doctor you can see soon that can prescribe the blood tests to find out for sure if you do not or do have RA? Please take care, Lisa :) -Laura
