I'm in some serious trouble here.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

About five months ago my arthritis suddenly became very active (as confirmed multiple time by blood tests). My knees became agonizingly painful and I gradually lost the use of my legs. I've been using a walker for about three months now, and occasionally I need a wheelchair to get around- walking is now too painful over any distance for me. I've been rapidly losing weight (and muscle mass)- I had been in the 240 lb. range for a few years now, but when I weighed out a week ago I was down to 194. (Not that I mind losing my gut, but that's unimportant. The plus side is I have almost 50 less pounds to fight as I try to stand and shuffle my way to the restroom and kitchen. The minus side is a great deal of that weight was muscle that has to be put back on the old fashioned way.) My elbow is also extremely painful, and I seem to have a traveling muscle pain that goes from joint to joint like a pinball. Each day is a new surprise.

Gonna have an MRI on my real knee this week -I think something inside it is broken, and that may be why I can't put any real weight on it after all this time. They're also gonna start trying some new drugs on me- I've gone through a couple of the new biological drugs with no results so far. (I'm currently on Enbrel, and it's not doing anything for me.) Fortunately I've been able to FINALLY talk my doctor into a real prescription for hydrocodone, which does work for daily pain. I have to take one before I can even put my socks on in the morning.

I'm in it for the long haul this time- I'm on the edge of not being able to care for myself on a daily basis. If I don't get my legs back under me soon a lot of things in my life will be radically changing.

Lounge vibes would be much appreciated.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. You have them.

{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}} I hope you can get some relief.

[kayakjohnny]

2. Not only will I send you the best vibes I can muster, but also I will turn you on to something

that might help.

Baxyl.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=h...


Please look into it if you haven't.

My mom has been suffering terribly for years with osteoarthritis on her spine.

Most medicines either don't work or cause a reaction for her.

She began taking this about 10 days ago and the results have been amazing.

Hope this provides a little something for you.

Seems to work for people with all kinds of bone/joint/connective tissue issues.

All the best to you.

Hope I don't get you locked for offering advice.

PM me if you need to.

Good luck.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. I'll check it out

although I've been on some pretty potent stuff over the last few years.

Mods: Please don't lock this because of a recommendation.

[Haole Girl]

3. Sending good vibes

[some guy]

5. My best wishes for you

I hope you get good news, good drugs, and a better plan for long-term improvement.

[struggle4progress]

6. ice might help

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. I have a freezer full of ice packs

I also have a variety of heating pads. The heat seems to offer the most relief.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Sending all my very best vibes! *hugs*

[applegrove]

9. vibes to you!!

[abq e streeter]

10. Best wishes and thoughts going out to you, Prisoner....

and I hope that Kayak Johnny's reply proves to be helpful.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Omigod, my dear Prisoner_Number_Six...

I'm so glad I saw your post...

You have all my vibes and then some, for as long as you need them.

Wish I could really really help somehow...

Your holiday card will be in the mail tomorrow.

Please take care, and let us know what's going on, OK?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

15. Just wanted to let the Lounge know why I disappeared

I've been concentrating on other things.

I was kinda hoping I could count on you to fly out and become my live-in caretaker, but perhaps that's just the pain talking.

My sister's in town for a month or two more, and she's been bearing the burden of taking care of me. I haven't been able to rely on Carol a lot as she's also sick and in bed most of the time. She does what she can, and I have to take care of the rest one painful step at a time. It takes me 20 minutes to put on my socks and strap on my ankle and knee braces in the morning, a while more to tend to personal things, and it takes me about ten minutes to shuffle from my bedroom to the kitchen.

Fortunately it's the holiday season which means not much work any way, but because of prior planning I'll survive financially at least into Feb. or March. I may have to simply stop doing computer repair work if I can't get to them. I had to turn one down two days ago- no crawling on the floor for me just now.

Shit happens, but I wouldn't wish this shit on ANYBODY.

[ceile]

12. Sending all the vibes I got. ;-)

Please keep us posted- and a speedy return to your old self...

[Call Me Wesley]

13. Good vibes coming.

Hang in there.

[pokerfan]

14. I will be thinking of you

[Tikki]

16. Strong vibes your way...

chronic pain is the worst and traveling pain is awful....
We're hoping the doctors and meds can bring significant relief..


Thinking of you
The Tikkis

[PassingFair]

17. I hope they rule out ALS.

All the vibes in the world going out to you from me right now.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

18. It's psoriatic arthritis.

I've had it for 30 years.

[PassingFair]

19. Your symptoms sound just like my dad's....

he was diagnosed with ALS after
being told for 6 months that he
had M.D.

I hope the prognosis for psoriatic
arthritis includes some chance of
remission!

Hang in there.