Koi -- for me, freshly baked french or some sort of fabulous bread is my "unhealthy" food of choice. I could eat a loaf of it right now, no problem! Lovely suggestion and it made me chuckle...thanks!...
I had a very unusual episode last week and am really curious about it. I've been gluten/wheat/dairy free for a very long time. I haven't eaten anything new (my diet is really boring). I didn't eat...
So, I finally got to see my rheumy last week since his return from being ill. I have to tell you, it probably was one of the worst appointments I have ever endured with him. He is not the same man....
Holy smokes -- you had one nasty reaction to the Remicade. How do you feel now (other than being scared)? I totally agree with Ides, never, ever let anyone convince you to try it again. I had a...
Ides, nope never had SI injections (scary thought actually). I was on Flexeril at one time, but I have a difficult time waking up from the lowest dosage, so we decided that muscle relaxer wasn't the...
I need some help. I am in probably the worst flare ever and now I'm getting muscle spasms in my lower back - most likely from the unbalanced way that I'm walking. I'm doing my best to relax during...
I've had these small brown scaly patches on my body for a while. Just a few, in random spots. I don't recall seeing them before and wonder if it might be related to my RA or AS. They don't itch, they...
Thanks for the replies. For some reason my email alert stopped working and I had no idea I had replies - I apologize for not replying sooner. The saga continues -- I haven't talked to my PCP yet (I...
Hi all. I saw my rheumy last July. I had lost my job in May and my insurance shortly thereafter (COBRA was wayyyyy to expensive for just me). I now have a new job (since September) and am insured...
I am so glad I opened this thread. I've been in peri-menopause for about 8 months now and have been suffering from the worst heartburn and acid reflux for about 5 months now. I couldn't figure out...
Thanks for the info. I haven't changed one thing about my diet in eons, I'm very cautious about those things I shouldn't have, so I can't figure out why the heartburn and indigestion all of a sudden....
I've been having alot of heartburn and acid indigestion over the past couple of months. It comes and goes and it's not a normal thing for me. With that said, I've been "eating" antacids (Maalox...
I came across this, this weekend at my local market. It seems to be brand new. It's a fruit based probiotic, no dairy, wheat or gluten (yeah!). I bought some (it was on special) and I was wondering...
Hi all. I'm in need of some advice. I will on occasion get heartburn - more from foods I eat than anything else. Lately, I swear like I'm breathing fire and I have the strangest feelings in my chest....
My severe constipation usually involves being totally full, loads of bloating, cramping, gas, with nothing moving; being stopped up for a week or more is normal for me. You know, typical stuff. This...
First, this is a bit yucky. I'm at a loss as to how this happened. My IBS-C seems to have come back full force. It started with the Depo-medrol shot that I finally recovered from, but it's gotten...
Since I haven't had the flu in many years, I don't get a flu shot. I did however, get a pneumonia shot 3 years ago and have only had 1 cold in all that time. I was prone to severe sinus infections as...
Hi all. Have a couple of questions -- I'm really suffering here. A couple of weeks ago, I received a mega depo-medrol shot for a severe case of hives and an accompanying rash. I chose the shot rather...
Misterie, with regards to sed rates and 'signs' of inflammation. I have always had "normal" readings of my sed rates and CRP (?) rates -- even in the midst of my worse flares. It's now a joke (not...
Gotta couple of questions, hoping to get some answers. I just got a whopper of a depo-medrol shot for a severe case of hives and an allergic rash. In my haste to leave the doctors office, I forgot to...
Hi Ry, Miralax doesn't work for me. I do have a "cocktail" of sorts that usually works, but the pain meds have totally slowed my system to a crawl and nothing seems to be helping. I appreciate your...
Hey Chutzie! You were the one that pointed me to the recipe - for some reason Yakima comes to mind (or, I could be losing my mind) and it had fruit in it. I think I was a mod and a bunch of us were...
Hi all. I'm looking for a recipe that was posted here eons ago that helps counteract the effects of pain meds on your intestines. For the life of me, I can't remember what's it called, but I do know...
I have to do liquid stuff to help things along. For some reason, pills/tablets won't work. Thanks Canyonbabe for the heads-up and link, I saw it this morning on the arthritis forum. Geez, could they...
If you're still "stuck" (awful way to put it, isn't it), get a bottle of magnesium sulfate. Comes in a couple of flavors. You can drink it chilled or warm (I think I did mine warm), then drink a ton...
I have a few intolerances to food. With regards to dairy, the only thing I can eat without a reaction is yogurt or hard cheese, most likely because of the enzymes and live cultures. I absolutely...
Red, I also can't do decongestants for the same reasons as you. However, in talking with my PCP, he told me to try Afrin nasal spray and only use it at night (that's when I have the hardest time...
We posted at the same time! How funny. I'm so glad (really) that you don't have RA or AS to throw into the mix, but I'm really sorry you're having such a major fibro flare. Is there something that...
Hi Ginny, I was wondering if you had that sit-down with your rheumy about the results of your scan today. If so, how'd it go? Hope you're doing well (as well as can be anyway). ~S....
Actually, it is better today, thank you for asking. I did tell my rheumy and he suggested I stay the course that I'm on. Really, there's not much more a person can do! I just adore my rheumy, I'm...
Hi Ginny, wow, where do I start! It's been a long fought battle to get my AS diagnosed. I've had symptoms since I was in my early 20's -- it took 20 years for a diagnosis. I was in the Army when I...
No worries, you were close. I don't get winded and my breathing for the most part is ok, it's when I cough or sneeze, whoa boy -- now that hurts! LoL Actually, my low-dose pain pills seem to have...
Ginny, I'm a competitive Trapshooter! I finally broke down and took a pain pill...I rarely need them but this has really been hurting. Hopefully, this will help. Thanks for the suggestions, I had...
Hi all... My costo has resurfaced since my diagnosis of AS 4 years ago. Although I'm taking my ibuprofen (that's what I was taking when I first had it), it's not really helping any. It stinks since...
My sacroiliitis was quite apparent in xrays -- due to its advanced stage. The same xrays taken 10 years earlier showed nothing remarkable. That was how my rheumy finally dialed in my AS diagnosis...
Hey YP - you and I are still on the same track! I'm so very pleased for you. I remember your struggle to find answers and to get well. You sound fabulous and it's about time. I appreciate the...
Hi all... It works, it works!!! I've been taking 1350 mg nightly and have noticed a dramatic difference in my "nightly" interruptions! Seriously, the sweats have all but disappeared. Who knew. I'm...
Hi Jody, thanks for the info. I feel better now about taking it. I have a brand new bottle sitting on my kitchen counter that I've been staring at for a couple of days. I will start taking it this...
Hi all -- it's been eons since I've stopped by. I have a couple of questions and was hoping someone here might have answers. I have finally started peri-menopause (yahoo!!) :yeah: My only symptom...
An Update: She apparently has a UTI and her GI prescribed a 3 day course of Cipro. Isn't Cipro prescribed for fistula's? I'm trying to remember if I read this eons ago, but... Also, she tried to get...
Hi all...it's been quite a long time since I've popped over here. I have a friend who has diverticulitis. She had a very bad spell recently, but apparently that is under control. For quite a while...
Hi all - it's been ages since I've been around and I apologize. I wish I could say I've been dancing up a storm and didn't want to rub it in... but no, that's not the case. I'm ready to ask my rheumy...
WOW! It felt awesome - it's just awful that you actually have to get up and drive somewhere afterwards! I had the nicest massage therapist. I had to fill out a medical questionnaire before I went in....
Hey Ducky -- no clue what kind of massage; not quite deep and certainly not one of the light jobs! It will be interesting, to say the least. My appointment is at 10:30... You know, you're the second...
Ok, so the Humira hasn't kicked in yet (as far as the AS is concerned), my SI's are screaming and I'm walking really slow. My AS is really out of control right now. I actually, for the first time in...
LoL Ides, yep, going deaf at that point is something I'd do as well. Dang, you can't catch a break, can you? Frayda, Rituxan is what my rheumy (and I) consider absolutely last ditch. It's not an easy...
Ducky - I'm glad you're on the road to recovery - I'm sorry you're flaring. What a double-edged sword, eh? Since we suffer from compromised immune systems with the biologics, have you looked into a...
Hey Ducky...nothing that I can notice, yet. I'm hoping after the next shot I'll be able to tell some sort of difference. Thanks for checking in...the waiting continues! How are things with you? Are...
Thanks for the finger crossing! I really wish I would've woken up this morning "all better." Dumb, eh? LOL At least I didn't have any type of reaction...that's a good start. I just hope I don't have...
Hi all -- I'm sorry I've been away so long, but to be honest, I have been in a bad way since my reaction and no meds. After waiting 2 months for the adjunct pharmacy to my insurance to pull their...