Wow! So Much to answer.

Well I agree about PT and exercise. I've been in the VA PT Wellness gym program for 4.5 years. I go twice weekly and use several weight machines, but have noted the steady decline weights I can handle. I've also got a routine of stretching/motion exercises. Today I can seldom complete all my gym routines anymore. Still I work at it. Four years starting in about 2001 I was a therapy pool volunteer. I led 3 water arobic groups 5 morning a week and as time passed the number of days and the number of groups I had the strength to do decreased until it came to a point that I couldn't complete 1 set and couldn't get out of the pool on the ramp without help. I knew better than to continue with the pool program when I was a danger to myself and my fellow patients.

I don't drive, as I fear causing an accident as a result of my slow reaction time or not being able to feel the break peddle or simply falling a sleep while driving.

My Rheumatologist feel there is at least one more CTD condition not yet identified and I suspect it's systemic Lupus.

I have neurogenic badder and expect I have neurogenic bowels as well. Simply put, the wiring to my brain for feeling and muscle control have been cut. As far as my GI tract goes, I don't ever feel bloating, constipation or any movement within. When I sit down to pee without a catheter I most concentrate on relaxing my catheter muscles and let gravity take over. It is at this point I have BM of some kind or not. I hope to see a GI doc soon.

With all the things happening, I feel as though I have a PACMAN running around in me just eating up nerve fibers.

That's all for today. Thanks so much for caring.

Jamie Marie