Barb,
it is so strange that you mentioned the things you did. I am on the prednisone for what was originally diagnosed as a left eye orbital pseudo tumor. After starting at 65 mgs of prednisone ( I am a petite person, or at least I WAS, LOL) in Sept, I am now down to 22mg,

I was seeing a neuro ophthalmologist and after 2 months, she said that she had never seen a case like mine. She said that I had so many medical issues that I needed to be seen at Mayo. She is one of many specialists that have directed me somewhere else.

I am just 50 and have osteoporosis with bone density of a 70 year old. You probably know what pred does to the bones. Someone hugged me a short while ago and I cracked the cartilage in my sternum and a rib. (unfortunately it was not a passion hug, drats)

Three weeks ago I picked up a fairly heavy bag to put out for garbage day and my lower back has been unbelievably painful since.

I went for my regular appt with my doc today. She gave me orders for a lumbar spine x-ray plus the pain meds that give me some relief. She has been my doc for 25 years and she questioned me about using so much pain med. I take 500 mg vicodin and never exceeded my three a day, only because I was so afraid of not getting a refill. The med gives me about 2 hours of tolerable pain. I think when she saw me today, she knew this was no game playing.

I have:
graves (even thou I had a thyroidectomy at 39 yrs)
hyster three months after thyroidectomy, still 39 (talk about a hormonal nightmare, lol)
myasthenia gravis (positive and negative test results)
RLS and PLM
sleep apnea
severe osteoporosis (secondary also)
orbital pseudo tumor
double vision/ chronic blethritis and eye inflammation
rapidly increasing neuropathy of hand, jaw and feet
chronic low potassium
chronic high cholesterol
had hyperparathyroidism ( haven't had time to deal with that lately)
mild atrophied of right kidney
Barrett's esophagus
Nutcracker esophagus (spasming, too much pressure)
several types of ulcers, come and go, duodenitis never goes away
way too many dental problems since I am a tooth fanatic
wounds do not heal easily of late
degenerative shoulder (2 surgeries)
osteoarthritis of knees (2 surgeries also)

Geez, that is all I can think of now, but since I have been on this site, I have realized that my problems pale in comparison to others. I just want to be diagnosed after about 5-6 yrs of decline.
But my heart goes out to all on the neurotalk. I think it is the best thing that has happened to me.

I have been off of work for a month, live alone and need all of you more than you can imagine.

Great big hugs to you and I hope the info I gave can help you or anyone to enlighten me.

Thank you so much for your insight. Those affected do know more than the doctors at times. With a site like this there is bound to be someone who actually feels what we feel and can diagnosis, or at less help he docs.

After all, they are human, and working with them in surgery shows me first hand what they do and will do for the life of others. They never cease to amaze me.

I have seen many a day when a surgeon is in on one case scheduled for 2 hours and after 8-9 hours, or more comes out and the person is going to make it. They rock,

There is the good and bad, but I have the joy of working with the best.......

Great big hugs and thank you

Judy