[erinhermes]

Hello all!

Just wanted to say "Thank you" to all of you who were so kind and checked up on me! This truly is an amazing site and I am so happy I found it!

As you know I was in for the "dreaded" (in my case) plasma exchange - I also had a RAGING case of thrush that hasn't gone away for months, so my "short" stay turned into a nightmare!

Usually I just feel tired after the exchanges, however this time I blew up like a balloon! I'm not kidding! Ankles and legs the size of my thighs - so much so that my feet and ankles are now bruised from it......then my pain went through the roof when my pain patch was reduced from 75 (and @ one point 100) to 25 due to the diflucan.....apparently I had a small spinal fracture (that the docs claim is from trauma but I think is from the pred) so my dear, dear Dr. ordered every type of doc in to test me.......thyroid is low, lungs are perfect, MG SEEMS to be in order.........we'll wait and see!

I was also dx'ed with piriformis syndrome - painful is an understatement but my new walker is helping bunches. I'm still getting used to it. It is embarrassing but @ least I can get around now.

I'm so glad that my PT refused to work on me a few weeks ago - it could have been really ugly. I was told @ that time that there was nothing wrong with my back but knew better!

I also lack a brachial vein in my right arm, but that is OK with me cuz' the whole shunt idea is OUT! No more plasma exchanges for me!

I have also had a spinal tap and cortisone shot in my butt for the pain, but it didn't help one bit. The spinal tap was fine! I was actually able to SLEEP through it (I have a pretty high pain tolerance)......

I'm trying a new combo of meds to help with the pain and hope that it holds out and don't need the walker soon.

Enough about me - how are all of YOU doing? I've really, really missed all of you!

Have a strong and HAPPY Thanksgiving!

Love,
Erin