[AnnieB3]

Hi, Everyone. I appreciate the concern I've gotten in the past few weeks. I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond. I am frankly completely exhausted and don't have the energy to do much more than survive each day. I'm afraid I'm the one who needs shoring up these days.

My Shih Tzu has been sick and we don't know why yet. He's taking up pretty much all of my time. I hope to have answers in the next week or two. I have no idea if it's "fixable" or one of those "end of life" things. Not fun to contemplate.

I have also been dealing with a new problem that has not been defined completely yet, other than I'm "allergic" or "photosensitive" to all UV rays, whether that's the UVA/UVB of the sun or artificial lighting (includes computers). I love when you go to your primary doctor and ask "What is this?" and they don't have a clue but throw a drug at you anyway. Any area exposed to UV's gets a rash. It doesn't itch or anything. My first thought was lupus but the lupus antibody tests came back negative but I know that means squat, partly because I'm on inhaled steroids and partly because lupus isn't always easy to diagnose. I've only had the rash for a couple of months or so. I have other test results that sort of point in that direction. I won't know more for TWO more months when I see a dermatologist to define what this IS, instead of what it ISN'T!

Do you know that every vet's office has bright CFL lights in it?! Did you know that CFL's give off UV rays and can cause cancer?

So my life is hellish right now and I can hardly cope. Simply the thought of having to be covered up in my car or anywhere else in hot weather is daunting. I don't know when that will change. I hope you have all been doing well.



All my best,
Annie

[suev]

It is good to hear from you - many were worried....and I guess justifiably so!!

Take it one step at a time. If anyone on the planet has the ability to play medical detective successfully - it would be you!!

Please keep us posted on things as you can. I hope you and 'pupper' are both improving soon.

[Stellatum]

Hi, Annie, thanks for letting us know what's going on. We are all rooting for you.

Abby

[mrsD]

I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time.

And I hope you find out what is ailing your beloved canine friend.
We lost two very old and beloved cats this winter and it was terribly hard on me. They were 20 yrs and 24yrs and nothing much could be done. 24 had kidney failure and 20 had a stroke in her spine --both I had to euthanase! Very painful!

I hope you find out what is causing your rash. Lupus comes to mind, but also drug reactions are common. I am sure you have researched it well, on your own. Sometimes foods will do it too. Photosensitive contact dermatitis is one cause. Dermis website has pictures of this.

Thanks for the update, though, as posters were asking about you.

[craftyRCC]

Annie, it's very good to hear from you! The forum isn't the same without all your help and knowledge. I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well.

Sending prayers and good thoughts for you and the pupster...

Rachel

[alice md]

Originally Posted by AnnieB3

Hi, Everyone. I appreciate the concern I've gotten in the past few weeks. I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond. I am frankly completely exhausted and don't have the energy to do much more than survive each day. I'm afraid I'm the one who needs shoring up these days.

My Shih Tzu has been sick and we don't know why yet. He's taking up pretty much all of my time. I hope to have answers in the next week or two. I have no idea if it's "fixable" or one of those "end of life" things. Not fun to contemplate.

I have also been dealing with a new problem that has not been defined completely yet, other than I'm "allergic" or "photosensitive" to all UV rays, whether that's the UVA/UVB of the sun or artificial lighting (includes computers). I love when you go to your primary doctor and ask "What is this?" and they don't have a clue but throw a drug at you anyway. Any area exposed to UV's gets a rash. It doesn't itch or anything. My first thought was lupus but the lupus antibody tests came back negative but I know that means squat, partly because I'm on inhaled steroids and partly because lupus isn't always easy to diagnose. I've only had the rash for a couple of months or so. I have other test results that sort of point in that direction. I won't know more for TWO more months when I see a dermatologist to define what this IS, instead of what it ISN'T!

Do you know that every vet's office has bright CFL lights in it?! Did you know that CFL's give off UV rays and can cause cancer?

So my life is hellish right now and I can hardly cope. Simply the thought of having to be covered up in my car or anywhere else in hot weather is daunting. I don't know when that will change. I hope you have all been doing well.



All my best,
Annie

Hi Annie,

So sorry to hear about the hard time you are having.

My knowledge in medicine is pretty limited to one species (homo sapiens) so can't advice much about other animals.

As to your rash, I have seen patients with allergic reaction to the sun (and this is well described in the medical literature), so it is quite conceivable it would be to other forms of UV light.

[rach73]

I am so sorry to hear that you are having such an awful time of it. I am sure many of us know that feeling of only having enough energy to survive rather than live.

I am really sorry to hear about your darling doggie. I hope the vets get some answers soon and can help make him better. Its extra stress that you don't need. Its very hard when they can't tell you what is wrong. My babies are a big part of my life being housebound so I can truly empathize.

A friend of mine is UV sensitive and comes out in a rash when exposed to sunlight, although she has no problems with artificial light. Its just another complication you really don't need.

I'm so sorry that life is handing you ***** loads of lemons at the moment hun.

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and I am here if you need to blow off some steam.

Love
Rach

[DesertFlower]

AnnieB

I hope things get better for you soon.

Those CFL lights bother me, too, but not like you have described (and no problem with sunlight for me), usually bloodshot/weak eyes and I can feel my energy level dropping...no fun.

I also have trouble being around electronic equipment, makes my MG symptoms bad. I go to the library a lot and discovered that I have to stay away from the computer section, there are about 30 or 40 computers available for use, all lined up close together. I've been wondering how electricity or magnetics effect a person physically. I wonder if they disrupt the proper functioning of our cells somehow, especially the nerves.

I've learned that spending time in an environment without any electronic devices helps my MG, not a lot, but a little. Maybe this would help you? It is the only thing I can think of.

Thinking of you.

[AnnieB3]

I appreciate all of your support. I still have no clue what's up with my dog. Ironically, it's a vet neuro he has to see next week. Won't that be a treat for me? Teddy won't like it either.

Both the rheumatologist and dermatologist call what I have photosensitivity, which is a sensitivity to UV's, but without a biopsy and other tests, I won't know for sure exactly what it is.

Yeah, Rach, very sour lemons.

DF, All electronic devices emit electromagnetic waves. This article explains this better than I can.

http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cch...20/emwave.html

This goes into very good detail.

http://mpkb.org/home/lifestyle/light/photosensitivity

And this.

http://www.mbmc.org/healthgate/GetHG...chunkiid=21637

Maybe I simply ate too much chicken soup with celery this winter. Celery can cause photosensitivity. I rather doubt it.

And, no, Mrs. D., they don't believe it's from meds or foods. I'm so sorry you lost your family members. There's not much you can do when they are suffering so much.

Anyway, thanks again for the support. I'm so tired that I think I often sleep while sitting or standing, like horses do!

Annie