I've been scarce I know. So much has happened. It all started with my husband's eye surgery 5 weeks ago. I slept in his recliner for the first three weeks(I think ) of the recovery. Then I tried to sleep in the bed again, because the nightime dose of medicine was stopped. But...my little neurotic dog had gotten used to me being in the recliner and sleeping with her. I'd try to close the door and get in the bed at night. She'd start whining, yipping and finally barking. No way to sleep with that going on. So back to the recliner. All this time, we had intermittant thunderstorms and there is no way anyone in the house sleeps when a dog has storm hysteria. I've seen a German Shepard unattended when a storm came, actually tear a front door up.

So I swapped my sofa for a daybed with a good mattress for the storm periods. We gave the sofa to my son for his gameroom. (But it's now in the garage waiting on him at this point) So I'm still trying to break this little dog of the habit of sleeping with me. Can't just put her in the bed with us. Her hair weaves itself into our memoryfoam mattress.

She has two other little dogs to sleep with but now she has developed separation anxiety. But the vet suggested we crate her in the bedroom at night. IT WORKS!!!!!! I've slept two nights in a row in my bed.

During this timeframe, a young friend of ours committed suicide. My favorite Aunt had a heart attack, flatlined, and had open heart surgery. Four by-passes. Developed staph and she is diabetic and not doing well. I've also lost a friend that I worked with this week from cancer (63 years old). So it's been a rough time all around and still is while I wait on word about my aunt from family everyday.

We kept the sofa in the garage for almost 3 weeks and no room to open car door. I banged myself on the side mirrors but my son couldn't get off to get it. So we rented a U-Haul truck and got friends to load it up. We then took off for a drive (75 miles one way). The trucks electrical system quit, 30 miles from home. No lights and no air. We stopped and called the emergency no. They sent a mechanic who was a joy. Classical music playing on his truck radio, whistling with it and fixed it in 30 min. We made a round trip and it took us 7 hours with only a short visit. Beat the living daylights out of me and my back and tailbone area. What was I thinking! Still so sore from all of it. Never ever get in a uhaul type truck with a bad back or hips. There are no shocks and no cushioning.

Then day before yesterday we drove 50+ miles to a pain specialist who injected both sacroilliac joints with lidocaine. It was heaven for about 5 hours. So the next thing planned is to permanently destroy the sacroilliac nerves. Cross your fingers.

I've gone into and out of flares during all of this. My diet has been terrible. I've been drinking a coke now and then. I've now tightened everything up again. My husband seems to be pretty much over his ordeal. His tear function is starting to come back.

I will have new bloodwork done for the rheumie in a week. I expect to see the Sed rate up again. My hands have swollen joints and the neuropathy is pretty bad. Those are both signs of another flare. I'm not sure what he will do. The methotrexate is already a pretty high dose. He mentioned Cellcept to me on my last visit if I wasn't better on the next visit.

Well now that I've entertained you, you know why I've not been around much. I have been reading the posts, so I know what is going on.

Hugs to you all.
Billye

But I'm glad to see you're feeling well enough to detail what's been going on. You know we all get real nervous here when people go on extended hiatus.

I'm hoping just the law of averages helps calm down your situation--and your symptoms--for a while, and you can get some relief from pain (yours, spouse's, and puppy's).

I was getting worried too.

Sounds like a lot of stress.

I hope you settle down some, now.

You know high stress increases cortisol, then when the stress leaves, it falls, and that is when you get new symptoms.
(pregnancy is a good example of that).

I'm so happy to see you post - was worried about you - but my goodness - thats so much stress and your body must really be taking a beating... so sorry about your friends - its so hard - good to hear DH is doing better - and as far as the pup - thats great that crating is working - and also great to hear that the shots worked and that can potentially be a long term answer to some of the pain - yea!

Hang in there - and if a coke doesnt hurt that bad now and then - I'd drink one! Just for the decadent refreshment!

Take care

I have developed muscle weakness in my arms and legs the last few days. They are cramping also. Even my jaw muscles are cramping. My tremor is much worse too. I am hoping it's a little dehydration. I'm paying attention to my water drinking today. It's very hot here in Texas.

Billye

You have had your plate VERY full! Only it doesn't seem as if you'll get to enjoy a dessert! Probably don't want one at this point either.

We've been getting bits of your weather...the storms and heat, now. I have to say this time it's a bit MUCH for all of us. Drought one year, SOG the next!

It's great that your husband is recovering well! That is really good news. That the pup isn't adjusting well, is a whole other issue. The crate approach tho it mite sound harsh to some, does provide the kid with a secure place to BE.

As for the dehydration? IF you don't have diabetic tendancies, try a small sip or four of Gatorade or the like. I have found that within 1/2 an hour I have felt much better on occasion....especially in the heat. Sometimes you just need a little 'boost' to get things on an even keel. It shouldn't be something you do all the time, but when you get 'off', it can help.

Sounds like a LOT has happened. At least it wasn't totally dull?

Hugs and good moments SOON! 's - j

I had a spate of diarrhea from a restaurant recently.

In two days, my dose of magnesium was too low. I had to up
it a few days.

My left leg is now my barometer...but I have had cramps in
my rib cage twice now on both sides, when I forgot my magnesium. I never used to be this sensitive before. Don't know why either.

I just realized I haven't had my magnesium the last two days because of the mouth ulcer. The mag I use is the fizzing type that tastes like lemonade. I've skipped it for two days. I'll dose up tonight and see if that helps.

Dahlek, my pup is adjusting nicely. I've had three nights in my own bed. She is fine. It's really not cruel. The vet says it's a "safe place" for her now. We put a treat in it to entice her in, shut the door and then give her another treat while praising her. She sleeps thru the night. I hear her snore.

Billye

Glad to hear from you Billye,seems like stree gives us the forgets..We have
had so much rain,there begging us not to water,and hot here as well,sure
tired of staying in. We are at least getting Hot Air Balloons dropping down around all around the house really pretty, but a little scarey when you don't
see them coming.. Bob feels it's his duty to sit outside and give directions.

Please stay well you all,good look to your doggy's,and kittens everyone,take
care all and many hugs. Sue

to encounter in a short amount of time!

I, too, am glad your Dh is recovering well.

I am very sorry you've lost a good friend.

I am also sorry your aunt has been having such a difficult time!
This must be exceptionally tough, since she is a favorite relative and so important to you. I hope she stabilizes and starts to do well.

Pups are so cute! Yet, they can also become very demanding. I have found they quickly learn to love their crates! I have crate trained 2 German Shepherds. They both have loved their crates. We'd introduced them to crates as soon as we'd brought them home with us (they were each approx. 7 weeks old); so they have grown up very used to crates.

I have one shepherd now. She is approx. 8 yrs old now. We allow her to roam at night, leaving her crate door open, so she may retreat if she chooses to. She divides her time btw. the crate and several areas of the house. She is often in the bedroom with us. As you have mentioned, this breed tends to have a tremendous amount of separation anxiety. (In a thunderstorm, she'd still prefer to be on my lap! She is fairly large for a female shepherd, physically "fit" at 92 pounds. Both of her parents were big dogs!)

We do crate her if we leave her home alone, due to the intense separation anxiety this breed tends to experience. She feels very safe in her crate. (She acts content to be in her crate when we are leaving her; she has never known anything different. When we come home, I always rush into the room to let her out of the crate immediately and she is most often sound asleep!)
Yes, the crate is in our bedroom, too, as that is where she is most comfortable.

I am glad this crating idea has worked out well for you and for your pup! (Crates can serve as a fantastic solution!)

Oh no! The Uhaul experience... my spine was aching as I was reading your account! Those vehicles are notoriously a "bumpy" ride!
(And so often in need of repair, too!)

I hope you can recover from this recent exacerbation quickly!

What an account, Billye! I don't know how you have done as well as you have with all of this going on!

I hope you exacerbation passes very quickly... in fact, I hope it is already over with!

I have had friends needing to try Cellcept (and, therefore, wanting to try Cellcept) when their rheumatological conditions had worsened. Some have done well with this... and are relatively pleased. Others have not cared for it much. If you must try Cellcept, I wish you great success with it.

I hope to hear some additional good news from you in the near future... about your own status and also some great news about your aunt!

And.. bellyrubs for the pup! (Did you say you have a few dogs?)

Truly hope more and more is "looking up" for you each day!


(I have been away from the board, also due to my own level of illness and life chaos. Your story is one I had familiarized myself with, over time and has stayed on my mind and in my prayers, along with others here. I am slowly trying to "catch up" with everyone.)