[Silverlady]

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

[glenntaj]

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).

[mrsD]

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).

[BEGLET]

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

[Silverlady]

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

[dahlek]

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

[mrsD]

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.