Boy, you all were up bright and early...sounds like all of you are busy with various stuff and things...;)
Frank, Deb, Jim, Sandy...hope the visit was great...much better with no bees, huh?:rolleyes:

I finally called the neuro yesterday...he called back late yesterday afternoon, we talked about the severe leg spasms that have been locking my legs...told me is scheduler would call me today around noon...she called by 8:30 this morning, and fit me in at 11:30. All I can say is...awesome.

We did have a nice time and it was good for Jim and I we got to spend time together talking, we both needed that, as for the Maine gtg it has to be next autumn Maine Vermont Hampshire are a few of the states I have not see in the autumn and really want to

Morning everyone. I am so sorry some of you are stil sick and need some hugs. :grouphug:

Last night was fun and we plan to do it again! lol Deb and I were searching online for them a home near us. hahaha

I plan to help my mom get her affairs in order. I need to call around for her records to be sent to the disability people. She kept calling last night and Frank was laughing because I had to explain the same thing over and over. Bless her heart. haha

That's about it. Jim's still sleeping and making me want to go back to sleep.

well I made a biggie mistake today went to debs work to get some special tape, and last night i took my cane in from van and forgot yeah needless to say deb had to help me walk out i made it in but that was about it, i keep one in my car and two in the house i can usually hobble to the car and or back to the house because I park close to the door, really got to think before i leap next time

wow, Sandy... that would be cool to have them live close-by ... hope it works out!!

I just got another email from Cargill in Minneapolis .. for a Senior Tax Analyst ... right up my alley .. so I applied ... now, waiting ... :p

Cool Vonn :hug: good luck to you

thanks, Frank ... it would be working 'domestically' ... with tax returns ... and I tried to sell them on it ... that I can do this type of job *hello*!!

it would mean relocating ... to the big city: Minneapolis ... but, actually would stay in Wisconsin - and commute across the Mississippi ...

lots to consider though ... if it happens or not ... at least I'm trying to do something for myself ...

Vonn, no matter what you decide to do, best of luck. :hug:

Debbie D, how'd the appointment with the neuro go?

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

~~~~

Had to go get xray, so should hear back on that tomorrow. The imaging place he had me go to takes walk-ins, and it was done quicker than I thought. Pity. The tech guy was cute, LOL.

Just thought I would say a quick hi to everyone. I have been pretty busy at school, and trying to deal with all this "carp" as Frank would say. I just had to spend an hour on the phone with hospital and neuro's office as they billed my old insurance for my MRI which was 3900.00. Of course they had all of the correct iinsurance nformation in my neuro's office (which is part of the hospital) as well as a letter authorizing the MRI from my new insurance, but had not conveyed it to the radiology department. UGH! I will still have to pay 10 %.

Jenn, Hope you are ok.

Hey all...well...
The neuro spent at least an hour with me and DH, asking lots of questions, testing relfexes...
he said I have all the bells and whistles where sxs are concerned to say I have MS, but the MRIs from the last 2 yrs (last one taken 9/07) and the lumbar puncture still haven't confirmed it...no new lesions, clear fluids.
Soooo...he is ordering a new MRI of my head and neck; 3day IVSM, with a 15 day taper of prednisone after that, followed by copaxone...
At lunch afterwards, I asked my DH how he felt about it all...he's worried about the side effects of steroids...but hopes that the sxs will stop increasing. He asked how I felt...I said strangely relieved...I want to stop the sxs, too. I want a better quality of life...and if these meds will help that, I will be satisfied.
The reason that the doc can't definitively state that I have MS is that the insurance co. will look at the tests and MRIs and won't pay for any ABCs. They'll pay for copaxone, but not other drugs. And when the doc told my DH how much they cost per month, my DH gave a "wow...":eek:
Question: what are some of the things I need to know about copaxone? How has it worked for those of you who use it? Side effects? etc...
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I thanked the doc profusely for his time...I finally felt listened to...:):)

Thanks to all of you who have read my rants and supported me...you're all great:hug:

Debbie, question for you..as I am always in cogfog...and dont recall...so do you have some lesions or anythign showing on any MRIs?? or clear MRIs but all the sxs...?? jsut curious...and hgussss good luck...and glad this neuro took you in so quick and what a great response....hugssss


well all...just about to bundle up for a short walk...I used to walk daily all the time....from warm days to deep winter cold days...2 miles a day...this was just few years ago...like under 4 years ago....I am sooo way out of shape...and miss the walks...I can still walk but for a few latest years..if summer time..had to go slower than I like to make sure I didnt start to overheat..and get sxs....(I always now take cell phone with me anyhow..for safety)
then over time...I got frustrated with tryin to walk slower paced walks..hehe....then just got too many times of flares of whatever I frick ing..have....that too worn out..to usually tihnk of exercise on top of work..

but I miss the fresh air aspect, and taking the time...so going to take a small walk....it helps the mind too....

also trying to find a way to get some weight lifting...(I mean little handweights hehe) and some yoga in my weeks....I gotta do SOMETHING..my body is just flabbing out..not sure due to my age...or just lack of exercise....I know I am on feet so much at work..but still my body is flabbing out...

doesnt help to be gained a bit of weight on the latest meds...in summer and now....well gonna go before it gets dark...hugss all, sarah

(thanks debbie for the info...here or in PM...thanks)

sure sounds like he is treating you for MS, hope tjhe meds help Deb:hug:

hiya maddiemporgj]0qi8htqjhgyqe
pri9yj\
e53q[pohg;MBknip;tok;mhyng'ouil5j
po[gkmjw45e
9pokg['aer
jpgiok lol figure she will understand what i typed

deb should be surprised when she gets home I got busy this afternoon and set up a gift from an angel

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...18-08_1539.jpg

Dear Frank,
alkjfdalk dal;fjasg ga..ga fdalkjoeiwg...asflasdjfjfllffffffffaoooooowwww
lmmmmmmmmkkkkkvvvvhbbbklnf

falkjljlkjjjjjjjjjgggggg love and hugs, from Maddie and Ciara:)

(they understood your message so well!!) hmmm wondering if Frank said something silly about me....hmmm I bet I will never know!!

Debbie will be surprised for sure...cool..:wink:

Well all
I took a short refreshing walk in the cool cold air...felt good...really good...my feet now are numb/tingling...but hey I am used to that hahhaa

hugss all, sarah

ooooooooooooooh !!!

long day here... early morning market, fed da critters, then off to Spanish Lookout for sacks of feed, sundries, tools, and hay.

at the feed mill, we ran into some good friends, and that led to a lunch date at the Mennonite all-you-can-eat-buffet.....

good solid German comfort food, ahhhhhhhh!

green salad, creamy pasta, cheesy scalloped potatoes, meatballs, chicken, oh, that was fun, and filling too!

then, errands all along the way home (bills, mail, shopping, etc.)

got home just in time to sell a dozen chicks to a neighbor, then it was time to feed all the critters again...

got everything done, and now it's dinner time, and I never got a nappy-bye!

my friends mentioned that they noticed I'm walking pretty well today...

:D

and I'm all: "That's because the weather's cool."

so, I made it through the whole day, and I'm still smiling.

betcha I sleep GOOD tonight!

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...c/DSCF0288.jpg
imagine my suprise when i arrived home after dark to this all beautifully arrainged and lit up ... it is so cool ... gonna get some hay to spread over my flower beds and gonna put some of it in the manager area ... gonna get a star and attach to the top of the manager shed .... now i can't wait to see it with snow all around it ... hehehe ... let it snow...let it snow .... let it snow .... well let it snow just a little bet

ahhhhhhhhhh Frank it DID make her day..yeahhhh

well all, I loved my short walk earlier, and been getting me in a playful mood with the kids...I dont get down and just play as often anymore...I guess age..or on puter too much...hehe

really once I get on this site...I keep reading and reading...so again, if I am not on more than once a day..or if I go missing....it is only due to trying to slow up on the puter use....I say this every so often then haha sneak into the habit..hehe...

I will be on...but when kids are busy already, or sleeping, or what not...but I want to try to read less about MS...less about neurological stuff..less about any medical stuff like I read...and take more time to smell the roses...or make snowangels in this case..lol...

well on my way to bed, :eek:wow 9pm and I feel like it is midnt...that is lame...my body is just not doing well...numbness still a mixing it up...but the good news....going to my bed with the youngest two to snuggle...and my 9 year old will join us and read to us...:winky: gotta focus on how much this stuff means to them....as sometimes I say naaaaa cause feeling lousy...

but they grow up too fast, and I will miss the fun times..if I dont take them and enjoy it...even if tired or whatever...I can rest while they snuggle goof around and read.....

well rambling now...and I hear them getting ready for MY bed..hehe...

I miss the days way back when ..when hubby and I both worked days and had evenings together with the kids....way back when we had three kids and living in MA>...hehe...I also think he is in a bummer mood...tired of working a blahhh job in small town..as there isnt more jobs..that could be more exciting.....he misses MA I think...I do to at times.

Anyhow, if not on too much...dont miss me too much..just me trying to enjoy and focus more on family time...and outdoor walking some...maybe yoga...weights...taking care of my body...and soul...

hugss all, sarah:grouphug:

Good Morning everyone! It's very cold here this morning. And I have company here on my lap.....Tigger has decided that it's warmer here than in my bed...:rolleyes: If he doesn't quit "kneading" my leg, though, he's gonna have to find a new place to stretch out.

I had a strange new sx wake me up this morning and it's quite painful. :( It must be nerve pain but the left side of my head and face is affected and it's very sensitive to anything touching it....and every now and then I get this stabbing "ice pick" sensation that nearly makes me cry! :eek: Hopefully it'll pass before too long. Ive taken some Ibuprofen and will go back to bed after everyone leaves for the day.


Frank & Deb....your manger scene is beautiful. Do you put lights on the house, too? We used to but I haven't done it in years now. It's really quite a job! Oh, and Frank.....don't forget your cane if you go anywhere today!! :p

Kay....sounds like you had a wonderful day. Your lunch sounds delicious! I still doubt I could keep up with you but once I got used to the routine I might be able to! You just do what you gotta do...

Sarah...I totally understand your need to spend time with your kids. They grow up so fast. And I've found that I feel better if I don't concentrate so much on what's wrong with me (now that would be time consuming!:o) as I do with what's right in my life. It doesn't mean that the wrong things aren't there anymore...it's just that there's only so much I can do about it and if I concentrate on more positive things I tend to feel better about the negative things I have no control over. But....I have a dx so that makes it a little easier to deal with. I pray you can get some relief from your sx and are able to find a good balance of work and family. :hug:

Everyone else....Barb, DebbieD, Fin, Sandy & Jim, Tara, Vonn, Tricia, B2Y, Cindy, Renee, DM, Sox, Char....I hope I didn't miss anyone.....:grouphug: to everyone.

Good morning all, just about ready to head off for work. Well, after I get dressed.

Praying for you already, Kelly. Is it trigeminal neuralgia? I had a short bout with that early on, before I even knew it was a symptom of anything. I remember thinking I wouldn't want to have that last very long...

I spoke with my boss yesterday, and he is making arrangements for my last day to be December 5. :( I am already a basket case. I haven't told any of my customers, or even my colleagues except for my clerk and the one I borrow from another office. Haven't even told my son (maybe I won't, unless he asks).

But if my boss is starting to make arrangements, word will get around, and there are people that I don't want to hear through the grapevine. I don't want to tell anybody.

My daughter thinks I should have some kind of recognition, but right now I'm feeling: "Great idea! Let's have a big PARTY and celebrate the fact that I can't do my JOB anymore!" Where is the sarcastic smiley?

Aww...B2Y....it's sad when we have to leave our "work family". I remember saying that I used to spend more time with them than I did my own.

Even though it was tough to leave....and it wasn't my choice (MS made it for me).....I think I've adjusted pretty well. My job was very high stress and that is the part I don't miss. Not even for a second.

I still keep in touch with the people I worked with....and it's even better now 'cos I have the time to chat with them...not just pass their desk and not even have the time to stop and speak.

I hope you can make the transition easily and find that it's really a refreshing break from the same old same old. Make a list of all the things you've wanted to do but couldn't because of the job. It's fun! :hug:

I looked it up and yep.....that's it! I hope it doesn't last long, either.....it's not pleasant! :eek: I'm trying to stay busy so I don't think about it. I do have some Baclofen and will take it if it gets any worse. I just took some Ibuprofen.

I hope you have a good day at work.....and I'd tell my coworkers that I was leaving and when. Gives them time to plan a party! :p

morning all

BTY they tried doing that for me when i left and I was ah no thank you this isn't how i wanted to retire and I would probably cry so thanks but no, If I may ask why you worried what others think or know about your MS, they are going to know in two weeks anyway, Dont let the finality of the date dec 5th get the best of you, yeah it sucks you and I have talked a lot about this day, now its here, now you can work around your MS, and see and feel the difference without the job stress,

I know you are worried and maybe like I was, scared itless, I know I was, this is a decision you made before you ever asked me about this , you knew the answer, I knew my answer and just didn't want to admit it and pushed an extra 3 months and ended up retiring via the hospital. yeah you are gonna wake up on time for work for a while lol but ya get to roll over and give your body some extra needed sleep. Sorry if i am coming across as harsh, is not my intention. You are going through a strange period of life, retirement can be a hurdle to deal with as it is but like a lot of us here forced retirement really is that hurdle plus another, its not easy, but a number of us have successfully conquered it, I know you will do well.:hug:


ps? did they get the disability settled? you are getting your pension right? from my experience with postal loyalty they are not just kicking you out w/out the pension settled are they? yes folks i ask cause the usps can and tend to treat their employees as mules,Bty:hug:


morning every one been up a while. yall are burning daylight move it move it move it chop chop


i need coffee brb


peace

Kelli, sorry to hear about the new symptom. If it truly is a new one, don't forget to call your doc if it doesn't let up. Hope you feel better soon. :hug::hug:

Oh, and my tiger kitty loves to knead before she lays down too. ;)

B2Y, :hug: I also hope the transition goes smoothly for you.

Sarah, Enjoy the little ones. :)

Frank, good job on the display. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning all. Sitting here sipping my morning cup of joe. Actually woke up with hubby's alarm this morning, so must've had a decent night's sleep last night.

Got some things to do here and there. Crossing fingers that I can get some stuff done today. After the caffine kicks in of course, LOL. ;)

:grouphug::grouphug: to everyone.

kelly have you gone and read any of this stuff in this forum TN ON and other forms of N

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum105.html

thats what it sounds like

now ice worked best for me, others heat helps, fluids, rest and darkness were my friends, if you wear glasses use em, do every little thing you can do, it wont help a lot, but they all add up and do help

DebbieD - I have been on Copaxone for 2 1/2 years now. I have not had any problems other than the typical injection site reactions - some good, some not so good. During my 1st year of diagnosis I had serial flares like crazy. MS want to make sure I knew it was there and there to stay. LOL. Now my 2nd year the flares started to decrease and I had no new lesions in a year. That was great news. So far this year (knock on wood) I have only had 2 flares and 1 possible flare. That is a record for me and I think it is due to the C.

B2Y - Oh, I wish I was closer to give you a big hug. :hug::hug: It will be a bittersweet day. Similar to Frank, MS came on like a bad storm for me. MS decided it for me.

Kelly - I have had TN only twice. Since it is nerve pain I am not sure that the baclofen will work on it. If it does let us know so I can remember that for - I don't want to say the words. For me, I have found that any type of nerve pain responds well to some mild heat and then ice right after - 10 minutes of each. However, most of my nerve pain is in my ribs due to a lovely spinal lesion. The area is easier to ice.

I do hope that you start feeling better soon.:hug:

Sarah - Walks are great!!! The mornings have cooled down tremendously here so I have been able to start walking again. I take a 15 to 20 minute walk twice a day if I can. It feels so good!!!!

I understand if you need to spend more time with the kids as you can never get time back. Enjoy!

Kay - Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! You lunch sounds so good! I am glad you had a good day.

Frank & Deb - Absolutely beautiful! It was sweet of Frank to do that and I am glad you enjoyed it Deb.

Sandy - Wishing you luck helping your mom. I do hope it goes well. Additionally, still saying prayers for your brother.

Vonn - Got the Avon book and I tried ordering Patrick Dempsey online but couldn't find it. LOL. He is just adorable. He is one of DD17's favorite actors.

Hi to everyone else I may have missed [insert Frank's generic statement]. I hope you all have a great day.:hug::grouphug:

Hi Kelly .. sorry about your pain .. the 'ice pick' pain ... that reminds me of shingles .. hurt hurt hurt .. hope you feel better soon!!

Tricia ... sorry - Patrick's 'scent' is in the book .. DD can cut out the picture if that will help!! (I know - he's quite a hotty)

B2Y ... sorry about the job ... I just got yelled at (email) from a friend asking me why do I want to work if I'm disabled?? I answered that I'm tired of just existing and surviving ... and finally a job I really like is available - and I would be over-doing it (right, Frank!) by working FT ... where's the balance??

Weave - it's going to be hard with DD working for him ... (this will be hard) ... but, continue to say nice things about him when talking to her ... my parents would play us kids against the other parent ... now I have a hard time believing (men mostly) because the only time my dad was ever really nice to me was when he wanted to get back with my mom ...

DebbieD .. I'm on the 'C' too (since April 2007) ... and like Tricia - only injection sites ... it was the steroid treatments in the beginning that I had weight gain and exhausted all the time ... (make sure to ask for the AutoJect2 to do the shots with)

Update::

lake is still frozen ... no snow ... school is going good ... la la la la la la la

Good Wednesday everyone.:hug:

Kelly.........feel better.:hug:

sarah......have fun with the kiddos , see you soon;)

B2U......:hug:s to you

frank....nice nativity....what a great surprise for deb.

fin.......I hope you accomplish all you need too.:)

tricia....hiya

Kay...glad you had such a wonderful day.

sandy, debbied, vonn, dm, cindy, tara, barb, have a super day:hug:

MY UPDATE: Felt alot better yesterday so skipped the doc appt(It was
30 minutes away). they said I can call if it happens again. I think it
was an extreme muscle pull. feeling very good this morn.:)

So my project to day is to make homemade pierogis(test run for xmas eve).
My dear grandma, my parents and my db would make them every year.
We didnt make them last year for the first time. My grandma was sick
and passed away this past Jan.

So in her memory Im gonna wing it.:D The dough is in the fridge chillin
and my potato and cheese filling I just made.:) I just ate a little and
it really tastes good. It has mashed potato, farmers cheese, s&p, and
a little onions that were sauteed in butter. yummy.:)

Im a little tired but I hope to roll, fill, and boil them in an hour or so.
I sure hope grandma is watching.:)

Sox - Those sound yummy!!! I love those. I have never made them though. I hope they turn out great.

Now Vonnie, darling, we don't want the cologne we want the spokesperson for it. LOL DD17 did see the picture and grabbed the book. LOL What a goof ball. And no, I could never get it for DBF as every time he would wear it I'd be thinking of Patrick Dempsey and that would be just wrong. LOL

did I send you some samples?? you'll 'get over him' (Patrick, not your BF) LOL

he's just a pretty boy ... you have the real thing!!

I like him too .. can we share??? the cologne's not too bad either!!

Sox, glad you're feeling better today. :hug:

Trish and Vonn, Did you try to look under "McDreamy" when you searched the catalog? :D ;)

more update::

I'm watching the geese out on the ice! too funny!

this should go on the 'thinking' thread ... I think I'm thinking too much - my old self wants to conquer the world (okay, takeover) ... with all my projects ... and I have these 'panic' attacks that there's so much I can do - that I get so frustrated trying to do it all ...

anybody have any cures?? I talk to yous - because you are the only ones that know and listen .. thanks!!

Good morning everyone! Frank and Deb, the display looks beautiful! I bet you were surprised Deb!

I need to do the laundry today. I have two baskets calling my name.

For all of you having pain today I pray it clears up soon. :hug:

My brother isn't talking to me. He wont respond to any of my calls or texting. I wish his wife would have left me out of it. Watch, they will get back together and I'll be shunned. Ugh.

Jim's having some back pain in his lower spine area. I adjusted the hardness of the bed and he's better today. Whew, I was worried about his kidneys.

Have a good day everyone. :grouphug:

Sandy, :hug: :hug: Sorry to hear your brother is not returning your calls. Happens sometimes. :(

Vonn, :hug: learning to manage what needed done and not get overwhelmed by all I had to do took me a long time, and I still push a little too much. :rolleyes: I try doing blocks of time sometimes. This morning, did dishes and some straightening up. Around lunchtime I went to the store to get some things. Now I'm resting before I head to the next project.

Doesn't work for everyone, but that's the way I do it. And it's something that needs adjustment each day based on how I'm feeling.

Weave, :hug::hug:

~~~~~~~

LOL, the earlier conversation makes me wish it was Thursday. I'm a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. ;)

Got some painting to do later on. Hubby liked the cards I made for another project so much, he wants to do it for our Christmas cards. Hope I can get this done for him in the next couple of days. (you know, I really need a smiley that's crossing it's fingers - LOL!)

:grouphug:

awwwwwwwwww, Cuz... TN stinks, majorly!

:hug::grouphug::hug:

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy... when it's at its worst... (stab stab stab, twang, twinge, ZING) it makes me gasp and tears trickle down... this from the woman who had unmedicated homebirths (yeah, I'm one tough mama, lol!)

I'm so sorry you're one of us unlucky MS'ers who get stuck with it, and I hope yours goes away PRONTO, or at least, doesn't get BAD, or continuous. (I'll be praying HARD for you, dear, for a minimal course!)

the only hope I can offer you is that the nasty bout I had last summer has NOT repeated itself, except for a few poke-pokes here and there, it's mostly subsided (oh thank you thank you, merciful heavens above!)

with that said, I have to agree with Trish who said Baclofen probably won't help with this charming symptom.

only two things work for me... to back the pain off to a bearable or manageable level.

1. Butalbital (generic for Fioricet, a headache medicine with barbiturates, Tylenol, and caffeine)

2. Medical Marijuana - taken in pre-emptive fashion, one small special brownie the day BEFORE - means less stabs the next day.

weird, but it works.

************************************

Vonn, baby steps, baby steps !! do just a little, rest, then a bit more...

if you look at the WHOLE PILE of stuff that needs to get done, you'll end up overwhelmed, and perhaps not willing to tackle it at ALL.

so, leetle teensy baby steps, promise?

oh, and one of my favorite things to do is sit on my porch, and watch my goosies cavort.

Soxie, now you've got me sitting here trying to convince my Polish hubby to get his hindquarters in the kitchen and whip up some pierogies !!

good luck with your project, hope the taste fulfills all your fondest memories, and highest expectations...

remember, practice makes perfect!

:grouphug:

Weave, you have the patience of a saint, and I concur with you and everyone else, the daddy-daughter working environment may be a recipe for disaster, and choosing up sides... hope you guys can work it all out amicably... with the least emotional suffering possible.

Sandy, tell the laundry "La la la la, I can't HEAR you!" and then get some earplugs.

:p

I've had one unmedicated birth (I'd rather walk on shards of glass than do that again! :eek:) and this TN pain isn't nearly as bad as that was....thank goodness. Actually, I'm much better but I've been taking Ibuprofen all morning so I'm guessing that's helping it. That or I just have a very mild case of it.

got it .. thanks everyone ... I'm trying ... and trying NOT to take on too much ... still whittling down on projects ... but there's so much I want to do!!

I have things to do ... people to see ... places to go ...

on top of thinking about moving ... just because I haven't found "that" place where I'm happy ...

what a goof I am, huh??

Weeeell, the rogies werent my grandmas :( but really not half bad for
a first time. I have to admit I only cranked out 3 dozen. now im beat..
sure Ill be paying tonight but it sure was fun.:D

This is why it's always a good idea to do trial runs for recipes like this. :) Glad you had fun making them.

I have a few family recipes that I'm both excited and scared to try. Turns out no one in my family really follows a recipe and they all add their own twist to it. Took me forever to figure that out, LOL. But that's ok, 'cuz I have a tendancy to do it too. ;)