swollen knees

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

Hey Bunker,

You have every right to be miffed and complaining, though I don't agree with the word complain. We are just telling our story.

Is there an Urgent Care facility in your area..an ER. I think with all this swelling your body is telling you something. Slow down and forget the dirt...and go to the ER. Maybe they can prescribe prednislone..you maybe in the midst of a deep flare. Kidneys maybe being affected...heart not pumping the fluid, possible...

Have you tried Miralax for your constipation. It is available without a prescription now. It works. I have a slow digestive system, had my esophagus dilated. Taking hard core laxatives only promotes a slow tract..give it a whirl.

Maybe you need to get refitted for your dentures...sounds like your gums maybe swollen too, or atrophy of the gums, loose fitting causing friction to create blisters?

For dry mouth sip lemon water, suck sugar free hard candy or csugar free cough drops. There is also a prescribed drug for artifical saliva, ask for it. I have Sjogrens' and I use Aquoral.

For the itches, try an oatmeal rinse. One cup of oatmeal to two quarts of water. Stir till milky, sieve and pour on affected clean skin. Do not rinse, pat dry.

Do you have rashes?

Please slow down till you can see a doctor..dirt can wait..health can't.
Hugs,
Oluwa
_________________

bunker_57 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: Did that

I have tried almost everything there is to regulate and doesn't seem to work. Did the miralax for a week straight, every day, til the bottle was gone and had to take laxatives for two days to go. Rhuemy called back and is setting up appts. Hopefully they will figure something out so I can get things done again. Thanks for caring, was up in arms and does good to talk to someone who knows, helps slow that feeling of desperation. Bunker

laurid8967 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

Im glad to read they called you back. I was going to reiterate what Oluwa said about the ER. We have all learned the hard way here that we cant be concerned that we are "putting the doctor out"...that is their job, you know? One of the biggest regrets I have today is that I didnt go to the ER and/or pursue the doctor more this past winter. I got sick on Thanksgiving and didnt get treated until June. This was, in large part, to me not wanting to "bother" the doctor. I was REALLY swollen, really sick, and had symptoms that I just shouldnt have let go. Thank God, it wasnt my kidneys, or heart, or I may not be here right now!
I dont mean to sound dramatic, I just dont want to see anymore of us suffer needlessly...I have HAD IT with the medical community!! Please do yourself a favor and take Oluwas advice...Forget the cleaning and rest your body. Its trying to tell you something...Insist on seeing the rheumie as soon as you can. You will feel so much better that you did. I couldnt BELIEVE how much better I felt - and how SOON - after I finally went back to the doctor crying out for help practically. She put me on prednisone and plaquenil, and the prednisone started to work in two days. I had just left my JOB! I had been in bed almost 6 months! And all it took was a little persistance.
Please let us know how you make out...and NEVER feel as if your complaining...you are living with a chronic, son of a @!# of an illness, and we need to vent sometimes.
Take care of yourself and keep us posted...
Love Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

bunker_57 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject: thanks for the ear!

Thanks for the ear, I have to go 280 miles to see my rhuemie, and the appt is next thurs day, she also set the ball rolling on getting me a gastrointestinal dr. They are spose to call this week and set up an appt. She was very understanding and got me in as soon as she could. We only have a few rhuematologists in this state and they are on the west side, and east side, and I am in the central part of the state. That is how most of the specialists are. Well any way thanks alot. Bunker

laurid8967 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:07 am Post subject:

Good for you, Bunker, for taking action. I know its hard to do sometimes. I cannot IMAGINE being that far away from things!! Im such a city girl!! I live on the beach in a city called Quincy, just south of Boston, MA. I can be in downtown Boston in less than a half an hour - by train, boat or car!!
Its strange, all the different lifestyles and areas, etc and we all have the same disease, you know?
So, until you see the doc, I take Excedrin RIGHT when I get up in the morning. It has ibuprofen, Tylenol and caffeine (dont be fooled, by the way. ALL Excedrins are the same ingredients - no matter what they say on the front i.e. Migraine, Arthritis, etc. EXCEPT for PM) I find the store brand is just as effective. I then take more around lunch time, and at night before bed I take Aleve and Benedryl. It helps me sleep and the inflammation.
Maybe this will help until you see your doc? Good luck and keep us posted..
lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

bunker_57 · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: feeling some relief!

Went to rhuemie, she did all the tests, won't get an answer for two weeks. Swelling is going down a whole lot, usually does by the time I get to the dr., took pictures though. She thinks I have hepatitus A, don't know how that is possible, but on the ride home, we realized that we ate take out twice before I got sick, and that my husband had flu like symptoms too. We never eat out, so I had forgotten. Well she did all the regular tests and a few more. Will be glad when I know something. Have an appt in the middle of next month with the gi and then go back to rhuemie in Oct. Feel much better though , but at nite the hot and cold spells still come on and the light headed stuff. Mild headaches, she said I would slowly start feeling better and seems to be the case. I even will get a few things done during the day and that is great. Wink

thanks to all, bunker! My garden is calling Smile