We're on Facebook!
Check out our page!
DS Store is Open
DS t-shirts and more
Advertisement
  • About Me

    Image of MsCowgirl

    MsCowgirl

    Female, 50, Married
    Greenough West Australia, AUS
    Member since November 16, 2008

    • About Me

      Hi, I live on a farm 400km\'s from the city, that mostly produces livestock and grain. We are also right on the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline, where there\'s plenty of recreational fun like fishing, diving and tons of water/wind sports like surfboarding to keep everyone busy. It\'s thought I have RA/AS - still to find out. In the meantime I need to soak my brain cells up with as much information as I can, so please bear with me!

      Hi, I live on a farm 400km\'s from the city, that mostly produces livestock and grain. We are also right on the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline, where there\'s plenty of recreational fun like fishing, diving and tons of water/wind sports like surfboarding to keep everyone busy. It\'s thought I have RA/AS - still to find out. In the meantime I need to soak my brain cells up with as much information as I can, so please bear with me!

    • Interests

      Bush Medicine/Animal and Wildlife welfare/Tai Chi/Natural History/Glass engraving

      Bush Medicine/Animal and Wildlife welfare/Tai Chi/Natural History/Glass engraving

  • Journal

    • Journal Entry for October 11, 2009

      Mood October 11, 2009 10:41am

      I've got to pack those bags again and head back to Perth for a week to help my mum and dad, do some business and celebrate my nephews engagement …

    • Willpower just wont do it!

      Mood October 5, 2009 11:37am

      You know when you have one of those dreams and you wake up realising the "good times" are over, and it happens to really be Monday morning? …

    • Faaaaaantaaaastic Whale Watching Trip!

      Mood September 29, 2009 9:44am

       

      I am still getting the sand and Bougainvillia leaves out of the car, but we've just got back from a few days recouperation at Kalbarri, a …

    • Home Sweet Home

      Mood August 25, 2009 9:43am

       

      Finally home and so glad for it. The time away was spent trying to help my elderly parents through one crisis after another. My dads …

    • I'll be back, but not sure when.

      Mood June 30, 2009 12:36pm

      Our parents have had the fortune to see their children grow into adults, marry their loved ones and watched the family grow with each grandchild and …

    Read Journal

  • Hugbook

    Give MsCowgirl a hug



    • Hug

      From TforTexas November 3

      Hey Cowgirl!! Good to see ya. ;) I've been away for a while too. Been very busy running back and forth to doctors in the city. Things are a little quieter now thank goodness. Take care my friend.
      Linda

    • Hug

      From lycesq November 3

      Hi there! Just giving you a Tuesday hug because we all need those hugs!

      Lynne

    • High Five

      From Bistro November 3

      boooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Flower

      From Joey1234 November 2

      Thank you Miranda for your concern and prayers. You are ahead of us on days tuesday is tomorrow here. I will let everyone know what I find out ruling out not winding up in the hospital. God bless.
      Joey

    • Hug

      From bc2 November 2

      Rhanks for your sweet comments. I'm very fortunate to not only live in a fabulous place, but to be able to get out in it. Sharing it is one of my joys. hugs, doug

    Read Hugbook

  • Support Groups

    • Close Ankylosing Spondylitis

      In Aug 2008 I had a minor headcold. What followed has been a rapid onset of what is thought to be RA/AS. I am not formally diagnosed yet but have just found out I have Grade 3 inflammation of SIJ's (tut)

      Treatments

      Heat Working / Worked
      Invest in a flat electric heat pad for your back, one that you can control the temperature/time etc. They are worth their weight in gold!
      Humira Somewhat Helpful
      Been on it 3 months. Have had 3 flares since starting, 2 that required cortisone. Has helped reduce fatigue though
      Naproxen Not Working
      Trialled for 6 weeks, no real benefit noticed with yet another anti-inflammatory.
      Pets Working / Worked
      Both my dogs and cats sense when I'm not well. They are more gentle and affectionate.
      Physical Exercise Working / Worked
      I try and do at least 40 minutes, 5 times a week. Have to, otherwise I'm going to collapse and never get up. 1. Hydrotherapy/Swimming 2. Walking 3kms 3. Tai Chi 4. Home Exercise Program
      Pilates Working / Worked
      Pilates keeps my muscles strong, so that when the rest of me fails, I have something to keep me standing up.
      Tai Chi Working / Worked
      Great for maintaining flexibility of the spine in AS, but I still have to be careful not to over do it. The holistic approach to tai chi is also soothing and inspirational. I love it.
      Celebrex Working / Worked
    • Close Rheumatoid Arthritis

      In Aug 2008 I had a minor headcold. What followed has been a rapid onset of what is thought to be RA/AS. After anti-inflammatories, cortisone, supplements; I am about to start on biologics

      Treatments

      Celebrex Not Working
      The same as Naproxen - no joy.
      Dextropropoxyphene Not Working
      Not strong enough to aleviate my flare up pain.
      Fish Oil Working / Worked
      I take 6000mgs a day and don't really notice any benefit, until I stop them!
      Folic Acid Too Soon to Tell
      I take Vit B Forte daily
      Humira Somewhat Helpful
      Been on Humira 3months now, no real reduction in flares, but has helped reduce fatigue.
      Naproxen Not Working
      Was on 1000mg each night but could not determine any beneficial effects from it. Rough on the stomach too.
      Pets Working / Worked
      Both my dogs and cats sense when I'm not well. They are more gentle and affectionate
      Pilates Working / Worked
      Helps keep me standing upright, but hard to continue whilst flaring.
      Prednisone Too Soon to Tell
      It settles down the swelling and inflammation, but not the pain.
      Walking Working / Worked
      I love it. Gentle, enjoyable, good for the body and the mind.
      Elavil Working / Worked
      Has helped reduce the severity of the muscle spasm that I experience at night.
    • Open Adoption

      A 30yr search for my birthparents. The path is long and winding, but I hope one day I will have success in locating one, or both.

    • Open Back Pain

      I injured my lower back in a work accident back in 1983 and after a range of conservative treatments, reached the end of the road 6 yrs later, requiring a spinal fusion of L5/S1 with bone graft. It took 19 yrs for the wear and tear to become evident in the disc above, and in 2007 I had another fusion, this time an artificial disc (Maverick) was used. So far complete recovery, but getting there is still like climbing a mountain.

      Treatments

      Bedrest Working / Worked
      Bedrest is a must, but getting pain/muscle spasm relief whilst lying down is another thing all together.
      Epidural Injection Somewhat Helpful
      I had a series of three epidurals a months apart. First one gave about 7 days relief, the 2nd about 48hrs and I did not consider having the third to be worth the travel/hospitalisation etc.
      Heat Working / Worked
      Helps reduce the muscle spasms well.
      Ibuprofen Somewhat Helpful
      Not useful for severe pain, but can help take the edge of a chronic back ache.
      Naproxen Not Working
      I took it regularly, but could not feel the benefits of taking it.
      Physical Therapy Working / Worked
      Core exercises are essential in maintaining my lumbar spine strength.
      Relaxation Working / Worked
      Usually its enforced, because I'm totally incapacitated when my disc blows.
      Stretching Not Working
      Manipulation by a physiotherapist, sadly caused my bulging disc to herniate completely.
      TENS Working / Worked
      Does provide relief, but difficult to self-apply to your own back
      Valium Working / Worked
      For all it's bad reputation, this is the best med for relieving muscular spasm.
    • Open Fitness Goals

      Treatments

      Elliptical Trainer Working / Worked
      Good aerobic exercise, I started with just 5 minutes at a time.
      Martial Arts Working / Worked
      Tai Chi - very good for all ages and all levels of fitness.
      Pilates Working / Worked
      Would recommend pilates as it's great at strengthening your core muscles. For all the girls who have always wanted abs, this is recommended.
      Running Not Working
      Too high impact for me.
      Strength Training Working / Worked
      Very good for strengthening my hamstrings and reducing my lower back ache.
      Swimming Working / Worked
      Excellent, low impact exercise.
      Weight Training Considering
      I find the monotomy gets to me after a while.
    • Open Smoking Addiction & Recovery

      MsCowgirl hasn’t entered any details for this support group.
    • Open Insomnia

      MsCowgirl hasn’t entered any details for this support group.
  • Groups

  • Friends


Advertisement
Content on DailyStrength.org is for informational purposes only. We do not provide any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. More info
Portions of support group and treatment information provided by Wikipedia under the GNU FDL license
Copyright 2006-2009, DailyStrength, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | HSW International | HSW China | HSW Brazil