Journal Entry for July 10, 2007
July 10, 2007 11:32pm
Well, it became official today. I no longer have a job. My employer has been very patient waiting for me to become healthy enough to …
jaydubmonkey 
9:59pm, November 12, 2008
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About Me
jaydubmonkey
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About Me
Like everyone else, I never know what to say in things like this. Others have described me as funny, outgoing, smart, sarcastic, stuborn, and optimistic. For the most part they are right. I would add into the mix that I am also shy, at least when I first meet someone. I would also counter that I am quiet in addition to being outgoing. I know these may not seem to mix, but with me they do. I like to do new things, meet new people, eat new foods, etc, but I also like to just sit back and enjoy them. I really try not to let my medical conditions define me, but they have shaped who I am. They have increased my stubborness and made me a stronger person in general.
Like everyone else, I never know what to say in things like this. Others have described me as funny, outgoing, smart, sarcastic, stuborn, and optimistic. For the most part they are right. I would add into the mix that I am also shy, at least when I first meet someone. I would also counter that I am quiet in addition to being outgoing. I know these may not seem to mix, but with me they do. I like to do new things, meet new people, eat new foods, etc, but I also like to just sit back and enjoy them.
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Interests
Criminology, psychology, crafts mostly cross stitching, reading, web-design (just getting into it)
Criminology, psychology, crafts mostly cross stitching, reading, web-design (just getting into it)
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Recent Activity
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Journal
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Journal Entry for July 6, 2007
July 6, 2007 3:16am
Right now I can't sleep. It seems like forever since I have had a normal nights sleep. I am also having a hard time …
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Support Groups
Close Lupus
Was diagnosed with MS in February 2001, at age 20. In 2005 I was also diagnosed with Sjogrens. At the begining of 2007, I started having symptoms that could not be explained by the MS or the Sjogrens. Specifically, I was hospitalized with extreme pain in all of my joints and dificulty breathing. At first they thought it was lupus, but now they are calling it an "undifferentiated connective tissue disease." It seems to have elements of both Lupus and RA.
Treatments
- Celebrex Not Working
- Unfortunately this drug did not work for me at all.
- Methotrexate Working / Worked
- Originally started on the pills, but switched to the injection version. It makes me nauseated for a couple of days after I take it.
- Plaquenil Working / Worked
- I have not had any side effects, but my symptoms have not improved.
- Prednisone Working / Worked
- Fortunately I have not experienced any weight gain. At one point I was up to 50mg daily. Now I am down to 5mg. If is go lower then my symptoms get worse.
- Rituxan Somewhat Helpful
- It took a couple of months to start working. Then it worked for a couple of months. But the pain has came back sooner then expected.
Close Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Type: Relapsing-remitting MSDiagnosed with MS in February 2001, at age 20. In addition also have sjogrens and a disease similar to lupus. Most severe MS exacerbation was the begining of 2006, when I forgot how to walk for about 6 weeks. Three months later I was dancing.
Treatments
- Avonex Somewhat Helpful
- Baclofen Working / Worked
- Copaxone Working / Worked
- Seemed to be working, but stopped it because they are not sure how it reacts with Rituxan.
- Rebif Not Working
- Gave me panic attacks, due to the burning sensation. I have heard the formula has changed since then to reduce the burning sensation.
- Solumedrol Working / Worked
- It works, but I try to avoid it.
Open Sjogren's Syndrome
I was diagnosed with Sjogrens in early 2005, at the age of 24. I also have MS and Lupus.
Open Hyperthyroidism
In approximately 2003-2004, I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism caused by a documented growth on my thyroid. Fortunately this growth went away on its own. My thyroid levels have remained fairly normal since then, but I still have them checked on a regular basis.
Open Ovarian Cancer
My mother was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had surgery 8/28/07 to remove the cancer. She has now completed her chemo and is doing great.
Open Rheumatoid Arthritis
Was diagnosed with MS in February 2001, at age 20. In 2005 I was also diagnosed with Sjogrens. At the begining of 2007, I started having symptoms that could not be explained by the MS or the Sjogrens. Specifically, I was hospitalized with extreme pain in all of my joints and dificulty breathing. At first they thought it was lupus, but now they are calling it an "undifferentiated connective tissue disease." It seems to have elements of both Lupus and RA.
Treatments
- Celebrex Not Working
- Folic Acid Working / Worked
- Methotrexate Working / Worked
- I started out taking the pills but have recently switched to injections. Also just increased my dosing. Makes me nauseous for a few days after my injection.
- Pain Management Clinic Not Working
- May have just been the clinic I went to, but I found it to be a waste of time. It was just going to be an additional appointment each month to get the scripts for my meds. They had no new ideas I had not already discussed with my Rheum Doc
- Plaquenil Working / Worked
- No side effects.
- Prednisone Working / Worked
- Have had the opposite side effect as most. At first my weight went up, but over the last year it has plummetted.
- Rituxan Somewhat Helpful
- Had my first set of infusions in June 08. About 8/08 my pain level started to drop, but a couple of months later it increased again. Awating my next set of infusions in 1/09. Even just 2 months of reduced pain makes it worth it.
