Hello Mary Ann,
I have been doing well except for a couple of issues. As you said allergies come with spring. It is always a relief when doctors give you a break between visits. My rheumi has always scheduled appts at six month intervals. I have not been on the website for awhile and need to read some comments to get up to date on how everyone has been doing. I hope you are doing well.
Patricia

Just got back all my lab work. Everything is normal. Wow! ANA is 1 out of 10. Dont understand the reference. Lupus, sjorgens, RNP, ect is 0. Sed rate is normal, the C4 and C6? is normal. CBC is normal. Thyroid is normal, and on and on and on. This is a miracle! So why am I tired and short of breath?
Oh yeah, did my cholesterol under the table yesterday at the free clinic I volunteer for. It wasnt so good. Maybe now I will live long enough to worry about that!
Mary Ann

Hello everyone. I am actually doing pretty good Lab work is all within normal limits for the first time in 5 years. Spring and the change in weather has caused a few issues but Summer will soon be here!!! I am off prednisone yay!! Only problem is weight gain seems I just can't exercise enough to loose that extra weight:( Hope all is doing well and those that are struggling right now hang in there !!!-Michelle

Hi All! My lab work was excellent this time but I had a flare up in the muscle pain and R doc put me on prednisone for a short time. That took care of the pain and the weather is improving (slowly!) and my stressors are waning. With all these good things I'm truly expecting to have some smooth sailing. I think stress causes more pain flare ups for me than anything else. Got to get that under control. Great to hear everyone's report.

still alive

Hi everyone. I'm still on temporary disability and after an angst-filled first month, I'm SO glad to have escaped the insanity of my job. Stress is way lower but I have more pain. Maybe some of it is age and being really out of shape! That and the moderate to severe stenosis in my neck, which explains the numbness and weakness in my arms.

don't know what the future holds but I've filed for retirement from former public employment and am hoping to get by on freelance or part-time work. Working full-time is no longer an option.

Hope everyone else is well and enjoying the summer.

Hello--
I'm back from a surprise need for a hysterectomy surgery!!! Jeez! I've been off my meds for the MCTD, fibro, etc. and I desperately need to get back on track due to the increased pain, fatigue, you name it, I am feeling it! My last set of labs were off & the rheum dr wants me to repeat them. Just waiting for the whole ordeal with the hysterectomy to be over with! The infection & wound drama & meds ( from hospital & pain meds at home now) may be what threw off my labs I'm thinking. I'll have to look over the results again but things were a bit elevated but the most concerning was the liver enzymes, especially since I've been off methotrexate since May. Will surgery, IV medications, pain medications, hospitalizations, infections, surgery again, an open abdominal wound, horrible pain & the stress from the hysterectomy cause changes in my blood test results??