Hi all. I'm having a good day. For the first time in months I did NOT take a painkiller as soon as I woke up! Maybe the plaquenil is beginning to do something? I have the sense that in the past couple weeks the percentage of good days to bad is shifting slightly in the good direction. I see the rheumy again next week, so I'll see what he thinks about it all. I had a friend over this afternoon and we did some drawing. We're working our way through Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. All in all, a nice day. Oh, and the weather is fabulous - hot , calm, and sunny, just the way I like it. :-)

Hi, well, it has been an eventful past couple of weeks for me. Had my parents 40th anniversary party, my father in laws 60th birthday party and a family reunion all in one weekend. It was very busy and I was very tired after that. I also fell that weekend and I think I have a mild fracture in my foot, but I haven't gotten it checked yet. My daughter has had strep throat for over a month now. Got new antibiotics today, if this doesn't knock it out, we'll have to consider getting her tonsils taken out. My health is weird right now. Inflammation of my ears on the outside and a now some joint pain that is usually controlled by the plaquenil. My mother fell this morning and broke her ankle, but since she lives about 6 hours away, there's not much I can do for her. My tomatoes are starting to ripen and I'm working on some jewelry while my kiddos nap to help keep my mind off things. Hope everyone is doing well.
-Kate

Hi.. fairly new here... fell on Sunday.. sprained my left ankle and left hand... going to the orthapaedic dr today to make sure nothing is broken.... hope it goes well....I will keep you posted....

The kids are gone home and this will be the first week with things back to "normal". We have been working at Dads house packing and sorting....... They are starting the windows tomorrow.

I think this week will be a real test.

I see the respirologist this week and have to call and make an appointment with the rheumy for a follow up.

Having such a fatigueing week. I am soooo tired. Been having head aches frequently also. Guess things are out of control again. Probably my stress level. It has been bad.
Got my daughter moved to Nashville. Another one is moving home with her husband until they can get work. They could not get enough work in florida to make it. Hope they find something soon and get an apartment.
I have to get the house ready for them, but time is nonexistant.
They sold the hospital I work in. Am losing most of my sick leave. They are paying out about 25% in a lump sum check. I have finally gotten over the anger. After all, I kept that sick leave so I could use it if I had a major flare, needed surgery, ect. Now, 75% is gone. From 50 days, I will get to keep 6.
Also, I complained to my manager about being left along at the end of the day frequently. Especially on Friday. He brought it up tactfully at our staff meeting, on Friday.. Well, I got attacked. "That is not true! What do you mean? You dont know what you are talking about?" ect. So, that afternoon, I could not find one of my co workers. She had gone to a meeting at 10AM, and decided to go home afterwards. My boss went out to run errands for 4 hours. 2 others went home an hour early. Only one other employee was left. What a liar I am! After the pay out, I think I will quit. There is nothing worth this stress. I was going to leave one time before but my husband said I should not leave a job due to anger, but should take time to think it through. So, I have. It is stress!!!
I went and heard a wonderful speaker yesterday. Hope to have more time for that in the future!
Mary Ann

Hi everyone - just responding to the roll call b/c I just read it. We had a busy weekend, but the weather was great and I got a lot done. Went to the Art Fest and walked around a LOT, so I came home with sore joints and pretty swollen. Still not something I'm used to, and I was there with my Mom - who was worried about me the whole time, and having my Mom be able to do more than me is still a bizarre concept. Coming home so sore and trying to explain that to my husband always ends up in a fight for some reason. He's running a 5k today, and I can't even walk several miles w/out overdoing it. So frustrating!! I happened to notice that my knee was pretty swollen so I showed him (b/c I was freaked out) and he said "what, the water on the knee thing again?" Oh, I'm sorry, you must be used to that already honey, b/c I'M NOT!! I wanted to smack him, and just my knee is not a big deal b/c all my joints hurt. Just really irritates me to try and explain to him why I need to lie down or at least sit b/c I've overdone it for the day. I also had a migraine by the end of the festival too, b/c that's my M.O. as well. I always feel so selfish for taking time to do something by myself that then completely runs me down for the day, b/c we have little kids and I'm complete toast afterwards. My husband says he'll take over, but it never seems to go well. So I'm dealing with MCTD and interpersonal relationship issues on top of it. Wonderful!!!! I see the rheumatologist on Tuesday and have been counting down the days, hopefully she can get me on something else that can get my joint and muscle pain under control. I would really like to walk around without having to end up on the couch for several hours. And so crabby trying to deal with all of this stuff!! But today is a new day and it will definately be better : )

Hi, y'all. I've been taking it easy this week. I've been experiencing major joint pain and extreme fatigue. Also frustrated with the fact that I can't get into see a Rheumatologist thats on my insurance until mid September. So, here I sit in limbo. I'm finding it tough telling people what it is that I have. I have been dealing with the joint pain and fatigue for eight years and finally bloodwork came back positive for this crappy disease. How do you tell someone your sick when you don't look or act sick. My kids are having a difficult time understanding that I have to lay down so much. I've always been an early riser. Now, I'm lucky to DRAG myself out of bed at 9am.

Sorry for the rant!!! Enjoy the day! It's a beautiful day here in Utah!

Hi everyone. Haven't been on lately and feel the need to have a good whine! Finished up work for 6 weeks. I am so enjoying doing things at my own pace again. Not sure what the fall will bring whether I will return full time or do 1/2 time disability. I am not a very good job share partner I am afraid so part of me wants to have my whole job back, but part of me knows I just can't do it any more. Took our dear old dog in on July 8th and had her put down. I am not dealing with it well at all. I still cry daily, I miss her so much. Got home from a week of camping, it was nice when it was just the hubby and I but when the 25 year old son came - not so much fun anymore - the two of them do not really get along very well at all - it drives me nuts. Feeling quite well lately, on the metho injections, plaquenil, down to 7.5 of prednisone and the areva again. I have an upset stomach today, but last night was injection night - expect to feel unwell on Tuesday. Anyway....that wasn't too bad of a vent was it? Take care all....welcome newbies!

Leanne