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Monday, I drive 100 miles to Buffalo to see the dermatologist. I had recurrent basal cell carcnoma on my face and get my skin checked every year. If I can force myself, I'll go to a mall where they have a Spirit shoe store and get this year's sneakers. You don't find the double wide sizes everywhere, and I prefer to try them on rather than order them.
MiMi, I'll say it again. You are so lucky to have your grand-
daughter back near you. It's wonderful that she has an active, full life too. Kids who are playing team sports learn a lot and have fun doing it. Lucky girl. Lucky you.
Debbie, hope your over the hill niece has a wonderful birthday. Please tell her that I was 37 when I started college. I went from full time farmwife to full time student and part time wife and mother.
Mary, you sound so marvelously creative. It's great that you've found a soothing way to start the day in your bath. Sorry about the neck. It does put a damper on things, doesn't it? I love the tub for my low back and the shower for my neck, so I choose by what hurts most.
Cory, you're so right about the lakes. We're right on the PA line and just far enough from L. Erie so we don't usually get too much lake effect. The poor people a few miles closer get clobbered! However, we're in what the weatherman calls "the higher valleys" and get late frosts in spring and early ones in fall. One year the only frost free month was July. The only things that matured were lettuce and radishes. Hope you get to enjoy your time with the family. Pot luck is a wonderful way to spread the work out. Try to get some rest and relaxation in too! You deserve it.
I'm trying to get in shape to make that Monday trip. I usually look forward to it and often bring a girlfriend along to hit the mall and get a great lunch, but the state my back's in right now, I really have to be religious about flexerill every 8 hours and maintaining the heating pads. Hopefully, the flare will be gone by Monday morning.
Have a great Saturday and Sunday, and pray for me on Monday.
BetteKView Thread

Your breast pain could be fibromyalgia. It could also be a bunch of other things.
- Is the pain something that comes the same time of your menstrual cycle each month?
- Are you on birth control pills or other hormone therapy? These substances are know to make some women experience breast swelling and pain.
- Are you a very large-breasted woman? Large breasts are heavier, sag more without a bra, and therefore pull more on chest muscles. (This and back/shoulder pain are why breast reduction is considered medically necessary while enlargement is considered cosmetic.)
Fibromyalgia can effect any muscles in the body. Even the ones on our chest. But you have to be sure that it is not something else--something more easily treated.
Hope this helps,
BetteK

The gabapentin (Neurontin) is used for nerve type pain. The Celebrex is used for arthritic conditions and other pain states. It's wonderful that the combination you are on is helping so much.
Just as a heads up, your doc may add more gabapentin in the morning and at midday. The usuall dose--built up gradually--is 600 mg 3 X a day or a total of 1800 mg. If your present regemin stops working, that's probably what your doctor will tweak next.
The Celebrex is a NSAID like many other pain medications. The big thing you will have to watch out for is stomach problems like ulcers. Be careful not to use any other meds that contain NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofin or naproxin. They are in many cold or headache remedies. If you add them to your Celebrex, your stomach could get a double whammy.
Stay informed. Stay safel
BetteKView Thread

I looked up sedimentation rate and found that if the rate is faster than normal it means you have an infection or cancer or inflamation. It doesn't say what a slow rate like yours means.
Sorry.
Wow! Your gynecologist must have been blind. Since the ureter drains urine from the kidney to the bladder, there's no way to empty that kidney. Wouldn't you think they've figured out how to stick in a length of tubing or something to do the job?
Are your legs swelling up with fluid? That would cause a lot of pain and weakness. It would also make sense if the kidneys are no longer able to do their job right.
I am sure that some of the other FMers out there have better answers for you.
In the meantime, keep your legs elevated above your heart as much as possible, and try to find answers in places like WebMD and from your own doctor.
Wish I do something--anything--to help you,
BetteKView Thread

Mary, your deck garden sounds wonderful. I'd like to do something like that on our front porch. Unfortunately the porch is burried under an old fridge, an adult tricycle, 3 non-functioning gas grills, and a lot of other stuff hubby stashed there. Mind you, this is our FRONT porch. Aren't you resourseful to always have one more plan.
Linda, I wish we had a grocery store that gave senior discounts. The best we do is our AmEx card; we get discounts on everything, so we put everything on the card. We pay it in full every month and never get stuck with interest. The best part is that after we spend $6000.01 at the gas station, grocery, and pharmacy the discount goes up to 5%. Lunch out with hubby sounds good, too.
Cece, maybe it's something in the air. My neck's been bad for the past few weeks, too. The worst is when I turn my head, I get dizzy/lightheaded. At least the sun's out, and it will be 70 and sunny for the next week or so!
Cory, what a day you had! It's so lucky that no one was hurt and that there was so little damage. Hope you get that half day off to recuperate. You deserve it.
And to all of you, hope your Thursday was good and Friday will be even better. Remember, less stress equals less pain.
BetteKView Thread

It's wonderful that you are in a better place in life now. It may not make your fibro better, but it will definitely help you handle it better. And that's darn important.
If the earlier replies you received are to be believed, you are about to liven up this board. Great!!
As for me, I'm a great pontificator. I try to restrain myself, but the inner woman always comes out. You know, the big windbag.
Welcome back aboard,
BetteKView Thread

Remember the major newsflash when Lyrica came out? Many of us were immediately put on the stuff. For some, it brought a lessening of pain (say from a 6 to a 3). For others it just didn't do anything. And for quite a few of us, it brought on enough side effects that we just couldn't take it.
If and when there is something--anything--that really works for at least most of us most of the time, never fear, we'll hear about it. Our doctors will hear about it. Our friends will hear about it. Our families will hear about it. And they will ALL be sure to tell us about this new, wonderful treatment.
Until then, it's wonderful that we can help each other here. We all have tales of things that worked for us at one point or another in our lives with fibro. And we share that knowledge.
That's why we're here.
BetteKView Thread

That was about 40 years ago. Looking back, both of them say it was a vibrant, exciting time in their marriage. Even their sons remember it fondly.
BUT neither of them had fibro. They were young, healthy, and
committed to each other and their boys. Only you and your fiancee know how you and your relationship will adjust to this job change.
Now, let me ask you this: if your fiance were transferred to a location 6 hours from home, what would happen? We both know what would happen. You would move to his new jobsite.
There would be no talk of commuting.
Talk with your fiancee. For all you know, he HATES his job and would love to move to another city and another position. Or not. The thing is, you have to talk to him. Or perhaps, because he is travelling anyway, he could be do his travelling based at your new home.
This job sounds like something you would always regret not taking. Find a way to have both a job you love and the man you love.
BetteKView Thread

But there are Rx meds that you may be able to use. Some of them can actually prevent a migrane. Some of them can shorten them and make them less painful.
Sorry you cannot ust the Excedrin. Almost all of us have at least some meds we cannot take. (For me, it's the antidepressants most docs start us on. I can't urinate when I take them. Ouch!) A few of us cannot take any meds at all.
That must be disheartening. But those are the members who have the best self-help, commonsense ideas like heating pads. For us, necessity is the mother of---great ideas in better living.
BetteKView Thread
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