Went to doctor today

[DammitJanet]

Came home with a wheelchair...sigh. I dont know whether to be happy or sad...lol. I hate the progression.

Did find out a few things...doctor thinks the cause of my horrible leg pain is definitely neuropathy. Also said that the outer pain is caused by a tendon/nerve impingement problem. OK...got that. Gave me some new medication for it called Metanx. Its a medical food thing. We shall try it. Also it appears that somewhere and at sometime in my records I have been dxd with ankolysing spondylitis. When, where? Dont quite know.

That does shed a bit of light though on why I keep getting worse though.

 

[klmno]

Geez, Janet. I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like you feel a little better though, knowing what you're dealing with and getting a few more suggestions. I hope they work and you fell better soon!

 

[Steely]

Cr@p
What does all of this mean for you and your health future? And what is ankolysing spondylitis?
Many hugs.
Steely

 

[Hound dog]

Don't you just love it when you're given a diagnosis they "forget" to tell you about??

The ankolysing spondylitis also explains when you were told you had "arthritis in the ribs". Someone was over simplifiying it. It certainly explains alot of the problems you've been having. Just would've been nice if someone had bothered to clue you in.

Sorry about the wheelchair. Maybe using it a bit will relieve some of the strain and you really won't have to use it that often. I hope the new medication works.

Hugs

 

[everywoman]

Janet I am so sorry that your health continues to worsen. I was hoping that the stress of having Cory in the house would be alleviated by his departure, and that would help with your health issues. Hugs.

 

[TerryJ2]

Janet, I am so sorry to hear that. Is the wheelchair just for long excursions or do they recommend you use it every day?
I hope the new scrip works with-o any side effects. I've got my fingers crossed.

 

[Jena]

I"m so sorry. Yet I too hope the wheelchair alleviates some of the pain your in as well as the new medication.

 

[KTMom91]

I'm so sorry. Hope the new medications work, and the wheelchair can go back where it came from!

 

[totoro]

Well I hope you get some relief. husband has Ankylosing Spondylolysis and Spondylothesis. The slipping forward and backward of his (L-3 and L-4 I believe). It sounds like you have the fusing? Spondylitis? Either way none of them are fun!!!
Right now he is on a radical anti-inflammation diet and mega-vitamins... he also has RA and Gout.
You and husband should hang out!!!
I hope you start feeling bette,r just getting off of your feet and giving your back some rest should help.

 

[DammitJanet]

Totoro...I started out with gout as a teen. I think that was my first symptom. Can you imagine being 17 with horribly gout ridden big toes? LOL. I still get it from time to time but not often. My dad gets it pretty often and it kills him.

Can you tell me about this diet? This new medication I got put on is a medical food that is for neuropathy but its a vitamin thingy.

Oh and on the how much I am going to use the chair...well that all depends. TO get approved for it through medicare they had to approve it for me to use inside the house but I really need it more for use outside for getting around on outings. I can manage to get around in my house ok but sitting in it as a chair is easier on me because it is higher off the ground so I can get up and down easier. Now how I am going to manage to drive and then pull it out of the car and set it up is beyond me.

 

[totoro]

husband has had Gout and the AS and all arthritis like things since his early 20's! It was and has been so hard for him to get any one doctor to agree on anything. But his are all linked.
he just had a 3 week gout attack which was also linked to inflammation in his back etc... so his new doctor... ready?
Stripped him of all:
Sugar
Dairy
wheat/rice/grains/pasta
red meat
Basically he could eat:
Chicken
Fish
Turkey
any green vegetables- salad, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, zuchini etc...
any white fruit- apples, pears, honeydew, pineapples, banana
No alcohol
It was pretty tough. He did this strict for 3 weeks to get the inflammation under control and now he can have things in moderation. But it is still limited. He has a bunch of Anti-inflammatory Diet websites.
He goes and sees a Rheumatologists for more extensive testing in a couple weeks. Right now he is only on Allopurinal (sp?) His back is on hold for surgery... because he just isn't ready yet. The specialist said to wait until he is close to being crippled. On some of the AS websites, some of the surgery patients love it and some hated it. It seems to be about 50/50...
Keep us posted!
by the way he is feeling a lot better! Even though he hates the diet! He is getting used to to it.

 

[house of cards]

I hope the wheelchair can help you to feel less pain and get out more. I hate the constant pain and long term health problems so many are suffering through. I will cross fingers and toes this brings you some relief.

 

[Star*]

So now when you tell us you're on a roll..........you're really on a roll!

Hon - I'm glad you got the chair for some relief. You need to find local charities in your county that will come out and build you a ramp for FREE.
You CAN have Medicare pay for a ramp if the doctor approves it AND a bed that will lift you and a chair that lifts you - Just talk to you doctor, save as much of your joints as you can....and like DF says - If they don't get out of my way Now? I can hit them with my walker.

bravo for your positive attitude kid - (((((((((hugs)))))))))

 

[witzend]

Janet, I have read your note a few times, and worried about what is the right thing to say.

I also got recommended for a chair a year or so ago and it would have either had to live in the house or in the car as I couldn't get it in and out of the house easily, or get it into and out of the car or on a rack on the car. They're really heavy.

I hope that you will find it a help. It's like me with my cane. I hate using it and hate for people to see me with it, but it sure makes it easier for me to do more than I could without it when it comes to getting around in large spaces.

 

[mrscatinthehat]

I hope this helps aleviate some of the pain. Many hugs.

beth

 

[DammitJanet]

Witz...your right...if I had to do this alone there is no way I could do it myself. I would be stuck inside without a ramp and a wheelchair van. I couldnt do all the lifting by myself. In reality I can move around my house ok...what I need the chair for is when I am out. Medicare rules say that I have to "need" it in the house to so we have to be able to use it in the house which I can do...it fits through all doorways and hallways and I can wheel myself through if I have to but its not something I HAVE to do at this point. Not saying I wont at some point further down. The chair in the house does make it easier for me to sit in the living room to be honest because its higher and easier to get up from but there are other sorts of lift chairs that would be a better accommodation than using the wheelchair for that. I plan on asking for one of them soon. My couch is quite old and very low and when Im here alone its hard for me to pull myself up. Picture a beached whale...lol.

 

[meowbunny]

Just HUGS

 

[flutterbee]

I've already told you this, hon, but you NEED a rheumatologist.

You know me...I won't stop til you go. Just annoy the heck out of you until you go just to SHUT ME UP.

And I wonder where my daughter gets it from.

 

[susiestar]

Sending gentle hugs. Make sure that the company who bring sthe chair TEACHES you how to maneuver it into and out of the car. There ARE some lighterweight ones and you may need one of those.

So sorry.

 

[DammitJanet]

Susie...I cant use a lightweight chair. I weigh 300 pounds so I take a larger chair. I got the smallest one that fit me.