Anyone up for a Check-in thread? ;)

[GardeniaGirl]

I thought I would start up another check-in thread - hopefully we will get lots of posts - I always wonder how people are doing here, I just can't relate to a lot of the various pain topics that are posted, so I am sure I miss out on a lot of info because of that.

Also, I am not posting much myself because my issues are more disease-related than just pain related.

Anyway, updates for me:

One of the hugest sources of stress for me the past year or so has been this horrible supervisor at my job. She truly has a lot of psychological problems and it really wore me down dealing with her constant baggage and issues. Anyway, her last day is next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once I found out she was leaving, it was like a huge load was lifted from my shoulders.

If any of you has ever known a "toxic" person who just makes you feel bad being around them, that is my ex-boss.

Our whole office feels different now that she is on her way out.


I have been working more and more at home though, anyway. I am really feeling like I am in a massive decline - weakness throughout my body, pain in all joints, and then the subsequent fatigue, problems concentrating, irritability, etc.

I am thinking a few more months until I need to start applying for SSDI.

Things have been going really great with my boyfriend. He is a true blessing to me, now that he is back in my life after 8 years apart. I have lost so much to my illness over the past 10 years, it has felt like a miracle to have someone like him in my life after all this. I have no family support at all, so that makes his support all the more meaningful.

Anyway, that is me for now - hanging by a thread for the most part, but still hanging. ;)

Hope to hear from everyone!

GardeniaGirl

[houghchrst]

Hey GG, don't post much here anymore but figured I'd pop in.

My mom always referred to people like your boss as psychic vampires, they just drain all the positive energy from the people around them. I try to avoid people like that and I think that is why I avoid people so much probably much to my detriment lol.

I am sorry you are feeling such a decline, sounds exactly like the boat I am in. I had my disability hearing on last Wednesday so it will be another month or two.

It is great that you have someone so wonderful in your life, they really keep us going.


I finally am getting some medicinal help from my pain management doctor. I finally called him two weeks ago and told him that the nortriptyline was doing nothing for my fibro and my arthritis was reaching the excruciating point. I just can't take it anymore. I have been waiting patiently for too long. So we are sticking with the Nortrip. since it hasn't been long enough to be effective, he says, and he wrote me a scrip for low dose methadone. 2.5-5mg 1-2x a day as needed. I don't take it unless I need it but I don't sit here in agony anymore either. I still hurt all the time but don't we all.

I hope some others will pop in. Everything seems so deserted here lately, it is depressing.

[suemck2]

Hey all
I haven't been around BT in a while
2008 has been tough. My last operation was in May of 2007 for tethered spinal cord. Prior to that I had a craniectomy for Chiari malformation and fusion of skull to C6 for craniocervical settling in June and Dec 2006, respectively.

My body is finally recovered from all the operations and for the first time in 5 years I can do muscle strengthening exercises in PT. BUT I'm STILL dealing with pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This week has been tough and I see the pain doc tomorrow. I hope to get a Rx for Marinol - I found a research article that documented Marinol has an additive effect with opiates in chronic pain patients. I take oxycontin so maybe adding the marinol will help.

Be well everyone! count your blessings; no matter how bad you've got it, someone else has got it worse ;(
Sue from Raleigh NC

[Mark N]

GG, thanks for starting this post as it is a chance to catch up with some that haven't been around for a while. Glad to hear your 'psychic vampire' of a boss is leaving but sorry to hear you are doing worse. It is interesting how someone comes into your life when you need them the most and it is good to hear your bf is so helpful.

Christina, you are right about we can be too patient at a times. I hope the new efforts by your PM reduces your pain levels.

Sue, sorry to hear the past year has been so tough for you. You have been through really tough surgeries and it does take a long time to recover. I hope the PT further helps you and reduces the pain you have.

I have the same struggles each day but seem to be holding steady. Home life is much better than last year and I am thankful my wife has gotten a handle on her anxiety problems. I still hope to get better but right now I am trying to get on a regular schedule so life is easier to deal with. The best thing is I still look forward to each day.

[Pamster]

Hey everyone, Still here, just nothing good to post so I haven't been. I felt like I offended people with my last thread so that was deleted. I feel horrible, pain is really up to the highest levels it's been since before I got PM help. Life is so up in the air right now...BUt let's not go there, it's just nice to see familiar faces posting again. :)

[Nana4&cntn]

Thanks for starting this GG, I had been thinking of doing the same thing, just haven't had the time or energy.

Things here have been crazy! My Aunt had a mastectomy on Monday and is home and doing well!

My pain levels have been out of this world for the past couple of weeks, I am sure the stress and lack of sleep are contributing factors.

I sure hope everyones pain levels and health become more bearable! Summer should be for fun, not pain and illeness!

Take care All,
Kathy

[Jo6]

I'm still here, trying to stop falling. Mr. Jo told me last night that I looked like a "rotten tater". Well we can give that one to those that look the same as me and it isn't because Mr. Jo has not touched me,unless it is a love pat. He is afraid he will hurt me. Actually it has been because I have started falling again.

If I knew what was making me fall I guess it would feel better, or maybe not:p I think of all the post, you can believe what you will, but I keep up with all of our friends here in CP.

Kathie? and Kathy, you both have also been my cheer leader when I thought could not go another step. I will have to name you both " Thing one and Thing two.:p That is what I call my 2 Jennifer granddaughters. One is 18 with jet black hair, the other one is 16 yrs. old, blond as they come. :DI love those 2 angels

All others have been a part of this also. Please know I care.

Last but not least, Jim you have been on my mind and probably everybody else's also. I hope you feel free to talk to any of us if you want or need to talk. Take care of Jim first so he can take care of son and MIL.

My love to all of you, Jo

[suede]

Just a note to ck in and say Hi to all and to thank Kathy for keeping in touch with me through PM"S you will never know how much it has meant to me to know that you have thought of me and cared enough to check up on me..
I guess like some I just haven't been posting as I haven't really felt as if I have anything of value to contribute at this point, I still try to post if I feel I can contribute some, though I try to ck in and catch how everyone else is doing.
As for me personally, well let's just say it could be worse.
Linda

[ErinENj]

I'm here and accounted for!

My laptop died about a month and a half ago after ten years, so I'm now sharing a laptop with my mom, which means I don't get the opportunity to use it all that often. Plus, when I get home from work, I'm always wiped out entirely, so I just get to bed and do nothing else.

Work has been okay, just some issues with my boss. He basically told me that my entire college education was pointless and that only an idiot would teach me the things they did. He actually said to me that he would have to basically wipe my slate completely clean and start from the basics since I didn't even learn them properly. Well, I don't buy that, since my professors have written for more newspapers besides this tiny one in NJ, so I would think they might know more about journalism than someone who has spent his entire career at one newspaper that has the weirdest style points! But, he's right, everyone else is wrong, and no matter what, I have to write his way. I just hope that by the time I leave there, I haven't forgotten everything I learned in college. And he said that because I've made some mistakes in my stories because I'm rushing them (because he's rushing me to have stories done three days before we go to print), journalism may not be the right field for me. It's like he just can't let me get settled in at any point. I'm always getting told what a screw up I am and how horribleof a writer I am to the point where I'm constantly on edge, thinking that I'm going to get fired any day.

Wow, Hough, psychic vampire - that's totally my boss!! If you don't mind, I'm going to have to borrow that!

My back is doing okay I guess. I really overdid yesterday (Tuesday) when my mom and I went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. It was a lot of fun, and really nice to spend that much time with my mom again. It's been a really long time since we last did something special just the two of us, and I've missed those days. She even asked me if I wanted to meet her for lunch tomorrow. It's strange to all of the sudden she's wanting to spend time with me, but I'm not about to complain!

Then I had to drive to my pain doc's office, which is about an hour and a half away, this afternoon, which jsut excaserbated things that much more. So, needless to say, I'm glad that I have the rest of the week off to rest up!

Well, I must be going. It's beyond late, to where it's actually just really early morning, and I need to get some sleep tonight..

I hope everyone is doing okay, if not well!!
Erin :D

[Kathi49]

Hi Everyone,

And thanks GG for starting this thread. :) I was reading your post and trying to reflect back on IF I had any "vampire" or toxic bosses. And I do remember one. In looking back and I was 20 something back then I believe she simply couldn't handle being in a supervisory role and scapegoated everyone around her. Actually, she developed diabetes and I think it was from the stress and she retired in no time flat. Anyway, one day she told one of my co-workers who was exceptionally smart (think our boss was jealous of her knowledge) and myself that she wanted loyalty from the both of us. I thought that was an odd comment and pretty silly really...so I just said...you want loyalty...get a dog! :D Oh, well, you would just have to know how she treated everyone around her. And really, no one had done anything to her. She was just one of these people that would get mad at the drop of a hat...saw her throw her phone against the wall one day because someone on the other end evidently ticked her off. Yep, real mature for her age and we were all glad to see her leave. But after that I really can't think of any other boss or supervisor throughout my career that was as bad as she was...most if not all were great. I also found myself preferring to work for men and military at that. I'll tell you what...you knew exactly what was expected from you and no nonsense and I liked it that way. :) At least they had spines, no pun intended, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, your boyfriend sounds great! I am so glad he is there for you and things are working out well. :)

Christina, I am glad to hear you are getting help from your PM. You mentioned the arthritis pain. Ask your doctor about Limbrel. Dr. Steve told me about it awhile back and I think it is amazing stuff...not a drug and not a supplement but acts LIKE an anti-inflammatory. Just a thought because it might help.

Sue, bless your heart. You have run the gamut. :( I know how hard it is to do the strengthening exercises when you are hurting. But you are right...it is easy to become obsessed with all this pain and I AM grateful for the blessings and the small things. I hope the Marinol helps you.

Mark, I am glad to hear your wife now has a handle on things. I know you are busy with construction in your own home and I really believe, at least in my own case, it distracts me from the pain even though it is stressful. But seeing all the work done is kind of fun. ;) I know you will be pleased with the results.

Kathy, I hope your Aunt continues to improve. And I hear ya! I haven't had the time or energy to post much...just too busy and tired at the end of the day. I am not sleeping well either but it isn't due to the pain...just the stress of construction around my house. :rolleyes:

Jo, Linda and Erin, hang in there. I also haven't been posting much since I really haven't had anything to add of value. But I have been reading...so I am here and accounted for as well. Oh, and Jo, I am not sure if you meant me when you wrote Kathie...IF you meant me as being Thing One or Two, I don't mind at all because right now I do feel like a Thing! LOL

Anyway, again, here and accounted for. But stressed out! My husband is traveling and he can't help it. I shouldn't put it this way but I don't know how else to say it. He is high up there so...when the Pentagon calls for a briefing, there is NO WAY he can get out of it. I DID tell him however, the one and two day trips are absolutely stupid. It was just me being mad...but I have worked for the Feds all my life. There are ways they can get things accomplished without flying all over the universe. They can use what used to be called Netmeeting...not sure if they still use that or not and might be termed something else now. Or, they can do a video teleconference. Heck, use the phone!! LOL Anyway, I was just disgusted with the waste of government money. Then again, no one from the Pentagon is going to fly to Indianapolis for a briefing LOL! What I did ask him was to tell them ALL to give him at least a week lead time...not this in and out of the airport crap nonstop. He is fried too so I try not to say too much after all it is his livelihood. Right now he is in St. Louis for a conference but then tells me he wants to see a Cardinal's game. Well, heck, the guy deserves a break too so I don't really mind I am just eager for him to get home and help me with some of the stuff going on around here.

As for myself, the kitchen is coming along and the countertops will be installed next week...then comes the rest of the stuff; painting, electrical, other cabinets, etc. But what is really stressing me out is the damn, and pardon me, torn up and dirt clod filled yard. Okay, I KNEW to expect this and really most of the fill dirt and sand has already been removed. I really need some strong guys around here to smooth things out. So, that's just part of it. In the meantime I am trying to learn about the pump, filter, etc. It is not easy and there is a learning curve. So, whenever I think something is off or weird, I just phone and ask someone. It is stupid stuff...but I have never had a pool before and I am not a guy after all LOL! Most men would know all this mechanical stuff but I don't. Then I end up laying in bed at night and wonder if the pool walls will blow out or if the pump is overheating. See! Just dumb stuff LOL! BUT...tomorrow the service guys will be out because they were supposed to be a concrete slab under this stuff and didn't! So, last weekend my husband went over there and raised he@@! I am glad he did...after all the installation of that equipment should have been done correctly and says so in the manual. So, all I can do for now is just to keep it up and running and want to vaccum it. Can't do that either since the damn ladder wasn't put together either and something else THEY were supposed to do!

Sooo...pain? What pain? Yes, my arms hurt but everything else is on the back burner. I really only notice it at night and am combatting it in my own ways...ice, heat and my usual meds. I think I will just tell my husband that he needs to take some time off LOL! I will say though...I am probably doing too much but AM trying to watch HOW I go about things. At least my lumbar doesn't hurt that much and probably because I am on my feet all day long...not sitting so much. :rolleyes:

[debhun]

well where do I start? So much has happen in the last few months. Some good and some bad. As must of you know I have a very small garden and I work in it every day. I do most of it in the evening time. The mornings I can do much. It takes me a while to get going.

Our corn came in and it did very will for what we had. Good too I might add. LOL I know from working out side has helped me mine wise. I work thought my pain. My brother has a garden and they went to fl with my mom and dad to the Wedding. I couldn't go my Dr said Noway If I fly would be fine. But I didn't have the money so I just stayed home. Any how I took care of things around here. My brother has a garden too. OMG you should have seen it. the weeds were up to my hips. Well to work I went. I worked for a week I still didn't get it done. They are back now and he can do it. I bet he don't. I pulled my corn up by hand not really that much but I am going to sell them for yard decoration for the fall. I have put peas in where the corn was. My carrot did really good the ones that came up. Gran Daughter had a good time pulling them up. They are hers.
I know I will not be able to do this again. I am done in from this one. Winter is coming and that makes it bad on me.
My ankles are so bad I can't walk much. when I work out side I sit on a bucket and work that way. My pain is at to where I can do a few thing on my time I call it. I will work and sit work and sit. But it has made me happy that this is the first time in 4-5 years that I have been able to.

Now that Hubby has a new job with Ins has been the best news. It is going to take a long time to get back to normal. but well get there.

I hope to go to a new Dr about my angles so I can walk. I feel so bad when I go to like walmark and get a scooter. I have the past few times not getting it. people look at me like what is wrong with you? I hate that.

Well I guess that is about it for now. I do day by day till I can't.

Deb

[slipnslide]

The "check in" was a good idea. The boards have been slow lately. I've been reading posts but have not had anything to add or offer as far as advice. It's nice to see that so many still frequently visit this site even when not in need of help and/or advice.:)

Pretty much nothing new here. I'm waiting to hear back from my OB/GYN regarding surgery. My PM increased the frequency of my pain meds. And...I've been doing research/reading up on the mesh used during hernia surgeries and I have been thinking about seeing if it's possible to have it removed, if I can find a surgeon willing to do it, that is:rolleyes:. Other than that, status quo here:).

[jimac]

Hi everyone,

Slipnslide described my situation perfectly...........if I may quote:)
Quote:
"The "check in" was a good idea. The boards have been slow lately. I've been reading posts but have not had anything to add or offer as far as advice. It's nice to see that so many still frequently visit this site even when not in need of help and/or advice."

My best to all, ;)
Jim

[Bobbi]

... just working and waiting for insurance to transition from COBRA... I've nearly a $900 bill from my last heart test due (and that was after the amt. insurance covered). I'm afraid to know how much I'll be billed for a CT of my heart my cardio. doc wants done :eek:.

I'm sick of the fires (in California) and I'm also tired of my ankles and feet feeling like s---. If I had sharper teeth, I think I could chew them off.



Deb, there is something I want to say to you: Pay no attention to people who may stare or wonder or whatever goes on in their minds when you're using one of the store's scooters. If it weren't for those devices, or my own, life would be one miserable mess.

Too, I much perfer people actually notice that I'm present. It sure beats being overlooked or dismissed, and treated as if I'm invisible.

What I get when I use the scooter: "Oh no, you're too young for this. Do you mind if I ask..." I simplify and just say: "Arthritis."

I used to feel weird when total strangers would offer assistance. Not anymore. I'll gladly accept.

[Jo6]

Kathi49, I was talking to you, but if I offended you I am sorry. It does confuse me at times:D Lots of things confuse me lately.:p

I DO have 2 Jennifer granddaughter. Such precious girls.

No problem with me, but if I offened either one, I'm so sorry. I also meant to say "Mark" too", but you see I left him out all to gether.:eek:So sorry Mark. You have been such a help to me. I'll hush before I confuse anybody any more. take care, Jo

[GardeniaGirl]

I am so glad so many have checked in!

It is good to see familiar faces and hear how everyone is doing.

Christina - love that phrase "psychic vampires" - that is a great way of putting it. Congratulations on having your first (I assume) disability hearing! I hope you get approved!

For anyone who is interested, I have found a great website that has resources to help people prepare to file for SSDI. If you want it, just PM me.

Sue - I would love to hear more about how marinol helps - I don't know if its legal/available in my state, but you should report back on how it works for you....I could use a booster to my low dose of opioids.

Mark- glad to hear things are going pretty well for you, all things (CP) considered!

Pamster- sorry to hear about high pain levels...boy can I relate! It really keeps you down, doesn't it?

Kathy- you also are having horrible pain - I can't believe that we have to live with this sometimes...so debilitating.

Jo - sorry to hear about the mysterious falling - I hope you can get some answers on that. It would be difficult to live with, i am sure.

Linda- nice of you to check-in - its good to know we still have a little community here, even though its pretty quiet most of the time!

Erin - your boss sounds like a not very good boss -- most good bosses know that they need to mix in positive encouragement with constructive criticism - not just constantly criticize and put people down. Regardless, you will gain a lot of experience from this job- and it will make your future jobs easier, most likely! Its great you pushed yourself to meet your goal of getting a job in the career you wanted! That is a big accomplishment when living with illness and pain, in my opinion.

Kathi - it sounds like your boss from many years ago was a psychic vampire - so, you understand the strain that can put on a person. If I didn't need my benefits so much, i would have quit long ago, that is why i had to suffer through someone like her. That is exciting you are getting a pool. will you be inviting us all over for a BrainTalk pool party when you are done? ;)

Deb- that is great that you are able to get out and work in the garden - it sounds like you are pacing yourself and I think that is so important for us CP folks to have activities that we truly enjoy. I love corn btw too! Would love to taste homegrown corn., I am sure it is quite yummy.

Slipnslide - sounds like you are hanging in there...glad to see you posted despite not feeling very good these days.

Jim - also good to see a post from you - nice to know folks are checking in here even though the forum is slow

Bobbi- sounds like you keep plugging along - you've always struck me as someone with a lot of internal drive and motivation to keep going despite your limitations and illness - I admire that- I don't think I have as much of that I wish I did.



Last but not least, I have to share a funny story. You may have seen an infomercial for a dog and cat grooming brush called the "FURminator" - well, I decided to order one off amazon, because I have an extremely fluffy 17 lb cat. He is a Norwegian Forest Cat if anyone is familiar with those.

Anyway, this brush is totally amazing! I must have combed out about 2 lbs of fur in the first 3 days of using it. Now my kitty is very soft, and he is not shedding fur all over my carpet -- so this will cut down on vacuuming! Which is definitely helpful for folks living with CP.

thanks again to everyone for posting! nice to hear from you all

GG

[Kira]

GG,

We have the Furminator, too. We have a big, goofy, shaggy dog. He is HUGE and he has this wavy/shaggy double coat. He doesn't shed much at all, so the fur just stays on him... but when we brush him with the furminator we get tons of fur off of him. It IS amazing how much comes off.

He HATES HATES HATES being brushed or groomed in general, though, so he doesn't have much patience for getting Furminated. He has figured out what we are doing if he sees us going to get the brush or the Furminator out, and he also knows the words "brush" and "I'm gonna Furminate you"... so he goes into full-on naughty mode when he catches on to what we're about to do. My mom kind of corners him between the coffee table & the couch to do it, with a leash on him and wrapped around one of the coffee table legs, and a baby gate leaned up behind him so he is totally trapped. He wiggles and fusses for a full five minutes or so, and then gives up with this almighty sigh and plops down and gives us the most pitiful look until the grooming is done. But it does work.

Now if only we could get him to let us clip his nails. We gave up on that and just get it done at the groomer's. He also HATES it when you clean his ears, but I can sneak up on him and do the ear thing okay. And he's okay with baths... he pouts, but he tolerates it. And he loves playing in the hose in the backyard, so sometimes we will compromise and do that if he is just muddy but not stinky.

The one weird hygiene thing he does like, for some reason, is brush his teeth. He likes it. He doesn't like the dog toothpaste (the chicken or beef flavored stuff), so we tried this bubble-gum flavored toddler toothpaste that is safe if they swallow it. And he loves the stuff. He will literally beg for more when you are done. He is a weird, weird dog.

(Okay, so my check-in was more about my dog than about me this time... I guess that's because everything is the same as always for me, but at least my dog is fun to talk about)...

[houghchrst]

Okay you guys, now I have to look up the Furminator thing because I have a Pom and a ferret that both need brushing and combing.

Kira, furminated? I had to laugh!

[GardeniaGirl]

Christina - you have a pomeranian? those are one of my favorite of the small breed dogs! What color is yours? I have hoped oneday to get a Pom, but I may eventually move where it is quite warm and I am not sure how those dogs would handle intense heat.

If you have a fluffy pet - you will probably become addicted to the Furminator. . you won't believe how much excess fur you can remove and the animal will still have a very thick coat left - but just more shiny and not as bulky.

Kira - your dog sounds very cute too! That is funny he doesn't like the Furminator - I have read that a lot of animals don't care for brushing.

I trained my cat from when he was a kitten to be brushed, so now when I hold up the Furminator, he comes right over and starts purring. I think he is thankful it will mean he has less cleaning to do with his tongue.

Maybe we should make this the pet-check-in thread!

[Kathi49]

GG & Kira,

I have seen the Furminator and wish I had had one of those years ago when I had dogs that shed. :) My 3 Shih Tzu's don't shed but you might see a long hair or two from their tails sometimes and more like tufts of fuzz or down every now and then. I DO have to have them groomed all the time though. Otherwise their hair will just grow and grow and grow so I keep them in puppy cuts. Anyway, what I AM thinking of getting is a "Paw Plunge" LOL! Since my yard is dusty dirty right now I think I need one of those! Although I am not sure how well it would work or if they are really all that handy. But getting them to put all four paws in a pan of water is tough LOL! Ugh, I wish I would have trained them to clean their feet in a baby pool as my neighbor did with their dogs. ;) And, yes, you are all invited for a swim. :) Today, I was going to vaccum it but said forget it and just floated around for awhile.