Cindyrnc, even though i retired from full time teaching job 11 years ago, I vividly remember the high level of stress ( I loved it but it was total stress on my body) NO wonder our immune systems are reacting....even years later in my case.Not sure what would have happened had we not had summers off to do some recharging. Tdrell

Windwalker....whereas I have had aches and pains in various joints over the years, never symetrical which I have been feeling these past weeks!! I am allergic to all NSAIDS so tyelenol is the only thing to take and has no effect....hands are worst....will start with new hand Dr in July cause having numbness etc no doubt carpal tunnel and or ganglion which i have hx of...arrgh tdrell

@jentaylor, Jen, I am SO proud of you! "Mama Bear Katherine"!

Tdrell,

Thank you so much for your encouraging words.

Cindy

Oh my, @contentandwell. If you are taking immunosuppressants, it really can be a bit worrisome for infections such as MAC. I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with so much. It's so unfortunate and unfair that we need meds to take care of our ailments only to find out that they may be the cause of us catching something else. It's a difficult path that you and some of the others on this site are on. That's why it is very important that we must be mentally and emotionally strong so we can face and try to deal with the lousy hand that we are dealt with. I hope you'll find comfort, encouragement and helpful information from some of the people here who have walked in your shoes and share your experience. Take care.

@jentaylor,
Hi Jen! Your words gave me goosebumps. I am so happy about your new mind-set
because you are the one I was the most concerned about. No progressive step
forward is too small. I don't know if you saw my post about my last Dr visit
this past Tues; but my lung function improved by 4%. I now have 44% lung
function. My Dr said not to dismiss that small number because 4% in the opposite
direction would mean looking at a lung transplant. When I joined a cardio class
six months ago, I set out to surprise and amaze my Dr. on my next visit. Mission
accomplished! He was admittedly shocked because I have been steadily losing lung
function at every visit for years. This past visit was the first time EVER that
I did not hear "Your lung function has declined a little more." Exercise is key.
The other thing I wanted to mention is ATTITUDE. Girl, it is everything! My Dr.
commented on that too. He told me I was amazing, and that he doesn't see very
many patients with 44% lung function get up and go like I do. For the most part,
I pay no attention to my illnesses except to take care of myself and stay on my
treatment plan. I hope today finds you determined and happy. Many Hugs, Terri
M.
 

@tdrell Terri,
I had pain in both knees about six months ago so bad that it kept me awake at
night. It felt like two rats were gnawing on my kneecaps! I was put on a
ten day prednisone taper, I think it started at 40 mg the first day. It knocked
it out. So far, so good. Plus, I have been on many sites and learning about
foods that cause inflammation and avoiding or minimizing how much of that I will
eat. Also, have been working to balance my ph levels.
 

@tdrell Amen to that Terri! My lung function numbers made my getting
disability automatic. When going through that process the doctors involved
recommended I leave the workforce due to stressors and needing to avoid
communicable illnesses i.e. colds, flu, etc. They said "You will last longer if
you go on disability." I am glad I did because I have needed the free time to go
to all of my doctor visits, (some of which have taken two full weeks of testing)
No employer would have tolerated me needing so much time off for medical care
and sick days anyway. Nowadays, my energy levels are sometimes zero. That is
when I am most grateful that I don't have to try to drag myself off to
work.
 

@windwalker, Terri I SO agree with you! Hugs! Katherine

The latter is why I questioned the RA dx...Rheumy too found that possibly significant so ordered the nodule biopsy - done by a Dermatologist - which apparently is a very conclusive method to ID RA...