? for the Veteran Arthritis Folks

[High Miles]

Do any of you have allergies too ?

For the past forty years, I've griped about my pain getting worse when
my allergies are flared up.

So far........................NO doctor has believed me.

Dorothy

[Donna G]

Hi Dorothy!


Yes, I definitely have multiple allergies.

I'm guessing that the increase in pain with the allergies is due to a
number of factors.

One, allergies create inflammation as our body tries to fight off what
ever allergens we are reacting to, And, often, when the weather changes
and the allergens become more active, many people also react to changes
in the weather due to primarily barometic changes.

Do you see a rheumatologist or an allergist at all? If so, maybe keep a
journal and note what the weather is like (temp, humidity levels, rain
or sunshine, etc) along with where your pain and stiffness levels are,
and any other thing that might play a part in all of this.

For some people, certain foods can cause a flare in their pain, for
others, heat or cold can, others it is the barometric pressure or
humidity, etc.

Often times, a journal can help you and your doctors pin point something
that you may not have realized.

.
.
Donna G.
.

1) Rejoice always, Pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstances,
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ( I Thessalonians
5:16-18 NIV )

2) It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
- Edmund Hillary

3) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......

[x x]

1:45pm Donna you sure give some very good Responding.. I love all of
what you replied to this post.. Couldn't be given better.. Moe

[High Miles]

One, allergies create inflammation as our body tries to fight off what
ever allergens we are reacting to, And, often, when the weather changes
and the allergens become more active, many people also react to changes
in the weather due to primarily barometic changes. Do you see a
rheumatologist or an allergist at all?

><

Saw an allergist to be tested for what trips my
switches..................tho I had been quite sure for years.
Main thing is tree pollen, primarily maple. My house an neighbor
are surrounded by maples.
So I try to stay indoors as much as possible.
Even so, every April and May my body pays for the nice weather.

If so, maybe keep a journal and note what the weather is like (temp,
humidity levels, rain or sunshine, etc) along with where your pain and
stiffness levels are, and any other thing that might play a part in all
of this.

><

I'm a firm believer in health journaling.
Been doing it for more than thirty years.

><

For some people, certain foods can cause a flare in their pain, for
others, heat or cold can, others it is the barometric pressure or
humidity, etc.

><

I feel splendid when most people feel worst. The weather doesn't
seem to impact my discomfort.

><

Often times, a journal can help you and your doctors pin point something
that you may not have realized. . . Donna G. .

><

I've pretty much written off professional medical folks.
Just want to refer you for tests, or push the latest drugs.

Thanks for the response. :-)

[Donna G]

Oh dear! I'm sorry, Dorothy that you have hit a brick wall with all of
this.

There are some good doctors out there who will fight for their patients,
but some times finding them is tough.

Maybe some type of alternative doctor would be of some help?

I was at a convention earlier in the fall, for a disorder I have that is
rather rare. It took years and years and years to get diagnosed. The
main thing the speakers at the convention taught (and 90% of the
speakers were doctors) were that the patients need to push their doctors
to think more along the lines of zebras instead of horses.

Kind of along the lines of doctors are taught that if something walks
like a horse, talkes like a horse, etc it is a horse, but this of course
doesn't always hold true.

For those who have symptoms that don't quite fit the textbook, doctors
need to be willing to look outside the box for more unusual things and
for alternative methods of treating those patients as well.

Don't give up! Keep pushing for answers and I pray you can find some
one who will listen and work with you to get you more comfortable!

.
.
Donna G.
.

[Diane Meng]

I'm so sorry you have allergies that have been making your pain worse.
:-( Are you talking about allergies like pollen, ragweed, etc.? Just
wondering. I have food allergies and I swear when I cheat it somehow
affects my arthritis. I have an appt., finally, with a rheumy on May 10 and
I'll tell him what the allergies do to my arthritis. Please take good care
of yourself, Dorothy. So sorry no doctors have believed you. That makes me
so mad! I've had that trouble here too with a few of them, in Canada. :-(

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"High Miles" wrote in message news:517c8ba2$0$11519$862e...@ngroups.net...

[High Miles]

On 4/29/2013 7:47 AM, Diane Meng wrote:
> I'm so sorry you have allergies that have been making your pain worse.
> :-( Are you talking about allergies like pollen, ragweed, etc.? Just
> wondering. I have food allergies and I swear when I cheat it somehow
> affects my arthritis. I have an appt., finally, with a rheumy on May
> 10 and I'll tell him what the allergies do to my arthritis. Please
> take good care of yourself, Dorothy. So sorry no doctors have
> believed you. That makes me so mad! I've had that trouble here too
> with a few of them, in Canada. :-(
>
> Gentle hugs,
>
> Diane
><

Hello Diane

My allergies are airborne, and seasonal. The primary symptoms are
tolerable, but the weakness and fatigue can be show stoppers.
Actually, my GP believes me, but he also has allergies and has
experienced the additional symptoms. But he doesn't yet have any arthritis,
so he can't relate to my complaints in that area.

My spine and feet are hit hardest, so mobility is seriously
impacted. But then ~ whose life is not impacted by their A. ;-)

Everything we do affects all our systems, because we are after all,
one piece. So it makes perfect sense that what we eat, drink or inhale
could trigger the responses that increase discomfort or loss of use.
Just another one of the nasty side effects.

Just dealing with it...........................................

Dorothy

[Diane Meng]

"High Miles" wrote in message news:517e807c$0$23704$862e...@ngroups.net...

Hi Dorothy,

I'm still sorry that you go through this. Glad you are able to deal with it
though. I'm also glad that your GP believes you. I have a new one and he
is terrific. :-) I agree with your last paragraph. I hope your allergies
get better or go away somehow. Try to have a good day. Take care.

Gentle hugs,

Diane

[Donna G]

Dorothy,


I wonder if allergy shots might be of some help to you in getting better
contol of the allergies, maybe your arthritis would give you less grief
too? Just a thought!

[High Miles]

On 4/30/2013 7:22 AM, Donna G wrote:
> Allergist claimed shots weren't for me.

Hey ~ do you guys ever have pain free days ?

[x x]

6:58pm I do not know what a pain free day is.
Is the question asked because you are never pain free? I have too many
other Medical conditions besides all of the different forms of
Arthritis. My body knows nothing else but pain, aches, and soreness. my
DR informed me years ago the aches were pain. I had a habit of calling
everything aches.. I do hope that you will have some pain free days soon
if you do not now.. Moe

[Diane Meng]

Hi! Yes, some times I have less painful days. Once in a blue moon, I may
have one or two pain-free days. Do you ever have any pain-free days? I
sure hope so.

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"High Miles" wrote in message news:51817419$0$64111$862e...@ngroups.net...

[Diane Meng]

{{{{{{{Moe}}}}}}} I always feel soooo bad for you when I read things like
this. :-( I hope and pray that someday you will have at least a few
pain-free days.

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"x x" wrote in message news:2597-518...@baytvnwsxa001.msntv.msn.com...

[Donna G]

No, never have a day completely pain free. Some days less pain than
others.

[High Miles]

How sad for you.
And yes, I do experience pain free days and nights.
Completely unpredictable, and unexplainable as well.
But I remain deeply grateful for those times.

Dorothy

[High Miles]

On 5/1/2013 6:33 PM, Diane Meng wrote:
> Hi! Yes, some times I have less painful days. Once in a blue moon, I
> may have one or two pain-free days. Do you ever have any pain-free
> days? I sure hope so.
>
> Gentle hugs,
>
> Diane
><

I seem to be one of the lucky few who is treated to pain free days now
and then.

No one has been able to explain it.
Not weather related, or tied to specific activity.

D

[High Miles]

On 5/1/2013 7:50 PM, Donna G wrote:
>
>
> No, never have a day completely pain free. Some days less pain than
> others.
>
> .
> .
> Donna G.
>
><

Have you ever been able to determine what might cause those good days ?

D

[Donna G]

I can't say that I could pinpoint exactly why some days are better than
others, but I do know I always do better after my rituxan infusions,
once they kick in.

I also seem to do better on the less humid days. I suspect that is
because when it is so humid, my body seems to retain fluids more often
for some reason and when that happens, everything hurts more. When the
fluids release, the pain is better.

Also, for me, when I swim, that seems to help things loosen up more and
things just feel better.

Have never been able to pinpoint any foods that have a cause and effect
as some people are.

Some days I just don't have a clue, but on the days I feel less pain and
I don't know why, I just give thanks and do what ever I can fit in to
those days! lol

[Diane Meng]

"High Miles" wrote in message news:5181c9a3$0$63391$862e...@ngroups.net...

On 5/1/2013 6:33 PM, Diane Meng wrote:
> Hi! Yes, some times I have less painful days. Once in a blue moon, I may
> have one or two pain-free days. Do you ever have any pain-free days? I
> sure hope so.
>
> Gentle hugs,
>
> Diane
><

I seem to be one of the lucky few who is treated to pain free days now
and then.

No one has been able to explain it.
Not weather related, or tied to specific activity.

D

I am very happy for you, D. :-) It must feel nice to be pain-free once in
awhile. I don't know why I have arthritis right now either, but I guess it
doesn't matter why. I have an appt., finally, with a rheumy on May 10.
Have a nice day.

Gentle hugs,

Diane

[Diane Meng]

{{{{{{{Donna}}}}}}} :-(

Diane

"Donna G" wrote in message
news:20461-518...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...

[Diane Meng]

Glad at least that you have a few good days. You also have a great attitude
about it and I think that helps too. :-)

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"Donna G" wrote in message
news:20461-518...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...

[x x]

10:41pm A good Mental Attitude is always the way to go. I always do
somethng constructive each day.. I do not take pain medications so I
have to think positive at all times, and I am a Prayer.. I have been
tried on different Pain Meds in the past but saw nothing they did for
the pains.. I am very limited on what I can take due to the CKD,
therefore I would rather take nothing.. The Meds that might help some
would cause more Kidney problems and might cause damage to my Liver, so
no thanks... I am very thankful for anything that I am able to get done
daily..
May all have a peaceful night.. Moe

[Donna G]

Amen Moe!

I also am a prayer and some times that truly helps me get through the
days when nothing else will.

I am blessed in so many ways - with awesome friends, a great family, a
wonderful church family, and truly compassionate and caring doctors who
are willing to go the extra mile.

Yes, my doctors and I have our moments when we don't agree on
everything, but we work together to come up with solutions that both of
us can live with.

I don't do real well with pain meds, although I do use them when I need
them. They make me rather nauseous, so I use them sparingly, but am
thankful they are there when I really really need them.

I utilize ice, heat, showers, OTC anti-inflammatories,
prayer/meditation, the support of friends, etc. to try to work through
the really rough patches.

No matter how rough it gets, though, I always am incredibly thankful for
the many blessings I DO have in my life, and they are many!

[Donna G]

Sure hoping the visit with the rheumatologist goes well for you, Diane!
Praying for answers for you and for some definitive treatments, too!

[Diane Meng]

Thank you so much Donna. :-) You know I always appreciate this. I'll let
you know what happens. You and Moe are my heroes. :-) Through all the
pain you both have and also either not on meds or some times on a few, you
both manage to stay positive and do things when you can. I love this. I'm
not on any meds at all. I can't take aspirin, ibuprofen, and Tylenol does
absolutely nothing for me. I am also a prayer warrior. LOL And I also
believe that it gets me through the days and nights.

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"Donna G" wrote in message

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