Rhemy Date

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Rhemy Date
14
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 2:06pm

I had a pretty good appt today I guess. Well, I really didn’t get anything done. She is testing me for lupus because of the mystery itching. She also suggested Benedrel at night. She gave me more sleeping pills because I haven’t been sleeping. I basically have felt like crap for the past two weeks. I’m tired but can’t sleep which makes me more tired. And I’m flaring. And I itch. Did I mention how tired I am?

My body is to the point to where I feel like its just going to shut down on me at any minute. I just want to curl up and get sleep. I slept in this weekend and it didn’t help. I’m pretty much out of options for switching drugs. I think I’m on a good mix but I had to skip a couple weeks because of getting sick and I think that set me back. Can you divorce your body? How about trade it in for a newer model? I’m do for my 25 year upgrade for sure.

What I really need is a week vacation where all I have to do is relax and get massages out in the sun. Do they write prescriptions for that??? I’m sure my work would love me right in the middle of tax season and all.

I’ll keep ya updated on my blood work. I’m pretty curious to find out whats going on. I’m sure its nothing and I just need to get my rest but I want to know for sure.

Smiles, Jen







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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 3:44pm

Glad you are getting the blood work, hope it's negative though!

I hear ya about being tired. Slept Friday night from 11- 9 and then a 2 hr nap in the afternoon. Last night slept from 9-6:30 and had to force myself out of bed.
Hope you feel better soon!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 12:03pm

((((((((((( Jen ))))))))))))), let us know about your test results as soon as you can!

Molly

Avatar for auntbeablove
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Thu, 03-31-2005 - 10:29pm

Hi Jen and ladies
I am lurking. LOL Jen I hope you get your itch situation under control. I myself called my rheumie yesterday in hopes of getting a sleep med. He offered it to me last week but I did not feel I needed one. I told him I sleep all of the time. Now I am thinking I am sleepy all of the time because I am not getting a good deep sleep. I toss and turn all night (partly because of night sweats / menopause?) Then I am yawning all day. Anyhow my rheumie is out till monday so I will continue to have restless nights this weekend. Anyhow I was wondering what the rest of you take to help you sleep.

Update on my mom... she is still having trouble with her colostomy bag breaking and is scared to go anywhere in fear of an accident. She also fears that she smells. Everyone tells her that she don't but she don't beleive it. She sees the oncologist next thursday the radiologist the 15th and back to the surgeon on the 20th. I like to know everything so I will be taking her to all three app. My siblings and I are doing our best to keep her spirits up.

So I am still very busy but I do think of all of you often. Thanks for all of the prayers.

Molly I hope you chase the crud away soon. Cyn good luck on the GI. Michele I hope you conquer that fatigue and when you do let me know how ;) Vicki thanks for lifting my spirits with the beautiful pictures of Julia. What a joy she is.

Love you ladies
Claudia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 12:13am

Dear Claudia,
My mil, even after 2 years with the bag, still lives in fear. She carries an extra set of underwear and clothes in her car. She is also concerned about the smell. She doesn't want to come here and change her bag, because it stinks. This is such a shock to them, it really does take time to get use to it. Your mom will learn how to cope, I think a support group would be really helpful. My mil has a nurse she can call and talk to. This helps her. I thought you saw the oncologist on Monday, I am mixed up again!!

I am praying for you and your family, Claudia.
Love & Hugs,
Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 6:40am

Dear Jen.

I have had that dreaded itch now for yrs, went through the allergy bit/dust mites/choleystasis bit you name it....I still dont know for sure but have worked out since my diagnosis when my RA is okay I itch less, maybe from a reduced ESR.

In the last few months I have slowly been developing the not sleeping habit as well, I am so tired but I go to bed and my mind will not switch off, I rang work last week in the am after only a few hrs sleep over a couple of nights & burst into tears due to sheer exhaustion worried because I had to go to work...well I took a valium to sleep before going in to work in desperation which didnt do a thing !!,(no staff had to go in)

The last few nights I have taken tabs but they just give me a hang over feeling & even then not a good sleep, SO after discussing my insomnia with a few docs & nurses at work we decided the best plan of action was the grog. So off to the bottle shop I went today and bought the best bottle of port on special I could find. The bottle shop man kindly informed me it was on special a few more weeks & if I like it just pop in & stock up. As I type this I open my bottle & have a swig, yuk yuk I shall have to buy the aged 25yr port next time.

You may be interested to know prednisone can cause insomnia & so can menopause. So I reckon in a few months I just may be a menopausal drunk. Cheers Lell.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 12:13pm

Lell, you are the best! I love reading your posts. You always bring my spirits up with your humor on life.

My dr gave me ambien to sleep and I didn't get a good night sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and was WIDE awake. Hate that. Fortunately I don't think its menopause for me. Phew! Port may be an option... but my dr wouldn't like that with my MTX. Hmmm.... what to do...

Smiles, Jen







iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 12:21pm

(((Cluadia)))

Lurk away Cluadia!!! Just know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom.

As for help sleeping, my dr gave me Ambien. I've only taken it once and it didn't give me a full good nights sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night wide awake. I'm hoping its because I only took half a pill. But my rhemy is convinced that I'm not feeling well because I'm not sleeping so I will start taking them again.

Good luck finding something that helps. Have you tried Tylenol PM until you can call your rhemy? Or the Port suggestion from Lell??? :)

Smiles, Jen







iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 1:48pm

I have tried all the sleep meds. The Ambien knocked me out, even before I would make it to bed, but in 5 hours I would be wide awake. My mind would be racing with the darn what ifs! With Myra's help I tried Trazodone, starting at a low dose. I am up to 100 mg. now, along with 15 mg. of Temazepam (generic for Restoril). This has really helped me to get some sleep. I have tried 30 mg. of Flexeril and 50 mg of Trazodone at night too. It worked for a while, but the dry mouth kept me awake! Ativan is another drug that is used for sleep too.

Just a note on Prednisone. When I have been on it, I have ALWAYS had to take it by 7:00am or I could not go to sleep at 11:00pm, even with my sleep aids. Pred. hypes you up, gives you energy. Even on a Medrol pak, I have to take them early in the morning. I set my alarm so I get them down me early!!

Hugs, Vicki

Avatar for dfyrabnd
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 6:11pm
Hmmm, if we're into replacing body parts I want new upper arms so my DGS won't think all that flab is my muscles flapping. At least he thinks I have lots of muscles there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: luv_2_smile
Mon, 04-04-2005 - 1:20pm

(((((((((((( Claudia and mom )))))))))))))))))))))).

Molly

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