My muscle weakness has been getting more consistent, and occasionally more severe. It’s in my quads and my biceps. Things like walking, stairs, washing my hair, cooking, etc., make me cringe. The best way to describe it is it constantly feels like I just finished a vigorous, intense workout. That shaky, weak, tired, just finished… Read More
I went for my follow-up appointment with the rheumatologist today. (Hang in there through this post…there’s some background info to get through before you get to the zinger of how I know this doctor had no empathy for what I’m going through!) In case you haven’t read previous posts, the short story is: Two rheumatologists… Read More
I had an all-day interview for a new job two days ago. It involved 4 or 5 meetings with various people, lunch and teaching a class for college students studying to be teachers about using educational technology to “get outside the classroom”. I really liked the people, the place, the energy and just about everything… Read More
I’ve been through the holiday season several times since beginning this autoimmune journey. However, since it keeps getting worse (new and worsening symptoms) over the years, this holiday season has already started out with several frustrations. It’s amazing how little things can really affect your day/mood/attitude. The first one has nothing to do with holidays,… Read More
Illustration of frog in hot water by Jan Hurst. Most people have heard the analogy of the frog in the hot water. If you put a frog in boiling water it jumps out. But if you put a frog in room temperature water and slowly bring it up to boiling it stays in. That’s what… Read More
As I switched to my third rheumatologist (“Dr. C”) last month, I stopped taking the prednisone that the second one (“Dr. B”) had prescribed for me. Why would I stop taking it when I know that it’s going to cause my symptoms to worsen? Because I don’t want to cover things up. Prednisone is not… Read More
I’ve been posting a lot about lately about dealing with doctors – time to switch it up a little! 🙂 In the summer of 2012 my husband, kids and I went on a vacation to Florida. After visiting with my grandpa and aunt for a night, we went to Cocoa Beach for a day and… Read More
When I began this journey with autoimmune and chronic disease my children were 5 and 7 years old. I want my kiddos to be kiddos as long as possible. They shouldn’t have to be concerned with adult things like bills, work, stress, illnesses and so on. So for a long time I didn’t tell my… Read More
I talked about my various painful experiences throughout my life in my opening post. They include the usual things people experience – injuries, surgeries and so forth. All acute (short-term) and all things that would heal and my life would go on with the experience leaving behind nothing more than a memory and maybe a… Read More
Each time I go a doctor, even if it is unrelated to the conditions that are causing me pain, I’m asked “do you have any pain today?” I often chuckle at this question. They’re well-meaning, I know, and I’m not laughing at the nurse. My chuckle is more of a shaking-my-head-in-resignation reflex. Because I’m always in… Read More