Like steven tyler (aerosmith) found out...The hard way...Alcohol and the wonderful concoctions prescribed to us are a horrible mixture.

Some people have found that the sulfites in wine make them have flares and cause them to feel much, much worse. I don't know if there are sulfites in beer but the same people I know who cannot drink wine can drink hard liquor.

I myself have never had the tolerance for the stuff so keep away from alcohol.

Clarebear

I don't know what to think then. Since I don't take any medications right now, except advil from time to time, I never worried about interactions.

Anyway, I saw the rheumatologist today to discuss the test results. It was just a rerun of everything i've gone through the past two years. The tests came back pretty normal. Only one gave a clue that there is something going on, and all it did was give a clue, not a diagnosis. So, he says he doesn't think I have lupus. So much for that. It's not that I wanted to have lupus. It's just that I wanted to have a diagnosis so that I could have treatment. Now, I just continue like I am, feeling like I am slowly getting worse.

Sorry. I was thinking "i feel for you" and that song just popped into my head. I am, in some people's eyes *unfortunately* a product of the 80s.

But seriously, I do feel for you. While my diagnosis was very easy (the doctors knew as soon as they saw me but didn't tell me until about 4 days later), I have friends who either have had a hard time getting a diagnosis or are having that hard time now.

You may want to compare notes with nancyintx. She is having similar problems.

One of the difficulties in auto-immune diseases, which I am sure you know so I state the obvious, is that they all overlap and nothing is easy to pinpoint.

So persevere if you can. I know it's frustrating. And there's also that 2nd opinion...

Clarebear

I had to smile when I saw chaka khan's old song. Hey, i'm a child of the 70s, but I loved the 80s music too. Thanks for the encouragement. I will just persevere and trust that when the time is right, this illness will be exposed for the evil villain that it is! Gee, i'm not losing touch here, really.

Clarebear...You are too funny, be it forum or e-mail.

i agree though...We all have to persevere, be it an easy diagnosis or a tough one; we are all dealing with a tough disease. The support here is the most important thing. And I do adore all of you for the support.

I, right now, am trying a new type of treatment. Let's just say that my new rheumy made a very bad mistake...Even thought I *warned* him not to do it. *sigh*

oh well. If things work out, i'll let you guys know more.

Hugs,
ladybrannon

Tallwoman and I decided that the slogan song for this particular topic is

i will survive.

But you have to think of the campy, campy priscilla, queen of the desert version.

I mean, three guys in drag, all gay...And putting on such a show that it makes everything horrible just melt away.

Rent the movie, it'll definitely lift your spirits! Especially now that you've said your new rheummy messed up!!!

Clarebear

Well.........I was going to ask how things are going for you in my home state of tesas,but it sounds as if your doctor has gotten off on a bad start.If you ever get to lubbock, let me know,ill give you a doctors name who I think is the best yet.
I have a sorta new thing going on....It has been there a while,not sure if i've mentionend before.........I have a large lump on the top of my head.A real goose egg. it does not hurt at all,but it is starting to make me a little nervous.I'm going to have to get it checked.
Have anyone out there in lupas land had anything like this before?

Sharon

I will survive
as long as I know how to love
i know i'll stay alive
i've got all my life to live
i've got all my love to give
and i'll survive
i will survive

even when the docs don't know what's wrong, i'll do my best to carry on. I'll treat my body well, eat right, drink lots of water, take only those medications that are absolutely necessary. I will chase away those things that might make me sicker such as fear, worry and depression by praying to my creator for healing and guidance, loving each day and those that are in it to the fullest, and thinking of how I can help others. This is my creed.

Now sharon, you just woke up with that goose egg atop your head one morning? And it doesn't hurt (which means you didn't somehow hit your head on your headboard in the middle of the night). How strange!

Please keep us posted on what you find out.

Honest!! I did not hit my head on anything.I was washing my hair one night and I noticed it.I ask my hubby to feel it and see if it was red or anything. It feels as if my bone is deformed in that spot.I don't think it just appeared overnight,i just had not noticed it before.How I could miss it,i have no clue.Hopefully the doctor can explain it.
Sharon

Hmm...Well, since tallwoman ruled out the banging of the head on the headboard I will have to keep myself in check (as it is almost always a dirty mind).

I do hope that things turn out ok for you. Calcium buildup? Too much coneheads on saturday night live archives?

Thinkin' about ya!

Clarebear

Clarebear,you are so funny.........I think you 've been reading to much *maxine*
I will keep you posted. Sharon

Hi ladies, I saw my doctor today,i remembered to ask about my knot.She said it is probably fatty tissue. My mother just had two removed this month. I'm going to see a surgeon when I get back from my trip to texas.I leave on the 6th and return aug/1.
I'm taking my 4and 2yr old g-babies. My doctor and everyone else think i'm crazy,but it's somthing I need to do. I am having problems with my asthma again. I don't notice it as much,because I have breathed like this all my life. The inhalers give me headaches and my alergy med. Makes me a zombie during the day. I'm not sleeping well at night,but my doctor said it was due to my breathing.She said i'm wheezing pretty bad. I promised her I would take my meds during this month long trip.
I will let you know how I fair.
Sharon

Sorry...No quick songs for something like that (although...)

have you considered a humidifier in your bedroom for sleeping? I don't know if it will work but someone once mentioned it to me. Don't have asthma but when I am really congested in winter it helps a lot.

Clarebear

...To love you." how about that song by the hollies for a quick one, clarebear.

Well sharon I hope you feel well enough to handle the grandbabies on your trip. I'm a grandma too, so I know how you feel. Even though your body and energy level doesn't always cooperate, you'll do anything for those babies.

Hey sharon, go for it and enjoy!
Sincerely,
sandy