Hi All,

Just wanted everyone to know that Megan is in the ICU unit in the hospital. She caught a nasty bug and has been really, really sick!

I thought it would be wonderful when she gets home and checks in to have some good wishes for her...

Thats all I feel comfortable saying now when she checks in she can tell you more if she likes but she could sure use some good thoughts and prayers right now!

Lisa

Hi Lisa

Hope Megan gets well soon.

Megan if you are reading this, hope you are feeling better and getting back to a normal routine.

Get Well Soon

My dear Megan, get better soon! Thinking of you today and everyday to come!

Get better quickly Megan, and hope to see you back here soon

Megan, thinking of you.... ...you've been through the wringer this last couple of years eh?

Hope you get well soon Megan.

Thank you Lisa - can't bear that Michelle was thrown another curve ball...

Michelle - prayers and healing light - get well soon my lovely -

Megan hope you get better soon - hugs Gerri & Makaylah

Dear Megan,

Your a fighter, get better soon.

Hugs,
Janet

Megan, as Janet says, you're a fighter. Looking forward to hearing from you back on KA.

Big hugs and lots of fighting spirit.

What?! In the hospital? So sorry to hear this.
Megan, I hope you feel well soon!
Lisa, thanks for letting us know!

{{{HUGS}}} and LOVE and PRAYERS for Megan and all of you! Please keep us updated.

Oh no! Get well soon Megan!

Thanks for letting us know Lisa. Megan, my prayers and thoughts are with you. Girl you must really have caught a mean old bug to get into the I.C.U. Bless your heart. Hope you are out in no time and back on the board. Hang in there.

Megan (((HUGS)))
Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery !!

Sherri

thank you lisa

megan, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

get well soon!

Hello Megan,

Hope you can get over this bug soon and get back home. Gentle hugs and praying for best.

Tim

Just a quick update....she is still in the hospital at least until tomorrow.

Great job guys keep up the good work she will be so excited when she gets on and sees this!

Lisa

Oh no Megan break out of there ASAP! Get well soon

Healing prayers for you Megan with Peace, Love and Joy

Thanks Lisa for keeping us in the loop. Megan, you are a fighter like others have mentioned before. After this year, you can get through anything! Hugs from Northern Manitoba, just a hop and skip from where you are:)

Lisa you are such a great gfrin!!

Lisa, thank you for this. You are definitely an angel!

Meggie, get better soon, my sweet. I'm sending white light and love your way, to infinity and beyond!!!

Love and hugs,

Megan get well soon.

Megan,
grandpa here,
pollezze get much better soon
you need to take me in for another brain X-ray;
they think I am cracked!!!!
We love ya. My prayers are with you!

g-Pa

Can't believe I did that...I read 'Michelle'! Just NOT taking stuff in. Summat is a bit gone wrong over here...Oh sheesh. Now what?

MEGAN - Get well soon - shoot, can't have this happening to our KA'ers. Deary me.

Be better soon Megan - healing thoughts winging over hon -

Get well soon.
Jay

Megan,
Hope you feel better. Sorry to hear you are in the hospital.
Hope you are on the road to recovery soon and that all of these notes and well wishes help cheer you up!!!
ChaCha

Get well soon, dear. Feel better soon. Big, gentle hugs to you while you get your strength back.

Wanted to let everyone know that Megan did go home today but she isnt well by a longshot!

Im hoping being home will do her more good than being in the hospital...hopefully she will check in in a few days when she is feeling better.

Thanks everyone!

Lisa

Get well you crazy canadian

hey a prayer your way

Dear Megan,

Get well soon. Hoping for the best for you

Lisa, you rock!!! <3

Thank-you everyone!!! I did check in on my cell and was feeling the love!!! Made me a little teary and the love was desperately needed!

I'm back at home now and hoping that I can improve from here.

I think you guys remember me venting about a certain couple of family members who have a lack of basic hygiene, imho. Hand washing people, that's all I was asking for. They were up for a visit, and brought their flu-like symptoms up with them, even after I explicitly asked them IF they were sick, to please stay home (and explained yet again that I'm on pred and biologic). Might as well be beating my head against a wall.

Long story short, we all pretty much got sick despite my best efforts to disinfect everything. It turned out to be a bacterial illness and it spread like wildfire. I didn't know you could get quite so sick so quickly while on immunosuppressants - so please let this be a reminder!

I had a very difficult time dealing with the doctor I had as well (women don't get AS etc). And my mom, my #1 advocate, was very sick with the same bug, but at home and unable to physically be there for me. Patients really, really need to have an advocate with them at all times while in hospital, they really do. My pain was completely uncontrolled while there, as at one point, he had pulled me off my normal schedule of meds for nausea and neuropathy (and that was about a 7 or 8/10 on a pain scale). It seemed pretty much impossible (language barrier didn't help) to get across to him that I was a chronic pain and chronic nausea patient who had an acute infection that exacerbated all my symptoms. But having all these crazy and undiagnosed symptoms for the past 3 years is confusing, I agree. There were a few nurses who were absolute angels though - I have such a respect for nurses (and other hospital staff). I have no idea how they can pull 12 hours shifts with so much time on their feet like that.

I still have no idea what's causing my chronic symptoms. But I'm grateful to finally be home in a quiet room and away from hospital food.

Thanks so very much to all of you! Sending love and hugs back to each and every one! And huge thanks to Lisa and Dow for keeping me sane while there!!!

Megan: Glad to hear you are back at home recovering. So sorry your family members came over very ill and spread the germs. I don't think healthy people understand we can't be around sick people. My family and friends are clueless too. It is rare I have people over anymore because of this issue .

And I would write a letter to the hospital complimenting all the wonderful nurses but would be honest about your difficult doctor. I'm sure other patients have complained too.

Hope you feel better soon.

Shari

Megan - You're home. Relief, well done. So sad you had to put up with the doctor's medical ineptitude, but bravo the nurses. Yes, write and tell the hospital - but also tell the hospital about the doctor, his ignorance is appalling. I would include a print out of 'correct' information on women and AS. So diff to believe in this day that there are still docotrs who believe that women can't develop AS...Sheesh. So, your chance to be a source of enlightenment to him <VBG>

Wish you completely well soon lass.

Take care - many (((HUGS)))

megan,
i am happy your home and keep on recoverying and hope you fill better each day. I agree about writing to the hospital about your experience with the doctor and praising the nurses because nurses dont always get praises like the should. Hope you are feeling better and fast recovery


gina

So glad to hear you're home again, Megan and that our messages were helpful.

Megan,

Glad to hear your doing a bit better. Stay strong.


A

Glad you are on the road to recovery. Sorry the relatives refuse to listen to you.

Hi Megan,
I told Michelle what happened to you and she said that you are on her prayer list and many hugs and much love!

Megan, dear, it's good to hear you are home. I'm so sorry you were in the hospital. Between you and Michelle, the prayers were flying out of kickas. What a terrible experience you had. I don't know how things are done in Canada, but here in the US, a patient has the right to request another doctor if they are not satisfied with their care. No one should have to experience inadequit health care.
Glad you are feeling better

Cindy

Sorry to hear that you got sick. Ugh! How about I give some of my OCD germaphobia to your relatives. You certainly wouldn't get sick around me.

Craig

so sorry about your hospital experience, so glad you are home now,

feel better soon!

Megan,
I am checking in to see if you are eating your green vegy,s getting plenty of rest, and drinking plenty of water.

After all the antibiotics, I got severe gout and many swollen joints. I think drinking the volume of water I did brought me out of that....

get well my dear.

Antibiotics? MUST eat yogurt - Freshfields for preference. Goats milk cheese - pref unpasteurised (IF can get, that is!!)

Take good care Megan - be better real soon

What a terrible experience. I agree, you need to take someone along with you who knows your medical history. How can they just not give your med's? That stink's! Glad you are home now.

Hi Megan: Sorry to hear of your hospital experience and happy to hear you had some angels (nurses) looking after you. Great to hear you are home and on the road to recovery. Keep on the road to recovery...Tom

Hi Megan,

Glad too hear your home. I was a nurse, so happy to hear your nurses were like angels.

Hugs,
Janet

Megan,

I just now saw this thread about you being in the hospital, and I am very glad to find that you are home and recuperating now. Sounds like a very tough go this time, made all the tougher by that idiot doctor. You are definitely right about the nurses being angels--thank goodness for them!

Glad you are home and hope you're feeling better every day now.

Brad

Megan,
So pleased to hear you are back home.
All the very best for a speedy recovery.
xxxxx

Yes Grandad Lon, and Molly!

I actually was a "difficult" patient while in hospital because everything they gave me had sulphites and preservatives in them, and all I really was craving was organic yogurt, fruit, and fresh veggies, and they didn't have any of that. Not instant mashed potatoes and mock meat. I wanted something fresh, and with colour. It was an ordeal to request a banana. I didn't realize hospital food had gone downhill so quickly (I used to work in long term care dietary and it certainly wasnt that bad!). The doctor was angry with me that I wouldn't eat what they;d given me (boiled eggs and dry toast). The toast has sulphites that I cant eat (which is why I make my own) and I can't eat eggs anymore - they just make me very sick. I tried to tell this to my doc, he told me I was being ridiculous and that I couldn't go home until I ate everything on my plate! grrr.

I actually had good food from home that my dad had brought in for me (fresh bread, yogurt, fruit, crackers, soup, herbal teas - and I was eating that. But for some reason, the doc was dead set on me eating the hospital food even though he knew it was just going to make me more sick (he said the sensitivities I have to sulphites was all in my head... as usual). But even if it is all in my head, is it still really that bad to want to avoid chemicals and try, as much as I can, to eat all natural and (as much as I can afford) organic foods? I just feel better that way.

And yes Molly, the first thing I started doing was eating lots of yogurt and probiotics to get the good flora back into my system after all that cipro. My mom used to make me do that as a kid after a round of antibiotics. I tell you, my mom was ahead of her time. I was really puffy on the cipro and all the bags of nacl and K they were giving me - wide open lines. I was super hydrated and really puffy.

Trying to get rest, but insomnia is still there. When I do finally sleep, I'm out for a good 9 hours or more. For some reason, it really dials down my pain when I sleep that much, so I allow myself to sleep that much. I'm also drinking lots of water too - bought bottled water, just in case it was the water here making me sick.

My aunt and uncle who own an organic produce farm, brought in all kinds of salad fixins picked just minutes before they dropped them off. So a very fresh huge salad for us tonight (soooo good!!!) with some wild salmon. And my doc has the nerve to tell me I'm sick because I don't take care of myself or eat right. He has no clue and I have no idea where he got that idea.

I'm getting better, a little at a time. Going the right direction anyways. Don't you worry about me! I'll be back to my "normal" baseline soon enough.

How about you? How are you doing? I miss chattin with ya! I miss your stories. Take care!

And thanks to everyone's concern and well wishes. I am feeling the love - thank-you so much. I really need it right now.

Molly, tried to PM you but you're over limit again. lol

Quick question: What would you say are the top 5 supplements one should be on to treat osteopenia?
I'm on strontium, Cal, Mag, D. Anything else I should add that you can think of offhand?

The doc I didn't like wanted to push pamidronate while I was deathly sick in ICU (I had no idea why he picked that timing) - the one that I had a severe allergic reaction to last time and landed me in hospital for 3 days. I refused (duh). But they want to try me on other bisphosphonate and I am terrified of them just because I think I'm too young to be on them... even though I know being on pred long-term, I really need something to help with bone density. I'd like to avoid the big drugs if I can. So my Rheumy said as long as the bone scans show I'm doing well, then there's no need for the bisphosphonates.

Hence my trying to find the best natural meds to keep me away from the big drugs. Any suggestions? Just the tried and true ones. The only real extra I've added is the strontium citrate.

Thanks, girl!

haha Craig, I would love it if you could arrange for my family members to be a little OCD-ish. lol Thanks!

Oh golly gosh - over the limit again am I? Tch - just HATE deleting my ovt mail...how sad is that, eh? (Rhetorical!!)

Yep. Sure cann help you/ AND there is NO need to EVER touch those bis drugs, ever. And as for that doctor in the hospital, I could very cheerfully strangle him - he is as ignorant as a - words fail one. Dear lord. Pity he didn't have me to deal with, I tell ya. He'd have been in for a right good education, idiot man. (Find him the informatin, print it off and dumpt it in his lap. Would ALSO put in a formal complaint on him to the hospital. He needs going back to med school - a good med school Obviously where he did go was crap.)

OK. Going to send you right off to the Osteoporosis Foundation. Will post you up the links. Very knowledgeable persons on the boards there - in particular a lass named Lara and another who goes under the NDP: lilypads. You'll have all the info on the supplements, vitamins and etc. Very good discussions to follow through on - and of course participate in. They do know their stuff. There is also one book you need to order up : 'Your Bones' by Lara Pizzorno & Dr Jonathan V Wright

PART 2: "YOUR BONES" by LARA PIZZORNO and DR. JONATHAN V. WRIGHT
Lara & Lilypads :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

ALL to do with Strontium Citrate - all the links to information :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

Useful discussion :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

All 'new' activity on osteo :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/new/active/?ref=as&asat=32271991

------------------##

This will keep ya going gal - (They are a nice bunch)

Take care

just a little quick googling,

see mention of a few other things as well.

things like fish oil, potassium, all those good fruits and veggies you are already eating.

here's a few links, maybe helpful? maybe not?

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/osteoporosis-000120.htm

http://www.wellness.com/blogs/InnerMaryK...y-morgan-ms-cpt

Hello Megan,

Good to see you checking in... when I had hospital stay about a decade ago now, had similar issues asking for certain foods. However, did not quite have the push back you appeared to have.

Good to hear your family was there to help.

Take care and pray you can continue to improve.

Tim

Yes - fish oil; potassium; MAGNESIUM; D3; Vit-K2-M4; boron; calcium citrate - there is a good list, and also, recommended are a couple of supplements that contain pretty much the lot... With good discussion on the whole lot. Worth the effort of going through and *making notes!

AND - Strontium Citrate. Lots of discussion on Strontium Citrate. Good ratings as well. Not just me who has reversed their osteo DDx. And, NO side effects! (Yes, have read of some side effects in patients, but I've been clear of any, and only fairly minor ones mentioned on the Osteo Foundation. Oh yes, those who had tried the Protelos Strontium Ranelate soon came off of it. Side effects...interesting.

In addition, of course, good balanced diet - which you do/have anyways Megan. (Still can't get over that hospital food - were they trying to kill you? Strewth gal, horrors).

Let's know how you get on - Oh yes - I have deleted a few pm's!! Cleared a space -

Take care -

Molly,

Is K2-M4 superior (over K2-M7) for bone density?

Sorry to hijack Megan. Interesting topic and information though.

Hijack away - I'm interested to hear what anyone has to say about bone density issues!

Hey Megan!

Have you ever thought of making homemade bone broth? I have read that it is an amazing way to get bone-building nutrients into your diet. There seems to be a number of different recipes out there. I found this one with a quick google search.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120509/LIFESTYLE/120509549/1010/sports?p=1&tc=pg

Craig

Megan, I'll just chime in here to say that I've been thinking of you and hoping you feel better each and every day. Please be patient with yourself and give yourself a hug from me from afar! Best wishes, healing thoughts and all good things...

Hi Jay - it is an interesting question and one that was addressed by Lara on the osteo board : K2-M7 stays in the body for 3.5 day, K2-M4 stays in the body for less than a day and K2 for a few hours. Now, the problem with K2-M7 'seems' to be that unless you balance it correctly with the calcium citrate and magnesium, a person 'can'end up with possible blood clots. NOT what one wants.

Am sure that is aas clear as mud, so, rather than my garbled memory, far better to go over to the osteo site and read everything that Lara has written - she wrote the book Your Bones (which I must get).

It isa a facinating subject.

And yes indeed, Craig bone broth. Excellent for bones. And don't forget to add a fresh lemon into the broth whilst cooking up, or a couple of tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar - this acidity helps strip out the goodness from the bones. (Same as covering egg shells with lemon uice water to extract the calcium from egg shells - way to make your own calcium citrate.) Originaly, jelly used to be made from bone base, but that all went by the board years ago and is now made from a vegetable base. Kiddies were always advised to 'eat your jelly, good for finger nails'. Afraid jelly nowadays does nowt for people - except add to ill health with the artificial sweeteners now added. Sigh.

Meggie, I'm so glad you're home and doing better. Good for you for standing up to that doctor on the food. Did he really think anyone could get healthy on hospital food? REALLY???!!! Good grief.

Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you from here and sending all the love I can.

Love and Warm Hugs,

Megan, I just got my laptop...how are you feeling? Wow, you've really been through it, I'm so sorry... and you were worried about me?! ...that is so like you... I'm glad to hear that you're feeling a little better...Love, Michelle

Megan,

All I can say is that your awful doctor is lucky I wasn't his patient, as he very likely would have been wearing those eggs! I can't believe he forced you to eat food that you knew would make you sick. Completely irresponsible and unprofessional.

Brad

How are you feeling today Megan?
Best wishes,

hey meagan:

vitamin code is a good brand of calcium supplement. It's from seaweed. It's considered a live food source and many raw food advocates use it. It has a small amount of probiotic in it so make sure your okay with that.
just stay away from calcium carbonate. It's poison to the body and even calcium phosphate is a poor choice but not as bad for you.

Probably one of the best supplements you can take is Spiruluna. It's an algea from the ocean and is considered a super food. It is the highest form of bioavailable protein you can eat. It has immunomodulator properties and can perhaps alleviate some of your allergies. buy a high source of it because it can have contaminants being from the ocean. I take spirulan manna.

Oh dear, how awful for you Megan! What an ordeal. Sorry I just found this today... it's a scary being on some of these meds and then getting a nasty bug that is hard for your body to fight. ICU oh dear, that is serious. Really hope you are feeling better soon and are on the winning side of battling this.

The food in the hospitals in ON is just as bad, although easy to at least get a banana.

Really hope that your extended family learns something from this... hand-washing is so simple and hugely helpful, if only people would just realize it. Drives me crazy those who don't consider how serious catching something can be. People who are sick should stay home and stop spreading the misery.

Warmest hugs and hope you're completely over this soon.
mig

Megan, I am so sorry you have been so sick. I am thankful you are home. I pray for a speedy complete recovery.

Hugs.
Possi

How are you doing Megan? Any residual effects or do you feel all good again? I hope you are.

I have a friend who came down with lymphoma, and her husband did the same--brought her good healthy food from home (she was able to make a complete recovery, fortunately), but she didn't mention that it was a problem...