Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group First injection of Enbrel..

Hey Denise,

Good luck with your treatments of Enbrel. Hope you join the ever increasing crowd getting good results from it.

Brent

Sandy

Thanks for all the good wishes!

I've now had 2 injections, having the third tonight... The only effect of the acutal injection is a little bruising... not a big deal.. As for results... I swear I feel better already.. Can it be possible???

The pain and stiffness in my lower back, SI joints, shoulders and neck hasn't improved yet.. Over the last couple of days, I've developed some inflammation in my ribs/sternum which is a surprise. I started having these little piercing pains in my left chest (which I've had many times---it is not heart related).. Now the tenderness in the ribs/sternum has appeared. Costochondritis---what a pain!

But the good news is my fatigue level is way down.. I am starting to feel like my old self again.. I just have to take it slow and not over do it. I am reminded of the scripture in the Bible that says, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". My general mood is so much better. What can I say... I feel great !!! (except for the pain!)

Tomorrow, my hubby and I are traveling to Richmond, Ky to celebrate the 2nd birthday of my grandson that lives there. It's a 7 hour drive, but we are stopping midway in Pigeon Forge, TN to spend the night, going and coming back.. I am anxious to see how well this trip goes.

Hope everyone else has a good weekend, too...

LOve, Peace and JOy
Denise

Thanks Brent..


By the way.. that is certainly a cute little pom you have there.. I have a little rat terrier/chihauhau dog named Lola a.k.a. "The Devil Dog"... I am considering getting a second dog and have been looking at poms.. They are so cute... little fluff balls when they are puppies.. Are they smart, easy to train?

Denise

Hey Denise,

Thanks for the compliment on Sandy, he will be eight months old this week. I got him so when everyone is gone during the day I would have some company. Poms are really smart and easy to train. I haven't felt to god for the last month or so and haven't been training him like I was. By six months old he would sit, stand, shake hands, lay down, dance on his hind legs, stop whatever he was doing, roll over and speak on command. He brings his tennis ball or bone when he wants to play fetch. He will go get the ball when you tell him to and bring it back to you so he can play. He also would go find anyone in the house by telling him to go get them by their name. You can lay a treat in the floor and he will lay in front of it until you tell him he can have it. He will stay where you tell him to. I have found with poms the more you teach them the more they want to learn.

They are very protective over their master or family. I have taught him not to let anyone hit another person. I would tap my son on the leg with my hand while Sandy was standing close by, my son would make a noise and he would come bark at and bite my hand or arm. My son is 16 so when his cousins are over and they start wrestling around they have to put him in his cage for a bit. The only person he bites is still me when we are playing, except when the kids hit each other then he puts an end to it until they put him up. He barks when someone comes in the door, but it is more for show than anything else. He loves getting combed out everyday. My sister brought a book called "Teach Your Dog 100 Words" and I believe if I keep going that he could actually learn them all.

We have kept rawhide bones and toys for him to chew on and play with so he didn't tear anything up in the house he wasn't suppose to. He started to chew on the loveseat skirting once until I told him no and gave him one of his toys. He hasn't bothered it again.

It sounds like you have quite a dog yourself. The Devil Dog is an interesting nickname for Lola. Not sure if it means Lola is mean or just full of mischief and likes to play. Our other dog is a miniture pincher mix and around 12 years old and always been smart. I've always wanted a pom and planned on getting a black one when I left home the day I got Sandy. The lady had three black puppies and two red sables. Four of the puppies come out of the pen and headed toward the adults pens and started growling and barking. Sandy came out sat down next to my feet and I was hooked. He was the least aggressive of the five. The only one with a brown nose, sand and white colored hair. I'm sure if you decide to get one that you will really enjoy it.

Have a good one,
Brent

Sandy

Brent,

When I first got Lola, she was 6 weeks old and so tiny, no bigger than a large bar of soap... but she let everyone know she was the queen of the house... In fact, I almost named her "Zena" as in "Princess Warrior".. I had another dog and he was at least 10 times larger than she. She would back him up into a corner.. It was hilarious! (Of course, he was a softy and very passive). I was trying to be gentle with her and decided to give her some soft canned food... no way... she wanted the hard kibbles that my other dog, Willy, had. Not only that, she would nip at our ankles and noses.. (her way of showing affection). I often referred to her as a piranha with fur.. Her nickname is "Devil Dog" but she is four years old now and has mellowed out a bit. She's such a sweetie.. she loves me alot. When I get home everyday, she wants me to sit on the couch--mainly so she can get in my lap. And like your Sandy, she will not tolerate anyone hitting someone else.. very protective. When my first grandson was born and later when they moved in with us for awhile, I was really concerned that she might snap or bite him.. But she has been very good and patient with the little one. Never had a single problem. She also has her favorite toys and knows each by name. "Monkey", "Hot dog" and "Rat" are the ones she likes the best.. If they are not in her toy basket, she will go and hunt them down when you tell her to get them. Of course, she goes crazy over a plastic cap off a drink bottle.

Dogs are wonderful companions.. They love and accept you, no matter what...

Denise