Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Hi...A visit

I don't know if anyone will remember me, can't remember the last time I posted, BUT it's great to come back with such good news.

I have passed a year of working 32 hours a week. I am on adequte pain control using a patch with vicodin, and muscle relaxers to help with spasms. I take a couple of antidepressants that help me get through the day, and I have been awarded with a bonus and a certificate of excellance cuz I was doing so well at my job. I even earned enough vacation to take my FIRST EVER PAID vacation to the coast of oregon with my husband. I don't miss work, I am able to handle the pain because they allow me to work 32 hours a week. I worked 7 days a week for a little bit, but I was n ot getting enough sleep. Thankfully I am able to set my own hours around my disease and so I picked to try 32 hours. It was the best decision I've ever made. The three day weekends allow my body to heal from the 'battle' of the working world. I was at home for probably 2 years straight before I finally was able to get up, get a job, and get my body back. I used to come here in the darkest of my days. When they thought I had RA but yet, my hands were moving just fine and I didn't have swollen knuckles. The I got diagnosed with AS and moved from the arthritis usenet newsgroup over to here. Then I got an internet stalker. That required me to leave all of the regular places I used to hang out on line, which included here. Hopefully I will be welcomed back . I hope you all have experienced that before so that I don't feel so stupid. I have a very stable job, stable insurance, and my work knows about my disease and that's in fact why I even have my job. It's protected and I have a wonderful office and a wonderful boss. I have gone from being on a cane, then into a wheelchair, back on teh cane, to walking perfectly normal with out one. I have started walking and now that the rains are in Oregon I'm switching to pilates. I have lost 50 of the 75 pounds I gained on prednisone, which I still am on (i forgot. 5mg every other day. LMAO) but those last 25 went to muscle because I'm wearing smaller clothes then I was before the weight gain!!! I have been happily married to my husband for 3 years now and things honestly couldn't get any better then they are now. I hope that those of you in the middle of a flare read this and see that there is hope at the end of the tunnell.. On top of this, my Rheumy thinks that I might be ok for acouple years and then Ill be more comfortable AND be able to afford to take the biologicals. I personally am a lot weary about the tnf inhibitors, prob. cuz I don't understand how they work, and would love to talk bout that, but I assume thats in the drug forum?. I hope to stop by more then once a year, and give all of my love to all of you

Marnie

Hi Marnie,

Yes, I recall you... when I saw your login name I said... there is a name I have not seen in a while. Good to see you checking in, and good to hear you are doing well and that work and marriage are going well.

Praying and wishing for many, many more good days ahead for you as well.

Tim

Tim!

It's great to see you too! Thanks for remembering me . I didn't know if I made a big enough impact round here . I peeked and noticed that my last post was about a year ago. Almost exactly! I must come seeking you all in the winter time.

How are you doing? Flaring? Doin good I hope!

Marnie

Hey Marnie!
Great to hear everything's going well. Good to see you popping your head in to update us.
Count me as a big fan of biologic meds! Or anything that works really. I'm not fussy.

Hi Marnie,
Yes, I remember you. In fact, I was just thinking the other day that I had not seen you in a long time. So glad to hear you are doing well. You give everyone hope for better days. I hope to see you here more often. Thanks for giving us the update on how you are doing.

Debora

Hi Marnie,

Good to hear from you and that you are doing so well. It was a very encouraging post. I am glad you are happy and that all is well in your personal life. Hope you can come back often. It is good to hear from you.

Blessings.
Possi

Marnie!! Welcome back!

I'm so glad to hear that you managed to get back to work and that you are out of the wheelchair. I do remember your cyber stalker and will keep my fingers crossed that the creep doesn't find you again.

Stick around for a bit, y'hear?

Many hugs,

Thanks so much for the welcome back! I recognize each and every one of you who posted in here and that just made my day! As for the stalker, I actually found out that it was two people and that they were people who I had thought of as friends. I haven't decided if that makes it worse or not.. I should be able to visit here during the work day which is something I had not been doing at all. So thanks again for the welcome back and I look forward to 'hanging' out with you guys sooner then later..

marnie