Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group just another update *DELETED*

Hi Possi,
I just made an update of the update I deleted so others could see it too. Thanks for thinking of me. I often think of you too.
Take Care,
James.

hi james,

just take it one day at a time. i think not knowing is worse than knowing. at least with knowing, you and your doctors can make a plan of how to proceed.

i can tell you, very bad gastritis can feel like an ulcer; they were convinced i had an ulcer, until the did the scoping, and saw inflammation, but no ulcer. though the pain is the same, gastritis is far less serious medically.

and even if it is an ulcer, the modern acid blocking drugs they have now have completely revolutionized the way ulcers can be treated and healed.

i can understand your worry about the colon. we will just pray that whatever they find, that they will treat it and your colon will be healthier once again.

i understand that is a lot to take in, so just one day at a time, and try not to worry about the unknowns, see what they find first....easier said than done, i know.

thanks for letting us be there for you,

sue

Hi Sue,
I see now I should have left the post stay on the forum. I left people hanging. I deleted the post because it was more of a repeat of things I have already said and some of things I wrote in there were making me feel like a non-happy person.

I was thinking the same thing about the medications. I feel them working as much as they can, but my stomach is getting sore from them (I think). I did talk to my doctor about it but he said my new meds are a good combination and I should stay on them for now. I wasn't trying to come off them, but reduce the frequency.

Thanks for your reply,
Btw, I'm a night owl too,
Take care,
James.

Hi Mig,

I just weighed in a 156lbs which isn't very much in kilograms. 70.9kg? If I remember right, I was taking 300 milligram at 135lbs when I last took it. Less risk exposure is what I like to hear too. Someone posted an article here about low dose remicade being just as effective as regular dose. I should go find that post.

"Both meds are immuno-suppressants but remi quiets one part of the immune system (TNFa), not the whole immune system like mtx does... as far as I understand."

That's how I always understood it too.
With the MTX injections, I could get on an low dose too. I took 3 mg before, but might be able to ask for even lower. I'll have to weigh out which one would be better for me, plus I would have to discuss all of this with a rheumy I think.

Thanks for the reply
Take care,
James.

Hi James - I'm sorry your going thru all this. Do you have someone close to talk to and bounce things off of? I don't know alot about the issues you are going thru - I wish I could be more help. Just keep on keeping on with the testing and I hope things get better quickly for you. Take care...Who who night owl Sue!

Hi Sue,

1. That's a pretty long time. Currently I eat about 6 times a day (usually), plus a snack here and there if I can squeeze it in. I always have the trouble of eating until I am full, because my appetite is so low and it doesn't take much to fill me up, otherwise I could eat more often. I also binge eat when my anxiety gets worked up. My gastrodoc told me years ago that I should eat small servings at least 8 times a day, but that's easier said that done. However I can snack all day long if I wanted to, as long as I don't fill up. I also have days where I can't eat at all though. My pharmacy papers said that Carafate can heal an ulcer within 6 months... that sounds promising.

2. Are you talking about stomach meds or things like biologics? Either way, I have to agree because the older I got the more medicine sensitive I got. Same applies to side effects too. I can cut up 1 Flexeril muscle relaxer and have it last me a week because it stays in my system for a few days each time I take it. I personally think that the amount of stomach meds I'm taking now is a bit much, but then again so was that stomach pain a few days ago. After I get the scopies and find out what's going on, I'll see if I can make a few adjustments, and be a little more careful about what I put in my stomach.

thanks for the reply,
take care,
James.

Hi Sue,
Thanks for the advice. It's probably the best advice I can take in right now. I try not to think about things but things keep popping into my head for no reason. There's just too much going on than I can handle right now. I'll get through it though, I always have. I should keep the tunes playing from now on, and whenever I start to think, I'll start saying wikipediathefreeencyclopedia out loud or something.
Take care,
James.

Hi James

I wish you the best... when I was having all my intestinal issues is when I got in a deep funk and depressed so this is very understandable for me. I pray you can find some solutions and begin to feel better soon.

Hang in there!

Tim

Hi Sue,
The only person I have to talk to is my wife. She doesn't understand everything I talk about though. As for my AS she's a good listener, but not much of a listener when it comes other certain things. I have a few online friends to talk to, but it's hard to talk to them without 'seeing' if it bothers them or not.

Take care,
James.

Hi Tim,
The depression should ease back off some as soon as my stomach woes go away. I think mine started from my panic disorder, but I had colitis just as long. Deep funk is a good phrase for it.
Thanks for your good wishes.
take care,
James.