Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Feeling hopeless,

Oh it's so nice to have our meek little Bridge back... I only wish that you wouldn't sugar coat things so much Bridge...let us know how you really feel...

Keep Kickin'AS (or a doctor)
Chris

You guys are great! I already feel a bit better. Bridge - you put my feelings into words!

Any chance you could slip across the border and see an american rheumatologist. The Mayo Clinic would be close.

Farinelli

Wendy,

I just wanted to let you know that your in my thoughts and prayers. I'm praying that you will be able to see your GP soon and that he will be able to help guide you in a better direction... Hopefully to a new Rhuemy!

Kim

One thing for sure, I don't like your doctor! He can't find your test results, and you have to do them again? Sounds like the most important thing to do now is concentrate on finding a better one. Even if you have to go outside the system to accomplish that!

There is always hope. But that doctor isn't on the case.

This Monday President Obama will be announcing a bill to allow money to be going for Stem Cell research!!! Let's all do what we can to support that!!

I am so sorry that your Doc is a fool. He may be overworked, he may be under informed but cut it any way you will he is a fool and being burdened with tht can be depressing.

Only let it get the best of you for a moment then let a healthier emotion win out. ANGER. Get angry and use it to get a different Doc. Don't give in to that da'med if you do and da'med if you don't attitude because that only makes one feel boxed in and boxes are for guinea pigs and lab rats which the DOc's often make us feel like but not for us.

Try nontraditional med's. Try other therapies and find a med. that you believe is worth a shot by reading and demand that the next Doc you see gives it to you. Have a back up to your favorite med choice.

Doc's are very often like sheep and if you do the work for them go in with some literature and a demand for a med you might be surprised and get it.

Please, please don't feel hopeless very long. Its worse than a bad Doc. Just because he locked you in a car and drove you to a train station to a hopeless place doesn't mean you have to get on the train.

My large friend Bruno who you may have read of here is more than willing to hop on a train himself and visit your Doc

Thank you, James, for these very kind words. I haven't been watching movies much lately because I have so much studying to do. I don't usually get this low. I think it's from the frustration of not knowing what to do next and realizing that it's not just about putting up with the pain, which is what I've been doing. It was quite a downer to learn that the inflammation itself is a risk that needs dealing with.

The support of KickAsers is fantastic.

Hi Sue,

I generally find my studying is good to take my mind of my pain and disabilities. I was just feeling so overwhelmed by the impossible choices about the best treatment that I felt unable to focus on anything else. I'm doing a bit better now and this forum has a lot to do with that. I'm also picking up accumulated junk around the house so the cleaner can clean on Monday and that is making me feel like I'm achieving something.

Have to get back to the studies soon - I have an assignment due by tomorrow night!

Hi Richard,

I tend to react badly to most meds, which might be why I'm extra nervous about MTX. The side effects from prednisone were from only 10mg per day, which is considered to be a very low dose. I still ended up with bruises all over and significant weight gain. Even though some people seem to do okay on MTX I think I'd still like to try other meds first, like sulphasalazine, and leave MTX as a last resort.

Thanks for your support. It's quite helpful to hear from people who are doing okay on MTX.

Thanks Molly. I suspect French hugs are quite potent - like British ones!