Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Update

Howdy everyone,

Sorry I dissappeared for a little while there. I've been really busy with both jobs, and also feeling under the weather, making me sleep a lot. Just wanted to give everyone an update after my last vening session. I finally got in to see my shrink, and they upped my dose of zoloft to 150mg/day. Unfortinatly, I am going to have to find a new one, because my mew insurance doesn't cover his office, and one visit cost me $95! Oh, well, I hope I find a good replacement. I also went to my appointment with the 'pain specialist,' which turned out to be a physical therapy/rehabilitation doctor, but I was suprised to find out that he knew quite a lot about AS. He seems to be more willing to be proactive instead of reactive like my PCP and Rhumie. He switched me from Ultracet to ultram so I could take more if necessary without having to worry about damage to the liver. He started me on indomethacin, which has worked well so far, even though I'm a little worried after reading about it in the pharmacy forum. Lastly, he gave me a script for vicoden to have around the house for bad flares, instead of having to go into the ER every time. I must say, the problems of life are proving easier to cope with ad handle when I'm not on the verge of needing to go into the ER 24/7.

Most improtantly, though, I have gotten wonderfull support from my friend here at KICKAS. Through the forums, chat and PMs, you guys have really helped me keep on keeping on. It has been, and still is, a tough time, but there is light at the end of the tunnel now, and I know that I will make it out into the daylight.

I also found an excelent massage therapist that I plan on seeing every week. She was a med student prior to this, and knows A LOT about AS. I have had a lot of massages, and they are great, but this therapist knows exactly how to make AS symptoms go away for precious hours. If only I could get my doctor to prescribe massages 1-2 every 4-6 hours, I wouldn't need any meds.



Take care my friends

Daniel

Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS

Dan,
Glad to hear that you found a good massage therapist. You wouldn't want to send her to Michigan for a couple of weeks would you? My Rheumy just put me on a mix of Vicodin & Vioxx a couple of days ago. The Vicodin seems to take just enough of the edge off so that I can sleep. I hope you keep finding the relief you need. I just want some of that massage action.

Take care,

Glenn



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What makes the hottentots so hot? What puts the ape in apricot? Whadda they got that I ain't got?....

Dan,

It good to hear that there is a little light at the end of your tunnel. Heck, are you kidding, a massage every week?!? Sounds great!! Hope everthing works out for you!

"That Cole girl"

Finally some good news! If you can get the pain more under control, or at least to a manageable level, it will be so much easier to deal with the other issues in your life right now, it's very difficult to function (we all know this from experience) when pain is taking over your life. Sounds like you've had a productive week.

Party, party, party. Only a couple of months away

Cheryl


Dogs know the meaning of faithfulness

Daniel,

Glad you finally made some progress. A massage every week sounds like a little taste of heaven. And I know from experience if you can get the pain down to manageable levels, then you can take on other issues.

It was great meeting you. Roger and I survived D.C., but we were so glad to get home. (and away from all that traffic!)

Hugs,

Cindy

Daniel I am so glad that you found a PROACTIVE rheumy! He will go a long way towards helping you find more comfort. Glad your doing better....even though I am a little jealous of the weekly massages...
Had fun chatting a while back, maybe we'll chat some more another time!
Darla

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Dan,

I am so happy to hear you are doing better! It sounds like you are on the road to getting your AS under control. One problem down! Good for you!

How is everything else? *HUGS*

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

What GOOD news Daniel. I'm very happy for you!!!

{{{hugs}}}

Michelle

You know, some insurance will cover massages if they are prescribed by the doctor. Ours covered massages to attempt to help with migraines at one point -- its worth asking about!

I think a weekly massage would be HEAVEN!

Sandi

Hiya Dan,

Glad you're still hangin' in there....a massage every 4-6 hours.....ahhhhh.....heaven!!

Hope to catch you in chat sometime my fire breathing pal!


Cheers,
Steph