It’s Thursday, so don’t forget to pray for the folks in PNG.
Anyone else?
Psalm 2
¹Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Husband is home. The RA doc said much the same as the family doc. If it is RA, it is one of the worst cases he has ever seen. All of the inflammation indicators are over the top, beyond the scope of the charts. But, again, no sign of joint deformation.
So, he gave husband a couple of options of drugs to get on. One can cause death immediately and the other can cause cancer and a long list of other stuff. Decisions, decisions…..He recommends the first as instant death does not happen often due to the infusion of the drug. But it will require many trips to Boise as they are set up to deal with the many complications that can arise as the med enters the body. Scary.
So, once again, wisdom on what direction to take as far as treatment. And wisdom for the docs on what they are dealing with. Thanks.
What is your nurse daughter thinking? We had a friend sent home from the VA with the advice, “ask your friends to scour the Internet and see if they can come up with something. We simply don’t know.”
That was 15 years ago and he’s still alive, though living in Oregon now.
Well, the new medication does not appear to be working. It is a corticosteroid to reduce lung inflammation in the long term. I have been taking it as instructed, but today I had a terrible asthma attack after walking past a smoker outside a store. I felt like I was back in the village that last day before they evacuated me. I’m still in pretty rough shape. I’ve contacted my doctor to see about going back to the old inhaler, which at least prevented me from breaking down from second hand smoke.
1 hour after posting this on FB, I have a bunch of suggestions:
Anybody here, without getting personal or TMI, know anything about Rheumatoid Arthritis? In particular, is there another illness that can masquerade as RA and if so, what is it? This is for a friend far away with vexing symptoms that the doctors can’t seem to help. He’s in a lot of pain and already has lost 60 pounds with no end in sight. Looking for some suggestions to pass along. Links are great. Thanks.
P: Lyme Disease. Check out Brandilyn Collins: Seatbelt Suspense She wrote a book about the similarities between the two.
C: Get rid of sugar. It feeds on it.
L, who had RA as a possible diagnosis at one time: Lymes; get rid of anything that triggers inflammation like sugar, nightshades, soy and the like
M: Syphilis (no, I’m not kidding). [M is a pain management physician]
M–another vote for Lyme’s
D: Polymyalgia rheumatica … not the same but can cause lots of joint pain (hips, shoulders, spine especially) and fatigue and general unwell feeling.
A: Has he been tested for Celiac? It’s an autoimmune disease that can present as anything from anemia to osteoporosis to gastro issues. I’m pretty sure inflamed joints has also been named as a symptom.
D: Lupus & sjogrens. I had major joint pains before I got diagnosed w lupus. Steroids helped.
Dr’s wife: WebMD.com has a list of 100 or so rheumatic diseases or conditions. MS is another condition that can manifest joint pain, overall pain and weakness.
If it’s sudden onset, Lyme or another tick-borne illness may be the culprit.
C: Chron’s Disease is related to RA some sometimes treated with similar medications. It can cause terrible joint pain and swelling as well as painful cramping and digestive issues. It can also attack your eyes. It is an autoimmune disease like lupus and Sojogrens.
W: Sounds like what I went through and it was gluten intolerance. Though Lymes, Crohns, Lupus et al should be looked into.
D: Regardless of his diagnosis, it would be in his best interest to go on an anti-inflammatory diet. Lots of salmon, veggies, a daily probiotic…
Lots of good ideas. Gout is out. Lymes is out. That polymalgia rheumatica sounds very similar to his symptoms. I will have him ask his doctor. Thanks for putting it out there.
Wandering Views 
Husband is home. The RA doc said much the same as the family doc. If it is RA, it is one of the worst cases he has ever seen. All of the inflammation indicators are over the top, beyond the scope of the charts. But, again, no sign of joint deformation.
So, he gave husband a couple of options of drugs to get on. One can cause death immediately and the other can cause cancer and a long list of other stuff. Decisions, decisions…..He recommends the first as instant death does not happen often due to the infusion of the drug. But it will require many trips to Boise as they are set up to deal with the many complications that can arise as the med enters the body. Scary.
So, once again, wisdom on what direction to take as far as treatment. And wisdom for the docs on what they are dealing with. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 6 people
What is your nurse daughter thinking? We had a friend sent home from the VA with the advice, “ask your friends to scour the Internet and see if they can come up with something. We simply don’t know.”
That was 15 years ago and he’s still alive, though living in Oregon now.
Praying; this is so very hard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
She says to listen to the doctor. And lets me know when they prescribe an opiate.
Still waiting on results from the MRI’s and blood work.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I asked Mr P what can mask as RA. He didn’t know. Could it be something as simple as gout?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, the new medication does not appear to be working. It is a corticosteroid to reduce lung inflammation in the long term. I have been taking it as instructed, but today I had a terrible asthma attack after walking past a smoker outside a store. I felt like I was back in the village that last day before they evacuated me. I’m still in pretty rough shape. I’ve contacted my doctor to see about going back to the old inhaler, which at least prevented me from breaking down from second hand smoke.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very sorry, Roscuro. Prayers for wisdom and relief.
LikeLiked by 2 people
1 hour after posting this on FB, I have a bunch of suggestions:
Anybody here, without getting personal or TMI, know anything about Rheumatoid Arthritis? In particular, is there another illness that can masquerade as RA and if so, what is it? This is for a friend far away with vexing symptoms that the doctors can’t seem to help. He’s in a lot of pain and already has lost 60 pounds with no end in sight. Looking for some suggestions to pass along. Links are great. Thanks.
P: Lyme Disease. Check out Brandilyn Collins: Seatbelt Suspense She wrote a book about the similarities between the two.
C: Get rid of sugar. It feeds on it.
L, who had RA as a possible diagnosis at one time: Lymes; get rid of anything that triggers inflammation like sugar, nightshades, soy and the like
M: Syphilis (no, I’m not kidding). [M is a pain management physician]
M–another vote for Lyme’s
D: Polymyalgia rheumatica … not the same but can cause lots of joint pain (hips, shoulders, spine especially) and fatigue and general unwell feeling.
A: Has he been tested for Celiac? It’s an autoimmune disease that can present as anything from anemia to osteoporosis to gastro issues. I’m pretty sure inflamed joints has also been named as a symptom.
D: Lupus & sjogrens. I had major joint pains before I got diagnosed w lupus. Steroids helped.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are more suggestions:
Dr’s wife: WebMD.com has a list of 100 or so rheumatic diseases or conditions. MS is another condition that can manifest joint pain, overall pain and weakness.
If it’s sudden onset, Lyme or another tick-borne illness may be the culprit.
C: Chron’s Disease is related to RA some sometimes treated with similar medications. It can cause terrible joint pain and swelling as well as painful cramping and digestive issues. It can also attack your eyes. It is an autoimmune disease like lupus and Sojogrens.
W: Sounds like what I went through and it was gluten intolerance. Though Lymes, Crohns, Lupus et al should be looked into.
D: Regardless of his diagnosis, it would be in his best interest to go on an anti-inflammatory diet. Lots of salmon, veggies, a daily probiotic…
LikeLike
Lots of good ideas. Gout is out. Lymes is out. That polymalgia rheumatica sounds very similar to his symptoms. I will have him ask his doctor. Thanks for putting it out there.
LikeLike