I hadn't said anything about this as I hoped the was a simple answer-NOT. last weekend Mike wet the bed three nights in a row. He also went sitting in his chair watching tv. He has been ok Mon. and Tues. He has also been very tired and has had a few headaches (sinus I think-around his eyes)Anyway the Dr. figured UTI and started him on Cipro yesterday. I finally got a urine spec. and took it in while he was at physio today. Dr. phoned this evening-said not UTI and stop Cipro. When I asked what it could be he said maybe a virus and to watch that he isn't depressed. How can I tell if he is depressed? He says he isn't-but that doesn't really mean anything.Guess I worry too much but of course I was afraid of it being related to his vascular problems and was hoping it was something simple. It was a full moon last weekend and our weather is weird-sun, cloud, rain, wind, hot , cool ?????
Guess I just have to go back to take one day at a time.Should follow my own advice and I'd be sleeping instead of writing. Goodnight Gypsy

Janie Thanks for the idea of printing this off. I am in the process. (a long one as each of these 18 pages is several pages of print. If I could figure a way to same them to a disk I would have. Think I will start a new thread when this finishes so signing off here for now. Gypsy

quote:

I am feeling much better than I have in a long time which I think helps both of us. Gypsy

Val!!! Hooray! Thank goodness the doctor was able to do something for your skin problems! And, I hope Mike's appointment went well, too. Alot of people are affected by SAD. Both my hubby and mil. And, of course, damp dreary weather plays a big part in that whole scenerio!!

Just a little curiosity on my part here and I hope you don't mind my asking ....... but, have you ever printed out this thread? I *just* realized you've been posting "here" since July, 2003. That's a lot of history. Just wondering .... And, I must say, my friend, that your UPBEAT "emoticons" - either in this venue or in private e-mail - are an inspiration! I don't know how you do it!!

Just a quick update. Things seem to be going much better the last few days. We both had Dr. appts. today-all ok. Mike was tired and not quite as with it but our weather changed from warm sunny to cool, wet, windy. Mentioned somewhere else here maybe SAD?I have an appt. with the dermatologist in May-good thing our Dr. did something for me or I would be nuts and have no skin by now. I am feeling much better than I have in a long time which I think helps both of us. Gypsy

Gypsy, so sorry you are experiencing the skin problems.Stress contrinutes to so many healt problems.I had so many tests done for skin problesms.The results, stress.I have been fortunate as the problem is not as severe as it once was.I was itching so bad I thought I would go crazy.I do take something for stress.I have learned to use only certain soaps, shampoos, washing products , even wear clothes that do not add to the problem.I do hope you get this problem under control.

Janie my typing error made you think something that is NOT TRUE I just wish(not with) it was. It is freezing here record cold but clear, my feet would freeze in the ocean guess that might help as I sure wouldn't feel anything. No it is just Sea Salt out of a box in not too hot water. They do feel a little better but I don't have shoes on yet. It is 2:00 here and Mike is napping then hopefully we can go out and do a little shopping if not it can wait. OOPs -BEEP<BEEP,BEEP the jet just caused the baby monitor to go off. It happens all the time since we live right next to the airbase. BEEP BEEP again for the clothes dryer.You know that last post of mine-I thought I had lost it-it disappeared and I couldn't find it, thought I had checked to see if it was posted, didn't have the energy to redo it-just as well. Gypsy
The critter was back right on time-7 am today yesterday I heard nothing and was hoping he was gone for good.Bye for now have a good weekend. Gypsy

quote:

.... it was warm enough to wade in the ocean

Gosh, Val, that's great! I didn't realize it was that warm there. Yeah, the salt water would help to dry those blisters, wouldn't it? I'd never looked at it that way. Duh.

Hope you're feeling better today.

quote:

Originally posted by Janie:
Does the sea salt and polysporin help any? I "understand" the tetracycline, but what is the niacinamide supposed to do? (Isn't that a form of vitamin B?) Just wondering here, but shouldn't you be on some sort of tranquilizer if all this is stress induced?

Janie I don't know if the sea salt helps-with it was warm enough to wade in the ocean. I use the polysporin in hopes of the broken blisters not getting infected. Yes, niacinamide is a B vitamin it is the combination with the tetracycline that helped before. I don't think I have any new blisters today but still have all the old remains that I have scratched-only a few of them still itch-usually once the blister is broken the itch goes-BUT they heal faster if they don't get broken. I think alot of the autoimmune diseases are affected by stress. I do take a combination B and C vitamin that is supposed to relieve stress. Haven't had to use a tranquilizer in many many years-like about 30 or more. If this doesn't clear up I might have to.It is 1:00 so I should go to bed. Till tomorrow. Gypspy

Janie-you do help just by being here and understanding.Gotta go get supper. Gypsy

quote:

For several years if he went through a bad stage he would bounce back to even better than before-that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. I have been warned that he is like a ticking timebomb that we don't know when it is going to go off. I however have always kept my head in the sand or in DE NILE, Thanks for your concern.

Valerie, this must keep you on pins and needles all the time!!! I'm beginning to understand why your stress-activated skin disorder, the bullous pemphigoid, is so out of control.

Oh my!!!!! I wish I could help, Val.

Val !!! What did the doctor say about your arms?? Does the sea salt and polysporin help any? I "understand" the tetracycline, but what is the niacinamide supposed to do? (Isn't that a form of vitamin B?) Just wondering here, but shouldn't you be on some sort of tranquilizer if all this is stress induced?

Oh my!! And your description of your feet just sends shivers up and down my spine! Poor Val! (And you're down on yourself because you don't have as much patience as you'd wish for?) Come on!

GREAT that Mike liked the shower!!! Sounds like it's a godsend for everyone involved!!

It's morning here (7:35). Hope those critters didn't bother you last night!!

Stress time!!!Dr. appt. Tues. Dr. took Mike off both the "new" meds for depression etc. as they don't seem to work properly for Mike he had some blood work done to see if the iron pill are helping his hemoglobin level.
I showed him my arms-didn't even bother with the feet but wish now I had as they are very blistered and uncomfortable esp. with shoes on. I have been soaking them in sea salt water once or twice a day and putting polysporin on them and keeping them covered. I am back on tetracycline and niacinamide for the bullous pemphigoid(stress brought it out of remission) The critter were around last night but haven't heard them so far tonight. Mike was having difficulty communicating tonight and I wasn't very patient with him-felt bad BUT I am not a mind reader.Have to get myself to bed and try to sleep.
***** The new shower is wonderful. Mike used it for the first time this am. Both he and Bob the HS worker obviously loved it. Bob said he didn't know why more people didn't have them. I am going to have to clean out the other tub(it has all my wine making stuff in it) so I can soak if I want. Gypsy

quote:

Originally posted by Janie:

Wondering if maybe you heard NOTHING because the things HATE the smell of lavender?

Thanks Janie-you gave me a laugh about the whole situation. Wish I was a cartoonist-I can just see them holding their noses and crawling away-wish it was that easy. Exterminator here again-says we just have to be patient. Once we get rid of the critters I will try to get someone to rodent proof this place. Thankfully they haven't got into the living space(so far) he figures the smell of Sandy keeps them out- maybe it's the lavender.
On the brighter side we were out for lunch on Thurs. and went for coffee this pm. I picked up the new Sears catalogues so that will keep me out of mischief for awhile. Gotta go get Mike some more water and myself something to drink. Later Gaters. Gypsy

Don said: I have used it when my in-laws have come for a visit with good results.

And, I say ......... REALLY????? Oh, my goodness, the possibilities!!!! Thank you for posting that, Don. My 80-yr-old mil does NOT sleep; she's up all hours of the night! Extremely nervous and manic/depressive, even though she is on Zoloft (when she takes it.)

I'm so glad to hear your wife is medically stable. The two of you are sooooo young to be dealing with all this. And, I hate this so much for you. But, sounds like you're together, hand in hand, making lemonade out of the lemons in your lives.

Thank you for being here.

PS - So we need a thread for "positive things?" I couldn't agree more!! How does a thread in 'CASUAL CORNER' sound? Would you like to go ahead and start it? I suspect you'll have a lot of responses!!!

Hi Everyone, Yes I am the aromatherapy guy. It is suppose to work even if you can't smell it. I have used it when my in-laws have come for a visit with good results. I am happy to report that my wife is stable medically and has been very happy and busy. Of course busy means slowly going through her daily routines. (I do mean slowly ) With the Olympics she will have lots of ice skating to watch until baseball season starts.GO INDIANS! I know we all need to vent. Maybe we need a thread for positive things too. They are there too if you look for them.
Don

Val!! I just had the most amazing (comical) thought .......

Wondering if maybe you heard NOTHING because the things HATE the smell of lavender? What a concept!

Awwww, I'm just kidding. (You know me.)

I hope you and Mike continue to sleep well. Is it sunny there today (so far?) All that snow we were "supposed" to get has turned to rain. Liquid Snow. Right.

Thanks for the pict. Janie. Wasn't it someone here talking about putting lavender on their LO's pillow? I love lavender-have several plants including 2 new ones that are in the kitchen window until it gets warmer out. I have dried lavender in the bathroom, use lavender scented soap, lotion, you name it. This essential oil is expensive but potent-I did sleep last night don't know if it is the lavender or the 2 radios but I heard NOTHING. Mike is napping then I'll see if he feels like going out-in spite of a good sleep he looked tired this am.It is another beautiful sunny(chilly) day. There is still frost in the shade. Gypsy

Hey, Val ...... With just a little luck, maybe this photo isn't copyrighted and you can spread the lavender all over your bed and home!! I was "just recently" reading about the power of LAVENDER, so I found it interesting to hear you say you used it.

Could you use earplugs until you get your things exterminated, or would that inferfere with your hearing Mike if he should wake?

Hang in there, sweetie.

Thanks Janie and Edna. What is it they say about the best laid plans??? The shower isn't getting put in till Monday. The critters are still in the walls or floor or whatever-tonight I have 2 radios one in the den and one on the washer. If they are keeping me awake tonight I will phone tomorrow.(he said he would come back the end of the week if he didn't hear from me.) We both got a good sleep last night-think I was too tired to hear anything. Don't know where today went-did some non grocery shopping this am, then while Mike was at physio did the food shopping. In spite of a good sleep I am tired, stressed and not very patient. Last night I sprinkled some lavendar essential oil on my pillow-don't know if that is why I slept-I'll try it again today.
It was a beautiful day today-I discovered more crocus blooming. It is chilly tonight but we are supposed to have another sunny day tomorrow-hope we have a good sleep as I would be nice to do something different since we have no plumber coming. Think I'll call it a night, have a bath, heat up my bean bag and sprinkle my lavender. Good night.Gypsy

Gypsy, I am so soory things seem to be more stressful at this time.With the variety of problems you are having, plus the time of year.I can relate to how you are feeling.Get one problem taken care of and then you will go on to the next.You have done so much and done such a good job.A good shoulder to lean on always helps.We cannot help you physically but we can lend a shoulder.