Getting Very Down

dragonfire101 · Dec 1, 2007

Well gain about 20 pounds of fat in the past month. Came down with some myopathy and could not walk. All the muscles in my body froze. This wa like for a week. Was out of work 2 weeks went back on restricted duty. I have only 30 days of light duty or employment doesn't have to hold my job if the doc doesn't want to put me out. They can hold the job if the doc puts me out, but I can't work past 30 days restricted duty. I can go through the ADA and see if I can get an accomadation. My disibility has to fall under the ADA though. Doc has down myopathy possibly Lupus and polymyosistis. Does not know whats wrong. Waiting to see several specialist. Actually my doc is a specialist, but was reffered to 1 of about 20 speciality clinic in the country that has a doc dealing with this sort of issues. The other day my joints started acting up, and hands swelling. Doc put me on Prednisone which helped with taht, but he didn't want to becasue it makes some myopathy worse if you don't know what it is.

Anyways this really sucks because i was making prgress in the gym now im up to 270 pounds of fat, i planned to start a graduate program in Jan. now thats on hold, and my job is in jepoedy along with my health insurance if i loose it and i feel bad i am a newleywed and wife is going through all this.

HUTCH · Dec 1, 2007

My Mother has Lupus...If that is what you end up having let me know...My Mom has had it for last 12 years and has done a ton of research on it and is always willing to help...It is a disease you have to be careful with because some Dr. are quick to prescribe high doses of prednisone and all the other medications that come with it...Thats what they did with my Mom and now her biggest problem isnt the Lupus but its her body breaking down from the high doses of drugs that Docs were prescribing her...I hope all turns out Ok for you bro, keep me updated...

thebrick · Dec 1, 2007

Man dragon, I hate to hear this. Remember what you posted in that other thread about how people that want to control all aspects of their lives are in for disappointment because "life doesn't work that way"? It sounds like your plate has been loaded up right now. Life has a way of throwing a curve ball to everyone at some point in their life. Nobody is exempt. I have certainly had a few myself. Your #1 priority should be to find out what wrong and get it under control. You will get to that point. But dealing with the waiting and the doctors and more waiting and more tests sucks big time. They will find the answer and you will be better. Of course you feel bad for your wife, but I am sure she loves you and wants you to get back on your feet as much as you do. As far as the job, if they can't work with you when you have a legitimate health excuse, maybe its time to say "fuck you"? Sounds like you have bigger better plans with school anyway. So you have a huge boulder in your path right now. Go around it, it takes a few more steps and a bit more time but the destination is the same.

dragonfire101 · Dec 1, 2007

Remember what you posted in that other thread about how people that want to control all aspects of their lives are in for disappointment because "life doesn't work that way"?

Ya, I was reflecting when I posted that. I understand that stuff like this happens, although you don't want it to be you and have it hold up your plans. I have been taking the iniative consulting with many doctors to seeing what my options are so i can make alternative plans on what i want to do, for work school and any other plans i may want to do in the future. When your in pain sitting home alone not being able to work, lift etc. starts to take a toll and you start to get done. I will see what happens and manage. I have had so many medical issues that past 2 year sdon't know were it is all coming from. Stomach issue, the pitutitary tumor and now this myopathy. I wait it out overcome it them it seems i get hit with something major again right when im on my way to getting back on track. Maybe they are all connected somehow?

nosmas · Dec 1, 2007

I honestly believe you will overcome the trials and when you do it will be an example to those of us who are also experiencing set backs or might go through something similar in the future.

dragonfire101 · Dec 1, 2007

...I hope all turns out Ok for you bro, keep me updated...
__________________

I appreciate it, I will.

healthfreak79 · Dec 2, 2007

They can check for lupus with a simple blood test i had it done over the summer, they check your dna to see if you have the gene.

dragonfire101 · Dec 2, 2007

They can check for lupus with a simple blood test i had it done over the summer, they check your dna to see if you have the gene.

They did . They test for certain markers, but even if you test postive it doesn't mean you have lupus. There are differnt autoimmune diseases that presnt similair with the same markers and there are also now more than one typeof lupus. No specific lupus gene has been indentfied , but markers associated with several auntoimmune diseaese, which lupus falls under. I tested positive for the markers, symtons present as i have lupus, but also several autoimmune diseases do also. Often times patients are given a diagnosis of lupus, but may have something very similair, but different.

healthfreak79 · Dec 2, 2007

dragonfire101 said:
They did . They test for certain markers, but even if you test postive it doesn't mean you have lupus. There are differnt autoimmune diseases that presnt similair with the same markers and there are also now more than one typeof lupus. No specific lupus gene has been indentfied , but markers associated with several auntoimmune diseaese, which lupus falls under. I tested positive for the markers, symtons present as i have lupus, but also several autoimmune diseases do also. Often times patients are given a diagnosis of lupus, but may have something very similair, but different.

I didnt really know all that, i thought there was a gene. I do know that there are 2 types of lupus. My aunt has lupus and i suffer real bad from the butterfly mask that they talk about and you see a lot. From my blood work it came back neg. I fit a few of the descriptions, the mask, joints hurt and rashes, but i guess not.

I want to wish the best of luck to you, keep us posted and if you need to chat pm me.

oldfella · Dec 3, 2007

Life is a constant test of our will. There are always going to be trying times ahead. It is a fact that some are dished up more than others. DF I feel for you. You have been through a lot. The thing is it is all in how we deal with the adversity in our lives that separates us from the ordinary. It is easy for many of us to tell you to keep a stiff upper lip and so on. Quite another thing to be the recipient of all the bad news. It does sound to me like you are on the right track though. it is only a matter of time before the correct diagnosis comes your way. Just do what you can for now and try to keep a positive mental attitude. The power of our minds can achieve great things. Our minds can heal where medicine falls short. But you must believe in yourself and your capabilities. You must think in the affirmative all the time. Difficult, you bet it is, doable yes it is. You also must know that there is a great family here at Promuscle that cares about each other and we tend to share the hardships together. So remember this, you are not alone, we all feel your pain and we all wish the best outcome for you. There is much positive energy here and we will channel it to you. It is up to you to use it to your advantage. Keep the positive thoughts going and soon you will begin to have all the answers you need. The mind is very powerful. I wish you all the best and will keep the good thoughts from this end flowing, I know our bros and sis's here will all do the same.

lynx · Dec 4, 2007

My mother had an autoimmune dieases called scleroderma. My prayers are with you DF. Keep us posted.

dragonfire101 · Dec 5, 2007

So remember this, you are not alone, we all feel your pain and we all wish the best outcome for you. There is much positive energy here and we will channel it to you. It is up to you to use it to your advantage. Keep the positive thoughts going and soon you will begin to have all the answers you need. The mind is very powerful. I wish you all the best and will keep the good thoughts from this end flowing, I know our bros and sis's here will all do the same.

Thats why I love posting on this board. You can vent your frustrations and people listen. It makes a big differance just to have someone listen to help you push past things when you may be feeling down and keep you going.

bulldog21 · Dec 5, 2007

dragonfire101 said:
They did . They test for certain markers, but even if you test postive it doesn't mean you have lupus. There are differnt autoimmune diseases that presnt similair with the same markers and there are also now more than one typeof lupus. No specific lupus gene has been indentfied , but markers associated with several auntoimmune diseaese, which lupus falls under. I tested positive for the markers, symtons present as i have lupus, but also several autoimmune diseases do also. Often times patients are given a diagnosis of lupus, but may have something very similair, but different.

Did they chaeck and see if you might be gluten intolerant......

have you taken any kind of antibiotic recently? Penicillin??

Gluten intolerance can actually cause and speed up certain autoimmune diseases like MS...

Man I hope you find out soon what is wrong with you...Stay strong buddy you will get your answers you are looking for soon...

dragonfire101 · Dec 8, 2007

Did they chaeck and see if you might be gluten intolerant......

have you taken any kind of antibiotic recently? Penicillin??

Nope none of those. Was tested for allergens awhile ago. Antibiotic six months ago for only about 10 days for ear infection.

JustWannaBeHuge · Dec 10, 2007

damn dude, i'm sorry to read you're going through all this BS. Keep thinking positive though and while I don't believe in god, I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope things can get better for you and the Drs find out exactly what it is.

now go check out some thick ass pics to make yourself feel better.

dragonfire101 · Dec 13, 2007

now go check out some thick ass pics to make yourself feel better

Them ass pics and I ended up going and buying a new car.

I needed something AWD for the winters. Guess thats my justification for the purchase.

Nat · Dec 13, 2007

Thanks for sharing Dragon.

I hope all goes well for you.
We are all fighters and warriors (Spartans) on this board and I do believe in God and will be praying for you. I hope that you will stand fast and show us all what it means to be a true warrior both in the gym and more importantly outside the gym in this thing called life.

Just remember all of us on this board need a hero to look to
that will help inspire us and motivate us through our hard times.

Be a Hero Bro!
Looking forward to hearing about your victory!

finny · Dec 14, 2007

dragonfire101 said:
Them ass pics and I ended up going and buying a new car.

I needed something AWD for the winters. Guess thats my justification for the purchase.

I have a sports car right now that I use during winter as well. I said, enough is enough. I'm not getting any younger, it's time to upgrade to something larger, more comfy, and 4x4 for winters.

What did you end up getting?

P.S. don't get yourself down. Times like these allow for a relfection on one's life. Concentrate on your family and those close to you...appreciate things that you have, people that you know, respect, and love you...

dragonfire101 · Jan 10, 2008

My neuromuscular Doc, rheumatologist and Neurologist are saying that I continued to test positive for some Myopathy , on EMG, but on blood work is not as bad when I had that flare up. They are saying they feel it is a temporary endocrine Myopathy that has to do with my pituitary tumor. They feel I my have experience a thyroid storm, or other hormonal event, which caused the problems and also my Test levels are only 150. They will be consulting with my endocrinologist who I told him about this when it occurred and sent him the recent Test results He did not think it was an endocrinology issue back then and said about my low test levels to make sure I take my Gel everyday because the is not prescribing more. The other physicians will be consulting with him and getting back to me within the week. They feel he had not followed up with my care that well. I think I will have to find a new endocrinologist.

In the mean time I gained so much weight not doing anything. Up to 265. Lots of fat, but lots of muscle. I give these docs false appearance because I’m so big an I have low Test etc. I have been going to the gym training the wife’s cousins and some of my buddies. They need me to push them as they don’t train hard when I not there and they complain why their not growing. They were doing Inclines so I did a couple sets just to see how weak I have become not really lifting the past 3 months. I was able to do 2 sets with 280 10 time son the incline, which I thought was not bad. They where all pissed saying I was still twice as strong as them not lifting for 3 months with achy joints and muscles. Plus they said they where on the super strong special protein and I just do some HRT GEL. Imagine if I told them my T LEVELS are only 150. Make you think how much really is needed o maintain strength and make gains. Made me feel good though. Hope to be hitting the Iron in a few weeks and back to work. I’m almost out of sick time and have become lazy as crap. All I do is sleep all day and have been somewhat withdrawn an depressed. T Levels really do pal a big role in your psychological state. I feel all psychiatrist should start measuring hormonal levels along with their psychotropic treatments as hormones is related in how they should be treating some of their patients.

Actually I think this is a new field of psychology being looked at. I wouldn’t mind pursuing, take sto long to become a psychiatrist though and I am now 30. Time I’m done I will be 40. I believe this is the Biopsychosocial Psychiatry aspect and you would go to school Neuroendocrinology. I loved taking a neuropsychology class. I sat for hours just researching info. I wish I thought of this at 20, though. It seems not possible to do now at this point in my life. I really want to go teh medical route,but I just was married and have a new house and care and wife to support and kids to think about in a few years.

oldfella · Jan 10, 2008

Hey DF, yes you do need a new endo. the other one is not really helping you by the sound of things. But hey at least you are still strong. can't you go back to the gym and lift maybe 3x's /wk? at least to get yourself motivated again. Hang in there bro you are a survivor for sure. Try to get a handle on that depression, see if the docs will put you on hrt at least. At 150 you are well below what is normal and they should have no probs getting you on test! At least so you feel better and get out of the depression.

Thanks for the update and keep the positive mental attitude going man. We are here for you DF.

P.S. tell your buddies they better watch out when you come back cause you are gonna kick their asses for slacking off!!!