Question:
Good points, Bob. What have you found out? "Robert DeSavage" <allegro691@????????.???> wrote in message
news:4a6v6t4elegqgin6kkm4lii3lupclj9j9p@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> While I’m well aware of all the symptoms related to CREST, I never > thought to tell my rheumy this one thing about myself. After sixteen > years as an avid stained glass artist and instructor, it never dawned > on me to tell him that I work with lead. > It’s odd because the first thing I’d preach to new students is the > dangers of working with lead solder and lead channel. I was shocked > tonight to discover that many of the symptoms of CREST and lead > poisoning are similar. > While I’m feeling somewhat better from the medication I must take to > treat CREST, I’m not at 100%. A lot of things my rheumy chalked up to > depression, so I walked that avenue. To be honest, that walk was a > disaster between the Paxil and the Wellbutrin which really raised holy > hell with my body and mind. > Now comes the dawn, some sixteen years later, at 10 PM tonight! I only > wish my doctor had night time hours, because tomorrow, I must get up > very early and camp out at his door. > I know that lead poisoning can be serious, but if any test he orders > proves that I have lead poisoning, perhaps there is a treatment that > will put me on the right track. There’s always a bright side, and I’ll > look at it that way.. > Of course, it won’t make the CREST any less of a concern, as I will > have that for the ‘duration’, but maybe this revelation will help me > to feel better than I have been feeling. > The point I’m trying to make here is that when we see a doctor for any > reason, we should give careful thought as to the many activities that > we might pursue during the course of our lives. Sometimes it’s that > little clue that is the key that opens up the door that we passed in > the hallway of life. As smart as doctors are, where they have many > answers, they don’t always have many questions. That’s why it’s > important that we help them along. Medicine is a two way street where > the patient’s input is as important as the doctor’s. > BOB > allegro…@mediaone.net > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm > – > "Be yourself as long as you’re exactly like me" – anonymous
Response:
On Mon, 29 Jan 2001 20:01:40 -0500, "Amelia Yaussy" <ayau…@forcemail.com> wrote: >Oh, lucky us, it’s a disease. >"Robert DeSavage" wrote: >> (Is SD a >> disease or is it a condition?).
I’m so glad. I was in no condition to hear otherwise. 
Did have some blood drawn today and should get the results tomorrow. I’ll never get my inspection sticker if I ain’t lead free. – "Be yourself as long as you’re exactly like me" – anonymous
Response:
On Fri, 2 Feb 2001 11:22:35 -0800, "Barbara Reutercrona" <bah…@techline.com> wrote: >Bob, Every morning I wake up telling myself, "Today is the first day of the >rest of my life," hoping with all my being that I can change some of the >stagnant habits that keep me from living life to the fullest. Comfort zones >and circumstances beyond our control are the most difficult to break away >from. I am sure some of this sounds familiar to you and probably >conversations you have had with yourself. I am about 10 years older than you >and just want you to know, the longer you wait to begin enjoying all the >wonders of the world around you, the harder it is to get started. I am >ashamed to say that I am the best procrastinator around and have major >regrets and urge you to not to waste any more time. I think you get the >picture!!! >Regard, Bobbie R.
All my life I was on the thin side. During my school days, I was in the school band, and because I was, I took a lot of flak. This was especially so during physical ed, where the band members were in the same class as the glorious athletes. Because I was thin, I was always harassed about my weight, often being referred to as a physical wreak. As time went on, I more or less stayed the same. However, as time went on, the glory boys started to go to pot. In a way, having been diagnosed with SD was a blessing in disguise, as I became more concerned about my health. As it turns out, despite my wrinkles, I look a heck of a lot in better shape today than the athletes do. So, maybe the first event in the first day of the rest of my life is to safeguard my health and get back on track. Sure, SD is bad news, but seeing some of my contemporaries, now overweight, I’ll venture to say that they’re in greater risk than me. I took a stress test a couple or so years back where I spent a good length of time on a treadmill. Before the test, the technician warned me that it might do me in, and to let him know when it was time to say ‘Uncle’. Believe it or not, I kept walking and walking, telling him to crank it up. Finally, I got kicked off. I could have gone all day. Like horses, walking is a mailman’s business! The cardiologist was amazed and told me that he never saw anyone my age (53 at the time) in the shape I was in. I wasn’t even winded. Granted, we have a serious illness, but so long as we keep on top of it, we will prevail. Being smug like my classmates proves that the tables can turn. You bet I want to live it up, but for sure I’m going to live it up feeling as well as I can. I walked the road where I went on antidepressants, but they didn’t do me any good. Nor did the booze do me any good. Both (in my case) were the easy way out. Sometimes the best medication is a good self inflicted boot up the butt! No one can feel good for me, and if anything, they can make you feel quite the opposite. Am I gonna have a good tomorrow? Only if I want it to be good. Bob http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm
Response:
I know what you mean – not only do I have no lips and radial furrowing around my mouth, I have thickening in my cheeks that gives those wrinkles/folds at the corner of the mouth. Since my SD is active, I guess I just need to wait awhile to see how it changes! "Barbara Reutercrona" <bah…@techline.com> wrote in message
news:t7jtv69u4093e@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well Amelia, seeing the wrinkles may be good for some if they happen to be > where most people get wrinkles. For myself and perhaps Bob, the deep SD > wrinkles around the lips are not all that attractive and I will be the > first one to admit, vane as I am, plastic surgery is something I have been > considering for the last couple years. I am happy to hear that you have had > some second thoughts about the antibiotic therapy. I have been on > minocycline for 8 months now and my Linear/morphea is 95% better and has > been kept in check with no new flares. My skin is soft and all the ugly > discoloration is gone. Now if I can just get these lips fixed I will look > almost as good as new! Regards, Bobbie R.
Response:
See, the fun with SD, though, is we WANT to see wrinkles. This is a good thing! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m glad to say that I’m lead free. In a very remote way, I was > disappointed also. Only because I was looking for a reason why I’ve > not been feeling 100 percent despite my regular treatment. Probably > the best supplemental treatment is to visit this news group and be > inspired by all of wonderful people who have the inner strength to > accept our common malady and make the best of it. Got kind of > depressed when I looked in the mirror and saw all the wrinkles. After > whining to a lady most close to me. she told me that smiling more does > wonders to get rid of those wrinkles. > BOB > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm
Response:
On Thu, 25 Jan 2001 03:40:59 GMT, Robert DeSavage <allegro691@????????.???> wrote: >While I’m well aware of all the symptoms related to CREST, I never >thought to tell my rheumy this one thing about myself. After sixteen >years as an avid stained glass artist and instructor, it never dawned >on me to tell him that I work with lead. >It’s odd because the first thing I’d preach to new students is the >dangers of working with lead solder and lead channel. I was shocked >tonight to discover that many of the symptoms of CREST and lead >poisoning are similar.
I’m glad to say that I’m lead free. In a very remote way, I was disappointed also. Only because I was looking for a reason why I’ve not been feeling 100 percent despite my regular treatment. Probably the best supplemental treatment is to visit this news group and be inspired by all of wonderful people who have the inner strength to accept our common malady and make the best of it. Got kind of depressed when I looked in the mirror and saw all the wrinkles. After whining to a lady most close to me. she told me that smiling more does wonders to get rid of those wrinkles. BOB http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm
Response:
On Fri, 2 Feb 2001 09:57:04 -0500, "Amelia Yaussy" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<ayau…@forcemail.com> wrote: >I know what you mean – not only do I have no lips and radial furrowing >around my mouth, I have thickening in my cheeks that gives those >wrinkles/folds at the corner of the mouth. Since my SD is active, I guess I >just need to wait awhile to see how it changes! >"Barbara Reutercrona" <bah…@techline.com> wrote in message >news:t7jtv69u4093e@corp.supernews.com… >> Well Amelia, seeing the wrinkles may be good for some if they happen to be >> where most people get wrinkles. For myself and perhaps Bob, the deep SD >> wrinkles around the lips are not all that attractive and I will be the >> first one to admit, vane as I am, plastic surgery is something I have >been >> considering for the last couple years. I am happy to hear that you have >had >> some second thoughts about the antibiotic therapy. I have been on >> minocycline for 8 months now and my Linear/morphea is 95% better and has >> been kept in check with no new flares. My skin is soft and all the ugly >> discoloration is gone. Now if I can just get these lips fixed I will look >> almost as good as new! Regards, Bobbie R.
In my case, vanity and reality are the buzz words. Only recently did it dawn on me that I’m getting older. At one time I said that it would NEVER be an issue for me to get old. Famous last words! As far as SD, I’m holding my own and accepting it very well. When I get a cold or the flu, I’m more apt to have the ‘poor me’ syndrome than knowing I have SD. Other than taking my medication, I really don’t give it much thought at all. BUT getting older does bother me, as it seems like only yesterday that I returned home from the Navy. That was in 1968, and I was 24. Upon return, I went with the Postal Service, and like a flash, 31 years went by and I retired. I remember my parents (thankfully still alive, but in their late 80’s) when they were youthful and of very keen minds. Now I see them together in the same rest home, rapidly losing all their vitality and lust for life. I can’t help but say to myself, "I’m next." I think the wrinkles and gray hair that’s putting me in a state of shock serves more as a wake up call for me to get off my butt and live it up a little. I didn’t have much of a chance to do that before my wife died of cancer when she was 47. Perhaps if I do live it up a little, it might slow down the clock. Thirty some odd years went by like lightning. Why should the future be like the past? It will if I allow it to. BOB http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm
Response:
<< See, the fun with SD, though, is we WANT to see wrinkles. This is a good >thing >>
Not really. Loss of lips and puckering of upper lip isn’t really actractive. The up side is that the top part of my face is wrinkle free. Will be intested in hearing how plastic surgery goes if anyone gets it. Nancy
Response:
Bob, Every morning I wake up telling myself, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life," hoping with all my being that I can change some of the stagnant habits that keep me from living life to the fullest. Comfort zones and circumstances beyond our control are the most difficult to break away from. I am sure some of this sounds familiar to you and probably conversations you have had with yourself. I am about 10 years older than you and just want you to know, the longer you wait to begin enjoying all the wonders of the world around you, the harder it is to get started. I am ashamed to say that I am the best procrastinator around and have major regrets and urge you to not to waste any more time. I think you get the picture!!! Regard, Bobbie R.
Response:
Well said, Bob. Make it better than good! Bobbie R.
Response:
Oh, lucky us, it’s a disease. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Robert DeSavage" wrote: > (Is SD a > disease or is it a condition?).
Response:
On Fri, 26 Jan 2001 12:55:36 -0500, "Amelia Yaussy" <ayau…@forcemail.com> wrote:
I hope that our sisters and brothers benefit from what I said. I called my doctor and (thru his office manager) he obviously was concerned and is writing up a lab test order. Being that he’s affiliated with a huge clinic organization, all paper work is generated at one time and mailed upon completion. Once it’s in my hands, the test (a simple blood test) will be done. I’m not at all worried, as there is a number of effective treatments for lead poisoning. I’m sure that 95 percent of people my age (56) have some metallics lurking about their bodies. While metallic poisoning was known about for many years prior, it didn’t get the big press it gets today. Thankfully, people are more aware of the dangers that we older people dismissed years ago. Somewhere, there is an answer and a cure for SD. I’ve read in the recent past where a certain area in South Boston, Massachusetts has a high occurrence of SD. During the course of the investigation conducted by the various health agencies, it has been discovered that this very area at one time was a dumping site for various metals and other toxic materials. Maybe what I told my doctor about my activities as a stained glass artist might be the common denominator that gives science a clue as to the cause, part of the cause, or a triggering mechanism that brings on SD. If so, it would make me very happy to have helped others combat and / or be free from this mysterious and terrible disease (Is SD a disease or is it a condition?). Meanwhile, I will share any info as to my progress and treatment (if required). Bob allegro…@mediaone.net http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm – "Be yourself as long as you’re exactly like me" – anonymous
Response:
On Thu, 1 Feb 2001 13:26:31 -0500, "Amelia Yaussy" <ayau…@forcemail.com> wrote: >See, the fun with SD, though, is we WANT to see wrinkles. This is a good >thing!
And people spend big bucks to get rid of them. Only in America!
Response:
Not only did those years of walking give you good physical health, you’ve got a great spirit. Thanks for sharing this. "Robert DeSavage" <allegro…@mediaone.net> wrote in message
news:5imm7ts7c851uus3kstst8loftpcd00u2s@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All my life I was on the thin side. During my school days, I was in > the school band, and because I was, I took a lot of flak. This was > especially so during physical ed, where the band members were in the > same class as the glorious athletes. Because I was thin, I was always > harassed about my weight, often being referred to as a physical wreak. > As time went on, I more or less stayed the same. However, as time went > on, the glory boys started to go to pot. > In a way, having been diagnosed with SD was a blessing in disguise, as > I became more concerned about my health. As it turns out, despite my > wrinkles, I look a heck of a lot in better shape today than the > athletes do. > So, maybe the first event in the first day of the rest of my life is > to safeguard my health and get back on track. Sure, SD is bad news, > but seeing some of my contemporaries, now overweight, I’ll venture to > say that they’re in greater risk than me. > I took a stress test a couple or so years back where I spent a good > length of time on a treadmill. Before the test, the technician warned > me that it might do me in, and to let him know when it was time to say > ‘Uncle’. Believe it or not, I kept walking and walking, telling him > to crank it up. Finally, I got kicked off. I could have gone all day. > Like horses, walking is a mailman’s business! The cardiologist was > amazed and told me that he never saw anyone my age (53 at the time) in > the shape I was in. I wasn’t even winded. > Granted, we have a serious illness, but so long as we keep on top of > it, we will prevail. Being smug like my classmates proves that the > tables can turn. You bet I want to live it up, but for sure I’m going > to live it up feeling as well as I can. > I walked the road where I went on antidepressants, but they didn’t do > me any good. Nor did the booze do me any good. Both (in my case) were > the easy way out. Sometimes the best medication is a good self > inflicted boot up the butt! > No one can feel good for me, and if anything, they can make you feel > quite the opposite. Am I gonna have a good tomorrow? Only if I want it > to be good. > Bob > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm
Response:
While I’m well aware of all the symptoms related to CREST, I never thought to tell my rheumy this one thing about myself. After sixteen years as an avid stained glass artist and instructor, it never dawned on me to tell him that I work with lead. It’s odd because the first thing I’d preach to new students is the dangers of working with lead solder and lead channel. I was shocked tonight to discover that many of the symptoms of CREST and lead poisoning are similar. While I’m feeling somewhat better from the medication I must take to treat CREST, I’m not at 100%. A lot of things my rheumy chalked up to depression, so I walked that avenue. To be honest, that walk was a disaster between the Paxil and the Wellbutrin which really raised holy hell with my body and mind. Now comes the dawn, some sixteen years later, at 10 PM tonight! I only wish my doctor had night time hours, because tomorrow, I must get up very early and camp out at his door. I know that lead poisoning can be serious, but if any test he orders proves that I have lead poisoning, perhaps there is a treatment that will put me on the right track. There’s always a bright side, and I’ll look at it that way.. Of course, it won’t make the CREST any less of a concern, as I will have that for the ‘duration’, but maybe this revelation will help me to feel better than I have been feeling. The point I’m trying to make here is that when we see a doctor for any reason, we should give careful thought as to the many activities that we might pursue during the course of our lives. Sometimes it’s that little clue that is the key that opens up the door that we passed in the hallway of life. As smart as doctors are, where they have many answers, they don’t always have many questions. That’s why it’s important that we help them along. Medicine is a two way street where the patient’s input is as important as the doctor’s. BOB allegro…@mediaone.net http://people.ne.mediaone.net/allegro691/home.htm – "Be yourself as long as you’re exactly like me" – anonymous
Response:
Well Amelia, seeing the wrinkles may be good for some if they happen to be where most people get wrinkles. For myself and perhaps Bob, the deep SD wrinkles around the lips are not all that attractive and I will be the first one to admit, vane as I am, plastic surgery is something I have been considering for the last couple years. I am happy to hear that you have had some second thoughts about the antibiotic therapy. I have been on minocycline for 8 months now and my Linear/morphea is 95% better and has been kept in check with no new flares. My skin is soft and all the ugly discoloration is gone. Now if I can just get these lips fixed I will look almost as good as new! Regards, Bobbie R.
Response: