Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney
From: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Guilty about not being sick?
Message-ID: <18189@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 15 Mar 91 22:13:39 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD
Lines: 39
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 14028

My wife is on lithium due to the MS she's also on several other
industrial strength antidepressants.  She was on Tegretgal for pain
and depression but she couldn't function so after the depression was
under better control she was able to stop taking that.  In the evening
she takes about 12 pills, it's enough for a full meal.  My wife's
niece of age 18 has just exhibited some signs that might link her to
either lupus or MS. They did a test for collagen vascular disease.
They have just started testing her but no definative answer but what
else would you expect she might know in 10 years or so.
>
>They sent my sister to a shrink, telling her that it was imagined pain from
>her past or some such bull.
I believe that is one of their favorite means of being able to delay
having to give a diagnosis!
>
>Yes, I still consider myself lucky.  Lupus can be a horrible disease and my
>case is now probably considered a moderate one, my biggest fear being a
>stroke.  Not sure if it is founded or not.  But I am able to do pretty much
>what I want to with only a little pain, pain I wouldn't even notice if it
>were not for lupus.  This round of Bell's Palsy was most likely caused by
>not acknowledging my limitations.  We moved locations at work, I didn't have
>to do all that much, but even packing the boxes took quite a toll on me.  A
>few days later, the pain hit.  All because I didn't want to appear weak or
>to be complaining or whining.  Wonder if I'll ever learn?
You might but if you are like my wife it will only be after someone as
been beating it into your skull for years and even then you will still
have relapses.  That's one of the advantages of a spinal injury, it
generally is immediate and stays about the same.
>Take care Frank!
Thank you and you remember to take it easy!
Frank.

-- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.12

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney
Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org