About Me

[Mudpup]

Hi my real name is Joan, I was given that nickname years ago, that's an other story lol. Anyway I just turned 54 in September. I have 4 grown Sons & 10 Grandchildren with one more on the way lol. I'm in a relationship now but my Husband died of Colon Cancer 8 yrs ago he had just turned 46 one of the theories going around is that such a traumatic event could have triggered things off with my health issues. Before I went off work sick I worked for a Jewelry company and loved what I did.
I have been off work now for 3 yrs now. I was on my Works medical insurance but now I'm on Government Disability
It started off I was diagnosed with Depression, Osteoarthritis,Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Acid Reflux and Sjogren's Syndrome. and my hair is falling out because of the Sjogren's. Next I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Then Closed Angle Glaucoma, and Migraine Headaches. most recently I was diagnosed with the start of Cataracts on both eyes, and an Enlarged heart, Other than that though I'm just peachy lol.. I have applied for the Medical Marijuana program through Health Canada. I'm hoping to hear something soon.  

[Meld256]

Hi Mudpup (Joan)

Welcome to the forum!  Your message sounds like a perfect one for the discussion Navydad started titled "about ourselves". It's asking for a summary about each of us.

I am 54 also, married but no grandchildren. You have quite a lot for your young age; must be fun!
Your "laundry list" sounds fairly similar to mine, although I don't have the cardiac problems, etc. I've had Narrow-angle Glaucoma; after laser surgery it has been stable and controlled.
If you are new here, you might want to add a note to the "Introductions" page. It will get noticed there a little better. If you aren't new, I apologize; I suppose I had missed you. So...just wanted to say hello and welcome either way!

Have a blessed weekend,
Melinda

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Joan,

Thanks for telling us more about yourself and welcome to Sjogrens World!

I hope you find this place welcoming and helpful!

[Joe S.]

Welcome Joan, Hopefully you are not on Vancouver Island. I have friends with fibro there, a hermit pen pal, a daughter, her husband and three grandsons. It sounds like you have a number of health challenges on your plate.

[Patze]

Hi Mudpup,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS world and family!  Please do look around the board as there are just tons of information that you just might find interesting.

Now those grand children sound like they keep you pretty busy, lucky you! 

I'm sorry that you're feeling bad, and I do hope that you'll feel better soon.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Mudpup]

Thank you for responding Meld245 should I re-post the same post on the discussion you talked about as well?  I joined here originally just after I was diagnosed with Sjogren's but kind of lost track of it as I'm a social network junkie plus with the Fibro fog on top of that. It doesn't take that much for me to loose track of anything lol. I was telling my boyfriend something yesterday and he said Baby? you told me that about 30 seconds ago hahaha now that is a first I'm never quite that bad.  Melinda I also had the laser surgery for the Glaucoma and it's also under control now. they detected that when I went for my annual check because of taking plaquenil. Lynnmarie219 I'm not on the Island I'm in New Westminster about 45 mins outside of Vancouver. Hi JoeS as probably everyone here understands. I have my up days and down days.. sometimes the down days will stretch out for a week or more. depending what is flaring up and what isn't. As you all must know you can't plan anything, well you can but often plans do down the drain, so its day at a time and hopefully I'm able to attend whatever it is I have planned to go too..

[Shani]

Hi Joan, welcome to the board.

I love your positive attiude.
Hope to chat soon!

Hugs and love <3

[nancylee]

There seems to be a lot of 54 year olds.. I am as well.

About the medical marijunia, good luck.  I swear I would smoke it if it didnt dry out my mouth, my eyes and of course the trouble breathing.. not that I have tried it or anything. hahahhahahahahhahah!!!

[Pisces24]

I do think stress has a lot to do with the body - more so than the doctors think.
My periods ended the month my mother died abruptly and that was it.

OH and I have slow growing cataracts in both eyes and will probably need the right eye done next year.

Welcome to the boards.

[Meld256]

Hi Joan,

You really don't have to post again in Introductions. I was just thinking your post might have "gotten lost in the mix" and you would get more responses that way; no big deal! 

I can relate to the brain-fog. Mine gets better and worse, depending on the day, but my short-term memory seems shot. Really frustrated me at first, but I seem to be adapting somewhat and keeping a sense of humor about it helps.
Glad your glaucoma surgery went well; I believe it was an iridotomy I had and I remember it wasn't horrible but don't want to have it again anytime soon. I have light-colored eyes and apparently had a reaction to the numbing drops; uggh...
You have a good attitude. You are right; we gotta take it a day at a time, don't we?

Hi nancylee,
Welcome to you, too!    Hope you find lots of info. and encouragement and support here. Yes, seems like there are several of us the same age at 54.  Well, 1956 was a good baby-boomer year!  We have more in common than just our medical "stuff" which makes things interesting. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Take care and wishing you both Thanksgiving blessings,
Melinda

[Mudpup]

Thanks to all of you for replying. Nancy I couldn't imagine you trying that stuff  hehehe.  If I get approved I will be getting a vaporizer and inhailing the vapors rather than smoke it, or you can make tea with it too.. lots of ways without smoking the stuff not that I have ever tried it either. just going by what I have read over the years  .  54 seems to be a good age. I will have to look out for a good bottle of wine that age haha.  What a beautiful clear sunny day it was today. I could handle many more of them lol.  Living on a pretty steep hill I am nervous about going out when its snowing or icy. but the other day I got this spikey thing to clamp on the bottom of my walking cane that I use from time to time. its esp for digging into the snow or ice to give you better control. I love it. only $8.00 as well. 

[Meld256]

Hi Mudpup,

Yes, we are like fine wine, aren't we?    I hit the "big 55" in Feb. At least, I'm finding some senior discounts at that age. My husband, who is 49 finds that extremely amusing! Just wait...I'll get him back.

Ice spike for the cane; that is a great idea! That would give me a bit more confidence in bad weather. I'm in SE Kentucky and we seem to have gone from mid-60s temps a week ago to the deep freeze. We've had high temps in the 20s since Sunday, a little ice and snow, and it is 12 degrees this morning! Gee, thought I was missing working on occasion, but I really DO NOT miss having to warm the car and go to work in this stuff.    Another plus of having my SS disability approved.

Hope you have a good day,
Melinda

[Sha]

Welcome to our lil family! I was just adopted by them too:)

Good luck getting your green card! 

Keep the positive attitude! I was told yesterday that I have one of the bubbliest, happy attitudes she has ever seen. This is one of my coworkers in the autism room. I greet everyone with "good morning sunshine" and try all day to lighten the day for both the adults in the room and the kids! The attitude we bring to the table determines the type of day we have!

Have a great day!

Sha

[flutterfly]

mudpup (joan)~well hello there!

i wanted ta say thanx 4 welcomin' me the way ya did! i'd luv ta know the story 'bout the catchy nickname! 

i had ta go ta 1 of those weird appt.s ta get my green card! as an agoraphobe it was real wooky! don't know how it is in canada but here in the states its like a weird seminar of the ins & outs & then u get a real quicky checkup & out they sendcha! $180 later that is! good luck! it does help!

i am so sorry 4 the loss of ur hubby! thats SO young! musta been hard honey! & then this on top...that could flare anythin'!

i hope ta get ta know ya!

~*flutterfly*~

[LizPetillo]

Is it my imagination or am I seeing a lot of us with GLAUCOMA and SJOGRENS?
I'm wondering if the two go together.

Oh .. side note .. the OP mentioned heart problems.  I have irregular heartbeat issues, but since getting on the plaquinel they have been happening MUCH less and when they do happen they are much more light weight.