Back from the Dr Appts

[peacefulstorm]

I will have a double fusion on 12-19-2008.  He hopes I will be able be home in time for Xmas eve.  Im scared, but I dont have a choice in the matter, but need to be done. 

I saw my Rheum, he took a lot of blood for a new work up and to test to see if my thyroid is going nutz. He said there isn't anything else he can do for my dry mouth and I just dont understand that. I am doing is drinking my water and taking my evoxac.  He said I could get artificial saline for my mouth by biotene.  I use this for my teeht, is there a rinse or something else that he may be talking about?  He is referring me to a Gastro Dr for my swallowing problems, but since I have to have surgery soon he gave me several protonix samples. 40mg.  I hope they help, has anyone else had any relif with this?

I have been up and out since 10am or so and I am exhausted. I  might try to get on later to chat, but I have to be back at the hospital tomorrow morning @ 10:00 for pre-registering for the surgery. 

Cortnee'color]

[Scottietottie]

Hi Cortnee 

Well  at least you know what they're planning for you now. I know you're scared but I reckon you have to approach it positively and think - 'hey! hopefully this will really lessen the pain that I'm in' and then it will be well worth it! If you get too scared - you get too tense - and that makes for more pain!

There are artificial saliva sprays out there that can help with the dry mouth. When I was in the US I bought an Oasis one, which I found useful. rather than drinking too much water - I find it useful to sip it but hold it in my moth for as long as is practical before swallowing. Keeps the moisture up and the trips to the toilet down, a bit. 

Sounds like you have a busy time coming up between now and Xmas. keep us posted - and good luck!

Take care - Scottie 

[Pooh]

Hi Cortnee,
Thanks for letting us know how your appointment went.  Glad to hear you can have the surgery before the 1st of the new year.  I had my ankle fusion on Dec. 19th and it worked out great.  I hope you back goes well too.

In reference to your dry mouth, have you tried the new Biotene toothpaste.  They call it toothpaste but it's more of a gel.  It's called Biotene Whitening Toothpaste.  I picked it up thinking that they just changed the packaging.  I am delighted that I did because it seems to give me a moist mouth for hours.  It's wonderful. 

You might want to try it. 

Take care and I wish you all the best with your surgery and I pray all goes well for you. 

Hugs, Pooh

[Collie]

Cortnee

I will keep you in my prayers. My son had back surgery for a spinal tumor when he was ten, so I understand your concerns. Hopefully you will not be in as much pain, and be able to enjoy Christmas with your family.

Collie

[songbird]

Hey Cortnee,
Sorry to hear that your Christmas will be spent recovering from surgery but hopefully this will give you much needed relief. I will be praying for you tonight! For rest and peace and full health!And lots of pampering from those who near and dear!

[peacefulstorm]

Thanks for the responses.  I guess Im scared because he said it would take 6-12mo to fully heal. He said it wont be like my previous neck and back surgery.  When I come out of it I will be feeling, like WHAT did I get myself into.  HE said that I will be in the hospital for 3-5 days at least. I pray for the boys that I will be home in time to do xmas. My oldest has SERIOUS issues with me and is scared when ever I have surgery. He doesn't know and I need to keep it that way until its over. He has Finals that same day I go in.  I know it doesn't seem fair, but with is Bi-Polar and his anxiety, I need him in his best frame of mind his Finals.  I will have to call the pastor tomorrow, because Ironically he called me (pastor) as soon as I got out of the doctor's office.  

He and the rest of the congregation has been praying for me and my family, which I am so grateful for. He said that he would send someone over to check on me here and there and make sure I don't need anything. They are a small church, but VERY special and my son just loves them.  Jake has been going to this church for about 6 months and I didn't realize it was a "Baptist" church. I was raised Catholic. That was a shocker. I went with an open mind because he was saved there about 3 weeks ago and that makes me feel so wonderful.  I went just this last weekend and I have to tell you, I felt like I was home. I suppose God wanted me to be there.

I know I didn't post a lot earlier, I needed to let it all sink in.  My mother has given up her room to me when I get to come home.  I have to stay down stairs for 2 weeks. Our room is upstairs and I cant go up until 2 weeks.  HE said as long as I went up and stayed there until I needed to come down for appts, etc... I have such a wonderful family. I called my Aunt that is like another mom and she said that they wouldn't be coming after all for xmas and I started crying.  I want them to come. I really want them too. If I'm too tired I can go to sleep.  I can stay in my moms room and they can come visit me. I can tell them when I am exhausted and need to rest. She said she would talk to everyone. I was crying and said, I never get to see anyone and I have felt trapped in my own room.  I need some family around to help me out.

Pooh, I do use the toothpaste. I still am SO dry. He too about 6 vials of blood from me and is going to check my FULL thyroid panel and also I forgot to ask him to check my hormones, so I am going to call tomorrow and make sure they have enough blood to do that as well.  I really like him, but he is so strange personally. I know hes smart,, just weird.  I asked about my Orencia infusion that I was supposed to have tomorrow he said I shouldn't take it and no methatrexate for 3 weeks and I have already been without it for 2 weeks already, which turned out to be a good thing since I am getting surgery so soon and hopefully my immune system wont be too low.

I dont know when I will get to be on the computer once I have the surgery.  One day at a time I suppose! I wanted to thank everyone that has been so supportive and helpful with my new learning.
Cortnee'

[djean87]

hi there.I also take evoxac three times a day helps with saliva some,but now for past 3 weeks having sore,painful gums under dentures.Now for past week doctor prescribed chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse twice aday.Havent noticed any improvement yet.Just thought I would let others know.

[eyeamdry]

Biotene has a concentrated spray that I like.  I keep it by my bedside.  I try to keep one in my purse also.  They are expensive, but you know--we need this stuff.  There is also a "paste" or gel-like dry mouth by Biotene.  It's not for brushing, but putting in your mouth and sort of holding it there.  I'm not sure how much this helps me, but it's worth trying.

I like the spray because as someone said......"you don't have to drink all that water."  Drinking water several times during the night is the pitts.  It means i have to get up and pee.  If I could get two or three straight hours sleep, I would sure be pleased.  lucy