The middle of March and I am having the worst pains in my feet hands and other joints. They felt like they are broken and the next day they are perfectly fine and other extremeties are roaring with pain. Medical insurance is about to change over to new policy so I go to the e r to find out what is going on. This has to be the warning that something else is going on.
For want of a better descripion I call this my traveling pain because it keeps relocating.The E R dr patiently listens to my story and takes blood and urine samples. He soon returns and tells me that I have a auto immune disease and that my extremities are trying to kill eash other! OMG I am in deep stuff now. He says don't worry about THAT we can treat that BUT I noticed as you spoke that your eyes are yellow.WHAT they were just fine when I came in here. He says you are in liver failure and you can not live without a liver!!!!MY liver failed while I was in the E R > It showed up on the tests as it was happening!
You need a liver transplant. I said no.
They treated me at the hospital for about 2 weeks, stableize me and sent me home.
That is when the fun really began. I turn completely yellow and the urine that I was putting out was so dark it appeared purple.
I was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital which is one of the best if not the best in the world. Lucky for me I live close to this lifesaver.
Lucky for me I have been able to control this disease on medications (about 20) and it can happen at any time but I do have the best facilities and the best drs.
The medications control just about every function that can be controlled in the body. I am muzzyheaded a LOT but life goes on.
If the blood tests come back off I am subject to be called by the hospital and told to come right in you are suffering a life saving problem and I am rushed to the hospital and taken care of immediately.
I am sharing my story and my business just to let you know how important medical care and insurance are and not for sympathy.
I am not and have never been a drinker and the auto immune problem happened because of a perscription that I had taken for years with complete success for pain. The ddrs said that this condition usually happens to children so if your kids have constant complaints about pain please check it out.
I know more about every function of my body than I ever wanted to know.

WOW.... that's horrifying. I am so sorry for what you've gone through and will continue to go through. It doesn't sound like this is going to be a quick fix. My prayers are with you.

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Gee, sounds like you have been through a real nightmare

My prayers are with you that your total health will improve quickly now that you have an accurate diagnosis with appropriate treatment.

I was diagnosed with Polymyositis in Aug. 2009.
No real reason or known cause for it.

It took a 3 da ( emergency hospital stay (in another state, while on vacation), numerous tests (including a muscle biopsy). I have been on prednisone since August 2009. I *may* get to get to a much lower dosage of steroids by the end of summer--but I will always have to be on some sort of medication for it.

If it weren't for insurance, I would be bankrupt!
But, I work for that insurance. And I "earn" my insurance.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I'm so glad you were able to find out what was wrong, was able to be treated and get it controlled, and had the insurance to pay for it. I hope everything continues to go well.

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Mary

You should pat yourself on the back for not ignoring these symptoms and getting the medical attention that you needed. And, yes, thank goodness you had insurance. I sincerely hope that you have seen the worst of this and have all good days ahead.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

OMG...I am just glad they were able to tell you what was wrong! I have some issues currently going on and no one can tell me what is wrong I've been tested, etc and it's "I've never heard of such a thing" ,"your tests don't show anything out of the ordinary" or "you are perfect...nothing is wrong". Uh, yeah...something IS wrong.

I will keep you in my thoughts. I am glad they know what is wrong so they can take care of you

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Me too I'm glad you at least know what it is. I pray for a speed recovery and that you feel back to normal and life gets back to normal soon for you and your family.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Thanks all. It will be a forever thing but so far it is controlled. I enjoyed all of your posts and was hoping for more on the days when I shook so much that I couldnt type, due to the meds I am sure. Enjoy your good health while you have it.

I hope things turn around for you. Why did you say no to a liver transplant? You have to be pretty bad off for them to say something like that (and to be very ill to be put on the list).

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

yes, I meant to ask about that, too.

Are the doctors still telling you that you need a liver transplant

Many many sincere prayers and healthy wishes keep us posted take care of yourself. Peace. Catherine

Glad you were able to get some answers. I hope you can continue to control it with medications. Best wishes!

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

I am very thankful for health insurance. In less than a year I have had 2 heart surgeries with no out of pocket costs. The last surgery was just 2 weeks ago. If I didn't have health insurance we would never recover from my medical bills.

I said no to the liver transplant because I have had a full life and have 2 great grandchildren and one on the way, 3 granddaughters and a daughter and I have housed and supported them for their whole lives and if it was time to go I was going on my merry way to the great reward. I am only as they say 62 but there was a lot of rewards in those years.

Yes there was a cadaver ready and willing to do the transplant at that exact time..and I know that doesn't happen all the time. here were psycological testings, dental testings and all the other organs andd body parts were thoroughly tested. I even found out that I had not fully gone thru menopause.One of the prohibitions that I have is that I can NOT be near tylenol and NO roots or herbs from health food stores as these can greatly reverse the way my treatment is working.

Take care of yourself!