Post by: Bill on October 28, 2003, 04:04:22 PM
Come out ... Come out ... Wherever you are.
Post by: Bernie on October 28, 2003, 09:34:59 PM
Thanks for thinking of me Bill. Have you been wearing your protective mask due to the Smoke in the air? Bummer to see all the fires here in Southern Calif. I was in Lake Forest today and Boy! Funky lookin Skies! Well time to take my prednisone for the RA Eckkkkkkk! And for my skin,"Plaquenil " hydroxychloroquine
I'm always at home here daily. Keeps me sane ya know.
Post by: Bill on October 29, 2003, 12:50:20 AM
Take care of yourself Bernie!!!!!
Post by: beacher on October 29, 2003, 01:03:44 PM
Post by: krissel on October 29, 2003, 11:34:24 PM
I read about that lupus treatment several days ago and was going to send you the link but I figured you probably already knew about it. But for those who are curious...
QUOTE
A drug used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients works as well as chemotherapy for treating kidney failure from lupus but with fewer side effects, a study shows.
Side effects from chemotherapy, including hair loss, anemia, loss of appetite and nausea, sometimes prevent some patients from completing their treatment.
"Having an alternative that provides fewer side effects is a very important thing for patients," said Sandra C. Raymond, president and chief executive officer of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. She noted there haven't been any new drugs for lupus in 30 years.
The research compared the effectiveness of oral doses of CellCept, which suppresses the immune system, with chemotherapy, the standard treatment for patients with lupus nephritis, a serious complication of lupus
Side effects from chemotherapy, including hair loss, anemia, loss of appetite and nausea, sometimes prevent some patients from completing their treatment.
"Having an alternative that provides fewer side effects is a very important thing for patients," said Sandra C. Raymond, president and chief executive officer of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. She noted there haven't been any new drugs for lupus in 30 years.
The research compared the effectiveness of oral doses of CellCept, which suppresses the immune system, with chemotherapy, the standard treatment for patients with lupus nephritis, a serious complication of lupus
full article
I sure hope you don't ever get to the point where you need to use that drug.
Good to know you are lurking here at TS, Bern.
We would be lost without our BIOB.
Post by: RHPConsult on October 30, 2003, 12:01:07 AM
Thanks.These days it's easy to worry about folks located anywhere south of the Tehachapis
As long as you keep looking-in on TeeEss, then we're going to have a lot less to BIOB!
Best,
DP
Post by: Dreambird on October 30, 2003, 12:24:38 AM
Don't be pushing yourself too hard!!
Post by: Gary S on October 30, 2003, 08:51:02 AM
Like DB says, don't push yourself.
I think of you a lot Buddy.
Post by: pendragon on October 30, 2003, 09:14:59 AM
You are missed, so remember, we know where you live.
Harv
Post by: Bernie on October 30, 2003, 09:17:36 AM
Believe me I've researched every topic of DLE "Discoid" ( old term meaning Butterfly rash) Now called Cutaneous lupus ( within the skin only) NOT in the Blood "Systemic" I only Get RA (swellling of the joint tissues) And Lesions on areas of my body that are exposed to the sun. These lesions Scar you for life. 
In my case. I'm asymmetrical ( I think I spelled that correct? ) Meaning Both sides at the same swelling of the joints ( Take your pick) as with the lesions also. Weird huh I stopped taking all the Meds quite sometime ago. Plaquenil ( hydroxychloroquine) is an Anti-malarial drug. I Slows my immune system so it doesn't help fight against my body. ( Dern immune system must be running Windows Os) LOL Anyway, I want my immune system to at least try to fight back. I feel much better without the drugs. As long as I keep active I don't feel the RA. I just hate applying the Gooey SPF 100000 All day long. LOL Sure glad the Summers sun is saying good bye for a while. Well Time to get to work. Cya Yes! I'm done complaining.
Post by: LR827 on October 31, 2003, 09:56:21 AM
QUOTE
Flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with daily psychological stress.
Psychother Psychosom 2003 May-Jun;72(3):159-65 (ISSN: 0033-3190)
Pawlak CR; Witte T; Heiken H; Hundt M; Schubert J; Wiese B; Bischoff-Renken A; Gerber K; Licht B; Goebel MU; Heijnen CJ; Schmidt RE; Schedlowski M
Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. pawlak@staff.uni-marburg.de.
BACKGROUND: The aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. Clinical observations and a small number of studies performed so far suggest an association between psychological stress and self-reported symptoms of SLE patients. This longitudinal study was designed to investigate whether daily psychological stress is associated with flares in SLE patients, measured by clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: Female SLE patients (n = 41) were followed over a period of six months. Daily stress was monitored by a hand-held PC diary programmed with 44 items based on standardized measures and clinical experience. Once every four weeks patients visited the outpatient clinic for medical evaluation. Disease activity was evaluated using the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM), laboratory parameters, and intake of steroids. RESULTS: Classification and regression tree (CART) patient-wise analyses revealed that SLE patients with vs. without flares using complement and ECLAM as activity measures show greater negative self-ratings in mood, and social duties (p < 0.01). In addition, mixed model analysis of variance showed that daily hassles with social relationships were significantly associated with flares in SLE measured by an increase in steroid medication >5mg/d (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that psychological stress is associated with flares in SLE. Particularly daily stress with social relationships and social duties may be factors to be related to the course of disease activity in SLE. [Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel].
Psychother Psychosom 2003 May-Jun;72(3):159-65 (ISSN: 0033-3190)
Pawlak CR; Witte T; Heiken H; Hundt M; Schubert J; Wiese B; Bischoff-Renken A; Gerber K; Licht B; Goebel MU; Heijnen CJ; Schmidt RE; Schedlowski M
Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. pawlak@staff.uni-marburg.de.
BACKGROUND: The aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. Clinical observations and a small number of studies performed so far suggest an association between psychological stress and self-reported symptoms of SLE patients. This longitudinal study was designed to investigate whether daily psychological stress is associated with flares in SLE patients, measured by clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: Female SLE patients (n = 41) were followed over a period of six months. Daily stress was monitored by a hand-held PC diary programmed with 44 items based on standardized measures and clinical experience. Once every four weeks patients visited the outpatient clinic for medical evaluation. Disease activity was evaluated using the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM), laboratory parameters, and intake of steroids. RESULTS: Classification and regression tree (CART) patient-wise analyses revealed that SLE patients with vs. without flares using complement and ECLAM as activity measures show greater negative self-ratings in mood, and social duties (p < 0.01). In addition, mixed model analysis of variance showed that daily hassles with social relationships were significantly associated with flares in SLE measured by an increase in steroid medication >5mg/d (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that psychological stress is associated with flares in SLE. Particularly daily stress with social relationships and social duties may be factors to be related to the course of disease activity in SLE. [Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel].
Post by: george on October 31, 2003, 12:41:24 PM
Regards from this side of the pond.
George.
Post by: Russ Kidd on November 01, 2003, 03:42:46 AM
You and I discussed ailments a bit back then. I'm sorry to hear yours is flaring up.
Hey folks, did you know Bernie's a former trumpet player?
I wouldn't be surprised if you got a some smoke and even ash in your area when the Santa Anas were blowing it all towards the ocean a few days ago.
Early in the week, the Simi Valley fire was advancing toward my neighborhood and I was getting pretty nervous. Parts of Chatsworth were evacuated and I'm just four miles from there. Fortunately, the winds reversed the next day and that fire went the other way.
It's good to hear from you, Bern. Hope things look up soon.
Russ
Post by: snuffysbluff on November 01, 2003, 04:16:02 AM
Although Tacit got me here, when I read some of Bernie's posts I remember thinking..."HUH?"
At last...Proof that extraterestrials DO exist.
Nanu, Nanu, old buddy.
Post by: kelly on November 01, 2003, 09:35:02 AM
Listen to "Doc" Lorraine and take it as easy as you can.
Good luck Pal.
Post by: Bernie on November 01, 2003, 09:38:31 AM
Nice way to wake up. Yes LR827 is exactly correct about how Stress can give you a flareup of condition. I know for a fact it does me. I've always been person who just can't sit and relax. I have to be doing something. I'm the type person when on a project or task It's just has done to perfection or if not I won't be able to sleep thinking about it all night. When I was a kid my elder brother in-laws gave me the nickname "Bern the Worm" You know. I was always doing something! Just couldn't sit still. Like a Wiggle worm I guess. LOL Those Brother in-laws which still are in bussiness today were like father to me. Never knew my dad. Anywoo, I had many Dads. Lucky Kid I was I'm dealing with stress now through exersize and Work. Well, think I'll go outside and sweep up a bit from last nights rain. We now have nice clean air. Dern Fires. Bill! Stop playing with the matches will ya!! LOL
Cya
Post by: Al on November 01, 2003, 10:11:32 AM
Post by: Bernie on November 01, 2003, 03:46:39 PM
Post by: Bill on November 01, 2003, 04:17:59 PM
Post by: Gary S on November 01, 2003, 07:07:39 PM
I have to deal with chronic back pain on a daily basis myself. As far as stress is concerned, I'm convinced it plays a major role in managing the pain and the psychological
affects that go with it, such as mood swings, depression and anxiety.
I'm lucky to have a good old "Shamin psychcologist" and a great psychiatrist I see from time to time as needed. She specializes in pain management so I guess I'm lucky to have her in a town this small.
You may know her Lorraine.If there's one thing I've learned is it's to ask for help when I need it and take it one day at a time.
I hope I don't sound like I'm complaining!
That's one of the things I'm working on.....distraction. Get it..........disk..traction. 
Post by: themagpie on November 01, 2003, 07:40:21 PM
Margie
Post by: Bernie on November 01, 2003, 08:54:49 PM
Hi ya Margie Disk Traction! LOL Gary You the Man!!
Post by: () on November 01, 2003, 09:02:15 PM
Take it easy...
Post by: Gregg on November 03, 2003, 07:48:47 AM