Spondyloarthritis

So i have been having some serious back pain on top of my normal joint pain so I went to see my rheumatologist. He diagnosed me with spondyloarthritis. That is basically spinal arthritis. Im going to be giving myself shots twice a week of Acthar. I'm waiting for insurance approval now....ugh! I'll keep you posted!

Blogger App Back!

Finally got the blogger app back up and working! So expect updates!!

My 4th Re-Birthday

Today is the 4 year anniversary of my stem cell transplant! Happy 2nd birthday to me! Like a 4 year old in a 29 year old's body! Lol. It's been a long journey but I have been so blessed. Before my transplant, I wasn't going to live another year or 2. I was severely malnourished and had been bleeding internally for years and years. I wasn't responding to anything, getting worse every day. I could barely walk because of the pain. I was running 104 degree fevers every day. Surgery wouldn't have helped. Just as my doctors were throwing their hands up, I did my own research and found the stem cell transplant study at Northwestern Hospital...over 600 miles from home. I was there 9 months later. My sister was a perfect match and I took my stem cells well! Chemo was exhausting. I was so weak I couldn't lift a fork to feed myself. But after 28 days, I was finally able to go home and start my recovery! I have good days and bad days but I am so much better than before! I am so thankful! If I had the choice, I would do it all over again!

Stupid Blogger App

My blogger app has messed up and locked me out..AGAIN! So that's why I haven't been posting. I'm going to try to export my blog to another site.

PCOS Meds

So as I have told you before, I was diagnosed with PCOS this past year. And since it has caused me to gain 80lbs in 4 years, I have been working super hard to lose weight. My goal is to lose 30lbs this year at least. Then another 30 next year (since i was under weight to begin with, my goal is to lose 60-70lbs total). I have been exercising and dieting for over 6 months, hardcore for over 2 months. I have lost 5lbs in 6 months and can't seem to lose any more.

So my dr prescribed me Metformin. The side effects are upset stomach so I'm praying it won't be any nausea. I can deal with diarrhea since im used to it with Crohn's but of course im hoping that won't happen either. But the metformin will help control my insulin and should help me lose some weight. Fingers crossed!

Sinus and Oral Surgery Pain

The pain was getting better after my surgery but now im having nausea, headaches and pain behind my eyes and nose. Im guessing sinuses, which makes my mouth hurt more. But the pain meds will make me more nauseated. Yay....oh well.

Crohn's wise, i was cramping today but honestly i cant tell if it's crohns or cysts from my pcos. High ovaries= not being able to tell of it's my intestines or lady parts lol

Oral Surgery and Update

I had my top 2 wisdom teeth out Thursday morning. The bottom 2 were taken out in Chicago 2 weeks before chemotherapy. I kept getting infections in the bottom 2 so they hurried up and took them out while we were in Chicago to harvest my sister's stem cells. That way it would be covered by insurance under the transplant since, well, you can't have chemo with constant infections!

Anyway, so these 2 have been much easier. They sedated me (not like the 1st 2) and they don't hurt nearly as bad. I mean im sore of course, but in comparison I am handling these mich much much better! I'm already on almost all regular food!

I had a checkup with my GI yesterday. He said the camera endoscopy came back normal. He said since i keep having recurring problems, it's most likely a low level active crohn's. Hence it not showing on tests but still giving me problems. I took a course of cipro (antibiotics) and it has really helped so I am super excited about that! He said that may be something we revisit if and when I get sick again.

But for now, everything is going well.  I'm feeling good most of the time, im getting used to my new bifocal glasses and my gums are healing well!