Author Davee Jones

My Medicated Mid-Life Humira- Injection #3 Today, I spent 30 minutes on the treadmill. I even jogged some during my more motivating songs. I logged approximately 2 miles. My right shin hurt on occasion during some foot strikes on the faster paces. Not enough to make me stop though. I also had to stretch my arms behind my back and retract my shoulder blades when it felt like my upper body was “balling up”. But, it’s been probably a year since I’ve been on the treadmill, and certainly at least a year since I jogged. I felt liberated from the bonds my disease had placed upon my body. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t one hundred percent, but, I’m learning to live with small goals and accomplishments. The Humira isn’t a miracle drug. I took the injection on Friday evening. Saturday, I woke with a slightly sore throat and fatigue. Sunday, I woke up around 3am with body aches. I took  Etodolac , an NSAID drug, and went back to sleep. I had a full day on Sunday at o...

My Medicated Mid-Life There’s nothing more humbling than taking a child’s pose in yoga. For real. I mean, taking a break in a yoga class seems like the wuss way out. But, today, I had to do just that. Take a child’s pose. My feet were cramping up something horrible during balance poses. My hamstrings stretched crankily, balking when I folded over. FROM THIS     My eagle had landed. Pun intended. TO THIS In class, I was torn between feeling so much joy that I was there, at least doing what I could and crying because my body wasn’t cooperating. At moments, I felt like I was failing in a world I use to govern. A few years ago, I pushed myself, doing just a few more seconds in plank, running a few more minutes, lifting a stronger weight. Now, I’m lucky to sweat. I relish when I sweat. I’m ecstatic when I sweat. I’ll repeat what I said last week: “I try to remind myself to perform at least gentle stretching exercises every day. Living with RA and...

My Medicated Life I figured it out. I want to someday wake up like those women in the mattress ads on TV. So full of life and vigor, they boldly greet the day, challenging negativity with a spewing bottle of champagne, or a run across town. Simmons Beautyrest Commercial Opposed to how I receive the morning, rolling into the fetal position, fearful of what will hurt worse. I wish I could sit up tall giggling, leaping out of bed like Mikhail Baryshnikov , now that’s a goal. Instead, I look like some kind of cross between a peg legged pirate and slug. My mind immediately filters to the day before, scouring what I did to make fill-in-the-blank hurt, i.e. my shoulders, arms, back, you name it. I know I pulled something the day before, and my muscles and joints remind me with a reckoning. No joke, sometimes, it was something as simple as carrying in grocery bags, yoga poses, or even moving unassuming household items around.   I try to remind myself to perform at l...

My name is Brian Jones. I am an avid cyclist riding to rid the world of Multiple Sclerosis. Short and sweet this week. During this season of love and celebration, please give the gift of HOPE for those living with MS. Join the fight to find a cure by supporting me in my 10 th BikeMS. Please visit my page at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Brian2015 to make a donation. May you all have a joyous and very Merry Christmas.  

I try to host a health related post each week in The Locker. I like to share my experiences in the hopes of helping someone else. I've decided to make a little turn and have a guest host for the next few weeks. My friend Brian is a beast. He cycles more miles in a year than I probably drive in my car. He has a passion for health, and shares an equal passion to eradicate MS. Please be kind to Brian and give him a warm welcome. Hugs-     My name is Brian Jones.   I am an avid cyclist riding to rid the world of Multiple Sclerosis.   As I celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the many things I am thankful.   A loving wife, a roof over my head, food on the table, a good job, and many wonderful friends and family.   It’s funny how the one thing I tended to forget to be thankful, is the one thing I took for granted…good health.   In my association with the National MS Society, I have met many wonderful people who live with his d...

I try to host a health related post each week in The Locker. I like to share my experiences in the hopes of helping someone else. I've decided to make a little turn and have a guest host for the next few weeks. My friend Brian is a beast. He cycles more miles in a year than I probably drive in my car. He has a passion for health, and shares an equal passion to eradicate MS. Please be kind to Brian and give him a warm welcome. Hugs-   My name is Brian Jones.   I am an avid cyclist riding to rid the world of Multiple Sclerosis.   A sobering stat I learned while attending the National MS Leadership conference in Ft. Worth, TX.   More than 50% of MS patients will develop a progressive form of the disease, which can lead to diminished motor functions robbing the patient of the ability to walk, or even hold utensils to eat.   While there are FDA approved modifying drugs to treat relapsing forms of MS, there are still no treatments for...

10/22/2014 I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Thank you for listening, periodically, I will have a new installment chronicling my journey- SOMEWHAT STARTING OVER I stopped and thought about the number of doctors I’ve seen since January 2013. As close as I can get to the numbers include: 3 Rheumatologists, 1 cardiologist, 1 vascular doc, 1 Ob/GYN, 3 neurologists, 1 oncologist, 1 gastroenterologist, 1 immunologist/allergy doc, 1 hematologist, one pain management doc, 3 orthopedists, one spine specialist, and three ER visits. I’ve given at least 200 vials of blood, taken 100 xrays, 3 CT scans, 1 MRI, and several urine tests. I’m in a serious relationship with BC/BS. I will say, and I almost hesitate to go out loud with it, but, I think I might be on the right track. Finally. You see, other than all the problem...

Good morning!   I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Initially, a rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.   In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chron...

Early weekly edition of this blog regular. Good morning!   I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost two years. Initially, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.   In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, ea...

Good morning!  I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost two years. Initially, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.  In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chronicli...

Good morning!   I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost two years. Initially, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.   In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chroni...

Good morning!  I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost two years. Initially, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.  In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chronicli...

Good morning!  I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost two years. Initially, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.  In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chronicli...