not sure what category to post this under(thyroid/lupus or other)?

[anbuma]

woke this morning feeling just the same -tired after nightmares and disturbed 4 hours sleep.pelvic pain and feeling nauseous.legs swollen.dog s so concerned.sick of brother saying they aren't concerned for me but for each other and not accepting my conditions.choked on cereal and not swallow meds.

[Natura]

I feel unsupported by my sisters. They too, don't have any understanding of this disease. I am sorry that you are feeling bad. We seem to have to plug along. I have that swallowing problem too and it can get scary. I try to chew my food better before I swallow, eat slower, and chew longer. I am just starting to do this. Maybe you can break the pills in half. Legs swollen - do up you have kidney problems? Just got a powder drink mix from farmers market with hibiscus and lavender. This stuff is amazing, not only anti inflammatory, but it's helping my kidneys and I am having good pees (sorry so graphic). It will take water out of body being a diuretic. Ask doctor first if it would be ok to try this. I like it. Nice summer drink. And always look to your dog...they will be the most understanding, loving part of your life. Your brother sounds like an inconsiderate jerk...I have a few of those in my family too. Feel better!

[anbuma in reply to Natura]

thank you Natura,the only people who truly understand are those who have these conditions and our fellow forum members/friends and our dogs.I could have -tho mentioned at A&E and to GP -agreed there was swelling but no reason for it given.having had protein in urine for a year or so and again no reason I cannot believe that having pelvic pain etc fro so long no one is concerned and keep dismissing me as it is one of the signs of OC (not saying i have it-to those who have commented in the past)btu it is persistent and can find nootehr reason fro persistent pelvic pain.annie may be concerned fro buster btu they are both concerned fro me..phoned gp today btu no appointments -offered one with nurse practitioner tomorrow(fro swelling and vomiting /nausea)btu she can only prescribe -not refer.is th epowder mix available online.do have farmers markets here in the summer btunot normally go- I do it in 2 halves some when I get up and the others (with food)after breakfast and chop them up if too big btu still sometimes cant swallow.even tho drs said my tongue is no longer swollen still cant see my throat.appetite seems a bit better since stopped imipramine tho still actually don't feel that hungry and only eat small meal.thinking try amitryptiline again??if just to help me sleep.

[Natura in reply to anbuma]

anbuma... I am so sorry for your troubles. I am going to a tea lecture tonight at library from a woman who owns a tea shop locally. She doesn't have lupus, but some other kind of inflammatory disease. (The farmer market woman sells herb packets, and she has celiac disease) I am hoping to get some information at this lecture. And make some awesome ice teas this summer. There was some sugar in it, so I water it down. I too, have the hip pain where I can't really bend down and get up without pain. When I walk it seems ok, but after I get off my bike, my hips hurt. Today I feel good in the hips and I think the lavender or hibiscus helps with joint pain. Not sure. Like I said, I am just starting to drink this. Information can be found sometimes online. Find it in 3 places, and it is most likely true is what I have read to do. Watch your resources. I will share tomorrow any information helpful about these teas. Hope you can get some help...

[anbuma in reply to Natura]

re dogs.so true.family must think im stupid.posted a video on FB - Buster -showing him crying as it s a fairly recent thing and commented is it cos he s unwell(maybe psychological issues) or cos he s concerned for me.(both dogs seem to be/are).sister in law's comment which annoyed me was "dogs can hear far more than us humans and it was probably distant thunder." he hates any noise and will bark if outside and tremble with fear btu the storm the other night didn't phase him at all.i know dogs hear noises we cant and have sixth senses.brother and sister in law don't believe dogs sense /know illness in their owners.

[foxglove in reply to Natura]

hi Natura, could you kindly give me details of the drink you have from farmer's market? thanks

[Natura in reply to foxglove]

Foxglove...the ingredients are: hibiscus, lavender, tea ?(guess you could put in your favorite), orange peel (learned at lecture that orange or lemon will help you absorb phytonutrients out of the tea better),natural organic sugar cane, dehydrated lemon, lime, citric acid and natural flavors. She also noted gluten free, dairy free, vegan. Only thing I would question is citric acid and natural flavors. You probably could make this on your own, and substitute other things that you might not want to put in this drink. The young woman that makes it is a chef, and has celiac disease. Her company is called Sweet Melissa Dips. Good luck. I was going to try and drink some ice teas this summer...... The tea specialist said you could just add lemon or lime or your own choice of sweetener to your liking. I am thinking of doing that and just adding lavender and hibiscus. These herbs are not on the list from the national kidney foundation for herbs to avoid with kidney disease. If you are concerned about that. I have scarred kidneys, so I am trying to be more cautious. Lavender is good for indigestion, irritability, anxiety, exhaustion, headaches, migraines and bronchial. Hibiscus is good for treating loss of appetite (which I have as well) colds, respiratory, mild laxative, diuretic. Use caution with everything as usual...listen to your body.

[foxglove in reply to Natura]

Hi Natura, thanks for the very detailed info - appreciated! I have had a look at the website you mentioned, interesting. I buy lots of loose herbs and make brews but haven't tried lavender (think I have some hibiscus) so will have o go. Fortunately don't have kidney probs. but good of you to caution

Entirely agree with "listen to one's body "and lavender seems to fit a lot of what I need

[Natura in reply to foxglove]

Cool...glad to help

[Natura]

Dogs are very in tune to their owners...wish I could tune out better things that people say that are hurtful....tea lecture turned out disappointing. She was really just their to get people interested in tea as a liesurely activity. I know because of the law, she is probably not allowed to say tea can help medicinally. She claimed to take education classes about tea, but I think administered. By the government. I said, I know they are not a cure for disease, but I believe and have proof that they can relieve symptoms. She has an autoimmune disease and said she has been drinking tea for years and she is the same. I told her, well, you're no worse, right? She also had to share with me that a friend of hers gave the good fight against lymphoma for 4 years and just died trying to naturally treat. I feel like crap now, and I wish I didn't share with her and she didn't share with me. Now I am questioning my whole approach to dealing with lupus. Doubtful and worried now that I should be taking this more seriously even if I am low end. Maybe I will see a rheumatologist to see if my numbers changed. I hope I don't upset you with my sharing. I just need someone to share this with..thanks for listening.

[anbuma in reply to Natura]

hello natura sorry the tea thing didn't go well for you.you dont upset anyone by sharing your concerns etc and everyone on here i am sure are supportive .thanks for listening to me.have an appointment with nurse practitioner this am btu don't hold much hope as she cant do anyhting more than prescribe meds.

[Natura in reply to anbuma]

thanks anbuma....good luck with the nurse. It is hard to be patient when you don't feel well. We just want help. I need to make an apt with a rheumy finally as my back pain from my kidneys seems worse. I don't know what I am doing. Just read some herbs not good for kidney problems. Aach! I have been drinking a lot of tea. Maybe too much. Everything in moderation. Feel better...

[SarahHeney]

Have they checked you for ovarian cyst? These symptoms could well be that not the lupus? Please duggest doc refers you for pelvic scan x

[anbuma]

I put it to my gp a couple of years ago if it could be a cyst and showed him the stories from magazines cos read of so many stories in magazines of women having cysts and looking 9 months pregnant and weight increases of 2 stone +and scans not showing them.would not accept that then and still wont accept anything now despite huge increase in weight and stomach size and symptoms.wont accept that it is difficult to detect ovarian issues an often dr s diagnose IBS cos thye have no clue what it is-dont listen to patients symptoms ,so just assume.say lupus cos of skin rashes and sores amongst other symptoms.