Grey Areas
July 17, 2008 2:35pm
It seems like there is a certain percentage of people that believe in absolutes; everything is either black or white. I'm not one of them as many …
fredk’s Profile
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About Me
Up until Jan of 2004 I was or considered myself to be a fairly healthy middle-aged guy whom ran, swam and was able to work. My passion was running ( ran 7 marathons)as well as reading and music. I have two grown children, a granddaughter and am married.
Interests
I'm interested in photography as a hobby. Enjoy listening to music and reading. Pretty eclectic tastes in both. Am hoping to put together a webpage or photoblog of my photos within a year.
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Recent Activity
Sunday
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fredk commented on their journal entry Grey Areas 6:16pm
I did start that writing project, ...again. This time it is moving right along. I think I have about…
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fredk gave LostStranger111 Flowers 6:14pm
Thanks, Deb! You're a wonderful spirit and a trusted friend. You have enriched my life more than you…
July 19
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fredk gave pearlsnlace a Hug 1:10am
Hi, Susan- Had sort of a rocky day--too much pain and not able to focus very well. Thanks for the hug!…
July 17
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fredk wrote a journal entry: Grey Areas 2:35pm
It seems like there is a certain percentage of people that believe in absolutes; everything is either…
July 12
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Journal
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On the Positive Side
July 11, 2008 4:22pm
On the positive side of events the past couple of months I have discovered I have some relatives I didn't know I had. After going through all of …
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Back Home
July 1, 2008 12:16pm
Returned from Ohio a week ago after spending 6 days cleaning the house and out-buildings of my late dad's property. I spent 16 hours home in …
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Travel & Pain
June 17, 2008 3:46pm
Although the past couple of days have been a bit of a bummer in terms of pain I am hoping I can get through the next week without too much trouble. …
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Next couple of weeks
May 26, 2008 11:52am
Just a short note to let my DS friends know that I will be in Portland for all but one day in the next two weeks and may not have a chance to get …
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Hugbook
Hug
Just popping in to check on you and to bring you a hug! Hope you're alright. It's been a while since I've "talked" with you. Are you having a nice summer? Sounds like you're keeping yourself busy!
High Five
I am so glad you started to write your book!! Read your journal and agree with you 100% about the grey areas...hope you are having a bright day...love and hugs
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Hug
The flowers in your garden are just gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing the photos Fred. You are a great photographer, as well as writer. :) Hugs~Debbie
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Hug
A big hug for a very wise and very strong fella! I hope today is peaceful and free of pain for you. Hugs~Debbie
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Hug
Good morning Fred..I took today and tomorrow off from work...if you want to talk, I'll be checking in off and on? Hoping you feel the sun on your face today and smell the flowers.
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Osteoporosis
Was doing fine until a rib fractured in Jan of 2004. Two weeks later I had severe back pain and went in for a bone scan and then an mri and found out I had two compression fractures ( t5 & 7). After much testing and imaging I was fitted with a Jewitt brace. Two months after getting out of the brace I had another compression fracture ( T8) and two other fractures. Was put on Fosamax. After these fractures I had severe spinal arthritis and nerve pain. Since then T9 & 10 have compressed as well.
Treatments
- Calcium Somewhat Helpful
- Have been taking calcium citrate since mid-2004. Calcium levels still below normal range. Hypocalcemia.
- Celebrex Working / Worked
- Not sure if it is helping with the spinal inflammation.I guess it is as I cut my dosage in half a few months ago to see what the effect would be and the inflammation was so severe in my spine that the doctor put me on a powerful cortisone/steroid for 6 days.
- Fosamax Somewhat Helpful
- Have been taking this since mid-2004. Have had only two minor compression fractures since starting Fosamax.
- Hydrocodone Working / Worked
- I've only used this sparingly for accute pain and it has helped me get through certain circumstances.
- Lidoderm Working / Worked
- Bursitis in hip. Works well to aleviate the pain.
- Lyrica Somewhat Helpful
- A substitute for Neurontin. Somewhat effective. Use it when the radicular neuropathy goes crazy- such as it started up again a few months ago.
- Miacalcin Not Working
- Was first prescribed this the first couple months and then was switched to Fosamax. It was a nasal spray that I had a hard time getting the correct dosage to spray.
- MSM Not Working
- Also taking MSM for inflammation and nerve pain.
- Neurontin Not Working
- Was only on this drug for peripheral neuropathy for 30 days, but it was not a good experience.
- Vitamin D Too Soon to Tell
- Taking 1000 units per day for osteomalacia. Vit D tests showed a baseline score of 0 ( 20 is normal for my age/gender).
Close Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treatments
- Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Working / Worked
- Had surgery in May of 2007 and it seems to have helped. Time will tell.
- Ibuprofen Not Working
- Has no effect on CT aching or pain, muscle weakness,
- Wrist Splint Somewhat Helpful
- Sometimes seems to help and at other times it has no effect.
Open Enlarged Prostate
Was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in Dec. of 2006. Have decided not to take any drugs at this time and just try supplements.
Treatments
- Saw Palmetto Too Soon to Tell
Open Chronic Pain
Chronic pain due to 5 vertebral compression fractures. Subsequent spinal arthritis throughout thoracic region. Stenosis/spondylosis of C-spine. Spots on rib bone painful to the touch. Constant pain in most of upper body.
Treatments
- Hydrocodone Somewhat Helpful
- Only use sparingly. Does take the edge off of some of the pain, or at least puts my mind in another place for a short time.
- Lyrica Working / Worked
- Does help, but sort of does weird things to my nerves as it wears off.
- Medrol Too Soon to Tell
- Severe inflammation of spine. Seems to be helping.
- Vitamin D Too Soon to Tell
- Bone pain due to 0 vitamin D in blood, spinal arthritis due to multiple vertebral fractures.
Open GERD & Heartburn
Diagnosed with GERD in Dec of 2006
Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) DepressionAfter dealing with chronic pain for nearly four years I realized my mental health was in free-fall. Just diagnosed.
Treatments
- Prozac Too Soon to Tell
- Just started. If this doesn't work the doctor will try something else.
Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a ParentEstranged dad died 13 March 2008. He disappeared over 20 years ago.
Treatments
- Getting Angry Not Working
- Angry about all of the decisions that led up to his passing.
- Talking Working / Worked
- Helps.
Open Shyness
I have always been introverted. Was worse growing up, but I still find myself alone more often with others and tend to get very tense in even small crowds.
Treatments
- Self-help Working / Worked
- I sort of force myself to step out of my comfort zone now and then, but living at home with a chronic illness is isolating.
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Snapshot
Recently …
- 2 hugs given
- 4 hugs received
- 1 journal comment
