It looks like finally I'll have a King-size bed in the near future. My
hubby is 6' 4" and with my need for support and tossing and turning, I'm
just plain tired of bumping into him every time I turn around. We both need
more room. Anyhow, he wants to go with the Select Comfort Sleep Number
mattresses, while I want a reputable mattress set that is firm, like Serta
or Simmons, etc. Anyone have the Select Comfort Sleep Number, and if so, is
it all that it's said to be? Nanny

I have been diagnosed with AS at 29. I am now 45 years. I have been
managing with NSAIDs all these years without much concerns since the
pain used to be intermittent (about 3 in a year) and goes away in
about 3 weeks when I could stop NSAIDs. I also used to get Iritis
about once in a year that was treated with steroid drops. But, in the
last 6 months, I have been suffering continuously (stiff rib cage and
spine, pain shoulder down) that requires me to use NSAIDs (25 to 50 mg
of Indomethacyn or Diclofenac 50 to 100 mg) every day. I am now
worried about the problems with long term usage of NSAIDs - mostly
kidney damage - and want to explore other treatments. My
Rheumatologist suggetsed trying Sulumedrol (steroid) or possibly TNF
blockers. But reading about the side effects of these...

In recent months we’ve seen the government concede that vaccines can
cause autism. Although the public health officials claim that the case
is unusual, the Hannah Poling case is only one of many conceded by the
US Vaccine Court in which damages were paid by the US Vaccine Injury
Compensation program for 'autism-like symptoms'
http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/LIFE/803070318/1004
Now we are hearing from the former head of the National Institute of
Health, Ms. Bernadine Healy, that the government has been to quick to
dismiss a link between vaccines and autism and has, in fact,
deliberately looked away, in fear of what they would discover.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/12/cbsnews_investigates/main4086809.shtml

So why am I telling you these things? I am telling you these things
because you’re unlikely to hear them on your cable news channels. Why
are these stories not all over your cable news channels? Because in
between the ‘news’ stories, we see almost nothing but paid ads for
pharmaceuticals. How will you ever get reliable information on other
damage vaccines might have wrought? Certainly not by watching your
evening news programming.

Hi guys;

Have been caught up with the usual family stuff, and synagogue stuff. Mostly
good. Have been lurking every day, just a little too ADD to actually write
back. But I've been sending prayers where appropriate.

Some thing to celebrate, I'm hoping. 1 - Rheumy thinks I have a very mild
form of RA. Its his conjecture, based on my xrays/mri, how long I've had
symptoms, etc. Doesn't think it will ever get to a debilitating stage. So
cool! and 2 - I think the Enbrel (1 x week plus methotrexate) is working.
Morning stiffness and generalized pain are *much* reduced. Energy is getting
better, too. Yay!!!! Happy dance!!!!

Had to go off the Enbrel for a couple of weeks because of a cold. Now I am
getting site reactions. Any hints to make the reaction last a shorter time
or be less itchy? The itchiness (but not the welt) in a previous shot site
seems to come back when I take my next shot.

And the final bit of trivial but fun news. Relating to the subject line - my
hair is changing. I've always had thin, very straight hair. Would need to
perm it for any chance at body. My hairdresser ...