TTT

It was an up and down day - still fighting with income tax and the
bureaucracy with my taxes but know that what they disallowed (all
prescription meds) will eventually be allowed - just will take more time to
sort through to someone who knows what they are doing and hasn't been
dropped on their head way too many times. But the good news is that the
provincial pharmacies which approves and pays for meds or at least partial
meds has approved my rituxan med. I will still have to send it to special
authority and the approval has come too slow for this time around but the
next one should be approved - hurrah!!! This makes a difference of $13,000
a year so it is a big deal! Too bad about this time but couldn't have
waited.

Hopefully it will go as well for you this time Donna as it did for me. The
fatigue did not last quite as long (not gone yet but bearable) and I have
done everything right - eaten, drank water, slept, rested. The spasms and
sore throats were non-existent. I did see my sed rate etc today - over
limit which it just never ever is - even when i am noticeably over the top
with inflammation so that does tell something.

So happy dance time - time something went right for a change!

Your turn now Donna - that dance in our mind thing.

Hey I just wanted to give a good doctor report. I went to see my new spinal
doctor.. Oh my he was really great! First of all I went in and filled out
the usual paperwork. Then I was brought back and the nurses were so nice and
courteous. My data was collected by the docs pa not the nurse but the PA and
he would then ask me more questions to find out more about the hows and
whys. I was then examined by the PA and he was very thoughrough. Then he
sent me for some x-rays. The xray tech was so nice and thoughtful about my
comfort. I then saw the PA again and we talked for awhile about my condition
and then he brought in the doctor. Who then re examined me and talked to me
in length about what was going on. I told him about my not ever wanting
surgery on my back (unless it was something new and not to invasive) He was
very attentive and said that that's ok we would take the treatment slow and
conservative. I am all ok about that. He was really concerned for my pain
and really seemed genuine about my back and the pain. So I am now going to
be scheduled for my usual spinal epidural. Yea finally I am going to get
some relief! I was very pleased and happy that he is going to take my
treatment slow and if I wanted to go forward with other treatments the
option is very open. I did though find out that in my faucets joints in the
lower lumbar spine that RA has set in and I do have the "rat bites??" I have
heard that term used for hands but not the spine. I am so excited about ...

Hey I just wanted to give a good doctor report. I went to see my new spinal
doctor.. Oh my he was really great! First of all I went in and filled out
the usual paperwork. Then I was brought back and the nurses were so nice and
courteous. My data was collected by the docs pa not the nurse but the PA and
he would then ask me more questions to find out more about the hows and
whys. I was then examined by the PA and he was very thoughrough. Then he
sent me for some x-rays. The xray tech was so nice and thoughtful about my
comfort. I then saw the PA again and we talked for awhile about my condition
and then he brought in the doctor. Who then re examined me and talked to me
in length about what was going on. I told him about my not ever wanting
surgery on my back (unless it was something new and not to invasive) He was
very attentive and said that that's ok we would take the treatment slow and
conservative. I am all ok about that. He was really concerned for my pain
and really seemed genuine about my back and the pain. So I am now going to
be scheduled for my usual spinal epidural. Yea finally I am going to get
some relief! I was very pleased and happy that he is going to take my
treatment slow and if I wanted to go forward with other treatments the
option is very open. I did though find out that in my faucets joints in the
lower lumbar spine that RA has set in and I do have the "rat bites??" I have
heard that term used for hands but not the spine. I am so excited about ...

Grapefruit pulp may boost bone health: study
By Stephen Daniells

21-Jul-2008 - The pulp of grapefruit may improve bone health and
reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, according to a new study
with male rats.

Consumption of the red grapefruit pulp led to a slow down in bone
resorption, and an increase in bone mineral build-up and calcium
absorption, according to researchers from Texas A&M University.

If the results can be repeated in humans, grapefruit pulp may offer a
new ingredient to the growing bone health market dominated by calcium
and vitamin D.

The study's findings are published online ahead of print in the
journal Nutrition.

Study details

Farzad Deyhim and co-workers castrated 42 male rats (orchidectomy) in
order to cause oxidative stress and increases the development of
osteoporosis. A control, non-castrated group containing 14 animals was
used for comparison.