Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I think I need help.

Hi Ike! Thanks.

Yup, I'm still low starch, but I've graduated from no dairy to now cow based dairy. Goat's Milk Feta cheese tastes good on everything, I've found! I was wondering about that myself, but because I'm hypoglycemic, I'm pretty aware of having to eat properly. Even tho I'm not eating refined flours or wheat based products anymore, I'm pretty sure I'm all right in this area because I've upped my protein intake - much easier now that I can have some dairy again. I am finding no wheat much more difficult than no dairy, but I'm also allowing myself to cheat periodically with this one to make the transition easier, which I didn't do when I went off dairy.

I know what you mean about working hard on self-improvement. I've been on a growth and learning kick for several years now. Just when I think I'm getting a handle on things, the Universe makes sure I know that I have more to learn. argh. On the whole, I'm a much happier person than I've ever been before in my life, which is why this nastiness thing has hit me so very hard I think. But I'll keep learning and keep growing, keep persevering. It would be really nice to have a bit of a rest now and then, tho. You know, a time when the Universe sees fit to let me be for a month or ten.

Thanks for the suggestions, especially about the spiritual community. I'm pretty solitary when it comes to that, but there are friends that I can go to and things that I can do on my own. I've been feeling the need for that lately, now that you've suggested it, well, there's no such thing as coincidence....

Hugs,

Kat

Leona, thank you so much. I echo your first sentence to me. I know that you are going through so much right now, and that you would worry about me too touches me beyond words. (Of course I found alot of words to say that, didn't I. )

Know you are in my prayers.

Hugs,

Kat

Hi Rick! The image invoked of ramming the stupid t-shirt down some idiot's mouth is priceless! Thank you!

I'm printing off your post and I'll see what I can incorporate into my own way of dealing with things. Some will be easier than others to implement right now, but they are all good suggestions.

As to my co-worker being an idiot - she is. She's chosen to bear a grudge after an apology has been given. I want to say to her that I hope that when she comes to a time in her life when she is walking an emotional tightrope that becomes ever narrower (and it will happen, it happens to all of us AS or not), she meets with more compassion and understanding than she has shown me. I won't say it, because it wouldn't serve anything and, frankly, I don't think she'd get it. I figure that she'll do whatever makes her feel better, and if it makes her feel better to stay angry with me, or to try to punish me in some way by shunning me, then more power to her. It's water off my back at this point.

I just wish the whole thing had never happened.

Thanks again, Rick.

Hugs,

Kat

Thank you, Jackie, for offering the other side of this. It's very easy for us to say that the ones who love us will understand, but when one of the one's who loves us says it, it's confirmation. I very much appreciate it.

Hugs,

Kat

Thank you Val. I felt I could do nothing less. The people here are so amazing and everyone has said at least one thing that offered a new perspective to me. It's made me realize more fully how important this place is to our ongoing health and healing.

Hugs,

Kat

Too bad about your co-worker. Its hard enough to apolagize when people are trying to be gracious. Attitutudes like hers make you wonder why you bothered apolagizing at all. Like I said though - let it wash over you.


Good luck

Rick

Hi Pam!

Can you think of anything worse than a control freak with AS?!!

Pam, I'm glad some bells rang for you with this. It does make it easier to deal with if we can put a name to something, doesn't it.

Hugs,

Kat

Lori, your post brought tears to my eyes as I read it. Knowing that one more person found some solace and comfort through the posts on this thread somehow makes all of the nastiness worthwhile. I don't know if I said that well, but I hope you know what I mean.

It is so much easier to work through things and deal with them when you know you aren't alone. Now, what we need to do is stop beating ourselves about the head and start finding better ways of handling it. And we will, through trial and error and success, and with the help of our friends, both here at KickAS and at home.

Today it all seems so much easier than it has. I don't know how long that will last, but I will do what I can to see that it lasts a good long time - or until my psychiatrist gets back from vacation in September, whichever comes first.

Know that you aren't alone, Lori. There are people here who have lived with this disease for many years, and others who are very new to it. Every one has different ways of dealing with it, coping, and every one has hugs and compassion to spare.

Many warm, fuzzy hugs,

Kat

Yup, that's what I'm doing. Through gritted teeth sometimes, but I'm doing it.

Kat

Yo Katster-

"Nobody told me there'd be days like these....strange days indeed..." A little Johnny Lennon for ya...

I find that even though I'm known as being "mellow", "unstressed", "easy to work with"...that I can feel like snapping and lashing out at coworkers or friends and family fairly frequently!! And it's all because of pain....when I'm in pain, everything is a hassle, and if something is going wrong, I feel like bursting....

In Pain.....Quality of Life Blows.......No Pain....Quality of Life Improves....Smiles Erupt, Graciousness Permeates All.....

It can help to talk to someone, I'm grateful for KickAs for that...I wake up plastered to the bed some mornings, others I'm cemented....can't roll over, numb arms and legs, and then when I try to roll over the cursing starts, of course in staggered, forced breaths as I can't take a full one.....argh, bit...shi..damn...doh!

Then, after attempting to dress myself and feed the pets, which can take forever if there's pain, where do I go?? The SUBWAY...yes, that smooth, quiet, relaxing, uncrowded, fresh smelling mode of travel that takes me to work....whoever designed those plastic "form fitting" seats should be shot!!

Some nights I make it back and my mom calls, and I'm totally stressed and pained, and she starts asking me questions about AS that I thought I answered years ago...and I start snapping and get in an uppity mood with her....luckily she seems to sense this and will stop the probe, most of the time....but I wish I would not get like that....it's the pain talking!!

Well, hang in there, "I feel your pain"....something ASKickers can say to each other and really mean it!!

Peace
Linc

Linc O'Brien