My boyfriend’s dog, Shadow, was 13 years old, and it was definitely a member of the family. Unfortunately in these past few months he developed arthritis so bad that he couldn’t walk, not even to get up to go to the bathroom. Even after having laser treatments done to make his hind joints move easier. Finally this morning, my boyfriend’s parents put the dog to sleep because it just wasn’t able to enjoy life like a dog should. My boyfriend works in another state, and was unable to be with Shadow when he died – because Shadow’s decline in health was extremely dramatic over the past few days, it took my boyfriend by surprise even though everyone knew Shadow was very old and unable to move.

What can I do for my boyfriend and his family to show them that I care, and help them with the grieving process? I was thinking about rummaging through old photos with my boyfriend and finding a picture of Shadow and purchasing a frame for it, maybe even blowing it up bigger. I’ll really miss Shadow, too.

What do you guys think?

And no, I won’t get anyone another dog, they definitely need time to grieve. And it’s not in my place to do that anyway.

My soon-to-be seven year old Labrador has had a strange limp for a couple of months. When he gets up from laying down he can’t put put pressure on his rear left leg and hobbles along for about 1-2 minutes, and can then walk, run and jump as if there was no problem. I also note that at the top of the inside of his thigh there’s a lump of (what I believe is) muscle. It looks as though he’s torn a muscle or tendon loose, or possibly tore a muscle. My vet originally said it was arthritis and recommended supplements, they have not helped. Would such an injury cause him to walk this way? Could it be something else? The dog does not appear to be in any pain other than his reluctance to use his left hind leg when getting up. What kind of treatments are available?

I’ve known that I have scoliosis for years. When I was little I was taken to the chiropractor for treatments, but they were absolutely awful (I still shudder!), so I refused to continue. Last week I went to the doctor for something entirely unrelated — ended up with x-rays and he said, “you know you have pretty severe scoliosis, right?” Apparently it got much worse than when I was little. It doesn’t really bother me now as I’ve learned to make a habit of keeping decent posture, and it really doesn’t cause a tremendous amount of pain. However, the doctor said that in later years it may cause arthritis, and he said there really isn’t much I can do about it at this point. I think that might be a bit of a pessimistic view, so my question is… IS there something I can do to keep from having a lot of pain later down the line? I already exercise frequently, make sure to keep myself flexible and my back strong. What else can I do? Thanks so much!

My neighbor’s 14 year old Chow has severe arthritis. Am having a Senior moment…and cannot remember the safe dosage for Aspirin for him. He weighs about fifty pounds and cries in his sleep as well as when he’s awake. He LOVES life and has a sweet and playful nature. He also has non-red ‘hot-spots near his tail. She keeps him clipped against the heat….but would a vinegar rinse help him? She is too poor to afford Vet treatments…can’t even afford a license for him…neither can I. Any suggestions!?! Thank you.
Maureen…you are SO right! It’s not even HER dog…Buddha belongs to her worthless son who says’ He’s just old’. This is the BERST old dog. We just want him to be as comfortable as possible. By the way…I buy his Iams…that’s the best I can do; he has all his teeth and a fine appetite!

Hello. I have arthritis and chronically inflamed muscles. I’ve been prescribed a NSAID but can’t take it long-term due to a stomach ulcer. I’m looking into alternative anti-inflammatories. Let me know if you know of any herbal or otherwise natural treatments that have anti-inflammatory properties. Thank you!
Thanks for the helpful advice so far. Btw, I was already treated for H. Pylori with the 14 days of amoxicillan, clarithromyacin and nexium. I blew clear in the breath test after. The ulcer just hasn’t healed yet b/c the Lodine irritated it

I don’t have any health insurance right now (not good, I know) but I am interested in changing that. All the insurance plans I’ve ever had prior to this point have been through my places of employment, but my current employer does not offer any insurance because it is part time work (and they don’t offer full employment except to management). I have never used any of the insurance from any job before because I have not had any emergencies to deal with. And I have not seen a doctor for my CP related issues since I was a teenager. Stupid I know but I had an intense hatred for all medical doctors for many many years due to my earlier experiences from childhood.

I have been thinking a lot about getting health insurance lately though due to my increasing leg issues over the past several years. I do have other health issues as well, which I believe are all related to the cerebral palsy in some form or the other (depression, obesity, high blood pressure, joint problems, foot arch pain, hip issues, arthritis, etc…). So I’m wondering, Will my cerebral palsy (and the secondary health issues) be covered under normal insurance? Since the CP happened at birth, are there any loopholes that will allow me coverage without the astronomical deductibles or rates, or am I basically just screwed and will have to pay out the a** for any treatments?

Here is a little background! I have 5 slipped discs – each have their own problem but here are the main things….I have arthritis in 4 of them, 1 of them has an annular tear plus I have mild scoliosis. My primary care physician had me on Lortab 7.5mg 2x’s / day – which is only helping some but could use better relief obviously. I was sent to a pain management specialist and had my appointment today where I had filled the new patient paperwork, etc.

The PA came back and examined me and went over my paperwork doing the usual routine then the Dr. came in. We discussed my problems, treatments such as epidural injections, physical therapy and medications. He had stated that I would need to submit a urine specimen before he could start me on any medication which was completely fine. When we’re finished talking, he leaves and a Nurse comes in, gives me the cup and shows me where the bathroom is, I get it taken care of, give it to the Nurse and go back to the room. The PA came in with the Physical Therapy form to take to any place

Very Very Very Longggg Story Made Short:
My Mom A 46 Year Old Legally Blind, Over Weight, Type Two Diabetic, With High And Low Blood Pressure And Arthritis, Fell On Her Left Abdomen. She Went To The ER And They Prescribed Her Percosets. A Week Later (On The 17th) She Called An Ambulance And An Emergency Appendicitis Was Performed.
Three Days After Surgery, She Was Taken Out Of Intensive Care, Because They Didn’t Find The Need To Keep Her There. And That’s When It All Started To Go To Hell From There.
The First Day She Was Fine. She Had Very Little Appetite, And Could Not Use The Bathroom On Her Own.
The Second Day They Gave Her Oxygen Because She Had Trouble Breathing.
The Third Day, They Suspected She Had Pneumonia So They Gave Her The Widest Spectrum Antibiotic Available.
The Fourth Day She Was Back In Intensive Care Hooked Up To A Mechanical Ventilator.
Once In Intensive Care (ICU) They Started Giving Her Dialysis Because Her Kidneys Were Slow Due To Her Diabetes.
It Wasn’t Until The 29th I Found Out She Had ARDS.
Her Condition Keeps Changing. Sometimes She Gets Better And Sometimes She Gets Worse. One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards. Three Steps Forwards, One Step Backwards, And So On.
Every Time She Takes A Step Backwards The Nurses Give Her Cisatracurium, To Completely Paralyze Her Muscles, And Keep Her From Fighting The Ventilator And Risking Trauma.

I Need Professional Help On This. I Am On Leave From Iraq And My Time Is Expiring Pretty Soon. I’ve Been Fighting To Get An Extension, But It Seem Unlikely At This Point.

I Want To Know All The Different Things That Cause ARDS, And Is It Negligence From The Hospital? Is This Something That Just Happens Or Could It Have Been Prevented?
What Are The Different Treatments Available?
Could The Surgery Have Caused Complications To Her Kidneys?
Can Cisatracurium Cause Adverse Effects Such As Paralysis?

Anything You Guys Might Want To Add?

The Reason I’m Asking Is Because The Nurses Keep Giving Me The “She’s Gonna Be Okay” Answer Or The “It’s Hard To Say” Answer. Something Smells Fishy.

I have had serious leg pain for a few years. I finally saw my dr. about it, he did a bone scan which revealed severe degenerative arthritis and major knee alignment problems on both sides. So he gave me an anti inflammatory drug and sent me to a specialist in ortho. The ortho dr. gave me very painful steriod shots in my legs, which only made things hurt worse. Now as I sit up all the time rocking back and forth in agony, I wonder if either dr is taking this seriously enough, or if these are just the standard treatments for these problems. I went to the dr in the first place because I had tried every over the counter pain reliever for years with no luck, and worsening pain.
I mean, I understand docs are scared to prescribe pain meds, but should I just wait a few weeks for the steroid shots to hopefully work (which is unbearable) or find another dr?
I’m also only 31 yrs old, but a former professional tap dancer. That’s the reason my legs are so messed up. But I wonder if it’s because i’m young for those diseases that they are more hesitant to treat?

I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 4 years old. I have been given many different pills, injections, infusions, and physical treatments since then and no positive results. After switching off my most recent base-medicine, Enbrel, which left me feeling nauseous, fatigued, and left massive red welts on the injection site, I was put on Orencia (meant for adult patients, but would treat my chronic JRA), which I have been quite fine with. An already existing link between Orencia and Leukemia exists, but my immune system continues to weaken due to the effects of my medicines. I keep getting worried, I tend to bruise easily and my hair keeps coming out (maybe from stress?). Also, I wake up in the mornings and don’t want to move. I have morning still-spells from my JRA already and then, I’ll be very fatigued and sometimes have a headache. I really hope I’m just being a bit paranoid, but does it seem like possibly a mild form or early stage of Leukemia? Should I ask my specialist about this? (I’m a bit worried to and I’d rather save the embarrassment if this has nothing to do with anything hapening right now…) Serious answers only, please.

l.o.h.a.k!
[lots of hugs and kisses]