Information and opinions on health from kfranz at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/51731/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/51731/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/51731/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/145477/ra Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:11:41 -0400 kfranz Hello everyone! Seperation from hubby, working full-time, second move in 6 months, taking care of my special needs child and been so incredibly sick. I have bacterial infection, thrush (has anyone else got this) and am unable to take my RA meds. Needless to say I am miserable! The Dr did give me pain medicine which helps some. Home today because I picked up a tummy bug. I am lucky I still have a job. Sorry I am so whiny, just got my... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/145477/ra http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/143714/mon Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:09:18 -0400 kfranz Hello friends,   The past four months have been very rough making the transition to being the only bread winner in the house and a single parent. I have learned the inner strength I have. I have been through feeling totally worn out, sad, happy, feeling in control, back to depressed, stressed, feeling in control and happy.   I have had to find myself again after living to please another person for so long. I also had to accept that I... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/143714/mon http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/138929/back Wed, 25 May 2011 22:00:10 -0400 kfranz Hello everyone! I am back online now :) whew am I glad! I sure have missed everyone and am in need of some support more than ever. I did leave my husband, my sons and I now live on our own. Both my 18 year old and my 21 year old special needs son have both graduated. The week prior my special needs son Wade had two seizures and stopped breathing on me. We spent four days in the hospital. What a busy couple months. Today I am flaring real bad... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/138929/back http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/136879/che Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:34:53 -0400 kfranz Hello everyone, I have moved this past weekend and only have internet on my phone for now so this is short. It was a rough week and can hardly move but did it and feel great about it. will have internet soon :) hope all is well and you are all having a pain free day :)   Kim  http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/136879/che http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135915/made Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:39:16 -0400 kfranz   I made it through another weekend. Weekends are not the relaxing things they should be around here anymore. Odd enough to say, I was more at ease about going back to work. I have come to the conclusion it is time to make a change for the better and for my health. It will be hard at first to be on my own with my son but I know that I have my other two sons that will help as needed. I also feel that once on my own I won't flare as much due... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135915/made http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135544/wis Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:40:54 -0400 kfranz I hope you all have a pain free day full of sunshine and smiles   :)   http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135544/wis http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135236/lost Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:51:49 -0400 kfranz Hello everyone! Wow the past few months have been horrible. I thought that I truly had everything figured out and under control but that was not the case. I have been diagnosed a little less than a year ago and the RA got worse. I have been put on Humira along with my other medicine. I also had to make a job change, which now I am working in a high stress, fast paced insurance office, which I must say I enjoy. I pretty much fall over after work... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/135236/lost http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/117189/life Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:38:54 -0400 kfranz The feeling of dread overcame me as I pulled into the parking lot. I was sure it would be like any other time when I had test results. Blood work is fine, the pain is just from the fibromyalgia. I knew I had seen swelling as well as the Dr this time in my hands and feet. She ordered a nuclear medicine bone scan for something new to try. She started out telling me that this type of scan was very accurate. Once again I thought I would get the same... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/117189/life http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/117188/life Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:38:52 -0400 kfranz The feeling of dread overcame me as I pulled into the parking lot. I was sure it would be like any other time when I had test results. Blood work is fine, the pain is just from the fibromyalgia. I knew I had seen swelling as well as the Dr this time in my hands and feet. She ordered a nuclear medicine bone scan for something new to try. She started out telling me that this type of scan was very accurate. Once again I thought I would get the same... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/117188/life http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/114063/cool Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:02:19 -0400 kfranz It has been rainy and cool for many days now as I have lost track of the number. I have gradually had worse pain all of my body ( all joints). Have been increasing the mtx and decreasing the prednisone. I did have to put a call into the Dr today as I was in such bad shape getting out of bed was a problem. With a special needs son that is not an option. The good thing is that he did sleep in so a tube feeding in bed as he slept and then I got to... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/51731/114063/cool