Hi Ellen, I try to stay from caffeen at least 4hrs before I go to bed, I drink a lot of caffeine free tea and softdrinks,  I take Tramadol for pain killer, he had me on Predisone, but it didn't work for me so  he put me on the TRamadol,  the one thing that makes me leary of pain killers as I take Levotyhyroxine for Inactive  thyroid which I was born with, which is so surprising as  people are just finding problems with the thyroid and I've always had it. so I always askhow will this interact with  the thyroid, my brother is a pharmacist so I guess I automatically start asking questions, and I talk with my brother, but to get to the panic attack, I was trying to figure where did this come from I had never had done  well other thena test in school or haveing to do a book report in front of a class, I can't even explain only the fact I hope it doesn't happen to many times. Do You have the attacks veery often or once in awhile? I have a friend who lives up in Canada who has Fibromylascia, sugar, nerves, doctor tells her to lose weight then gives her a pill for nerves, which makes a person gain weight so it's kind of counter productive. I have to get up and move muscles are acting up. Take care. bearlover

I forgot to address the panic attacks.  I don't get them regularly now. 

My last one was a couple years ago when I finished a course of Zithromax (z-pack) but since the sinus infection didn't seem to be over, I went back to the dr. office and was given a second antibiotic.  I know that Z-pack actually works for 10 days, but neither of us thought of that and I started the second antibiotic the same night, so in effect they overlapped.  It's one that can cause a heart arrhythmia (Q-T interval lengthening) if too much is taken with a drug in the same class.  My EKG was almost normal, and they said there was nothing wrong, but I think there was something in the drug that triggered the breathlessness, because I'd never had the hyperventilation before.  I would feel like I was about to lose total control, but I never had before.  Have not had any problem since (thank God!)  It was not the same kind of panic...I felt I couldn't get my breath.

Ellen

My mother has the same problem with her hands as they are worse then mine, as mine  started like the last year or so, but hers she and my father used to modern square d alright ance, as long as they were careful with taking hold of her hand it wfas alright. By the Way HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY.

                                                                   bearlover

My right hand was like that when I was diagnosed, but after getting Remicade, and then Enbrel, it is pretty good most of the time.  I can tell when it's time for another shot though!  Or if I use my hand a lot (stapling, sawing, piano...).  My wrist is another story ... serious damage.  I wear a splint almost all the time and that helps.

One support that has not been mentioned is the elastic Futuro glove that provides mild compression support and warmth - it comes without fingers.  I know compression sounds like it might be painful, but for some people, it really helps.  It helped my hand, but was too much pressure on my swollen wrist...

Ellen

That's one of the 'favorite pastimes' that I can no longer indulge in, since my wrist locked up.  For several years the Enbrel & Celebrex kept it working, but then the erosion caused the scaphoid to crack, and it's been toast since.  That's why I was looking into surgery, but have decided to wait, because (miracle of miracles) I can still play a little piano and other things that can be done with a straight wrist, though I can't stretch as large an interval...or be as flexible.  I will be playing hymns as a sub this coming Sunday at a local church (first time in a couple years).  But not the fancy stuff!

I did talk with a woman in my dr's office that she had been able to start knitting again after Remicade!

Ellen

Coricidin D is a cold med with decongestant.  The HBP part says it won't elevate your blood pressure like a lot of decongestants do, so it is good for people with colds who have high blood pressure.  (Decongestants like sudafed and phenylephrine raise blood pressure).

 It is so bright  I need sun glasses today, this won't belong because I have to go to clothes line and get a hat and pair of my pants and  a small quilted quilt that my mothermade for me, but anyway,  to where I got the  gloves, I get a book called Home Sew  and they are in there, there called Hand aids, The  address Is Home-Sew Inc. P.o.box4099 Bethlehem,PA 18018-0099 the telephone numbeer is 1-800-344-4739,  I hope this helps. I n fact I have got to get a pair they arfe made of nylon spandex fit small womens through large men's S- 2 1/2" across knuckles M-3"'across knuckles,L-3-3/4 ''or xL-4-3/8across knuckles the order no is PH63-Glovespg 29 or fax 610-867-9717 Hope this helps you in any way.bearlover

Thanks, that is awesome!  I'm going to call today!

I know what you mean about computer problems.  I'm at work right now, but my laptop at home gives me a lot of problems.  What a pain, but a modern convenience/inconvenience that I can't live without. Go figure......

Thankyou so much for all your help!

Have a great day!