love the pics Pam

especially the doggie, I am

a pet lover, the kids are cute

too. I hope you get to feelin'

better soon with less pain.

Hi, re-posting with correction: Hi, Pam, please, please, please get your vitamin D blood level tested immediately. Vitamin D deficiency causes pain, fatigue, and more. According to the NIH, up to 78% of the US population is vitamin D deficient. Then check your dietary magnesium and make sure you’re at least at USRDA of 320 ng/ml (for women) as lack of magnesium causes muscle cramps. I was debilitated by muscle cramps while recovering from vitamin D, and they cleared up in 4 days on 400mg magnesium 2x/day under a doctor's care. If you are vitamin D deficient, it is even more important to check magnesium as the muscle cramps can get worse as you replenish D as D is linked to magnesium. D helps magnesium absorb into the body through the intestines. Even if your magnesium blood level is normal, you may need more in your diet. I did. You can read all about my story on my profile, but in a nutshell, you want your vitamin D level to be between 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/ml). Every 100 IU's (2.5 micrograms) will raise your level by about 1 ng/ml (25 nmol/ml). I am back on my feet again and, although I can't say I'm 100% painfree, I am really close. I tried every medication offered by my doctors. Be careful if your doctor wants to give you gabapentin (neurontin). It did help me a little, but it is an anti-seizure medication, and anti-seizure medications deplete vitamin D in the body. Let me know if you have any questions. I don't have tv anymore, and I do not know exactly what was on the show today about vitamin D, but be careful as if you have dark skin as you will not get as much D from the sun as a light-skinned person in the 10 min's they apparently recommended. You also may not get much from milk as the amount of D was tested in milk products and many came back with much less than advertised on the label or none. It is REALLY hard to get enough D from the food, especially when you are vitamin D deficient. Let me know if you have any questions. Larissa

Dear Pam, Hi!  The kids are gorgeous.  They look like they would give you a run for your money.  It makes me happy to know you are starting to talk to the girls.  I know if you were my mom, I would want to know if there was anything I could do.  Maybe the girls can start a cooperative.  You know, one takes the babies for the day and the other takes your kids shopping, does laundry, vacuum, whatever you need to lighten your load.  It could  be one or more days a week.  You WILL work this out.  Have you discussed the burning with your dr?  Maybe there is something simple that has been overlooked.  This is another area where the girls will be helpful.  They can start taking notes in a notebook for you so you can remember what the dr. said or write down questions so you have them on hand when you see the dr.  Ask the dr. if perhaps he can start the meds and deal with  insurance later.  You need an advocate.  Has anyone from your house called and talked to the insurance people?  give me their number, I will give them a piece of my mind.  You will have them throwing medicines at you!!! But, seriously, talk to your girls and if you have any family members who can give you some relief for a few hours a week, don't hesitate to call.  They want to help.  Believe me.  I barely know you and I want to help!  Best of luck!  Cooling, soothing Hug, Bobbie

Pam, so glad you talked to your girls.  They will be just fine.  Kids are tough and know how to juggle.  They love you. Sounds like you did a good job raising them. 

I love the pictures!  Your profile picture is so neat...it's hard to catch kids when they aren looking sometimes!  I know what you mean about the PA's.  When i need them I maake sure I have them FAXED to everyone because in the mail it takes forever.  I'm glad you are off prednisone.  You seem more relaxed (from how you write).  I'm glad you are talking to your kids too.  I think if they feel too much to take on they will let you know.  Maybe you can ask them to tell you what they can do to help or not.

Melissa.