LOL, Jerimy, I am still hoping tomorrow that I can convince my doc to induce on the 25th:D
And you never know…if labor takes forever, it could extend into the wee hours of Friday:)

Auntie M, he will indeed be surrounded by nature and a lot of dogs.

So sad to hear that your daughter has the struggle of dealing with CIDP along with what sounds like an ignorant teacher. I know with CIDP we don’t have the physical, outward signs of the illness but teachers are supposed to be trained to handle disabilities whether they can be seen or not.

My friend’s child took Neurontin for epilepsy and had severe depression and mood swings. There is a whole list of side-effects of Neurontin which are normally more noticeable in children ranging from behavior changes such as poor concentration, anger, and anxiety to health concerns such as fever, vomiting and viral infections. I only know of this one situation and I’m sure side-effects vary from child to child.

If your doc seems comfortable with doing it and you trust him/her, then try it. Since you are a concerned,involved parent, I am sure you will notice any side-effects.

Your daughter’s teacher sounds like she needs some info on CIDP. Do you have any literature about CIDP that you could present her teacher with?

I haven’t had a lot of dealings with teachers as I homeschool but I know from my teaching classes that tolerance for all children is mandatory. I don’t know if perhaps coming up with an IEP (Individual Educational Program/Plan) would benefit Abby. IEP’s are more tailored for children with learning disabilities but if she has a physical difficulty that is interferring with her work, then that needs to be addressed.

Glad you found us again and keep us posted on what you decide!

I’m glad to see you will be making it out there for it, Auntie M!!

We are so fortunate to have the freedom to express how we feel and demonstrate. Speak your mind, Auntie M, just don’t get yourself jailed;)

And yes the president has a right to go as does anyone but it is tacky on his part. I compare it to having one’s pic taken at the scene of the crime which is a poor political move. He has to know how people feel about him and if the widows/widowers don’t want him there then he should take the hint. But being president comes with duties and I’m sure if he didn’t go, it would cause just as much commotion.

I hope the rememberence is helpful to those who lost their loved ones. I love the spirit that NY has shown both at the time of 9/11 and in recovering. Though I’ve only seen it in pics, it is a city that is not only beautiful but has a lot of heart. The way everyone seemed to come together when needed the most is quite an example not just for the US but for the world. I NY!!

It’s completely normal to feel all those emotions plus a dozen more with this illness. First, it is frustrating to have an illness that most in the medical world have never even heard of. If you told people you had a heart condition or cancer, you would more than likely have 95% of those you told able to understand. With CIDP, I get blank stares until I say, “It’s like MS”. Even then people look at me and think
It’s hard on many of us because the effects of this illness don’t necessarily show on the outside of the body. Unless I wear my AFOs, the normal population would not think there was a thing wrong with me. Nevermind I walk like I’m drunk or have tingling/numbness in my extremeties. And my feet feel like Fred Flintstone feet – huge and heavy.
It’s hard to accept the changes this illness brings to our lives. I’ve realized the things I will never do…play sports, work to help the financial burden this illness has brought on, drive for more than a brief trip, etc.
But I’ve learned to take the ‘PollyAnna’ attitude and try to find the things to be glad about. I spend far more time with my children than if I was working. I see my family every month as I do my treatments in my hometown which results in my children spending far more time with their grandparents and cousins. I’ve met others in this forum that understand the illness and offer support and encouragement. I have two online aunts, Auntie M and Aunt B who mean the world to me.
It’s hard but I sat myself down one day and made a list of all the positive things I had going for me. I pull it out once in a while and am even able to add to it at times.
I hope you reach a point soon where it is not so overwhelming. We’re here for you and feel free to rant and get it out. We understand and have been there many times ourselves. I’m glad you found this site as I have found it made a big difference in dealing with my biggest challenge in life.

Peace,
Mary

I’m not sure about property taxes but the city I live in will reimburse elderly and disabled people -regardless of income- the taxes they pay to ComEd and NiCor. It is $25/ utility unless one can produce the bill to show that it was more than $25/year. I haven’t taken advantage of it because one has to get a disabled state ID which requires more paperwork.
I wish there was a discount for the disabled/elderly in property taxes. Ours keep going up and up which is disappointing considering how poor our school district is.

Just to give you an update…

Baby boy is weighing in at week 32 at a whooping 4 lbs. 13 oz give or take 8 oz. He is incredibly long and rates at babies at week 34.

Only a few more weeks (this is what I tell myself to get thru it!) I haven’t been able to sleep more than 4 hours at a time since March…when I do sleep, I dream of sleeping. Weird?! He flips, turns, kicks, and punches. The docs tell me that this is a good sign…how I would love to kick or punch them when they say so!

Saw a partner in the practice and explained how my fingertips have gone numb and are tingling. She told me it wasn’t the CIDP but carpel tunnel and if I get braces for my hands and take some Tylenol, I’ll be fine:rolleyes: Needless to say after this pregnancy, I am finding a new doc. One that is educated and cares. My current doc and her associates really push pills and then their patients out the door:mad:

The form I filled out along with my neuro states that a person must not be able to walk 200 ft. unassisted and then my doc filled in why. I filled out the front, the nurse filled out the back, the doc signed it, and 4 weeks later it arrived. It is good in any state and also (at least here in IL) allows an individual to not pay the parking meters.
My state sends a renewal form every four years and there is no fee nor script needed. I’m sure it varies from state to state so perhaps going to your Secretary of State’s website would provide you with some info specific to your state.
I don’t use mine very much exept for when I attempt to shop at Sam’s Club. But that’s because people are so crazed from buying in bulk and saving money that they get in their SUVs and peel out to get home:D

LOL, Eric…I’ve been able to educate some of the doctors that I have seen after being in this support group for a few years now. The good doctors appreciate it…the ones I don’t care for pass it off as ‘just something I read on the internet’.

When one has a lumbar puncture, a sample of the person’s spinal fluid is collected. Known as CSF (cerebrospinal fluid – spelling?) should be clear and colorless. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord and works as a ‘buffer’. Changes from the norm indicate a neurological illness.

Those with an infection in the brain/spinal cord as with meningitis will show bacteria or a higher number of white blood cells in the CSF. Lyme disease also will show these results.

High protein levels are often a sign of a tumor in the spinal cord or a peripheral nerve disorder such as GBS or CIDP. (I have read several times that only 80% of those with CIDP will show a high level of protein in the CSF.)

Those with MS will often have abnormal antibodies in their CSF.

Luckily the CSF test does have different results which can point the doctors towards the right illness. It would be even neater if we were like cars nowadays and we could be plugged in somehow. We could have a system scan and have our problems pinpointed in a matter of seconds:D