Misery and Mirth

Autoimmune Illness, PBB’s & Kitty Bloat

Today I made 2 more necklaces; I’m disappointed that concentrating on beading, the computer screen, reading or most anything brings on a worse migraine. I’d like to have gotten a lot more done today but I’ll try and be happy with every little bit I accomplish.
Also today with a little help from Les and the Pay Pal tutorial I have added a Donation Button to my blog. I know times are hard for a lot of people right now but if you could spare a little I would be most appreciative. Soon I will have photo gallery of jewelry that you can purchase, so you can get something for you money.

Oh, Good news! I have notice one positive “side effect” of the prednisone this week. My Psoriasis is gone. No more itchy, thick, red, scaly skin. YEAH!!!!!
I’ve had “mild” psoriasis for years, it’s been worse since 1999, when I became resistant to my previous thyroid medicine and developed new “syndromes”. My family doctor would kind of blow me off when I mention my skin problems and never refereed me to a dermatologist. So I just coped with it by exfoliating daily and using strong “dandruff” shampoos.

Here is an easy to read website on Psoriasis if you want to know more. http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/ffpsoriasis.htm

Yes, I have been suffering from one autoimmune problem or another since I was born.
From my research and discussion’s I’ve had with doctors and MSU professors it is apparent my “damaged” immune system is a results of accidental exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB’s) as a fetus and baby.

Michigan Department of Public Health Statement on PPB’s: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch_PBB_FAQ_92051_7.pdf

Many people in Michigan during the mid 1970’s were exposed to PPB’s, because it got into the agricultural feed supply and contaminated everything down the line; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, eggs, milk, cheese, butter. It is a fat soluble chemical which means it stores up in your body tissues, so while I was gestating in my mother womb she was contaminated and it was mutating my DNA. When the accidental expose was identified the government did a quarantine and slaughter of contaminated feed, animals and by products. The public was made aware, but told not to worry. My parents stopped buying Michigan milk and my mother had her breast milk tested. She tested positive but was assured that it would not harm me. YEAH RIGHT!
Way too many women from Michigan around my age, including all 3 of my sisters have hormonal/endocrine problems. A local gynecologist that used to treat my sisters remarked at how highly unusual it was for us all to have polycystic ovarian disease/syndrome (PCOS) and wanted to do a clinical study on the prevalence of PCOS because she had so many patients with it but the government wouldn’t give her funding. They don’t want to bring any more attention to this “mistake”.

Easy to read site on polycystic ovarian syndrome:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm

Other good news !! My cat, Phattie is doing well on her new diet. She started it about the time I went into the hospital. She is an old lady and was suffering from a common elderly cat problem, called mega colon. The lower intestine loses function and doesn’t push waste through properly so it sits in the colon too long and all the water is absorbed the waste becomes “stuck”. So the colon swells up, causes belly bloat, constipation, blockage etc. So I took her off dry food, she gets wet canned food twice a day with a little aloe and bran added a few times a week. I also give her a few tartar and plaque control treats every day so her teeth will stay strong and healthy. She loves this new diet and has been very vocal about getting me up in the morning to feed her breakfast. I don’t even need my alarm clock anymore.