Weather Change Pain

We have an absolutely beautiful day today. It is nice and sunny and very cool. We did have a small rain shower earlier. Yesterday was hot. I really like how cool today has gotten. My RA seems to be throwing a party about it too. I just wish I wasn't invited to that party. Ouchie Ouchie. My joints and muscles are hurting like crazy. It certainly would be nice to go out and enjoy this cool weather and kick the ball around with my daughter. I used to always think it was just an old saying when people would talk about how they could feel the weather change in their bones. Boy, was I naive. lol Now I know, first hand, the weather definitely effects rheumatoid arthritis. At least I can sit out and enjoy this weather.

On another note, or nerve, I tried neurontin for the nerve damage caused by my doggy. That did not go so well for me. So, I am going to try Lyrica tonight. Hopefully it will work much better.

I am trying out a few more survey sites. Once I reach a payout, and get paid, I will add them to an updated list of the survey sites. So far, they look promising.

My Dog Got on My Nerves!!!

About a month ago my cute and fuzzy dog and I were playing. While we were playing his tooth hit the inside of my wrist. It wasn't even a bite. He just ran into my wrist with his tooth. Silly dog. Anyway, there was immediate pain on the top of my hand and up to my fingers. Wow, did it hurt. It was like it was on fire. Well, it kept hurting for the month, off and on. If I moved my hand a certain way, a zing or electric shock kind of feel shot up through my hand to my fingers. I finally went to the doctor and found out that my cute fuzzy doggy had caused nerve damage. Thus the title, My Dog Got on My Nerves. Cheesy I know, but it had to be done. lol I am on medication for it, not the cheesy part but the nerve damage. Boy does it make me feel weird and dizzy. I will call the doctor and see about the other medication she mentioned to me. I am on neurontin, but I think I will try the Lyrica. I have heard much better things about the Lyrica. Well, that is my story. :)

Quick Little Update

I jut wanted to pop in and give a quick update. I am hoping to get a list of medications I have tried and the links to the reviews together soon. In the mean time I am just anxiously awaiting my next Rituxan infusion. I have them done 2 times every 6 months. However, it starts wearing off at month 4. The RA has come back hard this time around. The doctor says we could have the infusion every 4 months, would be nice. However, insurance may not cover it and it would cost more. Maybe I could do like a million surveys to cover the cost. lol The doctor has me increase my prednisone for a short while. I hope that will help the pain die down. I start that tomorrow. As anyone with RA and fibromyalgia knows, the increased pain causes less sleep. And less sleep causes more pain. Go figure. The cycle we seem to find ourselves in. However, I will keep my chin up, as long as RA will let me. lol Until next time.... :)

Helping Financially - Surveys!! (New Updated Page is posted on 5/26/10)

As of late, things have been financially tight around here. I know many are dealing with the same. Sometimes I wish I could do more to help financially. I know having chronic illnesses can make it hard to even get hired for a job outside the home. I knew I had to do something to help. My daughter's Tae Kwon Do expenses recently increased, cars need fixing, house needs repairs, school supplies need to be bought, etc. The list can go on and on. A few years ago I had started taking surveys online. I made a little bit and then got tired of doing them and quit for awhile (a long while). However, recent expenses really has got me back into answering all those questions. I don't earn a fortune, but every bit helps. In the last month, I have been able to earn a little over $100. It can be done. Finding the right survey sites can be hard too. Some out there are scams. So, I have put together a little list of sites that I have found that actually pay. Remember, never pay a survey site. They pay you.

Review Stream
http://www.reviewstream.com/?inv=l5PSFIxhWxyS

Link



Review Stream is not a survey site, but I made some money here just reviewing my medications. I have reviewed other things as well. However, my meds earned me $2 a review. So, I was able to make the $50 payout fairly quickly. This is a good way to get a little back for all the money I pay for all the medicines I have taken and currently take. You can review anything you like on Review Stream. Their rates do change. Right now, their highest rate is $2.50. Most things I have reviewed, besides medicines, don't earn a high rate. I have gotten 40 to 50 cents per review. However, it can add up. You do have to earn $50 before you can cash out. You can earn money with referrals, if others vote your review helpful, and if you answer any questions others have asked about your review. If you do join feel free to use my link above. Don't forget to get a link from Review Stream to give to others. Like I said, every little bit helps.

Since I have reviewed some survey sites on Review Stream, I will put a link to those reviews. I will try to update this list to add anything new I might find.

Survey Sites ( I have included how much I have made. Just remember I took a long long break in doing surveys.)

Valued Opinions
http://www.valuedopinions.com/index.php?id=24

2/2008 - 4/2010 received $40

Synovate Global Opinion Panels
https://www.globalopinionpanels.com/home

1/2008 - 4/2010 redeemed $70

Opionion OutPost
http://OpinionOutpost.com/join/6001928
Copy and Paste

7/2008 - 4/2010 redeemed about $60

Global Test Market
http://www.globaltestmarket.com/

1/2008 - 4/2010 I haven’t cashed out yet, but I am close. I have about $40, need $50 to redeem

Inbox Dollars
http://www.inboxdollars.com/members/

5/2008 $27.42 I am close to next payout, ($30 - to redeem). I don’t do many things here except surveys and paid emails.

QuickRewards.net one of my favorites
http://www2.quickrewards.net/?r=!F94VXV35D5965

2/2008 - 4/14/2010 $169.50 (March/4/14/10 - $50.50)
Review: http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=33205

Lightspeed Consumer Panel
http://us.lightspeedpanel.com/US/public/index.us

2/2008 - 3/2010 $115
Review: http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=34781

American Consumer Opinion
http://www.acop.com/

7/2009 - 4/2010 $27

Let Me Explain

Hi, my name is Melinda. I am a stay-at-home homeschooling mom. I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, IBS, dry eye syndrome, etc. One particular Wednesday night, I had a bit of a cold. My husband and I took our then 5 year old daughter to Wednesday night church. After class was over we went to pick her up. There were several adults who came up to me and, with much concern, asked if I was OK and they hoped I would get better. I was totally lost. I had no idea why they would say these things to me. Later, in the van, I asked my little one how class was. She informed me that she asked for prayer for me. I thought that was so sweet and then I found out what she really said. Apparently, while in her class, the teacher asked the children if they had any prayer requests. My precious little one raised her hand and said, "Please pray for my mom. She has diseases".

Well, there you have it. The reason behind my blog's name. I have created this blog to share my experiences living with chronic illness, diseases lol. I know, whether you are the one who has a chronic illness or are living with someone who has one, it is never easy. I hope my sharing can be of some help and encouragement to others.