Hi everyone,

So, after a mostly crappy weekend, I went back to the rheumo today. The blood work showed that I definitely do not have Lupus. OK, so why am I having all of this stuff? I must say that this doc is really good and thorough. There seems to be 2 things going on; first my MRI showed that I have 2 bulging discs (don't remember which ones) and the bone scan showed some mild degenerative arthritis, sort of normal for someone my age and activity level. Then, he asked if anyone in my family had colitis and a lightbulb went on. He said one of the autoimmune tests showed positive (barely) for some genetic marker that runs in families. In most people, usually women, it presents as colitis, but it also can show as rheumitism, and this is what I have. My aunt has really bad colitis (the one i don't get along with) and her daughter has it mildly. My mom died of some weird liver disease that was autoimmune based, so obviously I am glad my dad's genes cancelled some of the effects of this gene!
So, for now, the plan is to 1) stretch and add the pool to my health club membership becuse he wants me to either swim slow breast stroke or do deep water workouts and 2) take an Advil and a Tylenol 3-4 times a day. I go back to see him next Monday and we will re evaluate the plan. He said I can keep cycling, but try not to get hurt. Since he's a cyclist , I told him that I am a very cautious rider, but I will try to go a little more slowly until the end of the season. It's going to rain the whole rest of the week, so I won't be doing any outdoor riding until at least Saturday, but I might go to spin.
Yesterday I went to see a therapist from my husband's employee assistance program. She was really good and gave me some links to download stress reducing exercises and she showed me some other breathing things to help me calm down. I am going back to see her on Friday, just to follow up.
Thank you everyone, for being so supportive. My worst fear was that i would have something that would interfere with my riding and all of the other sports I do! I think I might have to tone down some of the level of intensity of everything at times, but so far, no one is saying stop.
OK, now I have to get ready to go celebrate my son's 25th birthday. Now that makes me feel old!

Robyn