Tricia Looker

Dennis and Tricia Looker

July 18th, 2001 married 30 years

My name is Tricia Looker. I have Adult Onset Stills Disease. (AOSD)

I was married, had two children, divorced remarried and widowed before I was 27 years old. In 1970, at the age of 30, I married Dennis D. Looker. Was very healthy. Worked full time, and enjoyed rollerskating, enjoyed running for miles at a time. I loved life!

In 1970, my right wrist became swollen to the elbow and was very painful. I ran temps of 101-103 and thought I had a severe case of the flu. This was strange as I very seldom got the flu or even a cold. Always the healthy one.

I was admitted to the hospital and put in "isolation" for two weeks. Diagnosis:

"The doctors did not know." Put on Prednisone and sent home.Weaned off the Pred. in three months, and felt fine.

In 1973, I began to have sore throats that never went away. Family Dr. prescribed many different antibiotics, but none helped. Woke up one morning running 106+ temp. and throwing up. Three different hospitals. For total stay of over 2 1/2 months.

The horror of those minutes, hours, days, weeks and months only those with this disease know about and understand. Everyday the teeth chattering chills, fevers usually 104-105. At night, drenching sweats numerous times over and over. They

started leaving stacks of clean sheets and nightgowns on a chair in the room to be prepared for the night. Many, many tests were done. Those who have gone through

this *know* what I mean! Who think up some of these tests?? Bone marrow tests over and over also. Looking..always looking for answers as to what was making me so ill. They did not figure it out. At the end of those hospital stays I was diagnosed

with "possible mixed Collagens Disease." Then one of "them" decided to do a "liver biopsy." I'd had enough tests...so I said "no..just let my liver rot," At this point they

sent me home. I was being given very high doses of a steroid called Menthylprednisolone. (Medrol) This medication (which was saving my life) caused medication induced diabetes,

so I had to give myself injections of insulin for three months until I weaned myself down onto a lower dose of Medrol. I was also plagued with all of the other side-effects that come along with high doses of steroids. Side-effects which not one of the doctors ever told me to expect. I had long thick hair...it all fell out. My face swelled up like a balloon. Gained a lot of excess fluid also, which put on quite a few extra pounds. I weaned myself off the steroids

again....sooner than the doctor's wanted me too. was very glad I did though. My hair grew back (but never as thick) I lost the weight. The face swelling went down. I was in a remission! From what.. I didn't know. In fact, I thought what ever it was would not come back.

In 1974, I became pregnant. The doctors I was seeing especially the heart specialist. (my heart was still beating irregular) firmly suggested an abortion. Family doctor said I had been on too many steroids etc. etc. Of course I refused. On September 22, 1975 I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. We named him Jesse, which means "gift from God."

The doctor's took him and ran many blood tests on him, and pronounced him..healthy and a miracle!

In 1979, I again became pregnant. There was much stress in my life at that time.When I was two months pregnant, I started to run the high temps. was hospitized, and lost the baby in a couple of days. The fevers, the chills...it was back! "The monster," was

back, whatever it was! Little did I know..this time it was here to stay!!

In 1986, I was referred to a rhuematologist due to severe right knee pain and swelling. The rhuemy (as we call them in our group) ordered several tests, and for the first time

I was given a diagnosis. "You have Adult Onset Stills Disease...very rare." it was so good to finally know that this monster had a name. My shoulders were also

bone on bone, so between the rhuemy and myself , we decided to have the right shoulder replaced in 1989. (when cortisone shots didn't help the pain amymore) It was a great success! Then in 1998 I had the right knee replaced. It is such a feeling

of "freedom" to not to have to use a cane to walk anymore. Also had the left shoulder replaced in 2000. I have been on many different medications for this disease over the years. At present time, I am taking 7.5 mg. of Methotrexate a week, 200 mg. of Celebrex a day, plus 8 mg of Medrol. Most of my relatives and friends do not understand how I can seemingly feel fairly well one day (or hour) and then be in terrible pain the next, but

please know..this is just how this disease works. It is very painful and takes its toll on the body physically and mentally.

I "knew" there were others out there somewhere with this disease, but until I found this site..I felt "alone" with it. Now I "know" I am *not* "alone" with it. I have found many wonderful friends in this support group! They are like my second family! They understand and know what I go through on a daily basis with this "Dragon Disease."

I do have a wonderful supportive husband, but since early in 1996 he has had his own boogymen to fight off. Dennis was in the VietNam war, and we witnessed a horrible deadly semi-versus car accident. He was the first one to the wreck, and

the first to see the dead. This triggered some horrible memories for him, and since then he has been diagnosed with severe PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

He must take meds to cope with things. We make a great team!

So, even though I (we) have had to deal with Stills for many years, and there has been so much pain and suffering, praying, crying etc; there has also been some accomplishments. We have raised three children who are all married. One grand

daughter, Alexis. (5 years) We are very blessed. Very blessed indeed!!

Tricia wega2@execpc.com