An on-going thread

[wolfter]

Also, what happened to all the early risers?  I feel so alone in the mornings lately!!!! 

[Miss Philicia]

Child please. I was up at 6am this morning.

I used to rise much later but since May I've been waking up at 6 or 7 every day. My midday nap throws everything off but I can't help it. I lay down on the sofa and can't stay awake.

[wolfter]

Since switching off the Isentress, I sleep in until about 6:30 or so everyday.  Previously, I was always up having coffee by 4:00.  I went from a mere few hours per day to about 5 now.  I don't take naps but have found myself resting more often. 

Even with my lame leg, I'm heading down to mow at the post.  We are so short handed and everyone has been taking up my slack. 

[Miss Philicia]

You only get five hours of sleep everyday? That doesn't sound very healthy.

[wolfter]

MissP, I've expressed this concern ad naseum with my doctors to no avail.  But I also no longer feel exhausted so perhaps it's my "normal"?  What I experienced with the Isentress wasn't normal and I was so exhausted that I couldn't function correctly.

I've continued on with the Trazadone that my doctor prescribed a while back (before the med change) which doesn't really help with the sleep issues.  But I saw other benefits after a while.  Not sure what it's actually supposed to do, but it has slowed down my scattered brain and improved my focus.  OH, and my mood has stabilized and I'm enjoying my perfected personality.   

Oh, that really should be addressed in another thread. 

[BT65]

Also, what happened to all the early risers?  I feel so alone in the mornings lately!!!! 

Greg, I'm up by 4:30 every morning.  I'm usually on here no later than 5 am, and usually don't get off until 6 or 7.  So, I'm here, just earlier than you I'm afraid lol. 

[wolfter]

Good Morning Ms. Betty.  I slept in until almost 7:00 this morning which is definitely rare.  I was also asleep by 9:30 last night so this is one of the best night's sleep I've gotten in a long time. 

I'm sure the cause was that I worked super duty hard yesterday.  I have been stressing about the rest of my belongings in the outbuilding at my mom's.  I made several loads yesterday by myself.  An uninjured person could have done this in a couple of hours but it took me all day.

1 small load left!!!!!  I even managed to get the yard table down here.  Flipped it upside down into the back of my truck.  I was so exhausted that I planned on coming home and showering, grabbing a bite to eat and enjoying a nice glass of wine.  Instead, I showered and passed out on the couch for the entire night.  Normally, I find couches too uncomfortable to sleep on but it was great.

When do we get to see pictures of your new place?  You can email them to me if you want me to post them.

[Miss Philicia]

This nortriptyline my neurologist just prescribed to me definitely makes me sleepy. I think I went to bed at 10:30pm and got up at 7am.

[wolfter]

This nortriptyline my neurologist just prescribed to me definitely makes me sleepy. I think I went to bed at 10:30pm and got up at 7am.

Is that a long term affect until your body gets used to it?  Aren't you already on other similar meds?
Kinda weird to actually feel a tad tired after a long night of sleep. 

[Miss Philicia]

Is that a long term affect until your body gets used to it?  Aren't you already on other similar meds?

I think the sedating effects are long term which is why it says on the bottle to take it at bedtime. It's a tryicyclic antidepressant used for neuropathic pain relief which I am taking with gabapentin. We're giving it two months to see if it does anything for me.

[wolfter]

Definitely hope that finally gives you some much needed relief.  I am EVER so grateful that this is one issue I don't deal with.  I hear all y'all's stories and it sounds horrid.  Best of luck

[Theyer]

I often go to bed at 5 am if it's a very good book

[BT65]

When do we get to see pictures of your new place?  You can email them to me if you want me to post them.

If you would like to pm me your e-mail address, I will try to get them to you.  I've taken some with my cell phone and texted them to Jeff, but when I do that they come out as  a slide show, so I guess that means they cannot be posted.

I will try to e-mail them to myself, then forward them to you.  Unfortunately, I cannot find my camera, or I would have done that a while ago. 

So yes, pm me your e-mail and I'll see what I can do.  Thanks dear.  I hope you're not in too much pain from your poor leg issues. 

Betty

[aztecan]

I had some good news the other day.
I attended my 6-month doctor visit and things look OK.

Lipids are not great, but tolerable. The doctor also took me off the Advair inhaler. I am to see how it goes because he said my lungs have sounded fine for a while.
I have it on hand and am instructed to use it PRN.

So, one less med is a good thing.

HUGS,

Mark

[aztecan]

Did I mention they diagnosed me with angina pectoris?
It is pretty stable so I don't worry much about it.

I do routinely carry nitroglycerin with me now, though.

HUGS,

Mark

[wolfter]

   sorry, im zing currently

[Theyer]

Mark good to have a reasonably stress free Dr appointment.


Hope the new Drugs work out for you  Miss P

[mitch777]

So after a visit with my doc today I'm finally changing my meds from Isentress to Intelence. The insomnia has been getting worse even with Trazodone. Hopefully this will help although insomnia is listed as a possible side effect. I was sleeping about 12 hours on Atripla and it's been whittled down to 5 hours on Isentress. Just looking for a happy medium.

Also brought up newer research to him about the shingles vaccine. He agreed!! I don't know if he had it on hand but both of us forgot about it by the time I left the office. I'll call tomorrow and will hop on down to get the shot ASAP.

My blood work was within the norms other than that pesky high red blood cell count.

Disability attorney appointment followed and I'm beat.

[wolfter]

Did I mention they diagnosed me with angina pectoris?
It is pretty stable so I don't worry much about it.

I do routinely carry nitroglycerin with me now, though.

HUGS,

Mark

Have they ruled all other factors for the angina?  Care of yourself buddy!

[wolfter]

Mark, I certainly hope you see the immediate benefit like I did when switching off the Isentress.  I wish I would have waited though as I still haven't built up a reserve.  I couldn't believe how quickly I regained some of my whacked brain function....probably due to finally sleeping.

take care buddy

[mitch777]

Mark, I certainly hope you see the immediate benefit like I did when switching off the Isentress.  I wish I would have waited though as I still haven't built up a reserve.  I couldn't believe how quickly I regained some of my whacked brain function....probably due to finally sleeping.

take care buddy

Oh I'm waiting and building up a two month reserve! Acreedo is such a suck ass inept company that suffering though another two months of less sleep is nothing compared to the stress dealing with them. I happened to have enough supply of Isentress to hold me through thanks to a member here.

[mitch777]

So it turns out that my ID doc doesn't give the shingles vaccine. Makes sense I guess since it's not contagious. They told me to contact my PC doc. They don't have it either.
They sent a script to CVS to puncture me. My how times have changed! Just a few short years ago getting anything other than a flu vaccine would be expected from ones PC.

Old fart rambling. 

It really doesn't matter in any case.

[Jeff G]

So it turns out that my ID doc doesn't give the shingles vaccine. Makes sense I guess since it's not contagious. They told me to contact my PC doc. They don't have it either.
They sent a script to CVS to puncture me. My how times have changed! Just a few short years ago getting anything other than a flu vaccine would be expected from ones PC.

Old fart rambling. 

It really doesn't matter in any case.

Old farts do not ramble, they rumble . 

[wolfter]

I was going to check with my doctor on my next visit, but I'm pretty sure I remember him saying I didn't need the vaccine either.  He said we're at no greater risk than the general public.  He might not have said anything like that at all.....I think I make shit up sometimes. 

Just like with my foot injury, I decided to start my own therapy and do my method of dealing with the knee.  After 2 days of sponge bathing only, I felt grungy and couldn't imagine a whole week with out a shower or bath.  SO, I undid all the dressings and cleaned up the area.  Doesn't look too badly, so I wrapped it really well with saran wrap and took a nice shower.

They also wanted to me to rent a therapy machine for $125.00 a week to work the knee.  I vetoed that and am doing my own exercises.  I can already almost bend it to 90 degrees.    Also down to one crutch again so I should be well to go very soon.

It's strange that he used staples as I thought they stopped doing that.  OH well, I'll dig out my ole staple puller when it's time.  They're not sucking more money out me than is absolutely necessary.   

I was also borderline on be constipated again thanks to the pain meds.  Fortunately, I was quite ravenous last night so I had a difficult BM this morning. 

I'm also eyeballing the last bottled of chilled wine that has been taunting me during my recovery. 

[wolfter]

We had our annual VFW golf outing today.  I co facilitate the event and the proceeds all go to children of fallen soldiers. 

It was great to be out and about for that length of time.  I was a little saddened that I couldn't golf so I became productive instead.  I decided to drive the beer cart around.  That was actually quite fun.  I really didn't think I'd sell that much beer at 8:00 am, but WOW. 

Towards the end of the outing, my leg was quite swollen and aching pretty badly.  I made the reasonable choice to go home instead of attending the banquet.    

Where's Miss Betty at?  Haven't seen her around much of late.

[BT65]

Hi Greg, I'm around, just kind of busy, and usually I'm on here at like 3 or 4 am.

I have never done any golfing other than putt-putt.  But I'm told it's extremely relaxing.  That's really cool you help organize that outing, and that you took part in it.  I know how aggravating limiting activity can be.  Just something we have to do I guess.

Which I know all about.  Between the avascular necrosis and osteoarthritis, it seems I have to restrict certain types of activities more and more.  Which may be troublesome in an upcoming event....the job I have now is very, very part-time and is a grant job, which may run out next year.  So, I decided I needed to get a part-time job in order to supplement, and just in case I need something in the future.

I applied to many places (online), and was interviewed by a few.  Now, I do not want the responsibility that I've had with social work, both when I was working at the ASO, and this year doing the women's support specialist work.  So, I applied to positions that had much less responsibility, and no special training or education.  One of the places I interviewed with is a direct service provider for persons with developmental disabilities.  I was told during the interview that I was "overqualified," and if I got hired and they had an opening I may want to consider becoming a supervisor.  I was telling myself "hell no, I don't want that kind of responsibility," lol, but I did not tell them anything.

So, they called last week and told me as long as my references checked out, they would send me a welcome letter and forms that needed to be filled out online and sent back prior to the first day of training.  I knew my references would check out because I had contacted the people ahead of time and warned them I had given them as references.  So, anyway, I was offered the job and tomorrow start training.

The bitch is, the training is Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.  For two weeks.  So that pushes me very, very close to the limit SSA allows persons on disabilities to make.  Which means I have to restrict income from my other job, as well as the rest of this month with the new job.  Well, we'll see how that goes.  I did not tell the recent employer that I am on disability, so if they schedule me, after the training, more than the 2 days they said I would have, I'm going to have to come up with something to tell them for which I would have to restrict my hours.  My friend that I live with, said to tell them I have Obamacare and cannot make over a certain amount or my premium would be something I could not afford.  I'll go with that.

So now, since Greg said I have not been here, I wrote a book lol.  Too long, I know.  Just wanted to share what has been going on.  I'm going to be doing 2 jobs starting tomorrow-a women's support specialist, and a direct service provider.  During the training, I may be screwed at one point-the last day they have first aid/CPR training, and the lady told me that involves kneeling on the ground when giving the person CPR.  I cannot do that due to issues with my knees.  I may ask them to move the dummy up on a table, so I can bend over to do it.  We'll see. 

Otherwise I've been busy taking care of this place, still having issues with raccoons, and a new issue that I'll talk more about later, but it's becoming bothersome.  I've discussed it with Jeff, and he told me it can be caused by neuropathy-it's night time urinary frequency, with me not being able to hold it all until I reach the toilet.  Which means I have had to buy those thick pad things (Tena) to wear at night.  I do not empty my bladder all the way, but on the way to the toilet, I've been leaking.  I've researched this in order to find ways to reduce this, and will start doing the things I've found to see if any of it helps. 

That's all folks.  Sorry I've posted so much, but I could not find a way to dense it down lol.  Greg, I hope you continue to heal, please do what you're supposed to, though I know how difficult that is.  You and I are like the beacons for injuries, and have to watch ourselves.  My right foot/leg are still acting up (with the broken bone in the foot and torn tendon in the leg), and staying off of them is next to impossible.  I'm thinking of you, though, especially when my knees start to ache.

Betty

[Miss Philicia]

Betty, I have some bladder issues (as well as saliva and tear production) that they thought might be neuropathy related but ran several blood tests with names I'd never heard of and they actually came back normal. Just did those last week.

[Jeff G]

I think Betty told me the doctors didn't see a reason to do an invasive test because she is a long term diabetic and already has neuropathy and its something she is going to have to live with unless it gets really bad . The few drugs that treat bladder incontinence are not tolerated well with those of us that that are in treatment for diabetes because they can cause low blood sugar episodes.

I treid the drugs and was so weak I had to discontinue them in a weeks time . 

[Miss Philicia]

Mine were, as previously stated, blood tests -- not invasive. I can look up what tests they were if anyone is curious. They are tests for autonomic neuropathy.

[BT65]

Well, at least I can take comfort in the fact that other LTS'ers have bladder issues as well lol. Apparently women have worse issues than men because of anatomy differences.  My doctor is going to refer me to a neurologist because of ongoing severe neuropathy issues, and my doctor is going to quit doing chronic pain management, due to all the new government regulations etc.   It just seems it always takes his office a while to get appointments to other doctors, but that's fine.

You know what happened to me yesterday? My left foot was itching on the inside, and it's a bitch when that happens, you try to itch it with your other foot, and can't feel it lol.  Ah, the joys of being a LTS'er.

[Miss Philicia]

You know what happened to me yesterday? My left foot was itching on the inside, and it's a bitch when that happens, you try to itch it with your other foot, and can't feel it lol.  Ah, the joys of being a LTS'er.

Same thing happens to me -- but with the addition that it then sets of nerve pains on the OTHER side of my foot.

Oh, so finally I am being assigned to a pain management clinic. My prognosis package was sent over to them so now I'm just waiting for a call back this coming week for an appointment. Hope it's not a long wait because over the past several months everything has increased exponentially, plus my neuropathy is in my ankles and going up my legs. Actually maybe it's already been in my legs. It's all confusing until suddenly your more sure because everything is so painful.

But once the pain management clinic gets me straight on a treatment I'll be able to do the monthly refill stuff through my HIV clinic which is convenient because there is a pharmacy on the ground floor, and they only do HIV stuff so they won't hassle me.

[Jeff G]

I get the inside itch thing in my right foot . I was standing in line at a store the other day and it was driving me nuts and I was squirming around so much my friend asked me did I have ants in pants and I told him that it was invisible ants inside my foot . I have had that feeling like I'm being stuck in my foot by a needle for years too . In the last few months its gotten a lot worse and more intense ... it used to be a quick jab feeling but now it can go on and on and its no longer a pin, its a nail . I hope that I never get where that is a constant feeling because I could not tolerate that . It woke me up the other night and I jumped out of bed and almost fell . 

[wolfter]

There seems to be some core issues that we regularly deal with.  I've been complaining for a couple of years about my constant need to urinate.  Not just at night either.  I followed my doctor's recommendation about no liquids at 6:00 etc.  He performed a prostrate exam to rule that out.  Many times, I only have mere seconds to make it to the toilet lest I dribble.  Being on crutches, I've had a few accidents of late.

I'm going to address narcotic pain management with my doctor.  I've always been adamant about not taking them.  What I've discovered in the past 6 weeks is that I actually benefit greatly from the prescription pain meds.  One issue I always had was that they always knocked me out.  I'm now able to function well on them.  And I've noticed great improvements in my legs and feet. 

Perhaps I've just not realized what I was actually experiencing with my feet.  I thought that internal "itching/burning" feeling was normal.  I've been using hot foot baths for many, many years to alleviate it.  It's second nature to constantly give myself foot massages.

Betty, I hope the new job goes well.  You already know to be careful about that income issue.  I totally understand about the lack of desire to be in a supervisory/managerial position.  I was recently asked if I'd consider managing all aspects of our canteen.  I could do this while waiting for complete recovery so that wasn't the issue.  I'm happy with the roles that I perform currently and don't want added stress.  Anyways, best wishes with your new roll.

I'm so grateful we have the ability to share these experiences here.  It's difficult to address them solely with a doctor.  I mean, which complaint do we want to use our time addressing? 

[BT65]

I'm grateful also, Greg, that we can share our maladies here and compare, and sympathize.

David, I'm glad you're getting into a pain management clinic, finally.  I need to tell my doctor that's what I want, since he's got this notion that he's not doing pain management anymore.  Another thing he actually told me was "my staff and I have been to workshops where we learned people on chronic pain therapy do just as well off the pain meds."  I wonder what workshop that was-totally misinformed.  Plus, it could be so for people who are not LTS'ers and have not only neuropathy but knees that are so painful and arthritic that they're deformed.  Anyway, let me know how you come out at the pain clinic.

It's been a busy day so far, and I have to e-mail my boss to let her know we have to figure something out regarding this month's pay.  She only pays once a month, on the last day, saying it has something to do with her taxes, making it easier.  I don't like that, getting paid for the job only once a month, but what can you do. 

I just did some watering of the outside plants; it's so humid here that if the plants that are potted are not watered every single day, they droop.  Such a pain in the ass, but they do look nice. 

[Miss Philicia]

I actually didn't outright ask for pain management. During my last visit with my HIV doctor I just had a discussion about what was going on with my neurologist and what he was doing to address my pain situation and how, due to his office being so over-booked that solving it was going to take forever -- meanwhile I've become a hermit except for going to medical appointments and food shopping (well, mostly). Then he said something about my being a patient that underemphasizes his pain issues usually so he knows its actually worse and that he's sending me pain management.

I guess I've always, to my detriment, not wanted to be seen as one of these patients working all angles to get on the pill train -- you know the type. I just can't handle it anymore, I'm about to jump out a window (metaphorically). Though since I am on the 4th floor and would land on concrete down below I guess it would do the job.

Whatever they end up putting me on I expect to only solve 50% of the issue so I don't know where that will leave me. I'd like to be able to at least spend a half day in a museum or walking in a park. Is that too much to ask?

[Jeff G]

I actually didn't outright ask for pain management. During my last visit with my HIV doctor I just had a discussion about what was going on with my neurologist and what he was doing to address my pain situation and how, due to his office being so over-booked that solving it was going to take forever -- meanwhile I've become a hermit except for going to medical appointments and food shopping (well, mostly). Then he said something about my being a patient that underemphasizes his pain issues usually so he knows its actually worse and that he's sending me pain management.

I guess I've always, to my detriment, not wanted to be seen as one of these patients working all angles to get on the pill train -- you know the type. I just can't handle it anymore, I'm about to jump out a window (metaphorically). Though since I am on the 4th floor and would land on concrete down below I guess it would do the job.

Whatever they end up putting me on I expect to only solve 50% of the issue so I don't know where that will leave me. I'd like to be able to at least spend a half day in a museum or walking in a park. Is that too much to ask?

Its not too much to ask, not at all . I hope you get what you need to feel better. 

[BT65]

David, I know exactly how you feel.  And no, it's not too much to ask for some pain relief so you can leave your apartment other than the absolute necessities.  When I go grocery shopping, I lean on the cart.  And I do not go out walking anywhere, I can't handle it. 

And I know what you mean about people playing the situation to get pain meds.  I had some clients like that.  One of them actually had his pain meds stolen one time and he went through horrible withdrawal.  But he was on Oxy and Percocet. 

I hope you get some relief with what med the pain doctor decides to prescribe.  But you are right, it does not totally get rid of the pain.  You're tough, though.  Not that I want you to continue to have pain, but I know you can handle what the pain med can't.

I trying to figure out how I'm going to kneel during my training to do the CPR.  It's so extremely painful to do, I just don't do it.  So when exercising, if it involves kneeling, I skip that part.  I guess I will practice. 

I hope everyone has a good upcoming week, or at least a week that has low stress.  I will probably be on at some point in the morning.  Early in the morning, you know me. Love you guys!

[Jeff G]

David, I know exactly how you feel.  And no, it's not too much to ask for some pain relief so you can leave your apartment other than the absolute necessities.  When I go grocery shopping, I lean on the cart.  And I do not go out walking anywhere, I can't handle it. 

And I know what you mean about people playing the situation to get pain meds.  I had some clients like that.  One of them actually had his pain meds stolen one time and he went through horrible withdrawal.  But he was on Oxy and Percocet. 

I hope you get some relief with what med the pain doctor decides to prescribe.  But you are right, it does not totally get rid of the pain.  You're tough, though.  Not that I want you to continue to have pain, but I know you can handle what the pain med can't.

I trying to figure out how I'm going to kneel during my training to do the CPR.  It's so extremely painful to do, I just don't do it.  So when exercising, if it involves kneeling, I skip that part.  I guess I will practice. 

I hope everyone has a good upcoming week, or at least a week that has low stress.  I will probably be on at some point in the morning.  Early in the morning, you know me. Love you guys!

Can you use knee pads ?

[BT65]

I probably could since the ADA (Americans w/ Disabilities Act) says a person has to have reasonable accommodations.  The issue is, my knees only bend so far, so I cannot actually kneel "down;" when I kneel, it is straight up.  I don't know if that makes sense. 

[Jeff G]

I probably could since the ADA (Americans w/ Disabilities Act) says a person has to have reasonable accommodations.  The issue is, my knees only bend so far, so I cannot actually kneel "down;" when I kneel, it is straight up.  I don't know if that makes sense. 

It does . I wonder if this may be a problem if you can't do this in an emergency ? I am not trying to rain on your parade ... just concerned .

[BT65]

It does . I wonder if this may be a problem if you can't do this in an emergency ? I am not trying to rain on your parade ... just concerned .

No, I know you're concerned.  I can kneel and bend over while kneeling, we'll have to see what they say.  I'm giving it my best shot.

[wolfter]

David, I certainly hope you develop a plan that'll allow some mobility, pain free (or lessened).  Some where along the line, I had already garnered that you were a walking pain med pharmacy.  Perhaps that's an exaggerated persona? 

Unfortunately, we've all known and witnessed people trying desperately to "score" pain meds.  And like you David, I always downplayed the pain and just dealt with it.  I refused pain meds because they made me feel high.  I actually don't like that... 

Betty, I'm sure that in a moment of crisis your adrenaline would kick and you could perform CPR if the need arose. 

[BT65]

Well I am up early and going to eat breakfast in a moment and shower.  I hope it's an easy day today, and that the training doesn't go on the whole day lol.  Really though, I hope it's interesting so it will hold my attention.  One of the problems I have is that when a person talks for an extended period of time, (s)he loses my interest after about 15 minutes, unless what the person is talking about is something I am interested in (like forensic stuff). 

So I limited my liquid last night, after 5:30 pm.  I only drank a glass of light lemonade, and didn't have the usual problems I do when getting up to pee.  Though of course the second time I got up, I did not go straight to the bathroom, so that was a little bit of an issue.  But not as bad.  I was thinking about how I will be sitting for a long period of time with the training, and hope there is a bathroom close by lol.

[Miss Philicia]

Some where along the line, I had already garnered that you were a walking pain med pharmacy.  Perhaps that's an exaggerated persona? 

You are confusing medication for anxiety (which in my case is a benzo/sedative) with a narcotic pain killer. Now that I take klonopin as directed, meaning twice daily, I don't even feel anything from it.

The pill I take for neuropathy is only gabapentin, which technically is an anti-convulsant and analgesic originally for epilepsy but used off-label for neuropathy. An analgesic, while a pain killer, is not the same as a narcotic-analgesic which is the class of (some) opioid drugs or an anesthetic.

ps: keep in mind that since 2011 I have had four instances of surgery so at various times I'm sure I referenced post-surgical pain killers.

[wolfter]

I readily admit that I'm ignorant when it comes to all classes of these drugs.  Having been so adamant about refusing them, I never saw the need to learn it all. 

I'll definitely be discussing pain management with my doctor after a month of Oxy's and Hydo's.  They don't affect me mentally yet eliminate so many other aches and pains.  It's kinda like why suffer and deal with it when there's a "pill for that". 

I might be asking some dumb questions in the near future so I hope you all are gentle with me. 

We've lived long enough that we no longer should suffer in silence and just deal with it.  Sure, I could exist without them but even with the knee issue, I've actually felt great relief in other areas.

@Betty, that comment about attention is so me.  If I get bored listening to someone, I tend to tune them out pretty quickly.  Best of luck with the training.


OH, and I already fired my PT crew.  I'm further ahead by researching and am far ahead of what should already be accomplished at this point.  One week today and I'm getting ready to go for a short bike ride.  I have a follow appt with the surgeon Wednesday at which time I'll probably tell him that I'm ditching the crutches.  Already down to 1 (again, ahead of schedule).  I can walk around the house pretty well without either.

After my ride, I'm moving back to my BR.  First time ever that I recuperated on a couch.  I sat it all up ahead of time with the essentials near by.  I normally abhor people laying on furniture but I couldn't handle of thought of once again being confined to a bed to recover.

later all, hope you all have a great day.

[Miss Philicia]

Are your pain issues neuropathy and if so are you seeing a neurologist. Exactly what is the diagnosis of your pain issues other than the recent mishaps/accidents/surgery issues?

For me I had to get through the healing process of my various foot surgeries to realize that I'd concurrently been developing worsening neuropathy issues. But now, looking back, I am sure I had low level neuropathy going back to the mid 90's when I was on all four of the HIV meds that caused it. But at the time it only effected me by my no longer being able to walk barefoot anywhere, even at home on a hardwood floor. That definitely began in 1995. Over time things worsened to where I was removing my shoes during movies and on airplanes, because they always felt very tight and hurt but then my neuropathy is exasperated by my structural deformities in my feet, meaning my super high arches.

With so many issues happening concurrently it was near impossible for me as the patient to accurately describe what was going on to my various doctors or for them to accurately diagnose me, at least until the past 12 months when everything worsened exponentially.

[mitch777]

It's getting hard to keep up with you all here so I'll just wish you all better meds, movement, and relief.

My only constant, and I mean daily constant pains are my headaches which I've learned to live with and my left arm nerve issue from my bulging neck disks. Radiating pain under the biceps crossing over to the top of my forearm and ending in tingling and numbness in my hand. My ID doc is supposed to be sending me to a specialist to inject something (not cortisone) into the disk to relieve the pressure on the nerve but he has been really dropping the followup ball lately. Not sure why my neurologist didn't suggest that approach. I just found out today that he (my ID doc)  never sent in my new script for my med change to Intellence yet. It's been a week. Getting tired and mixing up these sentences. lol.

I too can relate to you guys not being able to explain the pain in a way that gets the attention that it deserves.

[aztecan]

With so many issues happening concurrently it was near impossible for me as the patient to accurately describe what was going on to my various doctors or for them to accurately diagnose me, at least until the past 12 months when everything worsened exponentially.

Oh, do I understand this. I have had a similar experience.
It is hard to tell where the neuropathy in my feet ends and the aching leg muscles caused by my elevated CPKs start.

I don't know what I will do about it. I take about 750 mgs of Naproxen, but that is for joint pain. It doesn't do anything for the leg pain.

Now, the plantar fasciitis is kicking my butt, so to speak. Thanks for recommending the exercises. I did get info on them and have been doing them and it seems to have helped.
I also want to start rolling my feet on a plastic soda bottle filled with water and then frozen. I heard that can be helpful as well.
I tried the shoe inserts, but they really didn't seem to help much.

HUGS,

Mark

[wolfter]

You can only imagine how difficult it is to express my concerns to my doctor when I can't even do it here correctly.   I've been told that my issues probably aren't neuropathy related.  I guess I'm not properly explaining the issues with my legs.  My level of pain isn't so great compared with what you all share.  But I question if I've lost the ability to actually feel the pain? 

The best way that I've described my jello leg issues is that there's absence of feelings almost like being numb.  There are times that I don't even feel my feet hitting the ground...that sounds strange I know.  The severe pain issues only occur occasionally.

But what I do know, is that over the last 5 weeks I've correlated regained sensation with the pain pills I was prescribed. 

[Miss Philicia]

Finally have my first pain management appointment set for 27 August, but already was told all they do that meeting is go over my current situation and what pain strategies I've previously attempted, etc. So who knows when I actually will encounter a prescription from this place. My hope is that by the time I go visit my family for Thanksgiving something will have been in place for a couple of months and is at least "somewhat" working so that I can enjoy the holidays better than I did last year.

It always amazes me how slow the wheel turns at least here in Philadelphia. Everything takes long to get referred, medical documents sent, appointments scheduled, and then follow-ups. I know it's like this everywhere but I've also seen city comparisons and Philly is always showing longer lag times, which surprises me with the number of medical specialists per capita we have here due to the numerous medical schools/universities, etc.

Little known factoid: one out of every six doctors in the US pass through Philadelphia at some point in their schooling/residencies.