An on-going thread

[Miss Philicia]

Update: I had my first CPAP sleep night and it went amazingly well. First step is to watch TV for 30-60 minutes with the mask on your face, or at least the straps so that you get used to it, then get in bed and hook the hose up to the machine and press "go"!

Don't know about you folks with older models, but mine is very high tech and allows for a programmable "ramp up" session while you are falling asleep. My apnea therapy setting is "11" but I have it programmed to begin at "4" and gradually increase over a 40 minute period to "11" so by that time I am asleep and subconsciously adjust to the oxygen forced pressure. And I just checked my machine's data recording at I had a solid 6.5 hours of continual therapy. I was in bed for 7.5 hours so actually that's a good reading especially for the first night. I did't wake up a single time from discomfort

Also, my machine has a built in humidifier so I don't wake up feeling at all dried out, and the levels for that are also all adjustable.

Oh, one more thing -- my neurostimulation trial implant outpatient surgery will occur on 8 December and it's for 7 days. After that I'll know how we will proceed. I must feel a minimal 50% reduction in pain to qualify for an actual full implant, and if I do not then we move to an opioid based treatment though looking at the calendar my bet is he will not want to begin that until after my first visit with my sleep apnea doctor which is on 14 January. So the wheel turns ever so slowly on the pain front, unfortunately. Which probably means once again I'll be screwed if I try and have my 50th Birthday celebrations in NYC in February, but I am determined to do so. edit: sorry I see I already mentioned this down below, but the date wasn't completely confirmed to me until this morning.

[mitch777]

David, Nice to hear your CPAP is working so well and that you don't find it uncomfortable. Good luck with all of the pain stuff!

Betty, Hopefully after your leg heals and you are more mobile your arthritis will improve.

Day 5 on my Adivan. I didn't notice anything different so I took a second pill today just to see if I turn into a werewolf or a panda. Other than that, all is pretty decent other than my usual daily headaches, fatigue, etc. Oh, and a pesky gut ache that won't leave me alone.

Update on my cervical steroid injections:
The pain in my tricep has improved about 50%
The pain in my forearm has improved about 30%
The numbness in my forearm and hand improved about 10%

Not great but not too bad either.

[J.R.E.]

 

I had a follow up appointment today with my primary care doctor. This was to discuss labs taken on 11/3/14.

The doctor's concerned,  because on the urine test, there appears to be Red blood cells in the urine.

    TEST                 RESULT             RANGE
URINE RBC/HPF----- 7 ( HIGH)-------0-3

Red blood cells in urine could indicate:

    Kidney and other urinary tract problems, such as infection, tumor, or stones
    Kidney injury
    Prostate problems
    Bladder or kidney cancer


So, she ordered another urine test and some more blood tests, scheduled for 11/19/14, and depending on those results, a c-scan could be ordered for the abdomen area.

Otherwise :

TOTAL CHOLESTEOL ---- 201

TRIGLYCERIDES--------- 156

HDL CHOLESTEROL------ 64

LDL CHOLESTEROL ------ 106

TC/HDL-----------------3.1

LDL CHOLESTEROL CALC---106

GLUCOSE---------------108 ( the doctor really would like to see this below 100


All other tests were within range,...


So,....Back to the clinic on the 19th, to try to find out whats going on.

I haven't felt sick. 

EDITED TO ADD I haven't noticed any blood in stools or urine


Ray

[mitch777]

I had a follow up appointment today with my primary care doctor. This was to discuss labs taken on 11/3/14.

The doctor's concerned,  because on the urine test, there appears to be Red blood cells in the urine.

    TEST                 RESULT             RANGE
URINE RBC/HPF----- 7 ( HIGH)-------0-3

Red blood cells in urine could indicate:

    Kidney and other urinary tract problems, such as infection, tumor, or stones
    Kidney injury
    Prostate problems
    Bladder or kidney cancer


So, she ordered another urine test and some more blood tests, scheduled for 11/19/14, and depending on those results, a c-scan could be ordered for the abdomen area.

Otherwise :

TOTAL CHOLESTEOL ---- 201

TRIGLYCERIDES--------- 156

HDL CHOLESTEROL------ 64

LDL CHOLESTEROL ------ 106

TC/HDL-----------------3.1

LDL CHOLESTEROL CALC---106

GLUCOSE---------------108 ( the doctor really would like to see this below 100


All other tests were within range,...


So,....Back to the clinic on the 19th, to try to find out whats going on.

I haven't felt sick. 

EDITED TO ADD I haven't noticed any blood in stools or urine


Ray

Hope they figure that out Ray. On the other hand your cholesterol levels are pretty darned good. Keep us posted.

[wolfter]

trying to read through this all and be supportive.  I appreciate you all and you've all helped me through some darkness. 

[guitargal]

I just want to say hello…

Hello!

I read the last few pages to see what you all have been up to..
WHEW!

Amazing great and awesome how supportive you all are..Kind thoughtful intelligent.

Toad had some good points about stigma..and people with broken bones in the leg are supposed to rest!
Being on pain meds sucks, wish I knew why i had pain and could make it go away..tethered to the doctor's office for the scripts, the crappy way one feels if they wait too long between doses and then the pain gets ahead of them..but better than not being on them. I was denied for months and layed in bed crying.not eating not sleeping..what kind of doctoring is that! all because of the "crack down" in my town..and I had never taken pain meds in my life..

i digress..
just needing some support and when i visit the LTS here I feel normal..

thanks people!

[Jeff G]

I talked to Betty today ... Last night she was walking across the kitchen to put a plate in the sick and her leg broke and she is now in a cast . She is uncomfortable but hanging in there like she always does . It’s the leg with a fracture I think . Prayers and positive thoughts for Betty please .

[Miss Philicia]

I'm sorry? I think something is missing from that sentence -- she was just walking across the room... something about a plate (?) and her leg just suddenly broke for no reason? How odd. Any ideas from the doctors on what's going on? How awful.

I suppose putting her in a cast will be one way to keep her tied down, though she should probably be strapped into a bed at this point.

[mitch777]

Oh no!!!

[Jeff G]

I'm sorry? I think something is missing from that sentence -- she was just walking across the room... something about a plate (?) and her leg just suddenly broke for no reason? How odd. Any ideas from the doctors on what's going on? How awful.

I suppose putting her in a cast will be one way to keep her tied down, though she should probably be strapped into a bed at this point.

Nothing missing ... she was just taking a dish from the table to the sink and she said her leg popped so loud her roommates heard it .

I would never say I told her so when I told her to stay off her feet cause I am not that kind of guy ... but I told her so .

[Miss Philicia]

I just spoke with her and had it explained.

[Jeff G]

I just spoke with her and had it explained.

Im happy for you .

[harleymc]

I keep pleading with my bit of squeeze to strap me to the bed but no luck so far....

I'm sure that even if I had a broken leg he would demand the dishes get washed.
Has my bloke been seeing my Betty on the side?

[wolfter]

So far this week, I've installed about 600 sq feet of laminate by myself and the body feels it this morning.  I could barely move this morning when I got up.  With all the bones issues over the last couple of years, my muscle mass has went to shit.  I've been working muscles I forgot I had.

And since I still have about 1200 sq feet more to install, I broke down and accepted some offers of help this weekend.  I tend to be stubborn and don't like accepting help unless it's absolutely critical. 

I meet with a bone specialist later this month at OSU who has vast experience with osteoporosis and HIV.  Hopefully I'll get some answers to why so many us are developing powdery bones.  And more importantly, what can be done to prevent further loss and maybe how to correct the damage that's already done.

[Miss Philicia]

As an aside for those of you with bone issues and are on Viread/Truvada, the formulation for that new "pro-drug" version of tenofovir was just filed by Gilead for FDA approval, but only in their combo pill with Stribild. While not useful if you are on another combo there was this little blurb in the write up on Poz.com:

The NDA application also contains data from Phase III studies that tested the TAF-including Stribild among virally suppressed people with HIV who switched from another antiretroviral regimen to the combination drug, as well as among those with kidney impairment. Research on the individual components of the new Stribild is also included in the application.

If you are not aware of TAF it's a version of tenofovir with much lower toxicities -- read the entire write up at that link for a better explanation.

[Wade]

Hey MP,
A little behind in the thread,  I didn't realize you wear that every
night . Guess It's worth it if it works and gives you a good night sleep.
Insomnia is a miserable bitch , went through it for periods when my Meds were
switched , but not the long periods you experienced.

Glad It's comfortable enough for you to sleep , and hope it continues to work for you. Do what we have to do.   When in Feb is your Big 50 Birthday  ?

[Theyer]

Miss P,

Am I right in also thinking that the condition you have as well as cutting up your sleep also greatly cuts down on the oxygen in your blood.??
Any how it was good to read that they had improved the design off the space pinkish thing you sleep in to the extent that you slept unhindered. Here,s to nights off zzzzzzzzz for you.
M

[Jeff G]

In the last 6 months, probably longer I have had one good week . It was last week, I woke up one day and thought WTF is going on here, I actually feel good .

I have a fever of 100 and some kind of bladder or kidney or maybe prostate thing going on. I do not come online and post very often about my health issues because they never really go away and I am in constant pain and seem to go from one infection to the next . I have been on antibiotics a staggering amount of time in the last 6 years .

The infections started when my cd4 count improved and I was taken off Bactrim ... my doctors finally convinced me that there are no connections between being off a maintenance dose of antibiotics that I took for 15 years  and my chronic infections and said that there is no basis in science to suggest a connection .

Im going to the doc at 11 and see what he suggest ... Im sick to death of being sick .

[Miss Philicia]

All right children, let's clear some things up. Sleep apnea doesn't mean one has insomnia -- that's an entirely different sleep issue. Sleep apnea comes in two forms, obstructive and central, the first being the most common. What happens with obstructive sleep apnea is that during sleep you wake up many times an hour (actually often every minute when it's severe) for brief seconds because your airway muscles will not support keeping the -- except that you do not consciously wake up. So it sounds not like common snoring if you have a bed partner, but more like a pig digging around in dirt with his/her snout.

And yes, this reduces blood oxygen saturation but it's not something that seems to show up in my HIV blood work (carbon dioxide blood work is always normal)  -- and mind you I have had a sleep apnea diagnosis since 2001, though at the time the reading was "mild", and severe apnea diagnosis since 2011 so I don't know at what exact year it reached severe in that period. Roommates have complained about my snoring since I was a freshman in college, so I think I may have some sort of long term defect. btw, a severe apnea reading is >30 apnea episodes per hour.

The CPAP I was prescribed is actually a snazzy $1200 unit, fully automated (these are actually called "Auto-CPAP machines". Aside from coming with a dry box technology humidifier (eradicates all water seepage issues even if the unit is knocked over during sleep, and monitors your bedroom climate to determine proper settings automatically) as well as "Advanced Event Detection and Response" (Auto detects and tracks leaks, snoring, Flow Limitation, Apnea Hyponea Index, Hyponea, Periodic Breathing, Respiratory Effort-Related Arousals, Clear Airway Apnea, and Obstructed Airway Apnea. All of this detection technology is tracked using a standard SD data card). It also detects you exhaling pattern and adjusts the inward flow automatically.

So it's more than just an air pressure machine as you can see -- it's rather more like that but with everything automated by a small computer chip. But what it's NOT doing is giving me extra oxygen, it's just taking oxygen from the environment (and yes there are two filters!)

ps: I achieved 7 hours of therapy last night (therapy reading meaning maximum H2O pressure pre-set by my sleep specialist). I have it set for a lower intake of air (7 instead of my therapy setting of 11) for 25 minutes during which I fall asleep. It's a bit uncomfortable to try and fall asleep with it going full blast at the 11 setting, at least for now.

Any more questions?

[Wade]

Hi Jeff ....No I have never heard you complain , you are always supportive of everyone ,and some of your posts crack me up !
I hope you get to the bottom of this , and start feeling well again.
Good luck at the Doc today.

All My Best ,Wade

[Jeff G]

Hi Jeff ....No I have never heard you complain , you are always supportive of everyone ,and some of your posts crack me up !
I hope you get to the bottom of this , and start feeling well again.
Good luck at the Doc today.

All My Best ,Wade

Thanks Wade !

[mitch777]

In the last 6 months, probably longer I have had one good week . It was last week, I woke up one day and thought WTF is going on here, I actually feel good .

I have a fever of 100 and some kind of bladder or kidney or maybe prostate thing going on. I do not come online and post very often about my health issues because they never really go away and I am in constant pain and seem to go from one infection to the next . I have been on antibiotics a staggering amount of time in the last 6 years .

The infections started when my cd4 count improved and I was taken off Bactrim ... my doctors finally convinced me that there are no connections between being off a maintenance dose of antibiotics that I took for 15 years  and my chronic infections and said that there is no basis in science to suggest a connection .

Im going to the doc at 11 and see what he suggest ... Im sick to death of being sick .

It's about time we hear about what you constantly go through. I get the skinny but most people are going to think you just plug along without a care in the world. Having a rare week of feeling good is something I relate to as I bet some others would too. It's a support forum, or so I've been told.

Hope they get this figured out once and for all so you get your next allotted week of feeling like Jack LaLaine. (sp)

Hugs,
Mark

[Jeff G]

Thanks Bark . Its just another one of my prostate infections ... antibiotics and a big ass shot to kick start them .

[BT65]

Jeff, I love yu.  Call if you need to. Or I may call you later lol.  Did you like my purple cast?

[Jeff G]

Jeff, I love yu.  Call if you need to. Or I may call you later lol.  Did you like my purple cast?

I love the purple cast . When I was a wee boy my girl friend broke up with me when another class mate broke his arm and got a cast ... she thought it was so very cool and told me we could get back together when his cast come off . That whole year I secretly wished I had a broken bone and a cool cast for everyone to sign .

[Theyer]

In the last 6 months, probably longer I have had one good week . It was last week, I woke up one day and thought WTF is going on here, I actually feel good .

I have a fever of 100 and some kind of bladder or kidney or maybe prostate thing going on. I do not come online and post very often about my health issues because they never really go away and I am in constant pain and seem to go from one infection to the next . I have been on antibiotics a staggering amount of time in the last 6 years .

The infections started when my cd4 count improved and I was taken off Bactrim ... my doctors finally convinced me that there are no connections between being off a maintenance dose of antibiotics that I took for 15 years  and my chronic infections and said that there is no basis in science to suggest a connection .

Im going to the doc at 11 and see what he suggest ... Im sick to death of being sick .

At last , A post about your chronic lack off health , folk need to know Jeff that that the last 6months.  ( yeah right ) you have had no health. I have no doubt that healthy days are ahead for you dear heart , wee /&chest infections are horrors for us to get rid of. So please do all you can to get well ,
Love
Michael

[Miss Philicia]

Yet another night of only six hours of CPAP sleep -- I just can't seem to sleep longer. And I know that's two nights in a row that my chin strap is off when I wake up.

... what to do what to do. I'll give it until Friday and if that keeps coming off I guess I'll call somewhere and see what alternatives there are for that issue. The issue is important because the chin strap was to address what my body does when entering into the REM/deep sleep stages, and if you know anything about sleep stages that 20% that is normal for REM/deep sleep is your body's most important in terms of addressing energy/fatigue as well as reparative work in your brain for memory. And coincidently your REM sleep state is at its longest the last hours that you sleep.

[BT65]

I talked to Jeff last night and he was resting so I have confidence in his recovery. 

If I get 6 hours sleep at night, I consider it a good nights sleep.  Last night I went to sleep around 11pm, and got up at 5am.  Woke up once at 3am but went back to sleep. This pattern has been going on for a couple weeks, where I go back to sleep instead of getting up in the middle of the night. 

But I realize we all have different sleep needs.  I hope yours improve, MP.

[Jeff G]

I'm feeling better today . The doctor was pretty confident on what antibiotic to use but he sent my urine to a lab to see whats best to treat it with anyway . 

[Miss Philicia]

I'm glad that you are feeling better. Next time disinfect your large fire-engine red butt plug.

[Jeff G]

I'm glad that you are feeling better. Next time disinfect your large fire-engine red butt plug.

Its old and orange now but thank you very much .

[mitch777]

So...
I've been keeping track of my medical visits (of any kind) since 1/1/2011 for my disability case. I also started printing out my thoughts before I see my Psychiatry/Therapist appointments. I wondered if it was a good idea but she assured me that people with anxiety often feel it is an easier and a more honest way to communicate. I agree.

Anyway, my first sentence was that this is visit #187 and I have yet to get a lollipop.

She offered a Riccola. (sp?) lol.

[wolfter]

I sure have been missing out on a lot but am thinking of you all and wishing continued improved health.

I didn't post about it first in case something went wrong, but I managed to get on the roof yesterday to clear all the leaves.  The ladder says not to use the top as a step but I had no choice.    Getting up was easier than coming down but no new mishaps to report.  Then I went on to rake and bag 12 huge bags of leaves.  Of course my allergies will play hell for a couple of days but it needed done.

The love life situation is still going well.  I've always found it quite easy to find someone to go to bed with, more difficult to find someone to wake up with.  LOL  I guess my slutty AMG days are over. 

[BT65]

M, I guess a Riccola is better than a kick in the head.  Lol.  I've been thinking about going back into therapy.  When I am able to get around.  My self esteem has taken some serious hits.  I hope your visits are good ones and that you get the help you need.  Quite a few visits, but I realize if counting weeks, it's pretty normal.

Greg, that's a lot of outdoor work.  I'm glad you didn't fall off the ladder.  I hope your allergies don't give you too many difficulties.  I'm happy to read your relationship is continuing to do well.  I can totally relate to it being easier to have one nighters vs longer term relationships.  Wishes for continued happiness.

Well, I hope everyone else is doing well.  I'm going crazy around here and am definitely going to have to get a hobby. Lol. Any suggestions are welcome. 

Betty



PS.  It's snowing!  And it's sticking! Ick!

[wolfter]

Well, I hope everyone else is doing well.  I'm going crazy around here and am definitely going to have to get a hobby. Lol. Any suggestions are welcome. 

Betty



PS.  It's snowing!  And it's sticking! Ick!

I use my sewing machine a lot during down times.  I love making clothes and I could do it easily while crippled up.  I have a feeling you're a bit like me when it comes down to inactivity.  I go absolutely stir crazy if I can't be productive. 

Yeah, it's snowing here too.  We're not supposed to be above freezing for at least a week.

[mitch777]

Betty, Some might think a kick in the head is what I need. lol.

Greg, On another ladder? I just read somewhere recently that you can add an extension to a leaf blower with PVC pipe with a curve on the end to clean gutters without a ladder. Maybe a good project for next year? THIS IS NOT A STEP. lol.

As for the snow.....
Ugh, ugh, ugh!
Expecting a dusting to 2" to wake up tomorrow.

[Theyer]

Betty--  I can understand the self esteem bit taking a hit , its not rational but I did feel I had some how failed by breaking bones, however when I butched the thing up by saying it occurred in a Mountaineering accident I briefly felt better until I realized that creating false histories  was some what adding to the Mental Health concerns.

Greg ---sometimes I think your ambition is a head to toe cast.However I remind you off the free accommodation in London , new Hubby can also come , I will move out. The list off jobs will be taped to the fridge , Enjoy!

Jeff-- Hope your reading this feeling Good.
David -- If success was always the result off perseverance 8 hours sleep will be yours,

Mitch  I am about to start a treatment diary. Always shied away from one as I thought it would be depressing then seeing my Fat Hospital File with VOL--18 marker Penned on it made it less depressing.

Kind off Jealous about the snow, I know the reality is differant but I do love looking at it.

[Miss Philicia]

So finally, on my 11th night of using that CPAP machine, I have gotten 7.5 hours of sleep. What an achievement!

And now it's just 3 more weeks until my Neurostimulation implant surgery and trial.

[mitch777]

So finally, on my 11th night of using that CPAP machine, I have gotten 7.5 hours of sleep. What an achievement!

And now it's just 3 more weeks until my Neurostimulation implant surgery and trial.

Progress!

[BT65]

Good news Ms P!   How difficult is it to sleep with that on or don't you notice it because you're getting good sleep?

And Jeff, how are you?  Hmmmm?

I'm doing pretty good but my chest muscles hurt.  It's funny, because it feels like it's a bad case of pneumonia, but when I breathe deeply my lungs are fine.  So it's just from me pulling my body weight on the walker.  So that makes me feel like a body builder lol.  Also I believe I am ready to try stairs.  Just start outside with 2, then slowly graduate to the stairs in here.

[Miss Philicia]

Good news Ms P!   How difficult is it to sleep with that on or don't you notice it because you're getting good sleep?

Honestly it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Getting to sleep I have no problem with actually. Probably takes me 15 minutes on average, and I actually toss and turn less with this on. And oddly in 11 days I haven't had to wake up and pee a single time. It's only the last hour of sleep that I wake up and sometimes have to adjust the "nasal pillow" as it's called because it will go slightly off my nose and the air leaking out wakes me up. So it's a matter of forcing myself to stay in bed and catch another hour of sleep, which I am training myself to do.

Maybe in another week I'll actually achieve the magical 8 hours. 7.5 hours is fine though. Though thus far I am still finding myself napping midday if I lay on the sofa, though some days I've managed not to. I didn't nap today actually.

[Theyer]

Good news Ms P!   How difficult is it to sleep with that on or don't you notice it because you're getting good sleep?

And Jeff, how are you?  Hmmmm?

I'm doing pretty good but my chest muscles hurt.  It's funny, because it feels like it's a bad case of pneumonia, but when I breathe deeply my lungs are fine.  So it's just from me pulling my body weight on the walker.  So that makes me feel like a body builder lol.  Also I believe I am ready to try stairs.  Just start outside with 2, then slowly graduate to the stairs in here.

Betty--I am thinking that all this has been checked out with Phsiotherapist with the technique for turning on the stairs covered as well as the descent.

Using the walker for the first time gave me a nagging ache either side off the base off my neck. Holding the cast up bum cheek did spasms if I ignored the initial pain . My preferred way off getting around the Hos was backward in a visits wheelchair using my good leg for propulsion \braking and nifty turnabouts.


Miss P---I am glad progress continues .

Jeff ---Tell us what goes on , people are concerned

[Jeff G]

Jeff ---Tell us what goes on , people are concerned

Today is a good day . My biggest issue is the chronic pain issue but its nothing new to me and I most times cope well with that and have accepted it as part of my life . What gets me down is the constant low grade infections I get and the fact that I don't really always feel like doing things or getting out to see friends, travel .

I do not down play my problems but the truth is many of the people on this forum and in my life deal or are dealing with much more than my load to bare. I can lay down when I feel bad, I have good doctors that look out for my health and insurance to pay for it all . I have a nice home and I am comfortable and can make ends meet and not sweat the basics so all in all things could be worse for me. When I have a crisis or need help working it out I know there is support here for that and I wont be let down but my issues are nothing new and they are not going to get any better so I don't spend much time talking about them except with my therapist and pain management docs .   

[Wade]

Hi Jeff ,
Chronic pain and constant low grade infections are a LOT to deal with.
I don't know how you handle it as well as you do.
I was in pain with both my knees for many years , it does affect your life
and sometimes others don't understand . I still have pain in many of my joints
from OA , but it is tolerable , or like you said it is part of my life .

I know your pain is from a different source , and is worse ,and I truly feel for you.
You have a great attitude , and sense of humor . I too fell bless to have a nice home , good medical care ,and I can lay down when I flat out feel like shit.
I know many can not. Never say never, I hope maybe they will figure this shit out eventually ,and you will be pain free and well again . Hope you start having more good days.
                         All My Best ,Wade

[Miss Philicia]

I'm starting to wonder if I will ever get my pain issues sorted out -- it's actually worse now because a month ago I went off my arthritis medication to see if that was the cause of my recurring nocturnal acid reflux issues (even though they'd thrown prescription daily prilosec at me). The good news is that solved the issue completely, so I'm now off both celebrex and prilosec, but now of course my arthritis has come raring back and combined with my neuropathy (thus far not really treated), podiatry issues, and sleep apnea/CPAP it's definitely contributing to my waking up too early every day. I think I only slept 5 1/2 hours last night.

very over it all

[Wade]

I rely on over the counter anti inflammatory drugs , for my arthritis
I also have a 325 mg Bayer aspirin in my AM slot,
The wonder drug ! , not good on an empty stomach, is also a blood thinner.
My lipid panels are always good Cholesterol stays between 120-130 triglycerides 110
I don't know if it helps or is all in my head  ! think it relives some of the stiffness

I only had neuropathy once , it was many years ago when taking videx
the pain was horrid, felt like both my legs were in a vice. I sympathize
with everyone who suffers with it.
 ( my spelling is so bad , the spell check says add to dictionary for some of my words ! )  Oh Well....

[BT65]

Michael, the doctor hasn't said a thing yet about physical therapy, but I imagine he will after some time.  I can make it down and up the garage steps, which are only 2, but one is pretty steep.

Jeff, you know I can relate to the pain thing, you and I have talked about it many times.  It is a bitch to deal with every day, I know.  You do it well,though.  I wish we could waive it away.  Hang in there. 

Ms P, I thought you were sleeping better? I tried Celebrex but it always wore off before bedtime.. Not sure if it caused GERD or not, because I take a Protonix every day.  Anyway I went back on Ibuprofen 600, which I take 4 times a day.  I do hope that things improve for you. 

I still have insomnia but it doesn't seem to be as bad as it was, in that I'm not getting up at 3am.  I actually go back to sleep until around 5am.  Some nights that means only 5 hours of sleep, but it's better than it was. 

That's something to be very grateful for. 

[Jeff G]

I did get the result from that cognitive test thingy I did awhile back . I have A.D.D but I always kind of knew that anyway .

[mitch777]

Pain, broken bone mobility, insomnia, infections, neuropothy,etc. ...  I guess we old timers just underplay it all after living with it for awhile. It becomes the norm.

That's not to say we don't keep trying to better the ailment of the moment.

I'm bushed so I won't be replying to each of you tonight but I do hope you all find improvement in whatever bugs you most.

I went to my Neurologist today. Same allotted 15 minutes of time. I told him that I got an overall improvement of about 25% after my injections. He then suggested Botox again at a higher dose. Not just for my daily headaches but he thinks injections in my shoulders might help with the tremors I have been getting in my left hand and more importantly my bobble-head neck. (a recent thingy since the steroid injections) Jeff told me that I caught it from Katherine Hepburn. This might be true. 

Jeff, I'm not surprised about the ADD diagnosis but you never have any attention problems with making people laugh.

Love you guys.

[J.R.E.]

I had a follow up appointment today with my primary care doctor. This was to discuss labs taken on 11/3/14.

The doctor's concerned,  because on the urine test, there appears to be Red blood cells in the urine.

    TEST                 RESULT             RANGE
URINE RBC/HPF----- 7 ( HIGH)-------0-3




Ray

I had another urine test done  ( 11/19/14)  at the VA clinic. I didn't have my cell phone with me today, but a nurse called me back ( I missed the call-and got the message),   and wants me to call the clinic tomorrow.

So,...  I  will call tomorrow, and find out what's going on.  Doctors and staff , don't usually call from the VA, so something might be going on, OR, They could say the results of the urinalysis was "Normal", and no further action is necessary.


Will give a follow up as I find out more tomorrow !


Ray