Main » September 2004

September 30, 2004

Mt St Helens Eruption

I'm sorry I haven't added anything new. Honestly, not much has changed. I am, however, in the midst of an active volcano. Mt. St. Helens, as I'm sure you all know, is waking up. We are at an alert level 2 out of 3. There is a 70% chance (according to scientists) that she will erupt. Where I am at will probably see some ash, if there is debris it will be small, and certainly no lava unless it is catastrophic, which it is thought to be a small to moderate eruption. Read the updates here.

Heather

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)

September 22, 2004

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Judy,

I do take Flexeril for moderate muscle spasms, but I take Baclofen everyday to keep the muscles in line. I also have some Zanaflex on hand for severe muscle spasms, but I rarely take that. I usually only need muscle relaxers, not ususally pain meds. This time, I did need pain meds. I hate when Myofascial Pain Syndrome gets involved, it turns my muscles to concrete. Locked in a death grip and boy do I hurt. Rarely do I get ones like these, where my neck is so stiff that I can't even move. I'm doing heat and pills, baby! My sugars are still doing very well, but I'm still not on a new kidney med yet. I also count carbs, but I have other insulins that I take other than just fast acting ones. Novolog is a fast acting, Novolin is slower. Right now I'm on R and N. N is a slow acting insulin, and R is a fast acting one. I was on 70/30 (70% slow and 30% fast) but I find that good ole R and N is more cost effective. I went to a chriopractor about 10 years ago and he put my neck in traction after a car accident. Scarred me for life. I was in worse shape coming out of there than I was going in. I guess I can try another one once we get insurance, because I've learned how to manipulate myself pretty well, but the lumbar region is too hard to get to. Sometimes when I'm really hurting if I can get the muscle to let go, then I can pop everything back where it goes, then I'm just dandy! Last couple of days I've just been trying to get as much sleep as possible, that always helps.

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.
~Dutch Proverb

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 01:57 AM | Comments (0)

September 18, 2004

Pain in the Neck

My blood sugars are doing very well, and staying under control. My Fibromyalgia is acting up right now, probably because of the weather change. It is very rainy right now, and my neck is just so sore. When my neck muscles are not hard as a rock, the pain is less, but when the muscles get in to it too....then we're having a party. I don't have any kind of pain medicine stronger than ibuprofen, and usually it works well. It hasn't this time. I do have muscle relaxers, and one I use every day that is a very mild one that doesn't make me sleepy. That sure helps.

Give me where to stand, and I will move the earth.
~Archimedes

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 01:28 PM | Comments (1)

September 15, 2004

Lisinopril Side Effects

Judy,

Mothering is allowed :)

I had an allergic reaction (anaphalaxis and hives) to the lisinopril, that is why the doc told me to stop it. We will find another kidney med, but we haven't yet.

My neck has been bothering me today. I woke up with quite a spasm, and still it feels like concrete. I wish I could get a trigger point injection.

Otherwise, things have been quiet. I'm enjoying not having a whole lot (health-wise) to deal with right now. My blood sugar is behaving quite nicely. I've been having some kidney pain, but the doc said they might complain from time to time.

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

I've finally gotten rid of the medication in my system, and I'm feeling better. I was pretty sick for awhile there. My blood sugars have been pretty stable the last couple of days, for the most part. All in all, I feel pretty good.

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 01:59 AM | Comments (0)

September 13, 2004

Benadryl and Anaphylaxis

Still having problems with allergic reactions with anaphylaxis. It has lessened quite a bit. I have to take Benadryl for a little longer, but will be back to posting regularly once I stop itching .

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)

September 09, 2004

Kidney Dialysis

The new meds I was started on aren't working like I hoped they would. I had an allergic reaction, so now I start them all one at a time to find out which one I am allergic to. I have my last dialysis treatment today since my kidneys are holding their own right now. I'll try to be back to writing a post a day, but the new meds are making me feel very ill. I'll write later when I can.

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 07:43 AM | Comments (0)

September 07, 2004

Side Effects to Kidney Medication

I saw my new doctor today, and she switched my meds all around. I started the meds for my kidneys. I'm having some less than fun side effects already, but hopefully I'll get used to them.

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

September 02, 2004

If it's supposed to be a bowl of cherries....

......how come it feels like the pits???

I have been having some pain in my back, I thought it might be fibromyalgia. It wasn't. I have early stage kidney failure. Have you ever felt like it was your worst day, and nothing could possibly get any worse? Then it does? I really dislike going to the doctor lately. Seems like there is always something new. They haven't decided on what to do yet about the kidney failure. I guess it is very early, so I may be able to eek by with drugs.

Things feel very overwhelming lately. I research so many medical problems that I don't feel human anymore. I feel like a walking medical problem. I just wish I could rent a normal body for an hour. Is an hour too much to ask? I feel permanently attached to my glucose meter and syringes. Sometimes I have to take insulin in a public place, and I'm sure they're wondering what I'm injecting. I am really getting tired of people telling me about this new miracle cure that if you lose weight you never have to use insulin again! Yes, some people can decrease or even stop insulin usage if they lose weight. They are all type 2, meaning their bodies still produce insulin, but it doesn't use it efficiently. They can help their bodies use it better. I am type one. My body does not make insulin. I understand these people are trying to help, but I hear this all the time.

The 31st was my brother's birthday. He's 19 and has life completely figured out. (insert sarcasm here) He's also smoking marijuana. I understand that experimentation will happen, but he has a really good thing going there. It is still an extremely disfunctional household, but my mother has bought him a car and is paying for his college. I sure hope he doesn't blow it, but he says I'm too old to understand. I'm only 7 years older than him....he makes me sound ancient! I know he won't listen to me anyway, but I just worry for him.

Lots of things in my family are about to drive me insane. I'm still unpacking, I have kitchen things all over the living room floor. The only reason I know I'm not insane is because I'm not having any fun!

Part of being sane, is being a little bit crazy.
~Janet Long

Posted by HeatherLeigh at 02:25 AM | Comments (1)