Quote:
Originally Posted by Littlepaw
Dejavu
I am glad to hear you had such a good visit with your rheumy. Thank goodness for that! Clonidine might be just the thing. Not only are you increasing circulation but as an alpha blocker it is damping down the adrenoreceptors on your inflamed nerves. Yeah!
I had to wear compression for a long time after my surgeries. They are cumbersome when you feel hot and sweaty. If toeless works for you, you may also like some of the compression athletic sleeves. A lot of them were too tight for my comfort since they are intended for use during exercise. However I LOVED the Zensah calf sleeves. Good with heat, comfy, wash and wear well.
Thanks for the update. I hope you start getting some relief soon. Allodynia is just the pits but it does bring out one's creativity. You should see some of the pillow constructions I came up with to keep air space around my foot in the beginning. My husband had a ball razzing me about my 'fortress'!
Sending hugs and healing love,  |
Hi Littlepaw,
Thanks for your response.
I am pleased my rheumatologist took it all seriously and was ready to move quickly. She does want to coordinate, if possible, with my primary care, as some of this is his to handle. She is more readily available than he is most of the time. She will be away for a conference soon and wants to be sure he is totally up-to-speed and ready to step up should I need anything while she is away. My PCP has agreed to work beyond his usual hours, in order to see me this week. (He is not in private practice. He teaches at the local medical school.) I am thankful this is all coming together.
You had mentioned prednisone and I want to let you know prednisone was a top consideration, along with clonidine. The concern is: I am already on 15 mg a day and the last time we had to raise that dose, my immune system fell drastically. My CD4 count was under 200. The numbers went back to normal once we'd lowered the prednisone dose. In another case, prednisone would be more likely prescribed/increased.
Thanks for the information on the compression sleeves. I have been using sleeves which are knee high. I need the large style made for large calves, as I was an avid athlete for the first part of my life and my calf muscles continue to appear athletic. I am interested in the material of the type you have mentioned and will look them up. Thank you!
Yes, we do have to become a bit creative, don't we?
For some reason, the pain is further exacerbated in the night. I hope to get some better sleep tonight.
Thanks so much for your input, as well, Littlepaw. Deeply appreciated.
DejaVu