It's actually not the cats making a mess that's bothering me... not that I like scooping cat boxes every day or cleaning up puke when the occasion arises...

The room is just a cluttered mess and is in danger of being covered in cat litter dust because I can't dust a heap of crap!!!

Not too long ago, I put all of the boxes, and almost everything else, in the closet (and I really hurt myself). That left only a few things that wouldn't fit in the closet that Corey either needed to sort through and straighten out or throw away to make the room acceptable to me. Of course he never did that.
Then one day, he went into the closet to find something, and he rearranged it in a way that a lot less things fit. So the room is a total mess, and is driving me crazy!
Also, right now the two cat boxes in there are on either side of my computer desk, which is gross, and I want to move one and replace it with the filing cabinet, and I can't do that until some of the s*** is moved.

I slowed down yesterday afternoon. I couldn't take a nap, but I was exhausted and passed out on the couch at 9pm! I can tell this morning that I'm still hypo tho. Sleep is not necessarily a factor in episodes for me because of the MS (I can sleep sometimes when I'm full-blown MANIC), but it is still a good sign. I could go down to 400mg of gabapentin tonight. I would feel better doing that tonight vs. last night. I hope I can do a better job sitting still today. My pdoc said to take 600mg for 3-4 nights, and I have taken it for 3. I'll decide if I will take the 600mg for another night depending on how I do today.

It is supposed to be in the low 20s and the teens in the morning for the next couple of days... I need to quit, or at least cut down on my smoking, but it's such a bad time because I've been hypo and haven't been able to sit still. I've been continuing to try to use the e-butt, but it's not working. I'm going to freeze to death with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth...

My new iPhone X is beautiful and the screen is huge! It's a little hard to get used to not having a home button tho. I have only used the basic functions so far because that's really all I use, but how you exit apps and access some other features is totally different. It will not be a big adjustment tho. Today I'm going to use the "tips" app on the phone so I can get more familiar with it. Pictures are much better/brighter/clearer, but I haven't used, and am unlikely to use, the fancy features it has to offer for those. I'm very happy with it, but I'm a little nervous because my case won't arrive until Monday...

I was wondering if my nephrologist did consult with the radiologists on Thursday, and if he did, if either the ultrasound or CAT scan report had changed, and sure enough, the radiologist's ultrasound report did...

She added more detailed information to reinforce her assessment/conclusion that I have "medullary nephrocalcinosis" (those calcium deposits) in both kidneys. She also offered a possible differential that would be more likely to be seen in a patient with more advanced kidney disease, and I'm almost positive that THAT would have shown up on a CAT scan, but it didn't.

I don't know what that means as far as future testing or my future treatment goes tho. And it doesn't change my feelings in regards to the whole situation. It just helped to satisfy some curiosity.

That brought a smile to my face thinking of the kitties on 2 legs cleaning the kitty box! lol
bizi:)

At least there is that!
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

I'm still hypo, and was still having a hard time sitting still yesterday, but was able to take a nap. I decided to go down to 400mg of gabapentin last night. I can always raise it to 600mg again if I need to. I *think* I may be a little calmer this morning, but we'll see...

Instead of helping me in the "cat room," Corey decided to get rid of our old audio/video system and switch over to our ancient Bose. So, now we have at least three trips worth of s*** for him to throw in the dumpster we didn't have before (speakers, sub woofer,etc), and 1) there are 2 garbage bags sitting in the kitchen right now and 2) he will be dealing with the laundry bags tomorrow, so he won't be taking anything else out. He refuses to go out to the dumpster unless he's already on his way out, and doesn't believe in taking extra trips :rolleyes:

There are a couple things in the "cat room" I can throw out probably without hurting myself that will be helpful to my cause. I don't mind taking extra trips, so I will probably try to get rid of them all at once.

I need a new coat because mine is too small now... rather, I'm too big :(
Macy's is having a sale today... I should go, but I hate the idea of it, and I already have to go grocery shopping today (it's going to be about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday). It would be a lot.

I've been up since 5am, which is par for the course for me, but Corey is still sleeping, and I don't know how long he will sleep. I'm trying to be quiet so I don't wake him up, so I don't know if I will be able to get the early start I would like to if I was going to go to Macy's.

I know what it feels like to need new clothes because of my size now. I am still disgusted with myself for letting this much weight creep on me.
Who is this woman when I look in the mirror?????
heavy sigh
bizi
I hope you have a good day kay.
((((HUGS)))))

I did buy a jacket I really like, but even though it's puffy, it's pretty thin, and I'm not sure it will be warm enough for our cold New England Winters. I also feel guilty about spending the money right now, since I've been spending so much thanks to hypo/mania. So, I've decided that I'm going to return it, and be uncomfortable until out bank account recovers enough so I can afford to buy one by a brand I'm sure will stand up to the cold weather. This plan didn't come quickly or easily to me. Even little decisions like that never do, and Corey is never any help.

I was going to do laundry today, but Corey decided he wanted to take the trash (3 bags) out instead of the laundry bags this morning. I told you he doesn't do two trips, and since he didn't go anywhere this weekend, he didn't take the trash out...
So, I guess the laundry will wait until tomorrow. There is A LOT of it because I didn't do it Thursday or Friday like I should have. It's very heavy, and I'm probably going to hurt myself and have to make that appointment with the shoulder guy.

So I went to Macy's, went food shopping, and made 3 meals yesterday (including chili for dinner). I took a 1 1/2 hour nap and was in bed by 10. Mood-wise, it's a mixed bag. That's a lot of activity, but I'm also starting to fall back into my regular sleep pattern. I'll be on the higher than normal 400mg dose of gabapentin until I see my pdoc in about 2 weeks, so hopefully I will really level out.

The CAT scan showed just how FOS I am, so it's time to take some mag. citrate. I was going to do that tomorrow, but since I'm not doing the laundry, I guess I will do it today instead. I am NOT excited about it... what a nice way to spend the day! :o

WEll I am glad he took the trash out!
yes I am hoping for you that you level out before your next appointment.
That took great discipline to decide to take back the coat.:)

Good luck with your project today....
((((((HUGS)))))))
bizi

[

Kay,

I never noticed that you do that kind of cooking? Do you make three meals a day?

Jackets and coats will probably be on sale soon anyway -- but the have fewer
options as the time goes by -- that's how it goes here anyway.


I do believe it is good to buy a coat that you are excited about.

M

Mari, I only make three meals a day on weekends. It's pretty much expected because my husband is spoiled. I cook dinner every night except for those nights when I just can't and we order out. Sometimes I make things like chili, meatloaf, or chicken soup, but other nights I make crap like hot dogs and french fries (like last night). Mostly, I make a protein+ either a veg or a starch. I used to be a very good cook and baker, but I don't have the energy or executive function I used to. I need a lot of time.

Yesterday I got an email notifying me I was approved for my medical marijuana license! I printed out my temporary card, and can go to the dispensary any time I want now! I wonder how much the pot will cost...

I'm going to return the jacket today. Then I have to buy cigarettes and do laundry, so I don't know if I will get to the dispensary.

After about 8 hours of nausea and indigestion, the mag. citrate worked, but I'm still FOS. I should do something about that tomorrow, but I don't think I can handle the mag. citrate again... I'm weighing my options.

I wish there was something other than the mag citrate for you.:(
Hope you get to the dispensary.
((((HUGS)))))
bizi

I did go to the dispensary! :)
The security is very high, which is understandable.
When I got to the "sales floor," a girl helped me pick out two different types of pot tailored to my symptoms. I also bought a glass pipe/bowl that I'm not thrilled with, but it will do for now. I only spent $41 because my first 1/16 was only $3 vs. $25 because I was a new customer. The regular prices are very reasonable. What I bought will last me a long time.

I smoked very close to bedtime, but I was awake long enough to feel a calm come over me, and to enjoy the relaxation in my leg muscles. I didn't smoke enough to get stoned. I was able to sleep through the night, so I got what I wanted/ needed :):):)

I smoked in the cat room with the door closed and the air purifier on because Corey could potentially get drug tested. Rocky sat right next to me... I forgot how much he likes the smell of the smoke lol.


I had WAY too much laundry yesterday, and I'm feeling it today...

I'm going to make an appointment with the shoulder guy. I don't think it's a good idea to wait until I tear something again, and it's bad enough now that I should do something about it even if it ends up being PT, which I f***ing hate. But if that is the case, I will have them work on my neck, which continues to be a problem, too.

When I went to return my jacket yesterday, Macy's was having an even bigger sale. I didn't bother looking at what the jacket was selling for tho. I was returning it for a reason.

I didn't use my eye care benefits when I bought my glasses, but I put in a claim to be reimbursed for buying them out-of-network. I expected a fight, but got none, and received a check for $90 in the mail yesterday, which was a nice surprise :)

Most of that sounds really great! I am so glad the pot worked for you. finally you will have a source of relief!

Oh kay!
finally some relief!
I am glad that you slept well, happy it helped.:)
Had not even thought about corey possibly being drug tested.....:(
I guess you are ready to address your shoulder, they will probably suggest PT as you said. It could help?????
bizi

I made an appointment with the shoulder guy... it's on the 28th. I enjoyed my little break this week from medical obligations, but I have at least 2 medical-related things to do every week for the next three weeks :(

I put myself through HELL yesterday by taking 4 bisacodyl tablets (slight OD) vs. more mag. citrate. I was doubled over in God-awful pain on and off from about 3-10:30pm, but it worked. I'm done with the heavy-hitters FOR NOW :)

Terrible problem.... I have to do a better job keeping up with it. I should make an appointment with my gastro, but have too many appointments already.

I feel terrible this morning, and I know it's because I'm dehydrated, and because of what I went through yesterday. I will nurse the bottle of Gatorade I have sitting in the fridge, but I think I may try to go back to bed.

The only positive is that over the last 3 days, I lost 4+ pounds of the weight I was upset that I recently gained.

that sounds awful!
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

I slept most of the day yesterday, and woke up feeling soooo much better :)
I slept on the couch because I was expecting a couple of interruptions...

I had to call the office because every time we sat on the toilet it moved. When I called, Janet wanted to make sure I wasn't calling about the toilet seat lol. I guess she has to ask those kind of questions because some people aren't very bright. So, I was waiting for the maintenance guys to come, and when they did, they fixed it in about 5 minutes.

I was expecting the mailman to come with a package (but he ended up jamming it into our mailbox), and I knew FedEx was coming with Corey's phone and I'd have to sign for it.

When Corey got home, he started to dive right into setting his phone up without reading any directions, and he wouldn't listen to me about how to do it, so he wasted a couple of hours and ended up totally f***ing everything up. I had to restore the new phone to factory settings to fix his f*** ups and set everything up for him. I took a lot of joy in all of that because he's supposed to be the tech guy, and I'm usually clueless :D

His main complaint about the iPhone 8 was that it is too much like previous versions. The X is very different. That's what he wanted, but right now he doesn't like it because he isn't used to it, but that will change once he has time to use it. I really like mine and took to it quickly. I think part of the problem is that he was really s***-faced by the time the phone was finally up and running.

I'm going to do some light food shopping today, and will do some early next week. I have to make a list... UGH.

I will try to leave early to beat the rush, but despite all of the sleep I got yesterday, I'm pretty tired.

I am glad that you fixed coreys phone for him!
I am surprised it came with instructions, usually things are on line now.
Glad that you slept yesterday, hoping you have a nice day!:)
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

You are right about there being no instructions... in the box there is a postcard with a website on it to go to to activate the phone, but he never bothered to go to it. He also didn't set it up right, which is done by prompts on the phone itself, and he never backed up his old phone correctly, so his current data and settings never transferred to the new phone. It was just an epic fail on his part.

Yesterday was the day from hell. I had several errands to do (including grocery shopping) and was out for about three hours, which is WAY TOO LONG for me. Everywhere was mobbed, and I was in no mood for it all because I was in a lot of pain. My last stop was the pharmacy, where I was told my pdoc called the 400mg gabapentin pills I needed to my old pharmacy, which is 15 minutes away, and they couldn't transfer the script because it's a controlled substance now. I had no choice but to drive there to pick them up, and I was not a happy camper.

My left hip and shoulder were really hurting, I assume from laying on my side on the couch all day Thursday. When I got home I finally broke down and took one of those Diclofenac pills (prescription NSAIDS), and fortunately this time it didn't tear up my stomach, and it helped a bit.

I smoked again last night, and I slept through the night. And I didn't wake up until almost 8am, which is amazing!!! I feel much better this morning :)

I have no plans to go anywhere this weekend and couldn't be happier about it :)

I did not know about your hip being painful.
has that always bothered you...
I am sorry.

bizi

Bizi, I am a mess! I have pain everywhere :(
I have had a gait disorder for 9 years, and it's hard on my body. The more active I am, going out all the time for appointments etc, the worse problems with my hips and knees get. I think it's arthritis.
Things like that usually fall down pretty low on my list of complaints aside from the times when they really flare up.

I've already gained back the 4 pounds I lost. It happened fast. I was determined to watch my weight better, but I haven't exactly been cooking light, and then I had Chinese food last night. I think I'm using too much salt. That can't help. I am not happy with my weight.

the four pounds is probably from salt. I am still curious how rocky puts the sand in the water dish. Do you have to lift it up and do you have the four gallon one> Wouldn't that destroy your body further?
Love
bobby
I forgot if i asked you if arnica works for you

I don't use that big water thing anymore because I would have to change it several times a day, and it would be too much for me. I use a regular water dish. The litter that gets in there is from what's stuck on his paws from using the box... it washes away in the dish when he digs in the bowl. Water goes everywhere when he does that, so I bought a big feeding mat to try to catch it.

I've never tried arnica. I'm not big on trying anything/anything new. I have had really bad experiences being on lots of meds and different treatments, so I take the bare minimum. ie/ I knew pot would help me with my spasticity, but hadn't smoked since 2015.

You might be willing to try arnica as an ointment.
I have not noticed that it helped me.

I give it to hubby when he muscle has soreness or something from the gym as a kind of placebo. He is receptive to "suggestion" so I have no idea
what really works for him.



Somewhere in my house I have two little TENS units (about $25.00 each).
I lost them and one is unopened (never used) in the box.
I used the first one a lot when I had plantar fasciitis for months -- did it
two or three times a day and loved it.

Happy to hear that the medical m helped you.

M

I am sorry you are a mess having pain everywhere.:(
That must be so frustrating.:hug:
Does the MJ help with your pain other than your spasms?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Hi, Kay,


'Wishing you well.

I hope that you are feeling better than you did the last time
you posted.




M

Frankly, I think that a lot of alternative treatments are placebos. And I know it's hard to understand for some people, but I just have this suck it up mentality that I just can't shake. My neurologist referred me to the physiatrist to help address my pain issues without using narcotics, but he's been no help so far. My ortho for my neck referred me to the shoulder guy, not the physiatrist...

I've rested my stomach enough that I can take Advil and the rare Diclofenac (both NSAIDs) now, and they help a bit. The pot helps my pain in general, but I only smoke right before bed because I'm using it to prevent the painful muscle spasms that wake me up at night. I bought two different kinds of pot. I have only tried one so far, but am going to try the other one tonight.

I got some rest this weekend, didn't do any cleaning etc, so I feel a lot better than when I wrote about my pain last time. The neck and shoulder pain persist, and the pain from MS never goes away. I can't smoke pot during the day tho.

I've decided I'm going to do my final pre-Thanksgiving grocery shopping today. There's really no good time to go, but I figure the earlier the better. It's going to be very cold and windy, so I'm REALLY not looking forward to it.

I have to have my blood drawn again because of my high lymphocyte count. Hopefully my blood work will be normal this time because it's the last time I'm going to do it... it's the 4th time I've had to go back for it, and my PCP hasn't ordered any other blood work, or asked to see me in the office.

A squirrel just came up on the deck and sat by the slider for a couple of moments, and Buddy totally freaked out! lol The squirrel is gone, but he's still in hunting mode lol.

((((HUGS)))))
bizi

nothing like being a pest-it worked for me
 

Thank you for the link Bobby. Do you use the arnica at night, too?

The 2nd kind of pot worked just as well as the 1st, and I slept through the night again... I can't tell you how happy/relieved I am that I'm not waking up with painful spasms all the time at night any more... I'm so happy I went and got my mm card :):):)

My PCP only drew a regular CBC. He posted the results online last night, and my total WBC is down. That's good enough for me, and I'm sure it's good enough for him, so no more blood draws! :)

I forgot ONE thing (baking soda) at the supermarket yesterday, so I have to go back today. I'm sooooo p***ed! I'm getting my nails done at 2pm (not happy about the late appointment), but I'm going to have to go out earlier than that to go to the store. I went around 10am yesterday and it was a f***ing zoo!!!

I'll be filling the rest of my day today cleaning. I haven't been keeping up with it because I've needed the rest, but the messiness is really getting to me...

Cleaning the bathroom floor will be a challenge because Dottie needed a good brushing, and I had to lock her in there with me to do it because she hates it and tries to run away. I picked up the chunks of fur, but I'm sure that there will be a ton of it I couldn't see/get to.

you can use arnica whenever you want. when I fell down on the pavement early in the morning and pushed in my teeth, the little pellets worked in two hours. when I bruise myself except I didn't use it this time because i am out of it I would used it immediately as a gel. It can't hurt you because it is so diluted. even queen elizabeth uses it.
my cats don't shed that much.
The King's Homeopath? | HuffPost

I just bought some more arnica gel and pellets from amazon

how do you use the pellets bobby?
bizi

I am guessing that they come out of a dispenser:
Arnica Montana 9C, 8 Pellets, Boiron


M

Thanks I get it now!
So you can eat them but also another form is the gel lotion.
I looked for arnica in the supermarket that I shop in and did not see it.
bizi

HOw are you kay?
still sleeping better?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

health food store

I am going to be one very busy lady today, and I’ve already gotten an early start on things...

I saw my pdoc at 8:30, then went to play the lottery and get my coffee.
Right now I’m at the laundromat and am waiting on the clothes, which are in the washer (it’s about 9:45am here).

I have to make the stuffing when I get home, and at some point make Corey his cookies...
I think the best plan would be to try to take my nap when I get home from doing the laundry so I will have the energy to do the cooking later.

I’m glad I did the floors yesterday before I got my nails done...

Kay I hope you get/got everything done on your to do list AND get/got a decent nap in.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

I made the stuffing when I got home, and it was a s*** show, but I got it done, and eventually it came out good. Then I ran the dishwasher and slept for about 1 1/2 hours.

Making the cookies wasn't difficult because I have a stand mixer. Every thing just takes me forever. I ended up with 3 dozen very good chocolate chip cookies :)

I'm going to peel and cut the potatoes and turnip for our dinner while the stuffing for my family's dinner is in the oven... less to worry about when I get home. I'm not sure if I can get the turkey ready or not yet because I don't know if I can fit the roasting pan in the fridge.

Dinner at my aunt's house is at 1pm. No matter how prepared I am before I go, I doubt I will be able to get a nap in, and I'm not happy about it.

It's going to be another long day.

I survived Thanksgiving at my Aunt's, but not without a couple of bumps in the road...

First, my cousin gave me a big hug and congratulated me on my sobriety (of almost 2 1/2 years, so why now?), and my aunt made a point of having a sparkling grape juice toast this year, even though everyone was drinking last year, and we never have a toast. It bothered me/made me feel uncomfortable.

My sister is lucky she's not sporting a shiner this morning...
She was talking about how advanced my nephew is in his academics, then (because she's an ***hole) moved right on to talk about how my brother (who is 8 years younger than me) didn't get the grades she wanted, or my mother would have expected him to get had she been living. To lighten things up, and demonstrate how high my mother's standards were, I mentioned that I got an unsatisfactory in gym when I was in elementary school and she lost it. My sister decided to bring up the fact that I got an "F" in science in the 8th grade. I said it was first period, and was a hard year for me, and I was either late or absent a lot. My sister (who was at a different school at that time) said it wasn't first period, and I argued back that it was, and I remembered it clearly because it was the year that my mother was first diagnosed with cancer... but she continued to argue that it "was NOT first period." I told her to drop it. She told me I started it, and I told her she took the conversation down the wrong road, and it was time to end it. Then I got up and left the room. She always needs me to look smaller than I am, no matter the subject, and she always insists she remembers my life better than I do.

She also made a point of saying she knew she was late because she arrived after me. I haven't been in the habit of running late in YEARS, and I reminded her she was late last year.

She continued to speak, in my mind, to and about everybody inappropriately, so she got the death stare most of the time I was there. My oldest nephew sometimes mutters under his breath now when she spews her crap... because he's old enough to know she's full of it.

BTW, she tells people she raised me... and we're 15 months apart...
She's ****ing nuts.

My aunt has lost a lot of weight and looks good. She mentioned once that it was easier because they had no food to eat, but otherwise did not mention money, which was a relief. I couldn't tell what's going on with her or my cousin. Maybe they were making a big deal out of my sobriety because they are trying to kick their habits, too. IDK. But they didn't seem altered to me in any way yesterday.

My turkey breast took 45 minutes longer to cook in my oven than recipes and cooking charts suggested, and when the plastic thingie popped up, the turkey was about 140 degrees (should be 165 degrees) lol. I'm glad I put it in early. We ended up eating at 8pm, and dinner came out really good.

I was/am exhausted.