Kay I hope you got to sleep in today!:)
bizi

through the torturing path you have been putting yourself through I hope you are all right despite all the bruises.
love
bobby

'Thinking of you, Kay, and wishing you well.

M

The kitties are doing great! They had nothing to look at in the old apartment. Now they are enjoying the views from the slider and the windows, and they love the new furniture, too. I've been checking with my black light, and there's still been no inappropriate peeing since we moved in! :)

There's no way that Corey will unpack anything, including his own stuff... I can't make that man do anything he doesn't want to, and he usually doesn't want to do anything. I've been running around, so I haven't done much unpacking myself. I expect I'll kick it into overdrive this weekend and get a lot of that done, and I expect Corey will work on what he's interested in... hooking up electronics.

To make a long story short: there are washers and dryers in this building, but not in this unit, so it would be much less convenient for me to do laundry here than at the laundromat. The plan is: I will put the laundry in bags and Corey will put them in my trunk the morning I'm going, then he will bring in the clean laundry when he gets home from work. It's not the end of the world. Getting it all done cheaper, in under two hours, once a week is not a bad thing.

My neck is ****ing terrible... but I can turn my head and lift my left arm okay, but not without a lot of pain, now. I'm thinking about going to see a chiropractor, but I'm going to wait to see how I feel on Monday.

I'm going to spoil myself a little and have a manicure AND pedicure today. I wear gloves when I use some cleaning products, but don't when I use others, and all the cleaning I was doing really took its toll. My nails are a mess.

The laundry idea sounds good. As long as Corey helps you as planned. What did he think of the idea?

Sorry about your neck and arm....
Are you able to take advil?
I can't remember....
That could help with the inflammation and pain.
But again, am not sure you can tolerate that or not.

Take care of yourself today.

Enjoy your mani/pedi.
I am thinking about getting a mani...because my nails look awful. I am thinking about using the gel polish so it won't come off when I use the polish remover on my clients. It will be a first use of that type of polish.
Have you ever used a gel polish?

Have a good day.
I hope you feel better over the weekend and by monday.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi

I hope you arm and neck feel better.
I hope you have a nice weekend.
How is your mood?
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

Happy to hear that the kitties are enjoying the view and that they are
great with the new furniture.

It seems that you have a plan for the laundry. Good luck.

M

I don't get as much out of a pedicure as I used to because I don't have much feeling in my feet, but I still enjoyed it :)
I always get a gel manicure on my fingernails and it lasts at least 2 weeks, but they use regular polish on toenails because it lasts a long time anyway.

I'm taking 800mg of Advil every 5 hours or so for my neck (when I remember) and I occasionally take Tylenol as well. I'm on Lithium, so I really shouldn't be taking NSAIDs at all, especially in such high doses, but I'm on a very low dose. My pdoc knows I'm doing it because my neck was ****ed up when I last saw her. It doesn't feel like the Advil is helping, but it may be helping with inflammation, and I have to do something about it.

Corey thinks the laundry plan is a good one. He's concerned I will try to carry the laundry up and down the stairs myself tho. He's been trying to get me to slow down and relax in general, but I don't listen well ;)
I sorted through all the dirty laundry yesterday even though I probably won't get to the laundromat until Tuesday. I also unpacked all our clothes. I will probably put some boxes away in the spare bedroom today, and maybe once I do that, and things are less cluttered, I can relax.

My mood is flat, probably because I'm so exhausted, and I'm irritable, probably for the same reason.

My neck is NOT getting better. There was no way I could move around boxes yesterday. All the **** in that room is just going to have to wait.

I had to lay down for a nap around 1pm yesterday and ended up sleeping for over 5 hours. My husband was BS with me, and was a combo of nasty or standoff-ish for the rest of the night. I couldn't help it tho. I was exhausted and in pain, and I've been running on fumes for over a week.

I've been trying to play catch up on the forum because of the time I was either absent or just popping in for updates. I think I'm almost up to date now tho...

are the kitty cats still enjoying the views? Do you think the feliway helped.
It is amazing how fast they adapted.

Kay, I was wondering how your neck was feeling this morning.
I am so sorry.:(
I hope you go into a doctors office tomorrow like you said.
Maybe a chiro??? Can't remember if you can go to a chiro or not.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

I don't know if the Feliway helped to deter urine marking or help the kitties settle in more quickly or not, but they have been scratching the new furniture. When I sprayed the old furniture with it, it took them a couple of weeks to stop stop tho, and I've only been spraying this furniture for a week. I clipped their nails a little over a week before we moved, but I cut them again yesterday because keeping them short usually helps deter them from scratching, too... fingers crossed that they stop their bad behavior soon.

My neck is just HORRIBLE. The pain's not going away this time, so I'm going to have to do something about it.

I searched for chiropractors on my health plan's website, and the closest one to me is about 74 miles away :eek: so that isn't a viable option.

I think I will call my PCP for an appointment and ask him to order plain X-Rays of my neck. I can see where this is heading tho. I will need to have an MRI, which will be a $250 copay, and I already owe the company money from previous MS-related MRIs.

Obviously money is tight right now since we just moved, and we also need the brakes fixed on the car. I think I will start to pay down more money on that MRI bill while I wait for the inevitable ortho appointment. That's the only thing I can think of...

Oh kay, I am sorry that your neck is horrible.
(((((HUGS)))))
I wish I could give you some advice....
Just sending healing thoughts your way.
((((((HUGS))))))
bizi

Kay

Is there any chance that an massage could help. Not sure if you
have any in the area that would work.

Donna :grouphug::hug:

I had my Tysabri infusion yesterday. I got very confused about the time in the morning and thought I was running late, but ended up being about 1/2 hour early. I don't know what time I thought it was when I was getting ready and left. I was just off all day.

I've had massages done in the past, including for my neck, when I've been beat up, and they've helped, but this is different... I can't imagine anyone working on my neck right now. I need to see a doctor.

I have an appointment with my PCP at 10am. I'm also having problems with my upper left arm and shoulder, but I think it's linked to my neck problem (probably at C4-5). I hope he will X-Ray that too to be sure.

I have an appointment with my pdoc at 1pm today, too, and I'm not happy about it. I HATE having 2 appointments in the same day, and I don't live right around the corner from them anymore, so the in between time will be really inconvenient...

But I can do laundry during that down time if I have enough time... because it will take me a long time to fold it. Corey put it in the trunk for me this morning. It's the last thing I should be doing, but it has to get done, and nobody is going to do it for me. I could put it off until tomorrow, but I was looking forward to a day off to veg out at home.

I called the MRI place yesterday and made a payment. The guy suggested I set up a payment plan. I didn't do that, but should have. I may call back today to do it. I'm sure I will need an MRI of my neck, and I think they will be more likely to work with me if I am on a payment plan.

Good luck at your appointments.
(((((HUGS))))
love bizi

I slept in past 6am this morning, which is rare. I particularly enjoyed my first cup of coffee and cigarette out on the deck because it's so bright, sunny, and beautiful out :)

My PCP thinks my neck/shoulder problems are due to MS spasticity (spasms) because, of course, EVERYTHING is caused by either MS, BP, or meds. He suggested PT, but I said I wouldn't go without knowing what was wrong, and I think that's sensible.

I have a history of cervical disc problems, and the first/last time I had major problems like this, by the time I got to the ortho, the only thing he could do for me was to operate. My PCP said that plain X-Rays were pointless because they don't clearly show disc problems, and ordered an MRI, which I'm having today...

They will try to get that $250 copay out of me when I go, and I will try to negotiate. Maybe my PCP is right, and I'm wasting money we don't have, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Doing laundry was a bad idea, but I did it anyway. It was extremely painful, but I survived. I'm comforted by the thought that I won't have to deal with it for another week, and (hopefully) I won't be taking as much clothes the next time.

I called my pdoc's office to let them know I was running a few minutes late, only to find out she wasn't even in the office. The girl who wrote out my appointment card wrote the wrong month on it. I was happy I didn't have to go, but wish I knew beforehand so I could have left the clothes in the dryer longer. Oh well.

My aunt is up from NC and said she wanted to meet up mid-week, but I haven't heard a word from her since. I guess I will text her today. She may be mad at me because my other aunt asked me to loan her money and I said "no." IDK. We don't have money to lend, not that it's any of her business.

I can't believe she asked you after you guys just moved Having hook up expenses, your medical expenses....etc.
People just don't think.
bizi:hug:

I hope a heating pad helps your neck feel better!

Kay,

I hope that you fall into a manageable pattern with laundry.

I hope that you get rest and that the rest can help you.


You accomplished a lot with the move. You should get medals for it.

M

I wish I had thought of medals and medals for the kitty cats for being so good now.

How are you feeling now?
When will you get the Doctors official report/diagnosis???
(((((HUGS))))
Bizi

Thank you ladies :grouphug:

When I went for the MRI I pleaded my case to the lady at the desk, and only had to pay $100... thank God.

I looked at my old MRIs, and those old herniations at C4-5 and C6-7 never went away. They haven't caused me any significant problems since 2009, so they would have just been dismissed as incidental findings. I got a disk with the new images and it looks to me like the herniations are worse, but I'm not a radiologist or doctor, and I'm definitely not nearly skilled enough to tell if there is any nerve impingement or not, but I have the symptoms...
I'm looking forward to getting the results. I have no idea when to expect them though.

I texted my aunt yesterday and the plan is to meet up with her today after she goes to see my father. I'll make an educated guess that the visit between them won't go well, and will be ready to go early.

I don't know when I'll get my results. My PCP should have the full radiologist's report today, but the office tends to be slow. My condition isn't an emergency, so I expect I'll be waiting a while.

Waiting is hard!
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi:hug:

Kay,

How did the visit with your aunt go?


How do you feel about your new place? Is
everyone (including the cats) settled in?


M

My Aunt S. is probably the only one in my family who shows any genuine interest in how I'm doing/feeling, and she checks in via texts fairly often. The visit went well, and I was very happy to see her, and to meet her friend. My mood was quite elevated (which concerns me a little). Unfortunately, talking about all the family ****, and there was a lot of it, was activating (which concerns me a little more). My father did agree to see her, and I guess they had a pleasant visit, which was surprising, but good news.

We love it here, and have very happy kitties! They love the new furniture (Rocky REALLY likes the couch), the slider, and windows. I was worried about how they would take to the laminate flooring, but they seem to like to lay on it vs. the carpet now, maybe because it's cooler. It's been back to business as usual for them, but they do seem happier. I'm going to buy more Feliway spray for the couches on eBay (cheaper than Chewy) today. I've been using my black light, and there's still been no inappropriate peeing! :):):)

I haven't really taken to the e-cigarette, but am just smoking A LOT less. I love sitting on the deck in the morning to have a cigarette with my coffee. We really do enjoy it together, mostly in the evening when it's cooler out, and Corey has been much chattier out there, which is a good thing. The view is really pretty, but for a fairly rural area, there is a lot of traffic because a main road cuts through here, which is why I don't open the slider too often... it's too loud, and has really been too hot, too. The traffic doesn't ruin the experience of being out there tho...

It's good for people watching. There are lots of runners, bicyclists, people walking dogs, and pushing baby carriages... but there are others who are just not right ambling around. Our car insurance went down when we changed our address, but our renter's insurance went up, and I think it's because there are a lot of people around here on drugs, and maybe that's driven the crime rate up. It's a big complex, and they're not representative of the majority of the residents here tho.
Our fire escape is a winding staircase between the 6 apartments (2 each on 3 floors) in our "unit" and some people use it as an entry/exit. We've seen the people who live above us coming and going quite a bit, and can hear them when they are outside, and I'm pretty sure they're on something, but they're not bothering us, so that's their business.

We don't hear a peep from inside our neighbors apartments, which is a VERY nice change, since we used to be able to hear EVERYTHING at the old place... even the guy living above us peeing.

With all the amenities here, living is very comfortable. Everything is new: the bathroom, the flooring, and the kitchen with its stainless steel appliances. There is a lot of closet space, HUGE tub/shower with glass doors, and a very deep kitchen sink with a detachable faucet with a sprayer. I'm relearning how to cook with gas again tho... it's been almost 8 years.

I still haven't been able to get my kitchen set up in a way I'm happy with. It's been hard to find places to put things that are comfortable and convenient for me.

I would feel a lot better if I could do something with the spare bedroom. I don't think it would take me very long to get things straightened out in there because things mainly have to be stacked carefully in the closet, but the boxes are heavy, and I'm sure I'd hurt myself (worse). Corey's not interested in helping. But as things are, I can't run the vacuum in there, and there are two litter boxes... so I'm sure you can understand why it would bother me.


I didn't get a nap in yesterday, and Corey said he'd swear I was drunk. I went to bed at 9:30 and didn't wake up until after 7:30 this morning, which is very rare. I'm still feeling lousy and off tho.

I had hoped to stay in today to rest, but the pork butt I was going to cook today went rancid 4 days before its sell by date. I could smell it as soon as I opened the refrigerator door when I got home yesterday. I planned on getting 2 meals (pulled pork sandwiches and tacos) out of it, so I'm going to have to go to the supermarket :(

An RN from my PCP's office just called to let me know that the MRI showed that I have "disc protrusions" and the doctor wants me to see an orthopedist (instead of a PT LOL). The girls in the office will be making the appointment for me because they usually have more success in getting patients in to be seen earlier.

Nobody from my PCP's office called me yesterday about the ortho appointment. I should have called the office myself, but I was sleeping from about 2:30-5:30pm. I guess I'll call them on Monday.

I got an email notification that they posted the radiologist's report on the patient portal:
I have moderate to severe spinal stenosis and "protrusions" at two points/in two directions at C4-5 that are compressing the nerve root. I have mild spinal stenosis at C6-7 and a "protrusion" at that level that is also compressing the nerve.

I was too out of it to drive yesterday, so I HAVE TO do the grocery shopping today. I may have to have Corey drive me to the store because I'm off again... I've had a busy week and have been doing too much. The naps haven't been cutting it. I need more rest.

I locked Dottie in the hall closet by accident yesterday, and didn't realize it until about 10 hours later when I opened the door and she came trotting out unfazed. I felt really bad until she tried getting back in there again before I closed the door lol. I've accidentally locked her in closets for long periods of time like that before because she likes to get into places where she normally can't go, and she's fast and sneaky lol :rolleyes:

that is funny about dottie. does that mean that you are in constant pain?
love
bobby

Dear Kay,
 

That's cute about Dottie. How are you feeling?



M

Dear Kay,
 

Yeah, nice that you moved to a place without THAT.
Nice to appreciate quiet.

'Hate when that happens with the meat. Occassionaly
that happens to hubby and he returns it and gets his
money back.

New bathroom, kitchen, flooring, furniture . . . . ENJOY!

Really like your talk about using the deck. Seems lovely.
Fantastic that Corey is chatty out there -- maybe he is more relaxed.

I hope that he gets to the bedroom with the boxes soon.

Kitchens sometimes take a few weeks or longer. It will be put together eventually.



M

I was in constant neurological and musculoskeletal pain before I started to have these episodes with my neck. That's why my neurologist referred me to the physiatrist. My appointment isn't until the end of September tho. The pain is just more severe now.

My lower back has really started to act up. Corey should just take me out back and shoot me... as much as I would hate to, I may have to call and ask my PCP to call in pain med because I don't know how long I can take this.

I hope I don't have to wait too long to see the ortho. Maybe when I do get in, he will look into my back problems, too.

i am so sorry
love
bobby

It's okay. Thank you tho, Bobby :hug:

But my day to day problems are my own damn fault. I could take medications (Lyrica, Zanaflex, Baclofen) to control the symptoms that are caused by MS, but I don't because I'm worried about the sedation and being on too many meds. And I've just been ignoring the rest of my problems because I don't want to take pain med or constantly be in the ortho's office or PT. But I'll be seeing the physiatrist at the end of Sept. and hopefully he can help.

This morning my back is feeling much better, and my neck is a little better, too (knock on wood) :)

On Saturday night there was a fireworks show over the lake. It was "professional," so one of the towns in the area must have been having some sort of event. It was really cool and we had a great view :)

It is not your fault to not take pain meds. With your gait it is important to avoid sedation, you just told us that!
Please don't be too hard on yourself.
I am sorry to hear about the protrusions but I think you were expecting that news.
(((((HUGS)))))
I hope the ortho can help you, Maybe there are some pain meds that are not sedative in nature that you don't know about????
I don't know????
bizi:hug:
Sorry about your back issues too.....

Kay,
Glad your doctor is suggesting seeing an orthopedic doctor before having any PT.
Might be a good idea when you make your appointment to mention the MRI Radiologist findings. This may have a lot to do with your neck pain. If they know ahead of time, they may make time for discussion of these issues rather than you having to make a second appointment. It would also be good to bring a copy of the MRI's radiologist findings with you.

So sorry you are dealing with so much pain. I am amazed you were able to accomplish all that you did with the move. Hope you are able to get some relief.


Gerry

Kay,

Can't one of your docs call in a few doses of a pain med without your having
to be at an appointment?

I understand about the sleepiness thing -- but if you take something and you
know you will be home, is that different?

I hope that you are O.K.


M

The secretary in my PCP's office made the appointment with the ortho for me, so he will be aware of my diagnoses. I'll bring the disc with the MRI images with me to the appointment on August 30th (thank God I wrote it down because I kept telling people the wrong date).

I have no doubt that the spinal stenosis and disc protrusions seen on the MRI are the source of my pain. I don't know what kind of treatment the ortho will recommend, but both my father and brother have been to see him for back issues (they were not impressed), and I know he's big on injections. I would be very surprised if he just recommended PT.

I'm pretty sure that my PCP would call in some sort of pain med if I spoke to the triage nurse. I'm not totally unwilling to take it, I just don't want to ask him for it, and I feel like I can tough it out at the moment. That could change tho.

have you ever tried homeopathy Articles on homeopathy from master homeopathic practitioners

No, I haven't. Some people use some homeopathic remedies in conjunction with traditional medications, and a limited number of patients use it exclusively.

That case study wasn't a great one because the practitioner only studied 20 patients, 6 of which he later excluded from his research, for only 2 years.