Good and Bad Days
 

For all of you out there, do you have good bad days? I personally have many OK days (some pain but tolerable)... several bad days (stay at home and rest my feet)... and a rare good day (very little pain if any)... my B-Day this year (the big 40) was a really good day... almost no pain throughout the day... a little in the evening... Maybe I should call the thread, good, bad and ugly days... :)

Most are mornings I wake up feeling strung out like I was out partying for a week, a few I wake up feeling rested. I seem to be having a bit more of these. I sleep fairly well, broken by my eye problem or to go to the bathroom, the short trip too long. Navigating in the night really is difficult. I get better as the day goes on up to about late afternoon, then the back starts hurting.

PT seems to be helping, but it takes me a day or 2 to recover. My therapist really pushes me to use my legs. Steps are the worst, really fatiguing. Quads are screaming, back is agonizing, but overall when recovered, I can do more....then the cycle starts over.:(

Hi Ed, I have good, bad, and ok days. i know what you mean. i am glad you have a good day on your b day. I just saw my neuro yesterday and he said for me to take my gabapentin 3 times a day instead of 2 times a day. So, i am to take 1800mgs(600in morning, 600afternoon, and 600 evening) I was taking 900 in the morning and 900 at night. i am not sure if this will help or not. I am afraid the 600 will not be enough. He also gave me some tramadol if needed. i am not comfortable with that yet. What are your meds and how are they spaced? i just turned 35 and this is just crazy! They think my neuropathy was caused by an autoimmune attack on my nerves. I have 2 kids and i am so frustrated. Who is your neuro? i see Dr. Nash at Ortho Nero in New Albany. I hope you are having an ok/good day!
Danielle

I am on gabapentin 1800 mg a day. I take mine spaced out over day. Dr gave me pills in 600 mg that I can spilt.

Actually, I end up taking 300 mg a day 6 times a day. I know that seems like a lot, but it seemed to work out even better than 600 mg 3 times a day.

Danielle, I'm having an OK day today... hopefully, it will stay that way as the kids are looking forward to fishing this afternoon/evening. Currently, I'm on Neurontin 3600 total (1200mg in the morning, afternoon and evening), Tramadol ER (200mg 1 time a day), Tramadol (60 mg when needed), Cymbalta (60mg 1 time a day), and just started (almost 3 months ago) Nortriptyline (10 mg x 2 just before bed time). My symptoms started in 2006 and have kinda stabilized (I think) with all of the meds. My Neurologist (Reagan Miller of Mount Carmel Neurology East) is trying to find a better (and cheaper) anti-depressant that will work so that we can start cutting back the Neurontin. Currently, I'm max'ed out in the Neurontin area. I was on Neurontin in 1999 to 2004 (weened myself off) after a hunting accident left me with bullet fragments in my left thigh (long story if you want to hear it). I do have the Liza Jane's spreadsheets somewhat filled out for my next appt. (August 23). Hopefully, we can find something that works better. Right now, everything is OK but think it could be better (without getting on the heavy duty pain meds). Dr. Miller is great at working with me to trying new things out and also digging in.

I have a high tolerance to pain so can suck up a lot , however recently I was forced to make an international flight back home to oz to apply for the dssp.

prior to that what i had noticed was that I couldn't walk down steps even just a few due to weakness in my legs. (sort of stumbled down)

The hotel in oz didnt have a lift (paid in advance but thought it was 2 cheap :cool:) an had to stay on the 4th floor . well the 1st week was a killer, almost. By week three my muscle mass in quads improved.

I was forced to exercise, and Now I can walk down stairs easy.

Even when I was fit I would never have stayed on the 4 th floor of hotel with no lift, amazing what the body can do when its FORCED to:)

use it or lose it , a good lesson learned for me.

Hi Ed ~ I have about an equal number of good & bad days. Weather makes a big difference with me -- when the barometer moves, I'm in agony. :eek: And in Michigan, that barometer is always moving! LOL

Have you tried Prozac as an antidepressant? That worked great for me for several years -- then I had to switch because it stopped working so well. We get accustomed to our meds sometimes, and they quit working. I'm now on Cymbalta 60mg twice a day. That seems to be working well.

I hope you find something that works for you. It's bad enough being in pain, let alone being depressed at the same time. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee ;)