Sleep! Yay!

Wednesday night, for the first time since the beginning of April, I slept 5 hours in one stretch! 10-3! Then, I was able to doze back off for a few minutes between 5:30 and 6.

Thursday night, I slept 11-5! What in the world!

I'm feeling amazing... Praise God for his help!!!

There is a story behind how I finally got the needed relief! But I just wanted to record the wonderful news, before I fall asleep for hopefully a nice sleep!


-Amy

More waiting

Last Monday I saw dr dewese for medicine and he gave me something to take at night, to call in 2 days. I reported that it wasn't effective on Wednesday. Through leaving messages we ended up on Thursday that Dr D would defer to the pain consultants appointment. I have continued taking the meds hoping it would help in the meantime waiting for the appointment on 8/08.

On 8/08, I visited the Pain Consultants of East TN, and ultimately scheduled an SI injection on 9/16 and 9/21. But that is based on the doctor availability after 9/11 when the insurance begins to pay for this whole process and nerve ablation. A staff member estimated the cost of 490 for one SI injection, to pay out of pocket to get this earlier than insurance coverage begins. There may be an earlier appointment with a different doctor.

I had asked if there was anything that could be done in the meantime, and described the problem of not sleeping, and he said just said that was it. I think there might be a problem, because I asked the nurse to speak to him about medication. She took my question and said they had an order for the procedure only and they couldn't talk about medicine.

I looked back at my patients portal record of the 8/01 visit and I saw dr l's notes for referral for procedure and pain management.

I will talk to someone at PC tomorrow to find out if they have that on the referral order or not. Obviously it was his intention, but was not realized.


-Amy

Appointment today

I'm trying not to be optimistic today. I am afraid I will be disappointed if I expect some relief from pain at this appointment. I can't help hoping. Dr D put off changing my meds last week after I reported that they didn't help. And I was at the end if my rope already last week. He wanted to defer to this new doctor. So I tied a knot at the end of the rope to hang on.

-Amy

Ibuprofen is key

I skipped my self prescribed 800mg dose of ibuprofen this morning, just to see how much it helps. Yes, it helps! Dear Lord! At 8:15 I took it at work.

I felt it necessary to try the day without it. I don't want it to be part of my baseline. I also don't want that dose to be part of a new normal at the end of my next treatment.

However, my short term goal is to sleep through the night.
Next, it would be good to get the diagnosis confirmed.
Then, perform a procedure I may not have had yet but that is an available treatment approved by my insurance.
Then, a month from now...after 9/11, pursue the next procedure that will be a available/approved at that time.

I'm not sure how to keep making it through the day, though. I'm quite unhappy in the current situation, between a rock and a hard place. My husband has made me afraid to speak at work about this, and I am somewhat uncomfortable talking to him now. It's hard to hear, "just be thankful you have a job." And I know it is true, but it doesn't make me feel better.
-Amy

On to pain management

Monday I saw my physiologist and he referred me to pain management for evaluation for a nerve block, or nerve ablation. I also saw my regular doc and asked for pain med. I had finally surpassed the point of dealing into suffering; Jason helped me realize it was time to do the next step. My physical therapist is seeing me one day a week through the next few weeks. I'm doing all my stretches and exercise. Also I'm swimming and using the elliptical trainer for cardio. I m still waking all through the night, rarely sleeping more than 4 hours a night, and at most 3 at a stretch. It is really starting to make me crazy after 4 months of it! First week of April, after PRT injections, this started. Now, there was some improvements especially in the mid to upper low back, rarely is that sore, but it's the left SI joint and this new issue with pelvic muscles.

-Amy

Wow! an improvement!

I have been having trouble going to sleep, waking two times a night, usually between 11-3 and the last time is hardest to get back to sleep due to discomfort. Tuesday was the worst so far. Lucky me

Doc RX'd gabapentin on Tuesday. Therapist put me through the wringer. And that night I woke the same but it was less intense.

Yesterday was no physical therapy, and Emily RX'd elliptical or swimming, walking at the least on off days. I went lap swimming at gym. (Swimming at grandma's on a Saturday led to a wonderful Sunday 2 weeks ago.)

Last night I fell asleep at 11 or so after reading. Didn't even need my audio book. Today, I woke around 2:30 and 6:30. I was so glad that the second time was this late and now I'm just awake for the day, in a happy mood even though I'm hurting! Sleep makes a big difference!

The gym is very close to me, and 30 bucks a month is reasonable to pay for the gym even if I use the pool facilities only. I'm going to join.

I'm hoping I will improve and then taper off these meds. Doc thinks I will need a dose increase after a few weeks. I hope the smaller dose is enough. Seem hopeful it will help get over the hump.

-Amy

God is good!

Good visit with Jon and Barb! God blessed me with their visit. The children loved spending time with them!

Rested on Saturday made such a big difference on Monday morning. I felt good. Tuesday not so much but still not the worst!

-Amy