Pain and concentration

It's more efficient to tell folks my back hurts rather than the details, but it is not just my back: it is my low back, my butt, along my tailbone through my pelvis to my pubic bone, down my leg, with numbness in my foot. When standing, and sometimes laying, strong pressure in both legs below/outer my calves with pins and needles. And the pain from my back down my leg will alternate legs as well. Mostly the pain is on the left, but during walking, it will hurt on the right instead of the left and my foot goes numb. It's obviously not the physical legs hurting, but the nerves in my spine are being squished.

All this has been disrupting my sleep since April. I'm getting better sleep now, but it is difficult to concentrate during the day as the pain just keeps my mind on edge.

So, I'm happy it's Friday. But, my back is already killing me before the day starts. Typing about it helps some!

Labor Day weekend

I relaxed in bed half the day on Monday, but I had a big weekend.

On Saturday, the kids and I loaded up and went to Walmart, and one of our list items was a back brace. I bought a lumbar back brace and used it while doing my cleaning and chores on Saturday. Joanna and Thomas helped some with the chores too, after failed attempts to play nicely together outside.

I wore the brace to the family reunion and long car ride on Sunday. It was really helpful. I don't plan on using it constantly, but it is nice to have.

Monday, none of got out of our pajamas until a few minutes before the pizza arrived!

Friday and Saturday used my meds, but I held off both meds the last two nights. Sleep was ok on Sunday night; last night, I was up till 12:30, then woke for the fat at 3:30.

Goodnight weekend

I mostly rested Saturday, and then took the kids to a birthday party, and shopping for a gift first--a record-short, 15 min trip to the store! I will note that I did not feel like going and I was uncomfortable the whole time, but it was good anyway. Glad Joanna could go to her friend's party. Thomas enjoyed himself too.
Sunday We all went to church, and had lunch per Joanna's request at Osaka, then home. I started laundry, then relaxed between laundry loads, except and quickly cleaning Jack's cage and bathing Jack with Joanna. Not pleasant but needed and Joanna was sweet!

Then the kids and I took a quick trip to the gym. I swam about 25 min. I fixed them and myself a quick dinner. Jason had a Diet Coke for dinner. ;/)

Now I realize I did all my chores! It made a difference having several good nights of sleep this week. Even though last night and the night before were poor sleep nights, I was still able to do my chores well and I'm happy. Here's hoping I well sleep well and I did not overdo it on those chores.

On a sad note, we missed a funeral. I didn't realize it, as I thought it was last Tuesday, during the day. I didn't know or forgot about the event today. God bless the families. I wasn't up for being out in the car any more though. I'm sorry to say that.

I'm glad I did more than I had but I'm still not up for all others would have me do. There was a long list of unmet expectations of others. Not mentioning what I simply missed!

Thomas' l replay from Geometry Dash!

Replay from Geometry Dash!

Watch my replay from Geometry Dash
https://everyplay.com/videos/32669688


-Amy

Don't get too excited...

Well, I did sleep well those two days, then it was back to the
regular, 3 hrs per night, Friday and Saturday night.

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