Lately, I've been having a lot of weird MS-related symptoms. I know it isn't a flare, but it's still annoying and troublesome just the same. The biggest thing going on is sensory stuff, mainly in my right leg. The sensation is hard to explain, and it changes a lot, too. It ranges from numbness to pins and needles to cramping to burning to pressure to pain and any combination of the above. I'm actually starting to run out of words to describe it to the neurologist.
Speaking of the neurologist, I did mention this about a month ago at my last Tysabri infusion. He prescribed Cymbalta, an SSRI that is also used for fibromyalgia and other nerve pains. It seems to be helping, but of course my insurance isn't wanting to pay for it because it is technically an SSRI and there are other, cheaper anti-depressants out there. I have a letter now from the doc saying this isn't what it's only use is, but we'll see if it works or not.
Last night BOTH of my feet felt like they were ON FIRE! I ended up getting an ice pack, which seemed to help a little, at least long enough that I could fall asleep. The hot tub sounds like a great idea lately, it's been cold and snowy, but every time I get in it the heat just makes it all worse.
Ok, that's enough bitching for now. Until next time....
Showing posts with label ouch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ouch. Show all posts
November 14, 2011
November 6, 2011
Gishy Goo
I'm not sure if I mentioned this yet or not, but a couple of months ago I got braces. Yes, real metal braces. Just on my bottom teeth, but still...they're the real deal.
Here's what happened. I had braces as a teenager and they put one of those permanent retainers on my bottom front teeth. As time as passed, my teeth surrounding the retainer have shifted, one tooth in particular. My dentist has been "suggesting" for years that I go back to an orthodontist, but since it was really just cosmetic, I didn't go. At my last cleaning, my dentist didn't just suggest, he basically told me to go. Apparently, my teeth shifted enough it was causing bite problems and TMJ issues.
The dentist told me it would be just a simple fix, like Invisalign.
HA! Not the case.
Basically, I forgot how much they could hurt. And how torn up the inside of you lip gets! To make matters worse, the little colored bands that they put on the brackets are made of latex, which I am allergic to. Those little bands, while making your braces any lovely color of the rainbow you could possibly wish for, also help add a little cushion for your lip against the metal. So I'm out of luck there. It hasn't been too terrible, but when it does get bad, I have GISHY GOO! This is something new, well, at least since my previous experience with braces. It's a strange silicone thing that goes on your brackets and works WAY better than that stupid wax they give you. It's a life (and lip) saver!
The only good thing to come out of this is that the orthodontist I'm going to is incredibly good looking :)
Here's what happened. I had braces as a teenager and they put one of those permanent retainers on my bottom front teeth. As time as passed, my teeth surrounding the retainer have shifted, one tooth in particular. My dentist has been "suggesting" for years that I go back to an orthodontist, but since it was really just cosmetic, I didn't go. At my last cleaning, my dentist didn't just suggest, he basically told me to go. Apparently, my teeth shifted enough it was causing bite problems and TMJ issues.
The dentist told me it would be just a simple fix, like Invisalign.
HA! Not the case.
Basically, I forgot how much they could hurt. And how torn up the inside of you lip gets! To make matters worse, the little colored bands that they put on the brackets are made of latex, which I am allergic to. Those little bands, while making your braces any lovely color of the rainbow you could possibly wish for, also help add a little cushion for your lip against the metal. So I'm out of luck there. It hasn't been too terrible, but when it does get bad, I have GISHY GOO! This is something new, well, at least since my previous experience with braces. It's a strange silicone thing that goes on your brackets and works WAY better than that stupid wax they give you. It's a life (and lip) saver!
The only good thing to come out of this is that the orthodontist I'm going to is incredibly good looking :)
May 23, 2011
Big Day for the Big Guy
Warning: This post will be solely about Mason and me being a proud Mama
Mason will officially be 2 and a half this week, and today he had his well child check up with the pediatrician. I decided to take this opportunity to get rid of Mason's "me me" (pacifier).
He actually only gets his me me when he goes to bed at night. It isn't allowed to leave the top of his dresser any other time, not even for nap. Considering some other kids I've seen around town, who are WAY older than Mason I might add, this seems pretty harmless. I know, I'm such a meanie, but it's time for the thing to go.
We started talking last week about Mason being almost 2 and a half, and that we were going to see Dr. Elliott. He LOVES his pediatrician, so this was pretty exciting news to him. Then I brought up that he needed to give his me me's away, maybe to a baby that needed them. He actually was ok with this idea. So I combined the two events, and we decided he would give the me me's to Dr. Elliott since she knows a lot of babies that might need them.
There were only a couple times that Mason informed me "I not doing that" when we talked about it, but last night he put them all in a gift bag and went to bed without one for the first time since he was a baby! Today was also no problem. He gave them to Dr. Elliott with no problem, and was actually very proud of himself that he packed them up for her. It was awesome! Tonight, I put him to bed and he didn't even ASK for one! I really hope this is not a fluke.
One slightly unexpected thing at his check up today was that he needed to have a bunch of blood drawn. Mason is definitely small for his age, and while it may just be genetics (neither Todd or I are tall) but it could also be because of a metabolic problem. Better to find out now, either way. The last time he had to have blood drawn (other than his 1yr finger poke) was when we had our awful ER visit at 5 weeks old...and I did it myself! I didn't do it this time, but I did "hand pick" the person in the lab I wanted to do it. I even called my mom to meet us in the lab (she works there) for moral support.
Turns out, I was the only one needing the moral support. Mason was a total rock star! He held perfectly still, only winced for a second right when the needle went in, and then THANKED the girl who drew his blood for the bandaid after it was over. Now we just have to wait for the results.
Other little things today that were just icing on the cake...we had a totally dry underwear day, even nap time and a poop on the potty (sorry, this is what happens when you become a parent)! To celebrate, and also to share our day with Daddy, we went to the fire station after it was all over (where he was excited to find a potty there to pee on as well). As an extra special treat, Daddy even took him up on the ladder truck.
It was a big day for Mason in many ways. But he handled it all like a pro and I am definitely one very proud Mama!
Mason will officially be 2 and a half this week, and today he had his well child check up with the pediatrician. I decided to take this opportunity to get rid of Mason's "me me" (pacifier).
He actually only gets his me me when he goes to bed at night. It isn't allowed to leave the top of his dresser any other time, not even for nap. Considering some other kids I've seen around town, who are WAY older than Mason I might add, this seems pretty harmless. I know, I'm such a meanie, but it's time for the thing to go.
We started talking last week about Mason being almost 2 and a half, and that we were going to see Dr. Elliott. He LOVES his pediatrician, so this was pretty exciting news to him. Then I brought up that he needed to give his me me's away, maybe to a baby that needed them. He actually was ok with this idea. So I combined the two events, and we decided he would give the me me's to Dr. Elliott since she knows a lot of babies that might need them.
There were only a couple times that Mason informed me "I not doing that" when we talked about it, but last night he put them all in a gift bag and went to bed without one for the first time since he was a baby! Today was also no problem. He gave them to Dr. Elliott with no problem, and was actually very proud of himself that he packed them up for her. It was awesome! Tonight, I put him to bed and he didn't even ASK for one! I really hope this is not a fluke.
One slightly unexpected thing at his check up today was that he needed to have a bunch of blood drawn. Mason is definitely small for his age, and while it may just be genetics (neither Todd or I are tall) but it could also be because of a metabolic problem. Better to find out now, either way. The last time he had to have blood drawn (other than his 1yr finger poke) was when we had our awful ER visit at 5 weeks old...and I did it myself! I didn't do it this time, but I did "hand pick" the person in the lab I wanted to do it. I even called my mom to meet us in the lab (she works there) for moral support.
Turns out, I was the only one needing the moral support. Mason was a total rock star! He held perfectly still, only winced for a second right when the needle went in, and then THANKED the girl who drew his blood for the bandaid after it was over. Now we just have to wait for the results.
Other little things today that were just icing on the cake...we had a totally dry underwear day, even nap time and a poop on the potty (sorry, this is what happens when you become a parent)! To celebrate, and also to share our day with Daddy, we went to the fire station after it was all over (where he was excited to find a potty there to pee on as well). As an extra special treat, Daddy even took him up on the ladder truck.
April 15, 2011
Watch where you're going!
Wednesday was another normal day at work for me. I was assigned to the OR (as usual) and things were going pretty smoothly...until I was run into by someone pushing a patient on a gurney. It hit me right on the back/outer side of my right ankle. I usually like to think I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but this literally made me break out into an immediate sweat.
I initially wasn't going to get it checked out, I just iced it and filled out my employee incident report. Unfortunately, it just kept hurting more and more, so yesterday I had it looked at.
Not much to report at this point. I was given a boot to wear for when I'm out or at work, but I can stop wearing it if it makes things worse or gets in my way too much. I go back in two weeks to have it checked again. I'm hoping it will be just fine by then, but the PA I saw isn't planning on it. She thinks it will be sore for up to 8 weeks. If in two weeks, though, it isn't "significantly" better, she'll order an MRI and go from there.
In the mean time, I'll hobble around with my silly boot on, keep ice on it and watch out for those run away gurneys.
October 4, 2010
Double (maybe triple) Trouble
Mason has been teething. Those darn two-year molars are determined to make all of our lives miserable, but have yet to actually show themselves. It is because of these two-year molars that I became a horrible mother and ignored my son last weekend when he pointed at his cheek and said "ouch, mama" and was much fussier/needy than normal. It didn't take long, though, by Tuesday I made Todd take him to the doctor "just to be sure". We now have our first ear infection. Actually, BOTH of Mason's ears were infected.
He was started on Amoxicillin and seemed to be doing OK......until Friday. On Friday I got a call from daycare that he threw up, so I went and picked him up. We aren't sure if it's the antibiotic or a stomach bug on top of the ear infection, or maybe it's his darn molars again...but this weekend was full of puking (and cleaning up after the puking). It's actually the most pathetic sight when Mason throws up. He just gives you this look like "Why aren't you doing something?".
Here's hoping the puking has stopped, the ears are UN-infected and those freaking molars break through the gum already!
He was started on Amoxicillin and seemed to be doing OK......until Friday. On Friday I got a call from daycare that he threw up, so I went and picked him up. We aren't sure if it's the antibiotic or a stomach bug on top of the ear infection, or maybe it's his darn molars again...but this weekend was full of puking (and cleaning up after the puking). It's actually the most pathetic sight when Mason throws up. He just gives you this look like "Why aren't you doing something?".
Here's hoping the puking has stopped, the ears are UN-infected and those freaking molars break through the gum already!
September 10, 2009
All the better to see you with, my dear
Mason had his eye surgery today. It was a long morning with no breakfast and no nap, but Mason was generally a pretty happy guy. The surgery itself only lasted about 20 minutes and went really well. Dr. Arnold fixed Mason's strabismus and amblyopia and now our little guys eyes and brain will work together. If you're interested in what he did you can watch a video of the procedure here .
I was able to go into the recovery room and be with Mason as he woke up. He was SO hungry he drank the pedialyte bottle the nurses gave him in seconds! Of course all the nurses kept stopping by to see the cute baby they were told was in PACU...which I have to admit, he was the cutest one around. After getting home Mason slept for about 3 hours and then had dinner. Now he's back to himself and playing with his toys before bedtime.
I know I've been pretty bad about posting updates lately...not because nothing has been going on, though. It's actually been quite the opposite! To sum up briefly, my MS flare is better (5 day course of steroids and then just being patient), Todd and I took the boat out of Whittier a few weeks ago (and survived), I've been working a lot of extra hours because of sick calls at the hospital (and taking extra Vitamin C), Mason now has FOUR teeth (the top two came in over the weekend), Todd has been working all over as rig closures continue (we're thankful that he'll keep his job though), and last weekend the weather was SO beautiful we went up to the lake to play and enjoy the last bit of summer.
I promise to get some new pics up soon!
I was able to go into the recovery room and be with Mason as he woke up. He was SO hungry he drank the pedialyte bottle the nurses gave him in seconds! Of course all the nurses kept stopping by to see the cute baby they were told was in PACU...which I have to admit, he was the cutest one around. After getting home Mason slept for about 3 hours and then had dinner. Now he's back to himself and playing with his toys before bedtime.
I know I've been pretty bad about posting updates lately...not because nothing has been going on, though. It's actually been quite the opposite! To sum up briefly, my MS flare is better (5 day course of steroids and then just being patient), Todd and I took the boat out of Whittier a few weeks ago (and survived), I've been working a lot of extra hours because of sick calls at the hospital (and taking extra Vitamin C), Mason now has FOUR teeth (the top two came in over the weekend), Todd has been working all over as rig closures continue (we're thankful that he'll keep his job though), and last weekend the weather was SO beautiful we went up to the lake to play and enjoy the last bit of summer.
I promise to get some new pics up soon!
July 30, 2009
So long, girls
Today, July 30th, 2009, I put on a size 34H bra for the last time. Tomorrow morning I go to the Ak Surgery Center at 8am to have breast reduction surgery. I'm sure the procedure will go smoothly, and I totally trust my surgeon (Dr. Jana Cole). I'm a little worried about how much it's going to hurt after, but I was told it doesn't last long. I will try to at least keep people updated on Twitter...maybe I can even get Todd to post an update blog.
My family is going to help with Mason since I won't be able to lift anything for 2-3 weeks. That will be the worst part of the whole thing, I know. Hopefully it will fly by. I know I am so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing family that is so willing to help out. They're awesome! And of course Todd will take great care of me, like always.
So......wish me luck......can't wait to show off my "new" girls :)
My family is going to help with Mason since I won't be able to lift anything for 2-3 weeks. That will be the worst part of the whole thing, I know. Hopefully it will fly by. I know I am so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing family that is so willing to help out. They're awesome! And of course Todd will take great care of me, like always.
So......wish me luck......can't wait to show off my "new" girls :)
July 12, 2009
Home again
We made it back home safely. Mason is a great traveller! He slept on both flights and adjusted to the time difference and sleeping in a different place like a champ! I'm working on getting a slideshow of our pictures...but in the meantime I thought I'd share a Duncan update.
While we were gone Duncan lost an eye. My brother (who was housesitting for us) called me when he came home from work to Duncan's eye looking like this...
He took him to our vet, who determined that the eye wasn't salvageable...so she removed it. Now he looks like this...
Actually, it looks a lot better than this already. Poor little guy. We don't know how it happened, but it looks like he was biten.
While we were gone Duncan lost an eye. My brother (who was housesitting for us) called me when he came home from work to Duncan's eye looking like this...
He took him to our vet, who determined that the eye wasn't salvageable...so she removed it. Now he looks like this...
Actually, it looks a lot better than this already. Poor little guy. We don't know how it happened, but it looks like he was biten.
April 13, 2009
On the first day
Today, I begin "Operation: Skinny Bitch". Basically, I need to lose weight and get back into shape. I tried to start running again, but Dr. says no more running for this girl because of my hip...grrr! Anyway, I'm not disclosing my current weight, but it's more than I want it to be and since I'm no longer breastfeeding I need to stop eating like I'm still pregnant :)
I originally called it "Operation: Baby Fat" but that sounded too negative. Other thoughts were "Operation: Hot Mama" or "Operation: MILF" but I think I'm sticking with Skinny Bitch.
Wish me luck! Anyone have any suggestions on non-running cardio activities?
I originally called it "Operation: Baby Fat" but that sounded too negative. Other thoughts were "Operation: Hot Mama" or "Operation: MILF" but I think I'm sticking with Skinny Bitch.
Wish me luck! Anyone have any suggestions on non-running cardio activities?
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