Well, sorry for the lack of posts.
I haven't even posted my "promises" to myself for 2018, or reviewed my 2017 ones.
I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but the specialist is not convinced that it is causing all my current problems. So now I am waiting to see the neurosurgeon/neurologist for further investigations.
One of my problems is that if I bend my neck forwards too much for more than a few minutes I go dizzy. Not great.
I'm getting quite a collection of long term health conditions, but hey, I'm still alive, so I reckon that I am winning.
The tablets that I was given to help with the Fybro seriously disagreed with me, so the doctor tried me on the lowest possible dose, and starting off every other day. I was even worse on that, so there's nothing else to try.
The good news on the health front is I had another pain killing injection for my spinal stenosis, which has helped in part.
I feel like a caterpillar that's made their chrysalis and is waiting to emerge in it's new form. Knowing me, I'll come out as a month.
Showing posts with label Spinal Stenosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spinal Stenosis. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 January 2018
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Truth time
What does that mean, I hear you say?
I am getting to the point where trapped nerves are the norm..getting really frustrated, I hate this, but I can't do anything about it.....the epidural pain killing injection only kills the pain, it doesn't stop the nerves getting trapped.
I feel like I am slowly, becoming more and more disabled, and there's nothing that I or anyone else can do about it, as far as I can ascertain. Maybe when I eventually get an appointment with the spinal specialist, some light might be thrown on the progression, and what I can expect. No sign of that yet though.
So as I see it, I need to face up to the reality that this is going to change my life dramatically, if I let it.
I am getting to the point where trapped nerves are the norm..getting really frustrated, I hate this, but I can't do anything about it.....the epidural pain killing injection only kills the pain, it doesn't stop the nerves getting trapped.
I feel like I am slowly, becoming more and more disabled, and there's nothing that I or anyone else can do about it, as far as I can ascertain. Maybe when I eventually get an appointment with the spinal specialist, some light might be thrown on the progression, and what I can expect. No sign of that yet though.
So as I see it, I need to face up to the reality that this is going to change my life dramatically, if I let it.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Review of 2015
Ah! What can I say about 2015?
It's been a difficult year in a few ways.
From what I remember about January, there was pain from spinal stenosis, work, and the realisation that Spark was not a well doggie.
February brought a pain management appointment, and I had an injection. I started knitting a "knit-along" blanket featured in Let's Knit magazine.....I enjoyed making the squares, and when I had completed it some months later, I gave it to Becky.
February was also what I hoped would be the worst month, as I took Spark to see the vet, and with my three the decision was made that it would be kinder to let him go. Even though that was over ten months ago now, it still upsets me.
February is also the anniversary of Dad's death.
March through to early June was unremarkable, or at least I can't remember anything standing out, other than having a yearly meeting/review of my job.....fairly standard procedure that seemed to go well.......how innocent I can be at times.....rarely looking for ulterior motives for people's actions.
June started off fairly quietly, then the non-teaching staff restructuring was announced. They laughingly called it a proposed restructure at first, however as the year unfurled, it became clear that they wanted to be rid of certain members of staff, first they "ring-fenced" each section of the non-teaching staff, but removed it when they were told....too late for some, that they couldn't do that, as it was essentially forcing certain people out of work. So....eventually, after voluntary redundancies, there came applying, and subsequent interviews for the remaining posts. Although it has been claimed to have been a fair process, I don't think that it was, as there were more posts than people, yet it ended with me being made compulsory redundant.
Then, as well as that last bit, December brought named storms, storm Desmond managed to damage the power supply to the area, and we were on generators eventually, and switched back over to mains five days later. There's been another two storms since, again dropping loads of water on already sodden ground.
So.....after all that, I am hoping that 2016 might be kinder to me, and the general population.
There were positive things as well. Edwin graduated, and now has a job. Oliver submitted his thesis, and goes for his Viva on January 13th... after that he should be a Doctor, a PhD doctor, not a medical one. Samantha is still at the same place, and settled in her new flat. And Becky has started her Masters year.....oh! And Oliver has a job as well.
It's been a difficult year in a few ways.
From what I remember about January, there was pain from spinal stenosis, work, and the realisation that Spark was not a well doggie.
February brought a pain management appointment, and I had an injection. I started knitting a "knit-along" blanket featured in Let's Knit magazine.....I enjoyed making the squares, and when I had completed it some months later, I gave it to Becky.
February was also what I hoped would be the worst month, as I took Spark to see the vet, and with my three the decision was made that it would be kinder to let him go. Even though that was over ten months ago now, it still upsets me.
February is also the anniversary of Dad's death.
March through to early June was unremarkable, or at least I can't remember anything standing out, other than having a yearly meeting/review of my job.....fairly standard procedure that seemed to go well.......how innocent I can be at times.....rarely looking for ulterior motives for people's actions.
June started off fairly quietly, then the non-teaching staff restructuring was announced. They laughingly called it a proposed restructure at first, however as the year unfurled, it became clear that they wanted to be rid of certain members of staff, first they "ring-fenced" each section of the non-teaching staff, but removed it when they were told....too late for some, that they couldn't do that, as it was essentially forcing certain people out of work. So....eventually, after voluntary redundancies, there came applying, and subsequent interviews for the remaining posts. Although it has been claimed to have been a fair process, I don't think that it was, as there were more posts than people, yet it ended with me being made compulsory redundant.
Then, as well as that last bit, December brought named storms, storm Desmond managed to damage the power supply to the area, and we were on generators eventually, and switched back over to mains five days later. There's been another two storms since, again dropping loads of water on already sodden ground.
So.....after all that, I am hoping that 2016 might be kinder to me, and the general population.
There were positive things as well. Edwin graduated, and now has a job. Oliver submitted his thesis, and goes for his Viva on January 13th... after that he should be a Doctor, a PhD doctor, not a medical one. Samantha is still at the same place, and settled in her new flat. And Becky has started her Masters year.....oh! And Oliver has a job as well.
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Spinal stenosis.....do one!
This is not easy.
Today I went to see Mum, to deliver her presents, and my sister's.
On the way down there, I trapped a nerve, and was in pain by the time I got there.
I'm getting really frustrated by this thing that is taking over my body in an invasive way. I feel so helpless.
All I can do is wait for my next pain management injection.
And being 200% honest, it can't come too soon.
Today I went to see Mum, to deliver her presents, and my sister's.
On the way down there, I trapped a nerve, and was in pain by the time I got there.
I'm getting really frustrated by this thing that is taking over my body in an invasive way. I feel so helpless.
All I can do is wait for my next pain management injection.
And being 200% honest, it can't come too soon.
Friday, 9 October 2015
Outpatient appointment
I had an outpatient appointment today with the pain management team consultant.
I had asked for an appointment, because I have not spoken to anyone other than my own GP and the pain team since my diagnosis of spinal stenosis well over 18 months ago.
What I thought was correct. The consultant who arranged the tests looked at my results, they were out of his area of expertise, so he referred me to the pain management team.
The treatment I have had from them has been great, helpful follow up appointments, but I felt that I needed to know what the long term outlook was. The pain team nurse thought an appointment would help me.
The upshot is, I should be having another injection in the not too distant future, but I have also been referred to a spine specialist. So, I should know more about what I can expect in the future.
I had asked for an appointment, because I have not spoken to anyone other than my own GP and the pain team since my diagnosis of spinal stenosis well over 18 months ago.
What I thought was correct. The consultant who arranged the tests looked at my results, they were out of his area of expertise, so he referred me to the pain management team.
The treatment I have had from them has been great, helpful follow up appointments, but I felt that I needed to know what the long term outlook was. The pain team nurse thought an appointment would help me.
The upshot is, I should be having another injection in the not too distant future, but I have also been referred to a spine specialist. So, I should know more about what I can expect in the future.
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Spinal Stenosis..1....Me....0
I've been in an awful lot of pain today with spinal problems.
So, I'm afraid it's won.......but only for today.
Tomorrow is another day.
We had a Nice and Spicy meal deal for tea...for two reasons,
1) I was in too much pain to want to make tea, and....2) we all like Nice and Spicy, so do we really need a reason?
So, I'm afraid it's won.......but only for today.
Tomorrow is another day.
We had a Nice and Spicy meal deal for tea...for two reasons,
1) I was in too much pain to want to make tea, and....2) we all like Nice and Spicy, so do we really need a reason?
Sunday, 3 May 2015
New puppy, or not?
I've been having a lot of trouble coping with my spinal stenosis, and it's getting me down.
Stuff that I took for granted is becoming more difficult to cope with.
And because of this, I have been questioning the sense in getting another dog.
When I am having a good day, I feel confident that I would be up to looking after another dog, plus I think Shadow gets lonely at times.
But yesterday, I seriously doubted myself.
It would help if I knew more about my condition. To me it feels like it's getting harder to cope. Is it degenerative? Where do I find out? Are there any support groups.
I wasn't feeling that I can't go on any more, just that I need help learning to cope, which is very hard when you essentially live alone.
Oh! By the way! I was thinking that maybe a Bengal cat might be a good compromise.
Stuff that I took for granted is becoming more difficult to cope with.
And because of this, I have been questioning the sense in getting another dog.
When I am having a good day, I feel confident that I would be up to looking after another dog, plus I think Shadow gets lonely at times.
But yesterday, I seriously doubted myself.
It would help if I knew more about my condition. To me it feels like it's getting harder to cope. Is it degenerative? Where do I find out? Are there any support groups.
I wasn't feeling that I can't go on any more, just that I need help learning to cope, which is very hard when you essentially live alone.
Oh! By the way! I was thinking that maybe a Bengal cat might be a good compromise.
Friday, 17 April 2015
Fed up
A year on from being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, I'm getting quite fed up.
Today, although I currently have an epidural pain relief injection working, it doesn't stop me trapping nerves. It just means I don't have any pain.
But today, I couldn't put any weight on my leg, the muscle in my thigh was aching.
I would love to be rid of what is essentially a degenerative disease, but I need to learn to live with this.
Today, although I currently have an epidural pain relief injection working, it doesn't stop me trapping nerves. It just means I don't have any pain.
But today, I couldn't put any weight on my leg, the muscle in my thigh was aching.
I would love to be rid of what is essentially a degenerative disease, but I need to learn to live with this.
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