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Greetings & Salutations!

 
So... what has everyone been up to?
 
Me... I have been having insomnia again.
 
I am still taking that pred flare taper, I am on my 2nd day of 15mg, then I go down to 10mg, which is my normal dose.
 
I went to the neurologist yesterday, Tuesday. The results of my MRI of my c-spine & l-spine just showed RA in my spine. He said nothing that needed surgery. He told me I have 2 pinched nerves. One in my right leg, and one in my left arm and that I had nerve damage throughout my arms and legs. As for the possible TIA, he still is working on ruling it out. I told him about the Fibrogen antibodies being double what they should be and he said if I could get my blood work that showed that and the bloodwork my GP done to see if it was still high, then he can do some other test that will tell him for sure if I had a TIA or not. He also wants me to get my other Dr's to fax him their findings and my file to him. He says that will help him make a decision on if I had the TIA.
 
I had my RD appt today. She came out of a room from another patient while I was getting my vitals took, and she said hello to me by my name. I am her "puzzling" patient, so she remembers me by my name now LOL!
 
Then when it was my turn for her to see me she came in and asked why I had not been in since July. I told her because she told me to get my rapid pulse took care of before I came back to see her
 
She asked if my pulse was straightened out yet, I told her to a point.... like 3-6 hrs before my next BP med, but is better since being put on Bystolic. Also that my BP has been normal or below normal since being put on Bystolic and she said that was good.
 
She asked what all I had done so far and if I had the TEE done, I told her about the TEE problem and she said she was sorry. I told her I go for the bubble test tomorrow, she said that was good, it would help determine about the TIA.
 
She told me to tell my cardiologist if the bubble test comes back good, for him to look for a malfunctioning wire? Well... something like that. She said one of my nerves could be damaged by the inflammation I have/had and it could cause a malfunction that can cause a rapid pulse.
 
She took my pulse while I was in there with her, and it was 72. She said that was good. So... she was going to let me have my Remicade infusion next week. She said I really needed my Remicade infusion. Even though she is afraid to let me have it as it could be Remicade causing my problems. She said for me to just make sure I take my Aggronox and aspirin the day before infusion and of infusion. She gave me her cell phone# incase I have another episode like the one that started this whole thing.
 
She put me on a different med for the fibro. I was bumped back down to 30mg of Nortriptyline by my cardiologist, and every since then... my fibro problems have returned. It is amazing how you do not notice certain things until they return. Like my twitching and my legs jerking at night and the burning in my shoulder blades, and how noises make me irritable or bother me more. New fibro med is Remeron.
 
She took swelled joint inventory, and that little body she stamps in my file and circles my swelled joints, was full of circles
 
Oh and the neurologist put me on B12 shots, said it would help with nerve damage and the pinched nerves. Told me to take my muscle relaxer 3 times a day at least. Wants me to do a tens machine. While I was talking to him, he wanted to inject my neck and shoulder with cortisone. I did not let him. He said if I changed my mind to just call and he will work me in to inject my joints. He also gave me some sheets of neck exercises to do and lower back exercises. Told him about how my lower back has been spasming more. He said it was pinched nerve and just to limit what I do that causes it to spasm and take the muscle relaxer 3 times a day. I was like OK!
 
So... that is my week so far. My right eye brow twitching is REALLY annoyoing me!! When do you start the b 12 shots? Let me know if that helps. Sorry about the eyebrow twitching. I hate twitching.I was wondering where you've been too. Sounds like you have alot going on. I don't know how you can function without sleep. I have to have 10-12 hours a night or my day is spent sleeping. Can't they give you some sleeping pills or are they afraid to because of your conditions?
Good to see you back!
I start the B12 shots when I get them filled. I was waiting on filling it after went to RD because I knew she would give me RXs as I needed refills on ALL my meds she has RXed.
 
Yeah, Cindee.... I am not functioning well with this lack of sleep, but it is all I have. I did take a "nap" on the way back home from RD appt, but I was awake I just had my eyes closed. I have Rozerem, but I tried it last time I had this insomnia, and it did not really work. PLUS, no one will let me sleep! And it says to make sure you get 7-8 hrs of sleep, and if I am not asleep before 11pm, then I will not get the 7hrs of sleep it says you need, because I have to wake up at 6am, well now 5am to make sure everyone gets up on time.
 
I normally need a LOT of sleep, which I do now, but this insomnia crap no sleep for me.
 
I bet when this insomnia finally goes away, like it did before, then I will be back to needing my 10hrs of sleep LOL! Not like I ever really get 10hrs of sleep all at one time, but sleep is sleep when you are not sleeping LOL!
 
Man! Now my shoulder blades are burning again! I need my 80mg of Nortriptyline!!!! It feels like a bad sunburn on my shoulder blades. The more I use my arms, or my hands, the more it burns. I better go lay down and rest them before I make it stick around for a while by "over doing"..
 
Hope you are well, Cindee & Milly! Missed ya Milly! Glad to see you back and posting!
Cathy
Yay for Remicade!  I hope you can get some sleep soon...
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