The last time I blogged was awhile ago. Various crises (?) precluded my writing. The resulting stress was grabbed by my already challenged immune system. From this I received a stomach bug and a low grade fever. Since I have already vomited in 2013 - this stomach bug was medicated into submission! Lower intestines were not included in this submission! When this "bug" was finished I was already heavily into sinus and allergy interactions, with the resulting deep throbbing headache and plugged ears. Going to the shooting range may or may not have made my ears worse!
Now for device type information. I am still happily on the 1st program setting. I ran into my St Jude rep Steve at Dr Carlson's office, while waiting for a shot in my left bursa and hip. He was happy about my results, as is my doctor. I am ecstatic! My pain is so much better I asked for a lower dose of pain medication for my prescription - which I have not filled yet! Pain comes now and then - but it has never returned to the level I suffered from prior to the Neurostimulator. Currently, I am having pain (not suffering from) down my right buttocks and leg. I believe I have a program that may address this area.
Yesterday, I had an appointment with my therapist, Dr. Barry Linden. He specifically deals with pain sufferers, and his wife has MS and is a chronic pain sufferer. We talked at length about my desire to reduce my pain medication dose, and my body's reaction. Since my pain has been reduced, I take the pain medication when I need it, rather than on a schedule which predicts when the worst pain is, based on experience. My mornings have always been less painful. That being the case, if I have taken pain medication at 10-11 PM, by the time I feel the need for another dose, it could be 12-15 hours. There comes a point where my body begins to feel the absence of pain medication, usually 15 hours. Which conveniently is around when I am starting to hurt, and consider taking my pain medication combination (1 rapid release 500 mg Tylenol, 2 liquid gel Advil, and 1 Percoset, and 1-2 mg of Tizanidine). I also lie down for the first 15-20 minutes, to take pressure off my body and bones while this combo begins to work. For now, this is what works for me. Once I begin to feel better, I am up and around again ----- and THAT is the goal.
This month, October, I made a scrapbook for my now 8 year old granddaughter, created 75 calendar magnets (check out my other blog for pictures!) and I have gone out to dinner, and several shopping adventures. THIS is improvement. I failed to mention the little problem making the calendar magnets has created! This is a PROBLEM! Most of my craft dies are stored on magnetic pages, and I have stored my extra magnets for the calendars in the same place. Apparently, this is too much "magnetism" for my Neurostimulator, and it was sent into a frenzy. This started Sunday, when I went to Joann's to purchase more magnets! Uncomfortable! Not my former Medtronics unit uncomfortable - but slightly unpleasant!
I am philosophical about my improvement and believe that sharing my story is a way to pay forward the gift of relief that I have been given. Throughout this adventure, I have learned the difference between pain --> suffering --> and misery. What an adventure!
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