6 Month Check Up

So I just went for my 6 month check up with the Neurologist. While I was there lots happend!

1. I walk in the door and he asks if I have gotten my flu shot yet. Well no, so I am on a mission to get the H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available. I am a perfect candidate to get it. Under 34 and I have an Autoimmune disease. So I got my regular Flu Shot today and now will call & bug the Health Dept until they get their doses in. I also just found out that one of my co-worker's kid has it so I have to be extra careful. He may not have any symptoms but he may be caring it.

2. I told him that I have had 2 relapses since July. One of them is still pretty prevalent, I was quite scared of doing the Steroid treatment due to all the side effects. He says my left hand may never recover it may always have the tingling. Only time will tell. The most recent one started 2 weeks ago Tuesday. It is all over numbness. The only thing right now that is not numb is the right arm & my head. So he recommended that I get the Steroid treatment! Yeah! It consists of 3 days for an hour.

3. Steroid treament is a biotch! My first was on Friday morning before work. I sat for an hour with an IV hooked up with 100 mg, I think, of Solumedrol and a saline mix. While it was happening was no big deal, what's another needle when I get to inject myself 3 times a week anyways. So they insert the IV but instead of leaving the needle in there is a pvc tube that is left in my arm. Not sure why they use that vs the needle but it definitely is not as sore. After effects were all day. At first it was hot sweats (now I know what it is like to go through the change) where I was peeling off clothing because I was sweating so bad even though it was freezing! I got lots of energy which was great. Got lots done! The night however was terrible. Rodney & I tried a new place, Wing Heaven (awesome BTW). Well the combo of the wings & the drugs has kicked in some major heartburn! We were basically out of Pepto so I tried the good ol Rolaids, did nothing. To make things worse I couldn't fall asleep my heart was beating way too fast! So as I am laying awake @ 2 am I almost made a late night trip to Meijer for Pepto. Toooo Lazy! Got about 3 hours of sleep last night with no outlook of rest for the day. I went for Trip #2 this morning. So far not too bad. Heartburn still going! Stopped @ Meijer stocked up on Pepto, Tums & Sleeping Aids. Big Griffins game tonite & a house warming party. Can't drink so Mrs. DD to your service. Tomorrow is the final dose. Going to a movie with Sarah and hitting the grocery store. Hoping I can get some rest before the work week begins. Very glad that I decided to get these doses during the weekend or there would be sheer hell @ work I think.

4. Finally, MRI #3 for the year on it's way! Due to the fact that I have had 2 relapses in the last 6 months, the Neurologist wants another MRI to see if my Rebif is doing what it should be. Could just be a fluke I am getting them so close together; stress, etc.... The average is 1.6 relapses per year. I am still taking the Rebif he wants to look at the scan first to see if I have any new lesions. That should hopefully happen sometime next week.

So MS sux if you didn't know. I am living everyday though. Had a few bad days last week but I am feeling better, except for this damned heartburn! I will update once I get some news about my MRI and hopefully by then I will be anti- H1N1. :) Thanks for all the support to my friends & family. This is going to be a long battle and I am glad you are all here for me in your prayers, thoughts and kind words.

First Relapse

Hello everyone!

Been awhile since I posted but much hasn't been going on.

We went up North to Oscoda to see the In Laws and relax kith Kevin & Lauren. Before I went up I noticed that my left hand when I would wake up was very numb. It went away after a few hours so I thought nothing of it. Went the whole weekend the same way. However when we were heading home I started noticing other parts of my body falling asleep quickly.

Well I guess I am having my first relapse since starting Rebif! The medication is not designed to keep me from getting them ever or shortening them but reducing how many I have had. I would say one in an almost 6 month period is pretty good.

I am lucky that is is only in my left hand/arm. It started at the fingers and has now worked it's way up to my shoulder. It is making it difficult to type! Thank goodness for Spell check. Real lucky it has not gotten into the right hand or I would be really fucked! (Knock on wood)

Not sure how long it will last. Will have to wait and see. When I had my first bout it took almost 2 months to fully recover from the side numbness. The left fingers are the worst. They are numb/tingly but will start to feel painful if I type much longer.

Just figured I would update anyone that cares and this is a good way to keep a Journal of any relapses for myself. Will keep you updated if anything else happens. Pretty tired most days, can barely stay awake to watch the 11 o'clock news most nights.

Still too good to start collecting Disability Insurance and still haven't gotten the Handicap sign for my car yet. Maybe with the new one!

Have a good one!

First Post

Hey everyone!

I told you that I would start a blog about my adventures now that I have been diagnosed with MS. So I finally had some time to do so. Rodney is out playing Rock Band with some friends and I needed to catch up on laundry and Days of Our Lives so now is a perfect time!

So for you who don't know. I was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) a little over 2 months ago. I guess I had been having some symptoms of it for a little over 3 years now but just kind of blew it off. My Doctor had thought it was a Virus, which it is, it is an Auto Immune Virus. There is no cure for it and I am stuck with it for the rest of my life.

So to start my treatment I am using a drug called Rebif. It has to be injected 3 times a week in a fatty area of my body. Lucky for me that is all I have! I have taken it for a month now and I think so far so good. I have my first follow up appt. with my Neurologist, Dr. Sullivan in 2 weeks.

Since being diagnosed not a lot has changed. I am still having some issues, mostly with sporatic joint pain. I can have good and bad days. I have not joined any kind of group as of yet. I am still trying to wrap my mind around everything. When I originally talked to Dr. Sullivan he said sometimes joining the MS support groups can be very depressing. Most of the people you meet there are in a bad stage of MS and can make people like myself think oh that could be me and give up. Many of my friends know that I have taken this very well. I was even joking atbout it when I first found out.

What has MS done to change my life? Not much. The guys at work have given me an out on soemthings but I don't want to be treated any different. There are going to be some days when people just need to leave me alone! I have had a few bad nights when I can't sleep because of my joint pain, headaches, etc....

I appreciate everyone's prayers and thoughts. Right now I am doing good. I will keep you all posted on what is happening. And other exciting things in my life... I am here to show that people with MS can lead normal lives (well normal for me) and we can be productive members of society.

Thank you again and tlak to you soon!