Day 1 off the Solu Medrol IV

I was thrilled to know that I was healed enough at my IV sites to be able to go into the pool to begin my range of motion exercises once again.
My desire was to do my usual, but for some reason after my half hour break I went back into the 88 degree Fahrenheit pool with air temperature approximately the same and I got goose bumps/chilled, and so my usual two halves of an hour turned into one full half and an only an additional fifteen minute exercise program. 
Oddly enough no step down pills were given this time, which had been given quite a few times previously.
As far as the medication working on the optic neuritis so far I am still waiting; it can take some time as we discussed here before.
Although, sometimes it doesn't work at all, sorry I should think positive thoughts and just be a more patient patient, my bad.
I did read that as we get older it does sometimes take longer for us seniors to have results, and also the use of the minimum dosing at my now senior age of sixty-five is recommended, which the 1 gram for each of the three days is the cautious way to administer it to my age group, preventing damage to important organs.

Okay, now for the better part of the day I was cold, even after my warm/hottish shower after I came out of the pool. I turned up the air-conditioner a degree warmer. Hubby had received the check for the repair of the minor damage to our van and was in Punta Gorda for the work to be done with a short pick up afterward for a few items at Publix, our grocery. So I was on my own. He's usually cold anyway and was happy it was more comfortable for himself when he arrived home.
My body temperature registered fairly normal, so who knows what gives?
Anyway, my glucose was nearly back to normal, but not quite, still coming in over 100+ fasting, but I decided to put the test kit away, anyway; this could go on for days or even months.

I did have one small temper tantrum when ordering dinner for Hubby to pick up I was flustered and worried that I ordered wrong, and Hubby said I sounded confused when I ordered, so unlike me that is why I usually do the ordering. I yelled and pushed my walker across the room, oops! I knocked both my cell phone and the cordless one off the center console between our new recliner loveseats. Neither were harmed in that bad behavior storming. Fortunately, we had just bought two new covers/protectors for our new phones from Consumer Cellular that were worth the small investment for the two with free shipping of a total of $11.98 would you believe? They had arrived just last Thursday, boy was I lucky!
Sadly, psychotic episodes can be a side effect of the solumedrol, thus the reasoning for step downs usually after, a weaning process.
But due to my diabetic reaction last time I had to stop even the step downs and that was two years ago April I found out from my paperwork left in the box from that time, where the additional syringes for the insulin were kept, we had ten left, and only needed the one this time.
So here I lie once again in bed more comfortable with the paddle fan above me, with me being more like me temperature wise that is.
My temperament seems also a wee bit more calming, although until my sight is restored I will be concerned about this whole process of seeing better and how I have consistently tried to get there, shame on me for that, hmm?

On this note of wanting a speedier recovery, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask all of you to kindly count all your blessings and share all your overages with you know whom and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!
 

 

Rosy Cheeks and tummy ache

Blood glucose

Fasting blood glucose:1	Less than or equal to 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (5.6 millimoles per liter, or mmol/L).
2 hours after eating (postprandial):2	Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) for people age 50 and younger; less than 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) for people ages 50–60; less than 160 mg/dL (8.9 mmol/L) for people age 60 and older.
The results when A1C is being used to diagnose diabetes: Normal (no diabetes): Less than 5.7% Pre-diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% Diabetes: 6.5% or higher " thanks to NIH goto: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003640.htm Random (casual):3	Levels vary depending on when and how much you ate at your last meal. In general: 80–120 mg/dL (4.4–6.6 mmol/L) before meals or when waking up; 100–140 mg/dL (5.5–7.7 mmol/L) at bedtime. Thanks to: webmd.com * My own adventure has been fluctuating and fortunately has not required additional units of insulin since that first night when my glucose rose to 309. The info on its vial says 250-300 4 units and 300-400 6 units. Mine that is my glucose so far has tested as of last night 208 at 10:55 P.M, this morning 156 at 5:45 A.M., 2 hours after breakfast at 11:07 A.M. 171, 2 hours after lunch 170 at 2:07 P.M. and at 7:30 2 hours after dinner I will be testing again, and as you can see no additional insulin has been required so far. As far as the rosy cheeks and tummy ache go; they are both reactions to the IV Solu Medrol that I had not had before. Rosy cheeks are the same effect I had for the first time last Sunday from the step down pills, and my history of stomach problems is ongoing with two medications that I take daily. Vaseline was applies to my face cheeks, again not the other ones. And along with my usual medication that I do take daily for my stomach I used moist heat applied from my esophagus down through my stomach region in the form of wash cloths moistened and placed in Ziploc bags in the microwave for 30 seconds and wrapped in hand towels not to get burned; each microwave systems heat if different so be careful if you try this. I had my third IV earlier today and so hopefully my Optic Neuritis will be gone soon. That is all.  PS: this format is due to me copying and pasting once again and I suppose the sites are reluctant to have people share their info...oh well; it is what it is. Good night to all and to all stay well and informed! PSS: My a1c was 5.8 and my starting glucose was 93 and even 90 shortly after, before all the Solu Medrol IVs, which can stay in your system for six months after and cause your a1c to go up, my first time back in 2009 it went up to 7.1 due to the residual effects of the steroids, a powerful drug and not to be taken lightly.

I AM NOT A DIABETIC!

Although, I did have a glucose last night of 309! (5units of insulin was given, according to directions, although it was actually 6 for from 300 to 400, but less in my mind is more, okay? I was 173 upon waking but after lunch 121 without anymore insulin.I check again in another hour.)
Thankfully, we did get the call at eight P.M. from doctor Negroski's RN Tracy that she would call in at our Publix RX a vial of insulin, because that above reading was at 9:15 that night.
Hubby had picked it up with the test strips that I no longer had had.
Since 2009 I had been considered pre-diabetic from when the Solu Medrol had been administered that first time in the hospital and they gave me insulin then, and so ever since they have been testing my a1c on a fairly regular basis.
And fortunately I have maintained my pre-diabetic status.
Six years of trying hard not to become another number in the diabetes wars, with trying hard to eat appropriately healthy and exercise as much as this MS body would allow, it has been tough with balance issues and heat sensitivity to the point of having to contend with spasms at times as bad as grand Mal seizures are. Thus the medication utilized for those types of reactions Gabapentin and Baclofen, antispasmodics and both notorious causes for appetite increasers.
The four times before each time I had the same need for insulin all due to the Solu Medrol 1000mg. IV for only three days each, and each time the medication did seem to resolve each exacerbation of the MS or related problems meaning three times of the ON or Optic Neuritis, which is the current problem after topical drops and step down steroids did not help, this is my last resort.
Waiting...
So far the eyeballs sporadic pain and blurry vision are still with me, but I do have one more dose tomorrow...hoping.
Sometimes it works in days or weeks later, even some people have said for them it was months, and some it hasn't worked at all.
Some people do not bother doing anything and it subsides without intervention at all.  
Sadly, for me I had waited a couple of months that first year I had gotten it,ON, again after the hospital the year before, and it did not resolve and just caused my cataract to get get worse, much, much worse.
But after being told for four years that my optic nerve was dead and it wasn't worth getting fixed I took a leap of faith and got a second opinion, and sure enough after righty was done my legally blind 20/200 eye was now 20/30! 
Thanks to Dr. Klein who looked at my MRI and said I had a fifty/fifty chance, and I took it.
That was my old neuro, the woman, who said that it wasnt worth it, she shall remain nameless.

My new neuro and my newer ophthalmologist conferred this time on my behalf, I feel so cared for.
Any-who, I am looking forward to a good result.

And yes the insulin is a nice safety net and it is in the fridge and good till 2017, but seriously I hope I won't need it ever again.
You see, each time I am all done with the IVs my glucose systematically returns to normal, although it can screw up your a1c for six months after. And that first time it did, it jumped to 7.1, since though it has been 6.1 or lower like before this all started 5.8 just in June; 5.4-6.7 pre and higher is diabetic, I think, you can Google it, I'm fizzling...

Happy Good Night!
Wish me luck and you all by now must know my closing, you can Google that too if you feel the need. 
 

Very tired

Nurse came later than expected and so my first IV was just finished.
Talk with you tomorrow, please forgive.

What is life without a slight glitch on occasion?

Yep and that is what is definitely happening now.
I did receive my medication, the three vials/spheres of 1000 mg. of Solu Medrol to be inserted into my IV over the next three days, it came to our home at about four P.M., and yes that is what I said, and starting tomorrow I was told that an RN would be here installing it in my arm/hand for disbursement throughout my bodily system and that he/she would be calling today to make that arrangement.
Waiting still, for that call and it must be after hours since many places close and it's already six P.M here.

If I didn't feel bad enough to need this stuff it wouldn't be a problem, ya know, but then this all would be a moot point anyway.

I must decompress and try hard to not stress anymore than I am already. Sleep has been consistently restless...my head hurts and I continually seem to get some relief from ice packs applied to my noggin in different locations and caffeine, imbibed via a coffee cups worth full, at night.

 Right now I am in my cool place, in bed with our ceiling paddle fan aiding in my comfort along with the central air-conditioner, but lately it has gotten hotter outside causing it to have to work harder, yep, low dry nineties causing heat indices over one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit! 

My Copaxone came today, my monthly supply, and when we are getting deliveries we cannot hear them while lounging in the pool, or working out in the backyard, but since I have had my eyes and ears problems getting chlorinated water in them doesn't help anyway. Even though I do use ear plugs, I have a nose plug, but don't use it anymore, it hurt, and my sinus issue causes another problem as well...I should try and find my goggles that I used to use for snorkeling to protect my eyes when I  eventually do go back into the pool,but can't with the IV in me, which stays for all three days. What a boring mess, SORRY!
That's why I would have gone today in the pool though, I really need it, no rain and all, but had to wait for the deliveries and calls...oh well.
I feel crappy anyway, excuse my cringe-worthy comment.
My left ear also has a whooshing noise sporadically that I did ask the ENT, ear, nose and throat doctor about, Dr. Moss, he said I probably lost some hearing in that ear.   
All these problems besides my optic neuritis and burning twisting right leg sensation should be made better by this dosing of this high-test medication of the three days 1000 mg. each day of Solu Medrol; problem is you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, ya know?

I am looking forward to feeling better!  
Too much TMI, talk to you later.
Wait till you see what those heavy doses of steroids does to my voice here, motormouth galore! Ha!

Back on the juice

Does it seem odd to you or just to me that illegal and legal drugs sometimes have nefarious reputations? 
Sure and that some drugs are now acceptable when other ones were also considered bad?

Steroids have different forms of being supplied for all people.
The ones that were in the news with Armstrong and the baseball players using are not the same kind administered to me over these last six years, four times of IVs and too numerous to count topical and step-down pill packets.

Yesterday, I saw my ENT, ear nose and throat doctor Moss, and I was informed that my sinus problem is also stable and no surgery is needed, great and a big wow!
Today, I had my follow-up with my local ophthalmologist/surgeon, doctor Klein who on Friday had me put back on a six day step down steroids pills after I flunked topical eye drops in the same family of medications, steroids, but with an antibiotic.
I failed the eye test still, although my eye pressure is good, he feels that I do have another case of ON, Optic Neuritis and so he called, yep, he called my neurologist, MS, Multiple sclerosis, specialist, Dr. Negroski in Sarasota to confer on me being now put on a three days' worth of IV Solu Medrol starting tomorrow! Nurse and IVs will be coming tomorrow to install, and even testing for diabetes equipment, which a latent problem gravitates in to my system temporarily and always seems to arrive with this medication.Insulin has had to be administered every-time. At least this time my cataracts wont get worse, since I had both cataracts removed! See a bright side.
I had a rough night last night with a nasty headache that I have found coffee and ice packs help a little bit.
I have too many medicines in me to add more into the mix.

I wonder if something set this latest exacerbation off, Ampyra? Skin cancer surgery? Who knows... the Ampyra I am so looking forward to its positive affects on energy and walking, and the dermatologist Dr. Spencer got all the squamous cell carcinoma in situ, meaning so early! So I should not be stressed at all I thought I wasn't....

Gotta go, but thanks for listening...tired talk to you later.

 

Balance! (Disclaimer)

Last night my concerns for one of two of our local TV stations that they have decided and will or are only producing local news; that is that they are owned by the same company, thus mentioning two. We do have many other choices for our viewing pleasures, even without cable we have a couple of dozen via our rooftop antennae(looks much like a space-disc for another paid for program system) and our converter boxes, except on our newer TV's that Number One Son gave to us that do not need the converters, lest us not forget our online access too.
Foolishly, when I look back at what was said by me last night I forgot to indicate the necessity for ALL newsworthy stories from anywhere to be presented to their viewing public, which happens to be locally.
My concerns always are genuine and not meant to cause harm to any one group or groups due to how I feel at any given time in my life or theirs.
And in reality I do know that words can be mightier than a sword, alas though mine have never assaulted anyone into changing their own belief systems; that is that I am aware of, my persuasiveness often falls on deaf ears sadly, but it is what it is.

TV can be so many things to so many people as anyone knows.
Its versatility is the responsibility of the stations, hundreds today, so I have heard. (Another reason I am quite content with the enough choices Hubby and I do have.)
We, at times, do discuss giving in and going with all the newer systems and packages available by bundling, but then we step back, take a deep breath and realize we do not need all that!
Our children have long gone and are adults with their own homes, and we do not have any grandchildren to entertain, and even if we did I can think of so many more fun things to do than planting them in front of the technological baby-sitter so many use today.
Oh here we go again, and no I am not against progress, but again balance must be our first concern, like in anything in life!
Studies and playtime are an example of that.
Many of my generation used to say work hard play hard, ya know?
Simple, and doable then.

Life is complicated, nothing new there, but I felt the need to clarify.
And yes it was the Fort Myer's NBC-2 station that got me so wound up on the topic and all the problems with that networks at NBC's New York station, anchors from Ann Curry, Brian Williams as well as David Gregory,and I really did like all of them so my disappointment was tangible and expressed, now done.

Topic over and out; so now with a very deep breath taken I will happily ask you all to have a very good night and ask you all to kindly count all your blessings and share all of your overages with you know whom and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square , ya hear!