1 August 1999

Had the third IV Steroid treatment today.  The intense numbness is still gone.  Maybe there is hope.

3 August 1999

Finished the IV Steroid treatments today and am now taking Prednisone to ease myself off the IV Steroids.  I take the Prednisone with Pepcid to ease stomach discomfort.  Also, taking Lorazepam to help me sleep.

6 August 1999

Had to see the family doctor  for a blood test.  He was concerned about my glucose level.  His nurse called and said my glucose level is fine.  I don’t have diabetes (some good news).  The intense numbness returns in the evening.  How to get used to it?  It makes walking more difficult.  It’s much more bearable in the morning.  I go to learn how to inject myself today with Avonex.  Cindy said she would go with me.  Had the first Avonex injection (Cindy did it).  It was not bad.

7 August 1999

I don’t feel any ill effects from the Avonex.  Count every blessing.  I’m going to try to cut the lawn today.   I think I’m feeling a little effect of the Avonex (flu-like).  Took a couple Tylenol.

8 August 1999

Don’t feel too good today.  My head is foggy, I’m tired, and my right ankle is very stiff.  The intense numbness continues.  Tomorrow will be a better day.

9 August 1999

The numbness is very intense.  I called the neurologist to see if he could give me something for it.  The lady who answered said she would ask him and call me back.  She never did.

11 August 1999

The urologist gave me a prescription for Ditropan.  The neurologist put me on Neurontin which is supposed to help the intense numbness.  I don’t think its helping.  Just going to have to get used to it.  Maybe going in and out of the office to the hot car makes it worse over the day.  I’ll have to try and stay in the air-conditioned office and see if it makes a difference.

12 August 1999

The Neurontin doesn’t seem to be helping any.  The intense numbness starts to build in the late afternoon and by 5 PM it’s intense.

13 August 1999

The intense numbness in my feet (the right is the worst) started in the morning and stayed with me all day.  The Neurontin is not working.  Hopefully, it will not be this way tomorrow.

14 August 1999

Numbness is still there.  It wasn’t too bad in the morning, but by dinner it was intense.  I trimmed the yard and killed some weeds.  It made my legs very weak.  I took some Citrucel to try and obtain some regularity (another problem I’m having).  I take the second Avonex shot today.  No bad effects from the Avonex.  Thank goodness for that.

15 August 1999

Someone on the web said my numbness might be Paresthesia.  According to the medical dictionary, she may be correct:  Paresthesia  is an abnormal sensation of prickling, numbness, or itching of the skin, commonly known as a feeling of "pins and needles."  These sensations are commonly experienced when a limb "falls asleep" or when a person hyperventilates.  In these instances the paresthesia may last only a few minutes.  Sometimes, however, paresthesia may be chronic or the result of an underlying medical disorder, such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid gland), alcoholism, or  neurological disease.  Anyway, finished the last of the Prednisone today.  Glad to be done with that.

17 August 1999

Numbness is still there, but I may be getting used to it.  However, it’s getting harder to walk.  My right leg is getting stiff and the inside of the ankle is very sore.  My left foot feels like the sole is a round cramped muscle.  Hopefully, these are passing sensations.  I decided not to take the Neurontin anymore.  It isn’t working and leaves me light headed.  I’ll try some painkillers left over from the dentist.

18 August 1999

Painkillers didn’t seem to do too much.  Today I couldn’t seem to clear my head.  It was hard to think.  Not sure if that is from the heat or just another part of the MS.  Hope it goes away tomorrow.

19 August 1999

My head was clear today.  It seems the Neurontin had nothing to do with my “fuzzy” head.  My right ankle is very sore.  The numbness is still intense.  May as well take the Neurontin.  It may not seem like it’s doing anything, but if it helps the numbness even a little it will be worth it.

20 August 1999

Cut the grass today (took about two hours).  My left leg (clutch and brake pedal) is a little tired.  The numbness is still there, but not too bad.  Take the third Avonex injection today.  I injected myself for the first time.  Amazing how hard something so easy is.  No bad effects from the injection, except for a headache all day.

23 August 1999

Leave for a week long business trip to Mississippi.  Should be interesting to see how I do.  I’ll try and catch rides through the airport terminals.  My left leg seems to be very weak and sore.

27 August 1999

Just got back from Mississippi.  The trip went well.  I was a little tired after work and really didn’t want to do anything but put my legs up and rest.  I walked a long way from one gate to another in the Memphis airport because I didn’t want to get a ride in a wheelchair.  In the Houston airport I did take a cart ride to the gate.  I did notice going up stairs is a harder and slower trip.  My left foot still feels like I’m walking on a marble (makes it hard to walk).

28 August 1999

Trimmed the yard about 9 A.M.  Got about three-quarters of the way done and my legs gave out.  I literally fell to my knees.  I put away the trimmer and staggered back into the house.  Maybe it was because I got over-heated (I was sweating a little).  Just hard for me to believe and accept.  Also, for the last couple of days it feels like my face is going numb.  Where does the fun stop?  Fourth Avonex injection tonight.

29 August 1999

Right leg and face feel a little better.  The left leg is still very weak.  No bad effects from the Avonex.  I injected myself again and it was much easier.  Took the last of the Lorazepam.  Another prescription done!

30 August 1999

Legs are very weak with intense numbness in my feet.  Still feels like I have a marble under my left foot.  I think it’s from being a little stressed at work.  Hard to sleep.

31 August 1999

Didn’t go to work because I didn’t sleep almost all night.  Called the neurologist to see if he could give me something to help me sleep.  He gave more Lorazepam.  My vision also seems to be going.  Sometimes things are blurry, sometimes not.