1 November 1999

Slept well (took a Lorazepam again).   Also took Baclofen for the stomach spasms.  

2 November 1999

Slept well (took a Lorazepam again).  Bought some Valerian Root.  It is supposed to help you sleep.  I’ll find out this weekend.  It appears I can urinate naturally most of the time (some straining involved).  However, I guess it’s good to know the IC is there if needed.

3 November 1999

Slept well (took a Lorazepam again). 

5 November 1999

Didn’t sleep well even though I tool a Lorazepam).  About 11, I took some Ambien.  Noticed my feet are getting very tingly toward evening.  When I got home from work my legs felt weaker and my stomach muscles hurt.  I took a Baclofen.

6 November 1999

Didn’t sleep well.  I took a Valerian Root, but it didn’t seem to make me drowsy.  Finally, gave it up and took some Ambien about midnight.  Cut the grass/leaves today even though I felt bad.  Avonex # 14 tonight. 

7 November 1999

Didn’t sleep well.  I took some Melatonin and about 11 some Ambien.  I have a 4-day weekend coming up, so I’ll try to sleep without drugs again.  Had that sharp stabbing pain in my left hip again last night.  No bad effects from the Avonex.  My right thigh muscle hurts.  The intense numbness in my legs and feet is back.  Hopefully from lack of sleep.

8 November 1999

Didn’t sleep well even though I took a Lorazepam and a whole Ambien.  Got to get off this stuff before it runs out.  Thankfully, the intense numbness is gone again.

9 November 1999

Slept better.  I took a Hydroxyzine-Pamoate about one-half hour before bed.  I also took a Lorazepam.  Fell asleep about one hour after I went to bed.  It’s been around for a while (months), but I never mentioned in this diary.  The back of my left foot feels like it is rubbed raw, which it isn’t.  It’s painful just stretching out on the couch.

10 November 1999

Slept better.  I took a Hydroxyzine-Pamoate at bedtime.  I also took a Lorazepam.  Tonight I will try the liquid Melatonin.  Really stressed out at work today, but a 4-day weekend starting tomorrow.   A chance to get some rest.

11 November 1999

Only slept about 4 hours.  Feel horrible.  Took the liquid Melatonin at bedtime, a Hydroxyzine-Pamoate at about 11, and half an Ambien about 1.  I woke up at 5 and couldn’t get back to sleep.  I’ll try again tonight.  People talk about good days and bad days.  All I seem to have are bad days.  I can only remember one day when I felt “good”.

12 November 1999

Didn’t sleep well.  I took a Hydroxyzine-Pamoate around bedtime, liquid Melatonin at bedtime, a Remeron about 11, and half an Ambien.  I have that hung over feeling from the Remeron.  Somehow I have to beat this sleeping problem.  Also, there is a twitch on my left leg (behind the knee).  The vision in my left eye is real bad.  I’m sure it’s from lack of sleep.

13 November 1999

Slept.  Stayed up an extra 2 hours and took a Lorazepam.  Even with that I was up at 12.  I was so tired and the MS symptoms were getting worse, I couldn’t stand it anymore.  The back of me left foot feels raw all the time and the side of my right ankle started to feel the same way.  I always thought I was mentally strong.  Quit smoking in one try about 9 months ago.  Even with all this MS shit going on, I haven’t had a cigarette.  This sleeping thing is hard to beat.  I think I psyched myself out.  So worried I will not be able to sleep, that’s all I can think about when I go to bed.  I’ll try again tonight.  Avonex # 15 tonight. 

14 November 1999

Hardly slept at all.  Stayed up 2 hours later than normal to make myself more tired.  I took liquid Melatonin at bedtime, a Remeron about 11, and some Ambien about 2.  No bad effects from the Avonex.  Leave on a business trip tomorrow.  Maybe I’ll be able to sleep there.

20 November 1999

The trip to Mississippi went OK.  The first two nights I slept fairly well (I used the last of the Lorazepam.  On Wednesday I didn't sleep till midnight (the people in the next room were making a racket).  I used the last of the Ambien  to get to sleep.  On Thursday night I hardly slept at all.  I used two and one-half Remeron  to get to sleep.  I did a lot of walking in the Houston terminal on the way back.  Last night I woke up with a killer headache.  I took some Advil but was up most of the night.  My legs feel very weak and my head is cloudy today.  Avonex # 16 tonight. 

21 November 1999

The Avonex injection was not to good.  I was injecting my left leg and I think I went right through a vein.  Much more blood than normal came out the injection site.  My left calf muscle is sore.  Noticeable when I walk (at least I still can).  Also, my right ankle is still very sore.  Kind of like I banged it, but I didn't.  My sleep problem is still going.  I fell asleep last night at about 12 after taking two and one-half  Remeron .  I see the neurologist tomorrow.

22 November 1999

I took two Valerian  and a couple hours later two Remeron .  I finally fell asleep about 1.

23 November 1999

Saw the neurologist yesterday.  He gave me some Ambien.  I guess I'll use it until I can establish a good sleep pattern.  Last night I slept about 1 again.  Took some Ambien to get to sleep.  The neurologist said come back in 6-months.  Saw the urologist today.  Back on the Ditropan XL.

24 November 1999

Slept.  Tried some liquid Melatonin at bedtime.  After an hour I took half an Ambien.  I'll keep trying to sleep without sleeping pills.  Don't have the energy to rake the yard, so I'll try and get rid of  leaves by mulching with the lawn mower.

25 November 1999

Slept.  Tried some Insomnia tablets from Sun Source.  I feet like I should be sleeping, but was not.  At about 12, I took half an Ambien. 

26 November 1999

Took  4 Insomnia tablets (package directions).  I felt the tablets working but could not get over the edge into sleep.  Finally got disgusted about 11 and took some Ambien.  About 1, I took a  Hydroxyzine-Pamoate and a Remeron  to get to sleep.

27 November 1999

Didn't sleep all night.  I forgot to take  the Amitriptyline and Baclofen.  About 11, I took a  Hydroxyzine-Pamoate and a Remeron.  Avonex # 17 tonight.

28 November 1999

Slept.  Took half an Ambien after laying awake for an hour.  Woke about 3 with a killer headache.  Took 2 Advil and 2 Tylenol and went back to bed.  No bad effects from the Avonex.

29 November 1999

Before I went to bed  I took a  Hydroxyzine-Pamoate and a Remeron.  After an hour I gave up and took some Ambien  because I had to work in the morning.

30 November 1999

Hardly slept at all last night.  Up to about 11 I felt like I was going to fall asleep any second, but couldn't.  I gave up and took some Ambien.   About 4, I woke and couldn't get back to sleep.  Saw the doctor today and got a new drug (Sonata) that will help you fall asleep, but not stay asleep.  It's also supposed to be non-habit forming (although it is on the Government controlled drug list which means it has the potential to be habit forming).