April 2000

1 April 2000

I was falling asleep on the couch.  Went to bed about 9 and tried to sleep without taking anything.   Finally gave up at 1 and took some Ambien.  More yard work today.  I trimmed the grass and when I got done, my left arm was shaking so bad I couldn't hold a glass of water without spilling it.  Avonex #34 tonight.

2 April 2000

 I fell asleep (without taking any Ambien).  I did take some liquid Melatonin .  I woke at about 3.  My left arm is still sore and weak.  I think my right hand has carpel tunnel.  When I use the mouse, my hand gets cold.  No bad effects from the Avonex.

3 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour and gave up and took some Ambien.  Yesterday my legs were very weak (really hard to walk).  Today they feel better.

4 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour, gave up, and took some Ambien.  After another hour I took some more.

5 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour, gave up, and took some Ambien.  After another hour I took some more.  Also woke up about an hour early.  I need a week where I can get off the drugs.

6 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour and gave up and took some Ambien.  I scheduled a week (in May) off to try and get this sleep thing under control. 

7 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour and gave up and took some Ambien.  It seems I always do that.  

8 April 2000

I tried sleeping for an hour and gave up again and took some Ambien.  I leave for a trip to New York for a wedding tomorrow.  Should be interesting because I have to go through Dallas, Boston, and then into New York.  A lot of walking from gate to gate.  Decided  I'll skip the Avonex today.

11 April 2000

The trip to New York was OK.  Walking through the airports was tiring, but I made it.  Took Ambien every night.

12 April 2000

Over the last two days, I've been able to urinate naturally.  Hope it will continue.  Still taking Ambien to sleep.

13 April 2000

Took some Ambien to get to sleep.  Woke at 1, 3, 4, and 4:30.  Tired.  Walked around the yard killing fire ants.  Also, walked around the yard picking up branches.  My legs were so tired, I had a hard time getting back into the house.

14 April 2000

I was falling asleep on the couch, so I went to bed.  I tried sleeping for two hours, gave up, and took some Ambien.   

15 April 2000

I tried sleeping for three hours, gave up, and took some Ambien.     Woke up with what feels like another killer headache coming on.  Four Advil later and the headache is still getting worse.   Did a little yard work and my legs gave out.  Avonex #35 tonight.

16 April 2000

I was falling asleep on the couch again, so I went to bed.  I tried sleeping for an hour, gave up, and took some Ambien.   Except for a headache (seems to be continuing from yesterday), no bad effects from the Avonex.  Still urinating naturally most of the time.  The little things in life are the ones I need to be thankful for.  Did a little yard work (raking leaves and burning branches and leaves).  By the time I went back into the house I could barely walk.

17 April 2000

I could hardly keep my eyes open watching TV.  I went to bed and was wide awake.  I took some Ambien.   Woke at 1 to use the restroom and at 4.  Stayed in bed until 5:30.

18 April 2000

Waited about an hour and took some Ambien.  Woke at 1 to use the restroom and at 4.  Stayed in bed until 5:00.

19 April 2000

Waited about an hour and took some Ambien then took some more about a half-hour later.  Woke at 4 but stayed in bed until 5:00.  I'm tired, so tired.

20 April 2000

Took some Ambien before going to bed.  A little more rested.

21 April 2000

After work I trimmed about half the yard.  When I got down my arms were so tired they were shaking.  I had to hold a glass of water with both hands.  Took some Ambien before going to bed.  Getting tired of saying and doing that.

22 April 2000

I tried sleeping for two hours, gave up, and took some Ambien.    I cut the grass and trimmed a willow tree.  By the time I was done, I could hardly walk.  I wonder if I'm causing damage by pushing myself.  Avonex #36 tonight.

23 April 2000

I tried sleeping for four hours, gave up, and took some Ambien.    No bad effects from the Avonex. 

24 April 2000

I tried a natural sleeping aid (Allunna) I hadn't seen before.  As soon as I opened it, I knew what it was.  The main ingredient is Valerian Root with a little Hops thrown in.  I should have read the ingredients in the store.  An hour later I took some Ambien.  I leave for a four day trip to Mississippi today.

27 April 2000

The trip to Mississippi went OK.  The walk from gate to gate through the airports at Memphis (going) and Houston (returning) were a little rough, but I made it.  I had to take Ambien every night to sleep.

28 April 2000

I tried sleeping until 12, gave up, and took some Ambien.  I have today and the next week off.  I'll beat this sleeping thing.  Raked some more leaves and carried them to the burn pile.  Took a brake and raked some more and trimmed some.  My legs are so weak, I can hardly walk.  

29 April 2000

I tried sleeping until 11, gave up, and took some Ambien.  I just didn't feel like laying awake all night.  I'm making excuses.  Cleaned the front gutters and cut the grass.  My legs were very weak.  Had another killer headache.  Avonex #37 tonight.

30 April 2000

Didn't take anything to help me sleep.  I was awake most of the night.  My head is very foggy.   No bad effects from the Avonex.