May 2000

1 May 2000

I was falling asleep on the couch, couldn't keep my eyes open.  Went to bed about 9 and tried to sleep without taking anything.   I got a few hours sleep, better than yesterday and didn't take anything.  

2 May 2000

Went to bed about 10 and tried to sleep without taking anything.   I got a few hours sleep and didn't take anything.  Saw the urologist today.  He said I may have a small infection (will call me if I do).  I go back in 6 months.

3 May 2000

Had to get up early today for an important meeting.  Tried to sleep without taking anything, but finally took some Ambien.  Back to the fight to sleep naturally tonight.  In the late afternoon, I took care of some fire ants and trimmed two willow trees.  By the time I was finished I could barely take another step.  So much to do and so little I can do at one time.

4 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was up most of the night.  Trimmed around the yard until my left arm gave out.  Evidently my arms are getting weak like my legs.  Headache all day.

5 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was up most of the night.  Tired, very tired.  Almost finished the trimming (my arm gave out again).  Headache all day again.

6 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was up most of the night.  Cut the grass and did some general yard work (treat fire ant mounds, pick up branches, etc).  I was absolutely exhausted when I got done.  Avonex #38 tonight.

7 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was up most of the night again.  I can't go to work like this tomorrow.  Have a killer headache.  Raked up some leaves and dumped one load on the burn pile.  I could hardly walk when I was done.  No bad effects from the Avonex.

8 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was up most of the night again.  A hard day at work.

9 May 2000

Couldn't stand it anymore.  I took a small piece of Ambien about an hour after going to bed.  Back to the struggle tonight.  The urologist called today.  I have a bladder infection.  He prescribed Bactrim DS (antibiotic).

10 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about an hour after going to bed.    Just didn't have the energy to struggle with sleep again.

11 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about an hour after going to bed.    It seems like the plumbing is shutting down again.  Urinating naturally was great.  It makes you enjoy the small things in life.  Hopefully, it will return again.  The urologist said its part of the MS roller coaster.

12 May 2000

Slept without taking anything.  Woke about 1 to use the restroom, which is normal, and fell asleep again.  Woke about 7 (2 hours later than normal).  Cut the grass today.  Cindy did the trimming.

13 May 2000

Slept without taking anything.  Woke about 12, to use the restroom, and again at 3 and 4.  Avonex #39 tonight.

14 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about 3 hours after going to bed.    No bad effects from the Avonex.

15 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien about 3 hours after going to bed.  It seems like the body is part asleep, but the mind is wide awake.  It didn't seem like 3 hours had passed.  Leave for a trip to Alabama today. 

18 May 2000

 The trip to Alabama went OK.  The walk through the airports was somewhat taxing.  After work I was tired and didn't feel like doing anything except sitting down to rest my legs.

19 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  Saw the neurologist today.  He prescribed some new medication.  Isometh Dichlor is for the killer headaches (he said they are not due to MS).  Aminopyridine for fatigue.  He increased the daily dosage of the Baclofen.  He gave me Detrol for bladder problems.  He said it works better than Ditropan XL, which it does, and my mouth is not near as dry.  Also, he'll send me a written prognosis for my boss.  After testing, he said the pain in my right wrist is the beginning of carpel tunnel syndrome and prescribed a wrist brace.

20 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about 2 hours after going to bed.  Yesterday, the Neurologist said is was OK to do that, but I don't like it.   Avonex #40 tonight. 

21 May 2000 

 I took a small piece of Ambien about 2 hours after going to bed.  It seems like I get up twice every night to use the restroom.  What little sleep I'm getting is not good sleep.  Cut the grass and trimmed a little.  Absolutely exhausted when I quit.  No bad effects from the Avonex.

22 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  I woke about 2 to use the restroom and couldn't get back to sleep.

23 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  I woke about 2 to use the restroom again and couldn't get back to sleep.  I felt horrible all day (dizzy) and thought it was because of the Aminopyridine.

24 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  Got some sleep and felt better all day.  Evidently it was not the Aminopyridine that made me feel bad.

25 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  I woke about 1 to use the restroom again and couldn't get back to sleep. 

26 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien about 3 hours after going to bed.   I have the next 5 days off, so I'll keep trying to sleep naturally.

27 May 2000

 Fell asleep without taking anything.  It took a couple hours, but it worked.  Woke with a killer headache.  I took Isometh Dichlor twice with no effect.  Have to cut the lawn today.   Avonex #41 tonight.

28 May 2000

Didn't take anything to sleep.  I was awake most of the night.  Feeling another headache coming on so I took Isometh Dichlor.  No bad effects from the Avonex.  I'll try and do some trimming today.

29 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about an hour after going to bed.   I was really stressed. 

30 May 2000

I took a small piece of Ambien about 2 hours hour after going to bed.  The ringing in my ears is especially load today.

31 May 2000

 I took a small piece of Ambien before going to bed.  Woke up about 12 to use the restroom.  Woke again at 4 and couldn't get back to sleep.