18 January 2005

I have an ulcer on\in my tongue.  It's party due to the Lichen Planus on my tongue and the side of the my mouth.  The doctor gave me Celestone Syrup, that kind of tastes like a cough drop.  I apply it with a cue tip.  Overall I continue to get weaker and at times can barely walk.  The spasticity around my stomach area is as bad as it has ever been.  One of the most annoying things about this journey into hell is the muscle spasms I have in both legs, the right worst than the left.  It's not too bad during the day, but at night when I'm trying to go to sleep my leg will suddenly jerk.  It doesn't matter what position I try to get it to, the spasms continue every few minutes until I get up and move around.  My arms, especially the left, are sore most of the time.  I usually just ignore it, but sometimes it gets so bad I can't ever hold a paperback.  What a way to start a year.

6 February 2005

I broke my walker.  I actually snapped the frame in two places.  I have absolutely no item how it happened.  The company (selected by the insurance company) that provided it gave me another at no charge.

25 March 2005

At night I get muscle spasms in my feet.  Trying to sleep, my foot will suddenly jerk, the right more than the left.  The neurologist prescribed Requip which seems to help.  Another drug!

23 April 2005

I ate some cheese pizza (delivery from Papa Johns - arrived hot) for dinner last night.  Soon after I had stomach trouble and was sweating profusely.  As the night progressed I must have spent hours on the thrown and finally went to sleep around 1 PM.  This morning I can barely move.  Both legs are extremely weak and my right hand is almost useless.

1 May 2005

Started on yet another drug, Methotrexate.  A drug that hopefully will slow the progression of impairment.

1 July 2005

Started on Lunestra.  A non habit forming sleep aid.  I take so much Provigil it makes it hard, if not impossible, to sleep.

21 July 2005

A bad day.  It's getting real hard to use my right hand.  It hurts to use a mouse and I can hardly use the touch-pad.

4 August 2005

Saw the neurologist again.  I'm having two more MRIs (brain & spine).  He also prescribed a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TEN) unit.  Pain relief with TENS is produced through high frequency electrical stimulation of the nerve which disrupts the pain signal so that the pain is no longer felt.  It uses four pads that stick to the skin and connect to a unit with a 9-volt battery.  It's the first time in years I've gotten any relief from the spasticity around my stomach.  It's a pain in the ass to put on the pads every day, connect the wires, and attach it to my belt.  Put it's definitely worth the trouble.  It works so well I've stopped taking the Zana Flex.

29 September 2005

I had hand controls put in my car.  I no longer have to push down on my right leg to push the gas.  Unbelievable!  From a Corvette to a PT Cruiser with hand controls.  When does the fun stop?

6 October 2005

Our dog Charlie died today.  We took his body to the vet for cremation.  By the time we got back from the vet I had to literally crawl into the house.