Category Archives: MS related
Warning about Tea Tree oil products for MS patients
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yesterday DH was suddenly weaker than normal. After he showered tonight he could barely stand up. A few hours later, he couldn’t stand up. In fact his legs and arms didn’t want to work at all. This very sudden onset led me to believe it was something new in the house that caused the problem and not his MS.
I think we found the culprit. There was only one new thing around here. He got his hair cut yesterday and they used a conditioner on his hair containing Tea Tree Oil. He liked it and bought a bottle. He used it again tonight.
I did some research and found that sometimes people are hypersensitive to Tea Tree Oil and can have muscle weakness and tremors from using it. I’m betting that with his MS, DH is hypersensitive to it. He won’t use it again and we’ll see if his strength comes back.
At this point, we will take the bottle of conditioner back (it wasn’t cheap) and ask for a refund we will also tell them they need to warn customers that there can be a side effect. From now on he will tell anyone who cuts his hair to NOT use any product containing Tea Tree Oil on him.
Posted in MS related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, side effects of Tea Tree Oil, Writer, Writing
Ouch, that hurts!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH broke his big toe. I know because I’ve done it myself more than once. He’d been complaining about his toe since he fell on Tuesday. Tonight he noticed the bruising. He came downstairs to show me.
I looked at it…nodded my head, and said, “Yep, it’s broken.”
“It hurts,” he said.
“I know it does. Are you going back to bed now?”
“Yeah, but did you see how black and blue it is?”
“It is bruising some. Another day or two and it’ll look real ugly.”
All you can do for a broken toe is wait for it to heal. This is going to be a long six weeks.
Men whine, their theatrics when sick or hurt are often worthy of Oscars.
For best actor in the drama… Flu Days, we present this award to…
For best actor in the comedy… We All Fall Down, the award goes to…
Don’t get me wrong, I feel for him. I really do. As I said, I’ve been there.
Posted in Misc, MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Avonex, Tysabri, or where do we go from here?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had a very long day around here today. DH dragged my carcass out of bed early so I could drive him to his neurologist appointment. (It took two cups of coffee to get my eyes to open and two more to get me functioning.) I love the neurologist’s new offices except that DH had to do a lot more walking.
We discussed the problems that have plagued DH after his Avonex shot lately. For example, DH took his Avonex on Monday, and on Tuesday, he took a bad fall. He has some scrapes and bruises but he’s okay. This has become a regular thing the last several months. The doctor suggested that DH try halving his Avonex dose for a few weeks, and then slowly raise it back to a full dose, to see if that helps.
If that doesn’t work, Dr. H suggested trying Tysabri on DH. I asked him about Fampridine too. His answer was a bit noncommittal. I’m not surprised since the FDA only approved it in January. He gave DH a very thorough exam, and he is sending him for more blood work.
On another note, Jackie (one of my faithful readers) has started a blog. Why don’t you go over there and give her a nice howdy?
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Update on the snow removal and ServiceMagic
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I was quite surprised, since today was Sunday, that we received a call from one of the places that ServiceMagic had given us. The woman even drove past my MIL’s house and gave us an estimate for the work there. Then she came by our house to do an estimate for our sidewalk.
Both estimates were very reasonable. We hired her. Now we don’t have to worry about traveling across town to clear off the mother in law’s walks every time it snows. This company will do it. Our snow angel can take a well deserved rest too. What a load off our minds.
I know I’ll go to ServiceMagic again in the future for other things we might need to have done. They prescreen all the pros they send to you. They list people who do everything from remodeling homes to house cleaning.
I will have to tell my neighbor’s son about ServiceMagic, maybe he can list his business with them.
Posted in Misc, MS related, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Snow, Writer, Writing
The problem with snow is snow removal
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yes, we did get snow, quite a bit, though not as much as Philly and south. Our snow angel shoveled our walk again color me happy since shoveling the walk completely exhausts me for the rest of the day.
I do wish DH’s mother had a snow angel. DH had his stomach in knots all day thinking about how we can get her walks cleared. He can’t do it and feels guilty that he can’t. She, of course, adds to that guilt on purpose. There’s no way I can get over there to do it either. The snow plow managed to block our driveway and my project for tomorrow is to clear the wall of ice he left for us. That’s going to take all afternoon and it’s going to kill me. Sore muscles here I come.
I got a little creative tonight while doing some research on snow removal in our area. I found ServiceMagic.com. I plugged in my MIL’s address, named my project—residential snow removal, and they matched me with two places that do it in our area. Both of them will give a free estimate too. How cool is that? I’ll let you know it goes.
Posted in MS related, My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Snow, Writer, Writing
Fampridine approved by FDA
Posted by doggonedmysteries
On Jan. 22, 2010, the FDA approved Fampridine (dalfampridine) under the name of Ampyra. “Ampyra will be manufactured under licenses from Elan of Dublin, Ireland, and distributed by Acorda Therapeutics Inc. of Hawthorne, N.Y. AMPYRA Expected to be Available by Prescription in March 2010.”
DH has an appointment in February and is definitely going to talk to his neurologist about this.
Which brings me to another subject. The neurologist has moved. They sent us convoluted directions to the new office which made it sound as though it was a great deal further away. I spent hours–stupid dial up–trying to locate the office. Once I did locate it, I looked at it in a bird’s eye view and said, “duh!” It’s very simple to get there from here and I even know a great short cut.
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
DH considers discontinuing Avonex
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH has been on Avonex for many years, since way back when his now secondary progressive MS, was relapsing remitting. Lately he’s had a terrible time the day after his weekly injection. That first morning after he’s much weaker, can’t walk, or even sit up and in general, feels like crap. These are not the flu-like symptoms often connected with the use of Avonex. He had those in the early days of his Avonex use. These are different.
This worries me since Avonex can prevent further damage to the nerves. However, DH is determined. He has agreed to discuss this with his neurologist and I plan to be there when he does. I’ve done tons of research, hit all the MS sites I could find, and yet there is very little information on secondary progressive MS and what can happen if one discontinues the use of Avonex at this stage.
I plan to bring a list of questions, what ifs, what we might have to expect if he stops the drug. I also plan to ask about Fampridine, if the FDA approves it, when it will be available.
I would appreciate hearing from people who have secondary progressive MS and their reactions to the information and care they have available.
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Is Fampridine a ray of hope for those with forms of progressive MS?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It seems that once a patient goes beyond the realms of relapsing remitting MS into primary progressive or secondary progressive his/her chances of finding any form of relief disappears. I’m sorry, but to tell my Dear Hubby to use mobility devices, cope with it, and move on with your life seems to me to be very unsympathetic.
What I say is, “Hey researchers, quit sitting there with your thumbs up you’re a$$es when it comes to progressive forms of MS. Sure they aren’t as interesting or as exciting as relapsing remitting but geez, r & r is not the only form of MS out there.”
The only drug that seems to be a small ray of hope for patients with progressive forms of MS is Fampridine, which is as yet, not approved by the FDA. That might change in January.
I’ve heard both good and bad things about this drug. Reading the possible side effects is enough to scare the beejeesis out of you. Fampridine might help improve the progressive MS patient’s ability to walk faster, handle stairs better, be on their feet longer, and walk longer distances. For this Dear Hubby would willingly risk the side effects. He’s tired of being tired, in pain, unable to keep his balance, unable to walk far, or to stand for long.
I’ve put a link to Fampridine on the right, under the blog rolls, for those interested in finding out more.
Posted in MS related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Hunting with multiple sclerosis is not easy
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Dear Hubby’s MS truly kicked his butt this past week. DH had a rough week. He wasn’t able to walk too far from the cabin to hunt. He’s over tired and not getting around well. I think he was glad that they cut their hunting trip a little short. Instead of hunting all day today, they packed it in around noon. They decided to head home, rather than stay another night, and drive home in the morning. The weather was beginning to turn and they had a long drive ahead of them.
R called me to tell me that DH’s driving was sub par and DH was ten minutes away from home. He asked that I please have DH call him so he knew he made it home safe.
It will probably take DH a week to recover from the hunting trip. I do wish he’d been able to get a deer on this hunt because the way things look so far, it was probably his last one. This is something he’s done since his father handed him his first rifle as a child. For a few years, he went hunting with his father. They weren’t close. The only thing they did together was hunt and even that didn’t last long. He spent many more years hunting with R.
Posted in MS related
Tags: Author, books, Books on writing, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer, Writing
Be vewwy vewwy qwiet…Elmer is off hunting
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It’s been two years since Dear Hubby has gone hunting. Two years ago, he had the flu and was too sick to go. He tried to go last year but became quite ill and had to come home before hunting season even began. You see, last year his pain management doctor had put him on Fentanyl patches for his MS pain. Little did we know that those patches were faulty at the time and were later recalled.
He almost died from a cumulative overdose. To say that it was frightening would be an understatement.
He loves to go hunting and I do hope that this isn’t his last year for it. His gait is poor and he tires easily. If he wasn’t with his best friend, I’d be worried. However, I know his friend will look after him. They’ve been friends and hunting partners since Junior High.
DH doesn’t trophy hunt. He hunts to put meat on our table and when he gets a deer, it saves us a great deal of money at the grocery store.
In the meantime, the pups and I are keeping each other company. There’s nothing quite like having two 65 lb BTs join you on your lounge chair. I’m that squished bit under the two dogs.
Posted in Misc, MS related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
His balance and mobility are limited with MS
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We keep a supply of ice packs on hand at all times. Balance and mobility are not Dear Hubby’s strong suit. His neurologist and I want him to keep a cane or walker by the bed but he’s stubborn and seldom does. At least twice a week I hear him take a tumble upstairs after he’s gone up for the night.
My heart does a rabbit run and I bolt up the stairs to find him sitting on the edge of the bed.
“You okay? What happened?”
“Yeah, I fell onto my knees getting up is all.”
“You scared me to death. Did you hurt yourself?”
“Nope, I’m fine.”
My heart settles back into a normal rhythm again. I stand there and watch him for a bit, drinking his image in. I love him so much that when he hurts, I hurt.
We keep a mobility cart out in the yard so he can play with the dogs, but it’s only good in the spring, summer, and fall weather. Once winter hits the cart becomes a useless thing that takes up space on the back porch. He doesn’t get out as much and often becomes more depressed than usual.
The pups and I do our best to keep him smiling. A laugh or two a day does him good and even eases his pain. Friends, who remember him and visit, especially during the winter months, are like precious gems.
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Misery loves company
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today Dear Hubby is off to the oral surgeon. I get to go along because I’m his designated driver. This is going to be fun—NOT. For one thing, as I stated in an earlier post, dentists are a phobia with him and oral surgeons are worse. I can sympathize with him since I’ve had four impacted wisdom teeth removed and two others. However, neither dentist nor oral surgeons bother me.
I do dread the next week or so since men are such babies when they are feeling miserable. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I spent two whole days being miserable and then cooked meals, cleaned the house, did dishes, and went back to work. The last time DH had teeth removed he was down and out for at least a week.
All I can say is thank heavens these are the last of his teeth. I’d be willing to take bets that he’ll be feeling a darned sight better once they are gone than he has in a long while too.
Posted in Misc, MS related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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