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405614 tn?1329144114

Did you know you can't do everything just because you feel better?

OK, so halfway through my running around yesterday (my 2nd day taking Provigil), I realized that my PT exercises had reallllllly aggravated my lower back, hip, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and my knees.  I spent time with an ice pack after my trip to Costco.  

The good news there was that gas was $2.07 a gallon.  The bad news was that I had to sit in line a lonnnnnnnggggg time.  I stayed in a good mood, even though my back and leg (radiculopathy) were starting to hurt pretty badly.

After icing, I took my Provigil Rx to my pharmacy, and my (great) pharmacist dropped what he was doing and ran it to see if my insurance would cover it.  Not without trying something less expensive (generic Ritalin) first.  The pharmacist faxed the info. to Dr. S.  I hope she is able to inform them that I had tried a similar medication and it gave me a resting heart rate of 150 (true story, my one and only ambulance ride) and let me skip the Ritalin trial, since I know that the Provigil isn't raising my heartrate, BP, or causing palpitations.

The soccer last night was great, though I had to get up several times (despite my expensive Relax-the-Back cushion) to try and ease the pain in my back, leg, and hip.  Things improved as it got colder; kind of a giant ice-pack to the body!  Oh, the cold did seem to aggravate my right arm pain, so I took my nighttime Lyrica a little early.

We didn't get home until 11:30, and it took me an hour or so to get to sleep.  I woke at 4 am with Fluffy throwing up all over my bed.  I jumped up to grab stuff to clean up with, and he jumped on the floor and threw up some more, then in the bathroom.  I had to strip my bed after cleaning the piles of yuck up (no hairballs), my back complaining the whole time.

Fluffy headed downstairs, so I followed. I cleaned up his throw-up from the entry rug.   He wanted to use his litter box in the garage, so I turned off the alarm, let him out, and tried to use newspapers to catch it when he threw up twice more, then used his litter box.  I tried to sleep on the couch with an ice pack, but it hurt my back.  I went upstairs and finished stripping the bed, remade it with clean sheets, took the soiled bedding downstairs and treated the spots.  

I had no blankets, so I had to wake my roommate, who was very sympathetic and said that I could start the laundry; she could sleep through anything.  I got some blankets, remade my bed with a sheet over the covers incase of Fluffy having more problems, started some laundry, and carried Fluffy back upstairs.  He settled down, leaning his full body against my leg instead of kneeding his little blanket, poor guy!

I slept in somewhat, so I figured I shouldn't take Provigil in late morning, so I'm low and slow again today.  My roommate was kind enough to take my car in for a much needed oil change, and told me she was going to visit her mom, and told me to get some more sleep.  So I did.

I called Fluffy's vet, and he had no real answers.  No need to go through that conversation.

This is the first day in years that I haven't taken a shower !  Too much trouble.

I'll have to talk to my physical therapist about needing to make sure my back and hip issues aren't aggravated.  I told her about them, and she started small, but this shows just how slow I need to go.  Weak muscles can't be strengthened quickly; my left quad is quite atrophied, apparently.  Also, my lumbar issues are really nasty!

Sigh!  Oh well, hopefully I'll sleep well tonight, take my Provigil early tomorrow morning, ice my back, and go have a wonderful time at the soccer game.  I wanted to bake some cookies today to take to my soccer pals, but I don't think my back will take kindly to standing in the kitchen.  I took some Naprosyn (I rarely take NSAIDS because of stomach issues) and Vicodin, but still hurt like heck.  Maybe it'll ease up in a while.  I have these Heath bar bits with milk chocolate that I wanted to try in cookies.

Oh, I did manage to put more than 8000 steps on my pedometer again yesterday, even with a sore back.  Think maybe I should have taken it easier?  I didn't do any of the PT exercises accept for a few quad sets, afraid they would make things worse.

Take it easy, my friends, and remember your limits, even when you feel good and want to forget them!

really gentle hugs,

Kathy



8 Responses
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405614 tn?1329144114
Julia, I actually found myself wanting to go your and use the "giant hair dryer" again today, 'cause it was easy and kind of fun.  I had my second PT appt. today, and she added more exercises (took away the one she thinks caused my excess pain), so I'm trying not to overdo things again.

doni, thanks for helping me feel a little less foolish about overdoing things!  It is great to have energy again; I stopped and got some groceries on the way home from PT, made lunch, finished my exercises, and was going to go to another store to get cheese and mushrooms for my fairly healthy pizza, but decided to come and check in on the forum first.

I hope that your neuro will let you give Provigil a try, and that it works for you without side effects.  I've been meaning to bake cookies to take to my soccer pals all season, and just haven't been able to force myself to do it.  I used to bake over a dozen different kind of cookies to give out as Christmas presents, so they had to be made in a short amount of time so they would be fresh.  

Now I haven't been able to make one batch since December '07!  I plan on taking some to the game this coming Saturday; found a recipe for some rocky road brownies with almonds and brickle bits.  Sounds yummy!

Take it easy, and feel better.

Hugs,

Kathy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm glad the provigil is working for you.  I would think that not having that pressing fatigue would tend to make you overdo a little, who wouldn't!!

Today was my grocery day and I can tell you, I could have used some of your Provigil...hahaha  Seems like by the time I get home and put things away, I'm done for the day.  Hardly have the energy to come on here and check on all of you!!!!

I'm thinking about asking for a script of this when I go to my first neuro appt.  We'll see if he will do this for me.  I would love to have days that I actually have the energy to do something without having to force myself....haha

Take care of yourself and try not to do too much, even though you feel better.

Hugs,
doni
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi!  I'm glad you are having good results with the Provigil!  

I started taking it earlier this year and although it isn't a cure, it has made a huge difference for me too.

Also, as I used to love to work in the yard, your mention of the electric leaf blower brought to mind when I first used one years ago.

I think we had our house for sale and someone was coming with short notice to look at it.  I called my husband at work as I was worried about the "bad" first impression the potential buyer might have with our driveway covered in leaves.  

I remember him saying, "Honey, you'll be fine.  Just plug it in and turn it on.  It's just like using a giant hair dryer!"  So, I had a little chuckle when I read your post.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful day!

Julia
Helpful - 0
405614 tn?1329144114
Another day, another Provigil.  Yesterday's didn't seem to work as well; maybe it can't conquer the fatigue caused by back pain.  Thank heavens my back is slowly getting better.

My team won their soccer match last night, and will play another Play-Off round here next weekend.  

I found that with the Provigil I was more able to follow the action in the game; there's so much going on, I often miss stuff.  I was pleased to feel so much more involved, and not miss a goal  because I was unwrapping a granola bar or watching another player get tackled.

I'm going to try out an electric leaf blower today.  I will take it easy, and only do a little work.  My roommate borrowed it from her mom, as the grounds crew at her condo community is inconsistent; I've had grass clipping, leaf mulch, bark dust, and dirt blown onto my car. My roommate talked to the management company, and they are supposed to be doing a better job.  There's a big chunk of compressed grass clippings in the middle of my usual parking space.

Sigh.  Oh well, the sun is shining, my pain is somewhat better, and Fluffy's health seems to be improving.  Life is good!

Kathy
Helpful - 0
405614 tn?1329144114
When I think of the marathon shopping trips I used to go on with my pal Keith; we would clip coupons, get Safeway double coupons, and go get bargains at all the greater Portland area Safeways (you can only use 4 at a store).

Other days we would hit a couple of malls and a Target, Nordstrom Rack, and a Canned Food Grocery Outlet.  Oh, then there were the Woodburn Factory Outlet stores.

Lately, I've been like you, happy when I get the litter box scooped, or do a little shopping, or vacuuming, whatever.  Never much more than that since February.  So this medication is really great for me, if I can keep myself for overdoing it.

Also, if my insurance doesn't cover it, I will have a hard time paying for it.  I was told that I was lucky I had a coupon for 7 free pills; they would have cost $113.00 without it!

I  would probably been OK if it weren't for the PT exercises and then my cat getting sick and keeping me awake and having to change the bed and do cleaning in the wee hours of the morning.

Oh well, today is another day.  My back feels somewhat better, and I'm showered, dressed and ready to go watch soccer.  I even cooked oatmeal this morning, though that's pretty easy.  I usually just have granola.

Be well,

Kathy
Helpful - 0
293157 tn?1285873439
gee...you did push yourself or at least got alot done... I'm lucky to get my dishes done...or go shopping at safeway...that's it for me... I sure wish I had more energy and didn't feel so tired and weak after shopping...or moving around for a couple of hours..

so strange...I used to be non stop... a couple of years ago...it's been all down hill for the past year or two..

Hugs
wobbly
undx
Helpful - 0
405614 tn?1329144114
I didn't feel like I was pushing it, I just felt like I was getting things done.  Silly me, that's the same thing!  I really think the pain was from the simple exercises that weren't simple enough for me, then the walking so much.

I really don't like self-serve!  When I went to Palm Springs for a week by myself, I drove a V.W. bug, and only had to fill up once, just before I returned the car, and I went to Costco, where I was used to seeing the guys use the machines.  At least there it was sunny and dry!

Any other travelling I do to other states, my roommate does the driving and pumping of gas.  Thank heavens she doesn't mind!  

I took it very easy today, and my back is calming down.  I'm sure tomorrow will be much better (especially if Fluffy behaves himself!).

Kathy
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
Kathy,
I hope the next day on Provigil treats you kindly - please remember to not push it even though you feel so good.    - Lulu

PS - even though our gas in Ohio is down to $1.70 or so a gallon I am still envious of you folks in Oregon since no self-serve stations are illegal. I hate to get out and pump my gas in the rain and the cold! Everything here is self-serve. Trivia question - Do you know the only other state where self-serve gas is illegal ?  New Jersey.
Helpful - 0
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