Tuesday

evening update.
Okay boys and girls...well, I figured I'd go ahead and update this thing...not that there really is a whole lot to update right now.
I'll back up to Saturday since that's my last update. Since then things have been pretty uneventful. The biggest thing is that for a few days my stomach had been really crappy and I was having the most awful time sleeping. I could not figure things out for the life of me. Well, I think I may have figured out what was going on, When I went to see the headache doctor he gave me some name brand Depakote ER sample packs to take and he also gave me a script for them. I had the script filled but had been using the sample packs.
Well, I looked online on Sunday on the side effects on Depakote ER and one of the top six side effects is "trouble sleeping". I thought to myself...Hmmmmmmm.
So, for no reason other than to see what happened..I started taking the script pills which were generic ones. Lo and behold...no more stomach problems and I'm now back to sleeping okay again. Doesn't make sense because they are supposed to be the same formulation, but somethings up.

I went to PT yesterday for the first time in two weeks...it went well. Strength is up and I felt pretty good although a bit wore out afterward. While I was there at PT my therapist mentioned to me about maybe cutting down to one day a week. I think she mentioned that because of the obvious progress I'm making on my own at home and going there for PT isn't really that productive anymore. I think she feels that there really isn't a whole lot more that they can do there.

As far as headaches go...been okay so far. I'm taking my Depakote and sticking to my diet. We'll see how things go here for a few more weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Otherwise, I don't think I'll be updating this quite as often as I had been. First off, the weather is starting to get nice so my butt is going to be outside and secondly, all of my TM stuff has pretty much leveled off. The biggest issue right now is the headaches and sick episodes. I'll update with info on what's going on with that.

I may update just for GP's off and on, just to throw some bits of wit and wisdom out there.

On to the music.....
Gonna pull an oldie out of my butt..(most of what I do pull out are oldies anyway, I'm just funny like that)

Quick side note why I chose the song that I did.....
This has been a very arduous past 10 months..and since I got hit with TM I've done a whole lot of thinking, soul searching and reaching down inside.

I've met an incredible bunch of people online through some different TM message boards and also had a hand in creating a TM support website. I've also met some folks with young children that got hit with TM also. I look at what TM did to me and also what it has done to the others out there especially the youngsters. How could this happen to a little child..?

Well, through this all...and through what little I was able to do in helping create the TM support site, I've thought to myself that I wish there was more I could do to change the world or at least help things along in not only spreading the word about TM but to also support those with it. I wish...I wish. We do have a glimmer of hope with the recent approval of stem cell testing. Who knows who's going to be the ones chosen for that though..?

Anyway.....1971 was the year. The group was Ten Years After and the song is "I'd Love To Change The World"


I hope everyone is well and in the wit and wisdom of one of my heroes, Red Green, keep your stick on the ice.

Till Next Time......

Saturday the 21st

update.
Well, it's been a few days since the last update..and as you probably had read previously..last weekend was a bitch as I had another "episode". Things have been better since Tuesday other than the fact that I am having an incredibly hard time sleeping, even taking an Ambien. I just cannot get comfortable, it seems that my left leg just "bothers" me, it's not pain, it's not spasms, it's not anything else...I just have this feeling in my leg that makes it very uncomfortable. Geez, if it's not one thing, it's another.
Otherwise, still sticking to my diet to see if that helps with these headache episodes.
Not really much more to update at this time...

Music for today...
Feeling like a little Dave Mason and We Just Disagree


Till Next Time......

Monday

update.
Well, it has not been the best of weekends. I had the cold last week and on Friday I started in with one of my "migraine" episodes(and I'm starting to think that these things really aren't migraines after all...don't ask me why I say that..I just have this feeling)
First off...on Friday I didn't have a headache...but the diarrhea started in...I didn't feel too bad but I knew something was coming on. Friday night i did not sleep well at all...
Saturday I was still in bad shape...and didn't sleep well. Yesterday same..and last night about 5:00pm I did start getting a headache.
I've been taking my Depakote all along and still had the headache last night but I feel that a good part of it was because I was so blasted tired from not sleeping.
Now, I slept fair last night..I've taken an Ambien each of he last three nights to try and get some sleep...This morning I was awake at 5:00am but the headache had subsided some. I don't feel too awful bad except for being all weak again.
I think also one of the reasons that I don't sleep so well, is that when these episodes flare up so do my TM symptoms...my left leg really bothers me with pain and is just plain uncomfortable. I've taken to sleeping with one of those leg pillows between my legs to try and keep my left leg comfortable.
Geez, I am soooo tired of all of this.
BTW...I didn't make PT today either...I just don't have the strength and I'm still fighting the remnants of diarrhea....
That's all for now...
Quick music post...
a little Brian Auger's Oblivion Express with Truth. Some of the best fusion jazz you'll ever hear..


Till Next Time......

Thursday

update.
Well, I've been fighting this cold now since Monday and can't seem to shake it. I got up this morning more plugged up than I was yesterday. I even took a dose of Alka Seltzer Plus Cold medicine last night. That stuff usually shakes it out of me. Not so lucky this time...I'm guessing the possibility exists that my immune system may be compromised and that's why this thing is hanging on like it is.
I didn't go to PT today either.

Two days will be my 10 month anniversary of TM...and I suppose the biggest thing now is figuring out what is triggering the migraines I've been getting. I've tried to eliminate as much stress as possible and the doc also has me on that non-tyramine diet. I've been real good as far as the diet is concerned even though it has been tempting to grab the jar of peanut butter a few times. I've only been on this now for a week so it's way too early to see if the diet is going to do anything. I can only hope.

Oh well...that's about all for now folks...

Here is a little musical delight today from the great Peter Gabriel with In Your Eyes.


Till Next Time......

Tuesday

update.
Well, I woke up yesterday morning...and I had the beginnings of a cold coming on...head is stuffed up, I can't breathe..felt kinda crappy. This morning...it has set in real good...not the fever, sneezing kind of cold, just the kind that makes you feel yucky and can't breathe. I feel like my head is packed with a sponge...

I didn't go to PT yesterday because there was no way that I could have made it through that. I hope that I'm over this by Thursday so I don't miss that PT day also.

One other thing too, when I woke up this morning my left leg was very sore and stiff..almost as bad as it was here awhile back when the temperatures were sub zero. It has loosened up a bit now but it's still sore. I don't know what's up with that.

Oh, and one other last little tidbit...not even TM related...my left elbow is really sore today..arthritis is flaring up. It hurts to even bend my arm a little bit...arrgghhh. This thing hasn't bothered me in quite some time..I don't know why the hell it chose now to flare up and bother me..

That's about all for today...it's crappy outside..we're under a flood watch because of the amount of rain that we got yesterday and what we're supposed to get today..so, I get to watch the rain today.

Music time....something a bit "different" today...This is a cover of a song by Black Sabbath..I know, I know..your thinking..Black Sabbath..? Geez, whatsa matter with Kevin...
Well, truth be told..I am a Sabbath fan and have liked them since the early 70's when they came out. But, with all that aside...this song was originally off of 1971's Master of Reality album. I said this was going to be something different...This is a cover of a song that Black Sabbath did, the song is called Solitude. It is covered by "The String Quartet Tribute" which is a group of musicians that cover many modern artists and songs but they do it with a classical flair and all string instruments.
Enjoy...


Till Next Time......

Saturday

update...
Just kind of a quick one today...
First thing...Yesterday I woke up with another one of my headaches...and I got to thinking....two things...first, I had PT Thursday...did the exertion of that bring on the headache...or perhaps this..the diet the doctor gave me says one of the things to avoid is cured and aged meat..which, on Thursday we had corned beef for dinner. So, there are possibly two things to really watch for now. I am going to start following the diet to the letter and see what happens.
Now, fortunately I woke up this morning and the headache is gone...I am glad for that.

The weather is supposed to be nice and warm today..(mid 60's) so I think I will be outside for awhile. I have the bedroom window open and man does the breeze feel good.

Otherwise, not too much else...pain level isn't bad today and overall I feel pretty good. I hope it's a good day.

That's about all for today...
For the music today...I'm gonna post something a little over the edge...
A guitarist by the name of Michael Angelo Batio...one of the most revered rock guitarists ever..this video is not for the faint of heart...in other words, if you don't like all out shredding, don't watch. This guy just plain owns this guitar. His handwork is jaw dropping to say the least.
The video starts out slow and he builds as he goes...when it gets to 1:55 you better be sitting down.
You'll also notice that in the video, he switches back and forth from a brown to a blue guitar. The music was actually all recorded with the brown guitar but for the video they also used some segments with the blue guitar.
So, with all the being said...Michael Angelo Batio with Speed Lives.


Till Next Time......

Thursday

update.
Well hello everyone...
A little bit to update today....I have been sleeping like crap lately..the last few nights I've been lucky to get about 4 hours a night. I was awake at 3:00am today to go to the bathroom and I was lucky enough to be able to crawl back in bed and get another hour and a half of sleep. Still, I'm just not sure what's up with my sleep..

Today was PT day...that went pretty well although it wore me out. My strength was back so I did well with my ankle exercises. Cindie also had me do some balancing exercises...those were tough...and also some stair step exercises...those beat me. I worked up a good sweat and my legs were all rubbery afterward.

I also had my appointment today with the headache specialist. He still seems to think that they are migraines. He is taking a different approach to treating these. The first thing he is having me do is go on a preventative medication. I will be taking 2 Depakote ER every night before bed. Hopefully that in itself will help stop them. He also advised me to alter my diet a bit and gave me a sheet that outlines what is called a "Low Tyramine Headache Diet" which basically means that he wants me to eliminate any foods that are "aged" in any way. Things like aged, dried, salted or smoked meats (pepperoni, salami), cheese (bleu cheese, swiss), no nuts or peanut butter..<--bummer.. :-(
Cut down on my caffeine and also no alcohol, which is no biggie anyway.
So, we'll see how that goes...I am going to have a hard time without peanut butter though...I loves my peanut butter..

Lastly, if the meds and diet don't work and I do get a headache, I will be giving myself an injection. I have injection pens of Imitrex. If I get one of my headaches I am to give myself a shot of one of these and it should knock out the headache.
I am soooo hoping that one of, or a combination of all of these things, works for me. I am so sick and tired of getting sick like I have..I am about willing to do anything to get rid of them.

Otherwise...things are pretty much the same...Oh...wait...one more thing. I had a package waiting for me upon my return from the headache doctor appointment. It was my shoe inserts that the Ortho doctor at the VA had ordered. I put them in my new shoes and put them on with my AFO and I have to tell you...they feel gooooood.
So, I took the other inserts that were already in my new shoes and put them in another pair of sneakers to use just to wear around the house. I think I am set now as far as my feet go.
I have noticed lately that I am getting some of the feeling back in my heels. To the point that I am getting more shooting pain running through the bottoms of my feet. Even though I don't like the pain, I am glad that I now have it. I can tell now that the numb area on my heels has gotten smaller.

Now....I think that's about it for now....
Wish me luck with the headaches...

Music for the day.....hmmm, let's see....
okay..I got it...How about a little.."blues"
Gary Moore with Still Got The Blues For You....


Till Next Time......

Monday

update.
Well Hello everyone.....
Update for today.....I had PT today...it actually went well today...seems that my strength is now back after my last headache episode took so much out of me. I think I forgot to mention in my last post..., this last episode I had, which I know I said was the worst one I've had so far..over the course of those four days..I lost 17 lbs. Definitely not the recommended way to lose weight.
So, since that last episode...I've been able to eat normally again and I know I've gained some of the weight back and as I said..PT was good today..my strength is back.

I will say though..that this past Thursday I did develop another small headache...sometimes it was barely noticeable..but it was there..and it stayed until yesterday. It didn't go any further than that..I didn't get sick or anything..just this small headache. I tried some Tylenol but that did nothing. I really didn't feel too bad either, other than just the headache. When I woke up this morning it was gone finally. I feel fine other than being tired. I have not been able to get back into a somewhat normal sleep pattern since this last episode. I'm getting on average, about 4 to 5 hours a night.

My appointment with the specialist is on this Thursday so we'll see what happens.

Otherwise, TM related stuff....well, the occasional leg spasms...I also get an occasional spasm in my butt that feels like my muscle is vibrating. It feels pretty weird. The pain in my legs hasn't been too bad since the weather hasn't been in the single digits. The pain is still there just not like it was. The pain around my tailbone area varies...some days I would rate it around a 7 or 8 and other days I would say about a 3 or 4.

I also found out the other night that my fatigue is still pretty bad. I went for a ride to Wal Mart with my wife to get some dog food and a couple of other things. Well, I also made the mistake of not wearing my AFO and after a few minutes of walking around..I was getting exhausted. I was also getting the left foot slap when I walked because my leg was so tired.

In just under two weeks I'll be having my 10 month TM anniversary...I look back and see how far I've come since this started..and I have to say that I have come pretty far...but also, looking forward..I know I'll have some small improvements here and there but I believe that I am pretty close to making as much recovery as I'm going to. Now, don't take that as I'm giving up because that is far from the truth...I'll never give up in trying to do more and make more recovery...It's just that I am also a realist...and that I'm also going to be 51 years old this year...the old body just doesn't snap back as well as it used to.
I'm still doing my stretches and exercises at home...and with nicer weather coming...I will be outside much, much more so I will be getting some outside exercise which will help me out...but I just know that there aren't any miracles out there that will allow me to magically wake up one morning and be able to walk normally, or have no more bowel or bladder problems...or get rid of the fatigue issues...
I'll keep working on all that stuff though....I don't give up...I'm a bullheaded old cuss.

So folks....music for today....
A song I have enjoyed for may years....a wonderful Jazz artist..Pat Metheny
and his song.."Last Train Home"
Go ahead and listen to this song with your eyes closed...and tell me that you don't get the feeling that you are on a train and you can see the beautiful scenery passing by as the train chugs on down the track....
What a beautiful musical picture this song paints for me....
Enjoy...


Till Next Time......