February Updates
Well no more physical therapy. 
But I’ve had people commenting that I definitely don’t look as swollen anymore so that’s Great. I wish insurance would allow me a few occasional monthly visits with Karen, my physical therapist so she could work on other health and emotional issues and make sure lymphadema doesn’t return but they don’t cover “maintenance”. So only way I could see her again is to get set up with another 2 weeks of lymphadema therapy or therapy for something else that is part of her field.
Oh talking emotional issues, it seems my SS claim must have some weight to it. 1st the case worker called me on Monday January 29th? And told me she was sending me a form about my appeal that I MUST sign. When I received it in the mail the next day and read it I was pretty sure it was bunch of fancy wording to make me slip up and sign away my rights to an appeal. So I took it to the lawyer that Wednesday and he agreed, he called the case worker told them that I was not signing the paperwork that he had made sure all the appropriate forms were filed and in their possession.
So Thursday I got a letter telling me I have to go for a “Mental Test” I have to call to confirm the appointment AND sign and send in the appointment confirmation form. I called in immediately; of course they never answer the phone so I left detailed voice mail confirming the appointment. This was not my case workers mail box it was for the man who I believe is the “medical” reviewer that actually makes the decision on my case.
I am holding off on sending in the written confirmation until my attorney checks it. He said not to send anything in without him looking it over 1st.
Then Friday I get sent “daily activities questionnaire, big packet asking you to explain every detail of what you do every day/week. I think only thing doesn’t ask you directly is how many times you take a $#@! In a day, but that’s probably supposed to be in the essay part. 
Saturday February 3rd around 9:30 pm until Sunday 3pm I was having my second sleep study done. The over night part was with the CPAP mask, to test if the device would decrease my sleep apnea. This time I actually fell asleep in about 4o minutes without medicine and stayed asleep long enough to go into REM sleep. Last time after hour they gave me pill twice because I couldn’t fall asleep and kept waking up, so I had practically no REM activity. In the morning they told I had only 10 apnea events instead of 128 from last time. But I have to say its not easy sleeping with something strapped to your head and face.
For the day study the removed most the gear; positional sensor, breathing monitor, leg movement sensor wires, finger pulse monitor. Day study is just to monitor brain waves to see how quickly you go into REM sleep, because if you go into REM on each nap that is a sign of narcolepsy. The 1st 2 naps I did without the CPAP mask, and she said I would go into REM sleep but jolt awake , since I no longer had my apnea monitoring equipment on she was unsure if was waking because of apnea so she asked me to put the CPAP on for the 3rd nap. Since it too me 40+ minutes to fall asleep with CPAP last time and nap time is only 60 or less I didn’t fall asleep. For 4th nap the tech said she fell asleep without the CPAP and said I didn’t have to wear it but she also told me if I went into REM I’d have to stay another 2 hours and do additional 5th nap. So I told her I wanted to wear it and didn’t fall asleep, Hehehe. Tech said they are advising my Primary physician that I get a CPAP and use it every night. I know I need it and I’d feel better in the morning from not suffocating in me sleep but its going to take time to get used to.
For about 2 months I’ve started having more problems with migraines at 1st it was light related, if really sunny, bright fluorescent lights or flashing lights are the worst I get pain in eyes and head, nausea, blurry/distorted vision and dizziness. Now for about a week (?), if I try to read or concentrate on task like knifty knitter for even just 30 minutes I start getting one too. I know that since the steroid shot I’ve felt the cerebral/neuro problems get worse so I don’t know if this is what made it worse and/or it’s because of vision changes and needed new glasses.
For at least a week now I’ve started developing a rash that has gotten really worse in last 3 days. I don’t know if this is associated with the increase in migraine activity or just an allergy to clothes detergent, though I’ve never had that problem before that I can remember or maybe autoimmune related. The rash is pale pink & red, small bumps and blotched that feel rough and itch like crazy. I’ll have to make an appointment with my Primary Doctor see what she thinks.
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