So, what is my condition like?
I can't really walk at all by myself. With a cane and help I can go about twenty steps.
I can stand myself without assistance for about two minutes.
With my cane I can stand for about three minutes.
I can do about ten sit to stands from my wheelchair [with cushion] in the bathroom.
I can stand on my right leg, but cannot lift it up.
I am not using a walker, I get around in a wheelchair
my right foot is swollen [and ugly] and I often wear a compression sock.
My feet, especially my right, are numb
My feet, especially my right, are cold
I can only move my index finger on my right hand
I can only do the start of an arm curl with my right arm
I can only move my right arm by shifting my shoulder
As far as I can tell, my cognitive function and memory are still as good as ever.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
So, generally, going backwards from now for a year or two, this is what has happened to/with me in regards to MS.
02/26/2014 - first copaxone injection
12/15/2013 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic. prescribes copaxone
09/15/2013 - started to go numb from the waist down
08/13/2013 - followup appt. with Dr. Mills
07/01/2013 - started to go to GF Strong
06/15/2013 - followup appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic
02/05/2013 - appt. with Dr. Mills physiatrist
01/15/2013 - steroids treatment; doesn't seem to do anything.
12/15/2012 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic. suggests try steroids.
12/01/2012 - getting a little better. get around home in wheelchair
11/15/2012 - major ‘attack’. can't get out of bed myself, can't get on the toilet myself, can't walk. It doesn't go away.
03/15/2012 - can't get out of bed myself, can't get on the toilet myself, can't walk. But! goes away after three days. Probably the flue.
05/16/2011 - appt. UBC MS Clinic
09/09/2010 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic.
02/26/2014 - first copaxone injection
12/15/2013 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic. prescribes copaxone
09/15/2013 - started to go numb from the waist down
08/13/2013 - followup appt. with Dr. Mills
07/01/2013 - started to go to GF Strong
06/15/2013 - followup appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic
02/05/2013 - appt. with Dr. Mills physiatrist
01/15/2013 - steroids treatment; doesn't seem to do anything.
12/15/2012 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic. suggests try steroids.
12/01/2012 - getting a little better. get around home in wheelchair
11/15/2012 - major ‘attack’. can't get out of bed myself, can't get on the toilet myself, can't walk. It doesn't go away.
03/15/2012 - can't get out of bed myself, can't get on the toilet myself, can't walk. But! goes away after three days. Probably the flue.
05/16/2011 - appt. UBC MS Clinic
09/09/2010 - appt. with Dr. Devonshire neurologist, UBC MS Clinic.
I haven't been keeping track of my MS episodes, or past appointments or any things MS related because it doesn't make any bloody difference. And, who wants to read, or write a diary of bleakness?
But, the nurse in Montreal from shared solutions [ from maker of copaxone] wanted to know my history. And the nurse who showed us how to do the injections, suggested I keep a daily diary of every little change, so I could see if copaxone was actually helping or not. Ya ya, well, I'll give it a try.
But, the nurse in Montreal from shared solutions [ from maker of copaxone] wanted to know my history. And the nurse who showed us how to do the injections, suggested I keep a daily diary of every little change, so I could see if copaxone was actually helping or not. Ya ya, well, I'll give it a try.
The trouble with copaxone is it is a daily injection. It is a really tiny needle, unlike avonex, but still.
The nurse came over yesterday to show Irene and I, well Irene, how and where to do the injection. It went really well. Irene injected me on the left side of my stomach. The only side effect was my right lower lip felt a little tingly.
The nurse came over yesterday to show Irene and I, well Irene, how and where to do the injection. It went really well. Irene injected me on the left side of my stomach. The only side effect was my right lower lip felt a little tingly.
From about July of 2013 I've been going to GF Strong and seeing both a physiotherapist and occupational therapist; Daryl and Nancy.
Nancy had all sorts of suggestions on how to manage and do things better, while Daryl worked with me on balance, leg strength and shuffling around with my cane and walker.
Late October, early November I started to go numb from my waist down. At the peak, about mid November, I couldn't feel it when I went to the toilet, couldn't really feel my feet when I stood, and it felt like I was balancing on bowls of jelly when I sat. Even shifting around in bed was challenging. It was really depressing and frightening.
I saw my neurologist in early December. She said there wasn't a real lot she could do or prescribe, but decided to try prescribing copaxcone. She said there were almost no side effects so she felt confident prescribing it. Copaxcone is not a steroid, anti-inflammatory or any kind of drug.
" Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a synthetic protein made up of a combination of four amino acids that chemically resemble a component of myelin (the insulating material that protects nerves and helps them work properly). Copaxone induces the production of immune cells that are less damaging to myelin." ... or so they say.
I waited till the new year to start it, and it took a little bit of coordinating, so the first injection was actually just yesterday, the 26th of February, 2014.
Nancy had all sorts of suggestions on how to manage and do things better, while Daryl worked with me on balance, leg strength and shuffling around with my cane and walker.
Late October, early November I started to go numb from my waist down. At the peak, about mid November, I couldn't feel it when I went to the toilet, couldn't really feel my feet when I stood, and it felt like I was balancing on bowls of jelly when I sat. Even shifting around in bed was challenging. It was really depressing and frightening.
I saw my neurologist in early December. She said there wasn't a real lot she could do or prescribe, but decided to try prescribing copaxcone. She said there were almost no side effects so she felt confident prescribing it. Copaxcone is not a steroid, anti-inflammatory or any kind of drug.
" Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a synthetic protein made up of a combination of four amino acids that chemically resemble a component of myelin (the insulating material that protects nerves and helps them work properly). Copaxone induces the production of immune cells that are less damaging to myelin." ... or so they say.
I waited till the new year to start it, and it took a little bit of coordinating, so the first injection was actually just yesterday, the 26th of February, 2014.
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