I handed my Neuro PA my my long list of problems I had for her.
"I could hear your foot all the way down the hall" she said. She looked over my list and smiled. She always smiles. I do like her.
I forgot to tell her about almost falling out the shower, only so much one can say.
I have foot dropsy. She wants me to have PT at the Rehab Hospital with someone who knows something about MS. She mentions a possible need for a foot brace and "usually it doesn't improve". Well, neither does MS.
Wonder if I'll get to wear my dream shoes one day. I guess not.
The prescription pad comes out - more baclofen for the calf spasms - plus a middle of the night shooter when I wake up unexpectedly. Hmmm...that will work except it impairs my ability to drive.
What do you do if your medications help but impair your ability to drive? Suggestions?
9 comments:
There are so many side effects to the meds on the market nowadays! I made the decision to stop driving because my right hand just refused to work. Turning the key in the ignition, shifting gears, even operating the lights and windshield wipers all require my right hand. So I hung up he keys, and had my husband drive me everywhere.
It's good that you like your PA. I despised mine.
Peace,
Muff
Wow... that is something ... the only time I have heard of dropsy was reading about Earl Campbell...
I can't imagine how it would be to not be able to drive... for me it was so gradual that I never really noticed it!!
Hope the future brings brighter news...
Be careful. brace might help spasms-you are overstretching your tendons perhaps. add xanaflex at night, diet tonic water. need to stretch some but not too much.ugh. Hope you have a nice weekend mary
Oh, I HAVE to drive! I don't take big gun meds for my spasms. A very mild muscle relaxer (methocarbamol)at bedtime. I do a lot of stretches. I also added calcium, potassium and magnesium supplements to my daily regime and stay very well hydrated, 3 litres or more of water a day.
Blessings......
Have no suggestions on the driving situation since i cannot drive though i can see the delimma since it robs you of some independence, i guess its a case of damned if you do and damned if you dont?
MS is frighting to witness and i imagine 10 times worst to live with. I see signs of deterioration in my friend as MS advances. She now shakes. I was surprised when i first notice it and though we talked briefly about it I didn't elaborate on the sadness i feel at observing the changes that are occurring with her. I mean why bother? Its like when people take it upon their selves to inform a fat person that they are fat, as if they don't know! So i remain silent and simply listen.
Have a good day
thanks for sharing
continue to be of great spirit
Would the driving impairment be ALL the time or just a while after the dose is taken... I suppose you have already investigated that... could you do alternate days on the drug and drive on the "off-days?" Uhhh. Probably not helpful. Sorry
Sherry, you're so cheerful in the face of crappy stuff ... if you have to give up driving, maybe try and shift your thinking to "how nice to have someone drive me - I don't have to remember the keys, use the energy it takes to drive, or do the locking-unlocking-doors for everyone. I don't need to pump gas, gather the trash out of the car, or clean the windshield. I can just sit and daydream or enjoy the radio/cd or look at all the sights out the window".
I know, it's not as good as being able to drive, but it's a little bit good :)
I wish I had some advice. I had to give up driving years ago. I do live in a big city, lots of options...sorry, not driving just SUX.
Alex never complains about driving me anywhere...in fact he prefers to drive me. I shouldn't complain. I am simply the independent sort.
ARGH... not ready to turn my keys over. Haven't yet. I guess I'll cross that bridge later...
Thanks for understanding the difficult decision. I can drive, it's meds that keep me from doing so. =(
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