I stared 2mg of LDN on last Friday night. Friday night I slept wonderfully. I was completely shocked, but I did wake up with swollen fingers. However I had a pretty good day symptom wise.
I also slept well Saturday night, but I did have some serious allergy problems so I was forced to take a Claritin (my eyes were red & itchy). I also had some serious malaise and took an afternoon nap (not because I wanted to but because I had to).
Sunday night was a okay, but I did have several dreams that disrupted my sleep. So that caused me to be fatigued in the morning. I also had a small headache in the morning on Monday, but overall had a pretty good day. I was feeling like I was on a roll. Even with the severe malaise on Sunday night, I was doing pretty good on the 2mg LDN!
Monday night was a completely different story. I slept very poorly. I woke up every hour with nightmares and Tuesday I had body aches, picc line bumps (remember those pesky things that I really haven't had in months ....????), serious fatigue and what I call electric headaches. The pain shot right from the back of my brain up to the front of the brain. It would happen when I moved suddenly. It was an absolutely horrible day. I pushed through the pain and took another 2mg on Tuesday night.
I had some difficulty sleeping, but did have an okay day on Wednesday with only slight fatigue so another round of 2mg was in order. I slept better Wednesday night and had a great day on Thursday. In fact, I noted not a single symptom on Thursday at all! I slept great on Thursday night and my Friday morning was great. Friday evening I wound up with 6 bumps where the picc line used to be and a little bit of fatigue, but I felt comfortable enough to bump my LDN to 2.25mg!
I slept perfectly on Friday night. I went to bed and slept almost 12 straight hours without waking! I don't really like to sleep *that* long, but it was nice not waking up with dreams/nightmares. I felt really refreshed yesterday so I took my best friend up on his offer to go swimming. I swam (aka stood in the water and sometimes treaded in the deep end ... and occasionally actually swam) for almost two hours. I had very few symptoms on Saturday after the .25 increase. The only thing that was notably obvious was my "staring" symptom.
This is something that I really haven't talked about, but it's a problem I've had for quite some time. I honestly never really noticed it until about 8 years ago when someone commented that I needed to stop staring "at that lady." Well the thing was .. I wasn't staring at a lady ... I was just staring and it just happened to be in the direction of this lady in the restaurant. It was then that I realized I did it a lot and had done it a lot in the past.
Well in the last few years, the "staring" episodes have decreased until ... yesterday. I'm not sure if it was because (insert joke here) my brain was infected with chlorine (snorting very loudly ) or if it was because I was tired ... or something else, but I could not stop staring. My eyes would scan the room and then stop .... sometimes it was at a person, or an item or nothing at all. It was crazy! Fortunately my friend knows this happens so he was able to get me back on track most of the time before I looked like a crazy person. Anyways, there ya go. I have a problem with staring so if you & I ever hang out .. and I start to stare ... you know it's not my personal preference to stare .. at you or whatever it is I'm spacing out at .. it's just part of my Lyme symptoms sneaking out on me.
Plus:
Lightning Strike is still wreaking havoc. Still our phone is having issues. Still they haven't buried our permanent line. However ....
Our dishwasher is a dream! It's so very quiet. I hate that our old one was killed by lightning, but it was a blessing in disguise.
P.S. plan is to take 2.25mg the rest of the week until Friday and then increase to 2.5mg. AND I guess I'll have to make that follow-up now. The doctor's office called and left a message reminding me to come in for a follow up. At least I'll have something wonderful to tell him! (that I've been able to increase the 1mg of LDN to 2.25mg! and I'm really hoping to have it up to 3mg by the middle of June!)
P.P.S It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
2nd week of LDN Plus ...
So this week was my 2nd week of LDN. Plus we discovered that our dishwasher was fried by the lightning too. So we went dishwasher shopping yesterday and today. We found one we really liked at Lowe's, but we debating on it because it was so "expensive." So we went to Home Depot and shopped at Sears online. It was there that we discovered the same dishwasher we wanted at Lowe's for $234 cheaper! Wow. So we went up to Sears to feel it out in person and it was 134 more dollars in the store than online. We bought it online and are having it shipped for free to the store. We'll pick it up one day next week.
Now onto the LDN Update:
On Saturday the 14th, I had a terrible day. I was exhausted all day. I had a headache that lasted all day and Tylenol didn't touch it. To top it off, that was the morning that the lightning struck our property. Because the symptoms were so severe, I decided to only take a 1.25mg Saturday night.
On Sunday the 15th, I was less fatigued, but I was still pretty tired. However I did sleep all night from Saturday to Sunday. Since my other symptoms were pretty void, I decided to take 1.5mg. I went to bed really late because of Survivor Finale.
On Monday, I was what I like to call "Zombie tired." I had an aura all day and felt as if a seizure could come on, but one never came to pass. (thank God). I felt fevered all day and pure exhausted, but I knew that there were a couple of reasons to explain this other than the 1.5mg of LDN so I took another 1.5mg dose.
Tuesday: From Monday into Tuesday, I had very vivid dreams from 2 to 5. I was also very cold all day Tuesday. However, I felt so great other than that that I decided to go ahead and take A WHOPPING 1.75MG! Woo hoo.
Wednesday: I had another bad day. I was very fatigued. I woke up often Tuesday into Wednesday and this was a huge impact on my stamina. So I only took 1.5mg that night.
Thursday: I slept really well Wednesday into Thursday and my headache was better. I had an overall great day so I took 1.75mg of LDN.
Friday: I've had a pretty good day though I did wake with very swollen fingers (my rings wouldn't fit on) and a small headache. I took some Tylenol and it took care of it. I only needed 1/2 my normal dose too. So that's good. I slept well Thursday night only waking once and that really didn't count because it was at 5am (my normal wake up time for week days). I took today off work because my Mother in law had surgery. She's back at home so the surgery went well. My plan ... in a few minutes ... is to see how I feel tomorrow after taking TWO MG of LDN tonight! Since I don't have to work and it doesn't really matter how badly I feel, I thought I'd take a risk!
So that's how things are going so far this go around. Here is hoping I don't have vivid nightmares or a headache tomorrow.
Update: I slept mostly through the night ONLY woke up ONCE! I remember having some dreams, but don't remember what they were about so that's actually completely awesome! AND my head feels pretty good this morning. I have some swollen hands and feet, but hey .. I'll take that!
Now onto the LDN Update:
On Saturday the 14th, I had a terrible day. I was exhausted all day. I had a headache that lasted all day and Tylenol didn't touch it. To top it off, that was the morning that the lightning struck our property. Because the symptoms were so severe, I decided to only take a 1.25mg Saturday night.
On Sunday the 15th, I was less fatigued, but I was still pretty tired. However I did sleep all night from Saturday to Sunday. Since my other symptoms were pretty void, I decided to take 1.5mg. I went to bed really late because of Survivor Finale.
On Monday, I was what I like to call "Zombie tired." I had an aura all day and felt as if a seizure could come on, but one never came to pass. (thank God). I felt fevered all day and pure exhausted, but I knew that there were a couple of reasons to explain this other than the 1.5mg of LDN so I took another 1.5mg dose.
Tuesday: From Monday into Tuesday, I had very vivid dreams from 2 to 5. I was also very cold all day Tuesday. However, I felt so great other than that that I decided to go ahead and take A WHOPPING 1.75MG! Woo hoo.
Wednesday: I had another bad day. I was very fatigued. I woke up often Tuesday into Wednesday and this was a huge impact on my stamina. So I only took 1.5mg that night.
Thursday: I slept really well Wednesday into Thursday and my headache was better. I had an overall great day so I took 1.75mg of LDN.
Friday: I've had a pretty good day though I did wake with very swollen fingers (my rings wouldn't fit on) and a small headache. I took some Tylenol and it took care of it. I only needed 1/2 my normal dose too. So that's good. I slept well Thursday night only waking once and that really didn't count because it was at 5am (my normal wake up time for week days). I took today off work because my Mother in law had surgery. She's back at home so the surgery went well. My plan ... in a few minutes ... is to see how I feel tomorrow after taking TWO MG of LDN tonight! Since I don't have to work and it doesn't really matter how badly I feel, I thought I'd take a risk!
So that's how things are going so far this go around. Here is hoping I don't have vivid nightmares or a headache tomorrow.
Update: I slept mostly through the night ONLY woke up ONCE! I remember having some dreams, but don't remember what they were about so that's actually completely awesome! AND my head feels pretty good this morning. I have some swollen hands and feet, but hey .. I'll take that!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Boom Boom Pow
Not the song, but the lightning and thunderstorm last night was Boom Boom Pow.
It was a bit crazy over here. I didn't sleep well through it, but once I heard a little pop (okay a loud pop) and hail, I was outta bed! I woke to find that one outlet in the kitchen was kapoot and that a breaker was probably fried (b.c there was no electricity in the computer or other bedroom) and that our phone line was dead. Nothing appeared to be a direct hit to the house, but rather a hit to something else that slowly leaked to the house.
I went back to bed and struggled to sleep. When I did get out of bed, found out that the telephone cover was blown off our house so that our phone line wasn't going to get fixed until the phone company comes down (and we're still waiting) to fix it. More than likely will be a temporary fix first and then a permanent one. My husband fixed the breaker and the electrical outlet. Our wireless router is fried along with my beloved electric blanket (well the controller).
Crazy. In any case, we are all okay. I'm sure we'll find other things that have been struck. There is a huge hole at the base of one of our Bradford Pear trees. Add to that: we've found that our doorbell is also broken.
On other "electric" news. Scotty McCreery is back in town! If I were a country fan, it would be a huge deal. But he's taken over the television today! I wish the kid luck, but I'll be honest ... I haven't watched this season at all and country music makes me cringe.
It was a bit crazy over here. I didn't sleep well through it, but once I heard a little pop (okay a loud pop) and hail, I was outta bed! I woke to find that one outlet in the kitchen was kapoot and that a breaker was probably fried (b.c there was no electricity in the computer or other bedroom) and that our phone line was dead. Nothing appeared to be a direct hit to the house, but rather a hit to something else that slowly leaked to the house.
I went back to bed and struggled to sleep. When I did get out of bed, found out that the telephone cover was blown off our house so that our phone line wasn't going to get fixed until the phone company comes down (and we're still waiting) to fix it. More than likely will be a temporary fix first and then a permanent one. My husband fixed the breaker and the electrical outlet. Our wireless router is fried along with my beloved electric blanket (well the controller).
Crazy. In any case, we are all okay. I'm sure we'll find other things that have been struck. There is a huge hole at the base of one of our Bradford Pear trees. Add to that: we've found that our doorbell is also broken.
On other "electric" news. Scotty McCreery is back in town! If I were a country fan, it would be a huge deal. But he's taken over the television today! I wish the kid luck, but I'll be honest ... I haven't watched this season at all and country music makes me cringe.
Friday, May 13, 2011
One week of LDN
I started LDN again one week ago tonight. I took 1mg dose and went to bed. I slept all night and barely even budged that night. It was a good start. The next morning, I felt very warm and had a small headache, but it wasn't enough to keep me from taking another dose Saturday. Sunday morning I was very warm and my hands were swollen a bit. That afternoon I felt a bit off kilter. I was a bit dizzy and off balance, but nothing to keep me from taking another dose.
In fact, I decided to up my dose to 1.5mg. Within 15 minutes, my heart rate increased. I did go to sleep, but my sleep was disrupted with dreams. Monday I woke up exhausted and stayed fatigued through the day, but it was a fairly good day symptom wise. So I decided to take another 1.5mg dose Monday night. The next morning I felt pretty good., but in the afternoon and evening I felt very warm, off kilter and had a small headache.
This caused me to reduce my dosage to 1.25 mg. I didn't want to drop all the way down to 1mg and I didn't want to repeat the 1.5 so I went right down the middle. I woke up every 2 hours throughout the night. I had dry mouth and skin upon each waking. I had funny heart flutters in the afternoon, but they were gone by the time it was time to take the LDN. I decided to go ahead and take another 1.5mg dose that Wednesday night.
In the middle of the night, I woke to find that my fingers were swelling so I took off my wedding rings. When I woke at 5am, my fingers were so swollen that my rings wouldn't go back on. By that afternoon, my fingers had returned to their normal size. Other than a slight bit of fatigue from waking up in the middle of the night, I had a pretty good day. So Thursday night I took another 1.5mg dose. I slept well from Thursday into Friday, but Friday morning from midnight to 5am I woke 3 times.
That brings us to this morning. I actually had a pretty good day, but I woke with a slight headache. However, it went away after a few hours. I did feel fatigue through the day as well. I plan on taking another 1.5 mg. I'm so thrilled that things are going well this time around. I don't remember taking this many 1.5 mg in a row before. I'm hoping that I'll be able to up my dosage to 1.75 before long!
In fact, I decided to up my dose to 1.5mg. Within 15 minutes, my heart rate increased. I did go to sleep, but my sleep was disrupted with dreams. Monday I woke up exhausted and stayed fatigued through the day, but it was a fairly good day symptom wise. So I decided to take another 1.5mg dose Monday night. The next morning I felt pretty good., but in the afternoon and evening I felt very warm, off kilter and had a small headache.
This caused me to reduce my dosage to 1.25 mg. I didn't want to drop all the way down to 1mg and I didn't want to repeat the 1.5 so I went right down the middle. I woke up every 2 hours throughout the night. I had dry mouth and skin upon each waking. I had funny heart flutters in the afternoon, but they were gone by the time it was time to take the LDN. I decided to go ahead and take another 1.5mg dose that Wednesday night.
In the middle of the night, I woke to find that my fingers were swelling so I took off my wedding rings. When I woke at 5am, my fingers were so swollen that my rings wouldn't go back on. By that afternoon, my fingers had returned to their normal size. Other than a slight bit of fatigue from waking up in the middle of the night, I had a pretty good day. So Thursday night I took another 1.5mg dose. I slept well from Thursday into Friday, but Friday morning from midnight to 5am I woke 3 times.
That brings us to this morning. I actually had a pretty good day, but I woke with a slight headache. However, it went away after a few hours. I did feel fatigue through the day as well. I plan on taking another 1.5 mg. I'm so thrilled that things are going well this time around. I don't remember taking this many 1.5 mg in a row before. I'm hoping that I'll be able to up my dosage to 1.75 before long!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
My Mom had to endure this ....
What this teenager wouldn't do to watch a little Doogie Howser. Remember, this was before VCRs were really big much less DVR's. I had to watch all episodes live (IN THE LIVING ROOM NONE-THE-LESS!).
Then there was the year I met this marvelous basketball player and drooled over him. Oh who am I kidding, I still drool over him a bit almost 2 decades later.
Then I was in love with Patrick Dempsey BEFORE he was hot!
Then there was Michael J Fox
See what all my Mother had to endure?
Happy Mother's Day Mom. Thanks for putting up with all my celebrity crushes! :)
Then there was the year I met this marvelous basketball player and drooled over him. Oh who am I kidding, I still drool over him a bit almost 2 decades later.
Then I was in love with Patrick Dempsey BEFORE he was hot!
Then there was Michael J Fox
See what all my Mother had to endure?
Happy Mother's Day Mom. Thanks for putting up with all my celebrity crushes! :)
Dose 2
I slept all night and woke up with no headache after the 2nd 1mg dose of LDN. I do remember having some vivid dreams, but none really vivid enough to keep me awake. This is the huge problem I have with LDN. So hopefully it will remain this way. I did wake up a little "swollen" and "hot," but I can tolerate the tiny bits of this if it indeed helps my immune system function properly.
I'll probably go ahead and increase to the 1.5 mg soon. Usually I have much more symptoms than this on even the 1mg. So I'm pleased as punch to be making some headway already.
I'll probably go ahead and increase to the 1.5 mg soon. Usually I have much more symptoms than this on even the 1mg. So I'm pleased as punch to be making some headway already.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Lyme Awareness
Part of Lyme Awareness is truthfully being away that Lyme just never really goes away. So in this truth, I have to look at myself. I have to remember that it is always there. It may be hidden, but it is there. I must keep working to keep my immune system in good shape so that the Lyme bug doesn't come out and wreck my body.
Over the past few months I have experienced several health set backs. I've been on antibiotics twice for different things and recently (this past week) experienced the ever so much fun urinary tract infection. I didn't go get tested for it, but I knew it was there. I also have this most wonderful supplement for Urinary Tract Support called Mannose D Powder. I decided that I would give it try and see if it would help before going in to the doctors to get tested (and then antibiotics when the test proved positive).
It's something that can be taken 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon 1 to 3 times a day. In the past, I have used 1/2 teaspoon twice a day. This time since my symptoms were so severe, I decided to go ahead and max dose it at 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. I did this for 3 full days and then decreased it to 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day. Yesterday I did it for 1/2 teaspoon 2 a day and today I haven't even taken my dose yet. However, I'm not going nearly as frequently and things are improving. I'll probably stay at this 1/4 teaspoon 3 times a day for a few more days and then stop. If things go back, then I'll have to go see a doctor for testing. However I'm confident that things will stay great.
With all of this in mind, I decided it was time to go back to the regiment that I should have been on. Back to the LDN. 1mg last night. I can tell today. :( Headache, swollen hands and feeling hot (though I don't have a temp). I just got to push through this initial phase. Wish me luck and remember
Stay Lyme Aware.
Over the past few months I have experienced several health set backs. I've been on antibiotics twice for different things and recently (this past week) experienced the ever so much fun urinary tract infection. I didn't go get tested for it, but I knew it was there. I also have this most wonderful supplement for Urinary Tract Support called Mannose D Powder. I decided that I would give it try and see if it would help before going in to the doctors to get tested (and then antibiotics when the test proved positive).
It's something that can be taken 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon 1 to 3 times a day. In the past, I have used 1/2 teaspoon twice a day. This time since my symptoms were so severe, I decided to go ahead and max dose it at 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. I did this for 3 full days and then decreased it to 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day. Yesterday I did it for 1/2 teaspoon 2 a day and today I haven't even taken my dose yet. However, I'm not going nearly as frequently and things are improving. I'll probably stay at this 1/4 teaspoon 3 times a day for a few more days and then stop. If things go back, then I'll have to go see a doctor for testing. However I'm confident that things will stay great.
With all of this in mind, I decided it was time to go back to the regiment that I should have been on. Back to the LDN. 1mg last night. I can tell today. :( Headache, swollen hands and feeling hot (though I don't have a temp). I just got to push through this initial phase. Wish me luck and remember
Stay Lyme Aware.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Lyme Awareness month
It's Lyme Disease Awareness month. Check out your local PBS station to see if they are playing Under Our Skin this month. It the Raleigh Durham area, it's being aired on May 17th at 8pm on UNC-TV (most people's Channel 4 I think). Check this documentary out. The first time I watched it, I got sad. The second time I watched it, I got mad. The third and fourth time I learned something new. Please DVR it so you can watch it time and time again.
I still have my Lyme Green ribbon up, though I'm in desperate need of a new one. This one has been out for a year! Share the Lyme Light by educating others on this disease.
I still have my Lyme Green ribbon up, though I'm in desperate need of a new one. This one has been out for a year! Share the Lyme Light by educating others on this disease.
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