Neurology Update
Posted By Russ Emerson on August 4, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I’ve just returned from my semi-annual trip to the neurologist, and have come away with only the slightest bit more information, a new prescription, and a tantalizing possibility.
We’ve known all along that the nerve problems I have in my legs affect both sensation and motor control. Recently, though, I’ve noticed that my right leg (which has always been the more severely affected) is doing odd things. My right foot cocks out to the side, such that I cannot walk or stand with my toes pointing straight forward. This, it turns out, is likely a function of the motor nerves misbehaving.
My neuropathy hasn’t improved a whole lot; there are days when the neruopathic sensations — which are hard to describe accurately, but comparable in discomfort to having your foot set on fire while frozen in a block of ice — are bad enough to keep me awake at night. It’s not pain, per se… but I don’t have the vocabulary to adequately describe it.
I’m on Gabapentin for it, and it helps immensely, but some days even the meds don’t help. On that basis, I’ve been given a supplemental “pain” killer I’d not heard of before: Tramadol. We’ll see how it does.
While at the doc’s office, I was chatting with his PA and joked that I should try to get my insurance to pay to get my bathroom remodeled… to which she replied that’s something that might actually be possible, along with having safety rails installed around the house and — get this — having hand controls for my truck, accellerator and brakes, installed.
<Keanu> Whoa. </Keanu>
Apparently it requires some sort of home safety inspection by some sort of certified inspector, after which the doc can sign off on some documentation for the insurance company.
What are the odds Obamacare would pay for that before I die of old age?
I see my GP next week. I should come up with something interesting to complain about.
I came across this random link via twitter when i was searching for neurology information, and I had to write. Your description (or inability to describe) of your nerve issues sound very similar to mine. I dissected (tore) my carotid artery last year which caused a stroke, thus rendering my left side numb, paralyzed briefly, and now tingly and weak, but moving . I find it rare to meet others who have had any neurological nerve damage that is not debilitating but interferes with your senses and comfort daily. It must be a challenge. May I ask how this happened to you?
Oh, there’s so much to read here about my previous question. I’m so embarrassed. Sorry, I’ll take the time to read about it here on your blog.
In the meantime, I refused Gabapentin because I am on too many other medications in the last year to want to add more side-effects into the mix, but I did hear pretty good things about it, although I heard Neurontin is “stronger”. Something to look into, perhaps.
Best,
S