Saturday, June 19, 2010

Good News And Bad News...AGAIN!

The good news is, after 4 weeks of terrible nerve pain, Mr. G is beginning to notice a little relief.  We are still waiting on the MRI to rule out anything going on with his back.  Hoping to have that done this coming week.  The doctor told him to double up on the nerve medication and I think that has helped too.  Thank goodness.  It has been so hard to see him in so much pain.
I had a rough week.  I was dealing with the pain in my back and numbness in my leg, taking my meds, taking it easy, or as easy I could with my 3 year old grandson as my shadow.  Actually, Noah was so good.  He didn't resist that fact that I kept him inside all week for quiet play like movies and coloring and play doh.  I had him do all the housework for me!
No, don't be calling CPS!  He just likes to help, and he picked up the vacuum and did what he had always seen me and his Mommy do with it.  He had fun.
By Wednesday, I thought I was getting much better.  However, by Thursday, I was miserable again.  More pain in my lower back, more nerve pain in my leg.  I woke up Friday morning and my back hurt so bad that I was sure there must be a 5 inch gash somewhere that needed stitches.  I looked to see, and was alarmed to discover a series of fluid filled blisters.  Oh dear, I suspected SHINGLES!!!  I got on the web and looked all the symptoms up. Intense pain days before eruption, usually at site of first blisters-check.  Flu like symptoms-check.  Low grade fever-check. Nerve pain-check.  The night before I was having heart palpatations, and a very bad twitching in my right eye.  What the heck?  So I called my doctor, spoke with nurse, told her what was going on and what I suspected, and I could hear her telling this to the doctor, and I hear my doctor say, "Get her in here!"  So as soon as Noah left, I went down.  She took one look at my back and said you have full blown shingles and I am SO glad you came in now!!!  I guess when you delay treatment of shingles you risk having all sorts of problems, particularly later.  Nerve pain that may last forever, and all sorts of awful things. So, I left there feeling awful, with another handful of scrips to ride it out, and told to come back in two weeks.  One of the meds I have to take for 3 weeks is prednisone.  GREAT...the doctor already warned me that I will be gaining weight.  She said don't even worry about it until after you get over this hump.  It will come off easily, it is water weight.  So, steroids, anti virals, pain pills, lidacane patches, and seems like something else too but I can't remember what, and I sit here, on one side of my body because the right side hurts too bad to lean against anything.  Looks like it's going to be another long week for Mr. and Mrs. G.

4 comments:

Katie said...

Oh NOOOOOOO, I'm so sorry to hear that you have Shingles!!! Those are so very painful! I hope that you heal up ever so quickly and relax, relax, relax! I think you need to treat yourself to Glen Ivy more often.
I'm sure you won't have a problem, but I gained a ton of weight from Prednisone, I had been on them since the fall from my illness & they increase your appetite which in turn is not just water weight, so be careful. I BLEW UP LIKE A BLOWFISH, I was starving ALL the time!!!!!

Sending warm wishes your way, I hope that your pain is limited!!!

Amy said...

Oh...I hope you get better! You guys are having it rough. Hopefully you guys will be all better after this :)

NanaNor's said...

Kris, As soon as you said blisters on your back I went Oh No she has shingles-I know how horrid this is because I had them when I was 42. They said my case wasn't bad, didn't get Lidacane patches but got pills that had pepper in them to help. I remember not wearing a bra and keeping clothing at a minimum. So glad you got treated right away...I'll be praying for you my friend, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.
Gentle hugs.
Noreen

Debbie said...

Oh Kris I am so sorry to hear this. I hear they are very painful...hopefully you caught it quickly and will be better fast. I'll keep you in prayer. Glad your hubby is starting to feel a little relief. GOODNESS, it does seem like you two have had a bad spell. I am starting to feel a little better. I was beginning to wonder how long it might be. I've missed everyone. REST REST REST!! Hugs to you, Debbie