Day by Day with Parkinson's and Peripheral Neuropathy

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Peripheral Neuropathy in 2006, but my symptoms seemed to take a turn in a different direction in late 2007. The current diagnosis is Essential Myoclonus. You will find record here of a my journey - coping with the testing, the medicines, nutrition, digestion problems, exercise, the emotions, and no telling what else!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Trying a Different C-Pap Mask

I took the c-pap stuff back to the supplier yesterday, and they have changed me to a very soft nasal "plug" that doesn't have nearly as much strapping all over my face as the nasal mask did. I slept 6 straight hours, without getting up at all. I can't remember how long it's been since I did that. It's not perfect, as my nostrils were sore this morning, and I can still feel the thing, even hours after it has been out. I've always had this odd thing where I could "feel" a hat long after I had taken it off, and this canula is doing the same thing.

I have hope now that I will adjust. The frustration I was feeling with the other face mask was really wearing me out. It's a good thing I don't cuss! LOL

I'm calling the Gastroenterologist today, as I want the colonoscopy for my peace of mind. I'm still not satisfied with my elimination situation. We took our kittens to the vet this morning, and I got light headed and had to sit down quickly, because we were standing, waiting for the vet to come in our treatment room. I blame that on my tummy, as I felt better after I excused myself and used their facilities.

I've started going out in our yard and working just as soon as it's daylight, as it's just too hot later on in the morning. So, my exercise routine is back on track, with walking and Tai Chi every day, plus working for a little while in the yard. By the time I come in around 7:00AM I'm drenched in sweat.

I'm definitely going to have to get my Neurologist to prescribe something to stop this excessive crying I'm doing. I broke out in blubbering at the c-pap office, trying to tell the tech how frustrated I was trying to adjust to the mask. I have learned that this is called emotional lability, and it is a PD side effect. He doesn't want to change my meds until I get the cpap and elimination situations settled, and that makes sense.

So, some things seem to be getting better, and others aren't.

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4 Comments:

  • At 8/21/2007 11:42 AM , Blogger Marion said...

    Wow, you've had a long stint of hot weather. Here, it's just a memory...I even have the furnace on in the mornings.

    Six hours straight, DB...congratulations! You must feel brand new. If there's anything that can keep my resolve up, it's enough sleep.

    I'd be crying too, if I were you. There's a lot to cry about...and a lot to laugh about, too, I bet!

     
  • At 8/21/2007 12:56 PM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    Uggg We're cooking down here. I am very pleased with the amount of sleep. I didn't even wake up when DH turned out the lights and went to bed. I'm working on such a sleep defecit that I don't think one night is going to make me feel much different, but it's certainly a start.

     
  • At 8/23/2007 10:36 AM , Blogger Sheila said...

    There is hope. With six hours rest you have to feel better. But think about it. The lack of peaceful rest has to contribute immensely to the crying outbursts. You were so frustrated by the inability to make the cpap mask work. Who wouldn't have cried! Anyway it made them give you a better one.

     
  • At 8/23/2007 11:14 AM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    Sorry, Shelia, but I just don't see you crying over it. But, you're right, it did get me a different mask! LOL

     

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