Pain level: 5
Dislocations so far today: none yet
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: more stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Ended up coming home last night after all since the storm had cleared up. And when I say "last night" I only mean that it was before we had gone to sleep. We got home around 5AM and watched the sun start to come up on the drive. We were planning on crashing at Mr. C's because of the sleet/snow but since that was a nonissue, M was too worried about how my back would take to sleeping on an air mattress without my usual fortress of pillows. She was concerned I would wake up unable to walk, so home we went. Probably smart of her.
But now we don't know which way is up. I hope we can get back to a normal sleeping schedule.
Hands were more painful/stiff than normal this morning. When I'd try to make a fist, it felt like my cuticles were pulling away from my nails. Ew. I figure it's because the meds were not as fresh in my system as when I'm taking them at 6PM and waking up by 9AM at the latest. Let's just say we didn't wake up at 9AM after going to bed at 5AM.
Got advice today about Disability Benefits. Since I first called them at the end of January and they still haven't called to make an appointment (except for the one time they called in January when my phone was out of battery and I followed their call-us-back instructions immediately, but no luck getting another call), I have been advised to call the Office of the Attorney General for my state and both of my state's Senators and inform them of my situation.
D:
Well, if that's not intimidating--perhaps more so than filing for disability--than I don't know what is. Yikes. Wish me luck!
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 3:22 PM
Can touch forearm? Just barely--and OW!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
R
Can touch forearm? not even close and MAN! that hurts
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 105º
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Off for the night
Pain level: 4/5
Dislocations so far today: my fingers keep popping out
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times, right hip is threatening
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Off to Mr C's place for a night of friends, 20-sided dice, and a few drinks. Be back sometime tomorrow. I'm always a bit freaked when I spend a night away from home, worrying about how the inflate-a-bed thing will affect my back, but I'm also sick of not doing things because of anticipated pain. (Though I am reminded that getting frustrated at pacing/taking my condition into account and just throwing caution to the wind is what landed me in the ER last year, so I am trying to find a balance.)
No repeat of the random hive-like itching on my hands this morning, so I have no idea what the heck that was about yesterday.
Fun Fact: This is M's methodology of figuring out if she needs to be worried about my health at any given time. If I swear and curse a bunch, I'm probably fine. ("fine" as in stubbed my toe or dislocated something that I can put back in no problem like a finger or ankle.) However, if I get very quiet and calmly ask for her assistance, she deems that is when to freak out. Like when a few days ago when I popped out my hip, I very calmly called out, "honey--I need your help," that is, I guess, how to worry her. Oops. I really hate worrying people. Guess I just need to yell and swear more then.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 4:40 PM
Can touch forearm? Just barely
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 75º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 130º
R
Can touch forearm? closer than normal, but still no
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
Dislocations so far today: my fingers keep popping out
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times, right hip is threatening
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Off to Mr C's place for a night of friends, 20-sided dice, and a few drinks. Be back sometime tomorrow. I'm always a bit freaked when I spend a night away from home, worrying about how the inflate-a-bed thing will affect my back, but I'm also sick of not doing things because of anticipated pain. (Though I am reminded that getting frustrated at pacing/taking my condition into account and just throwing caution to the wind is what landed me in the ER last year, so I am trying to find a balance.)
No repeat of the random hive-like itching on my hands this morning, so I have no idea what the heck that was about yesterday.
Fun Fact: This is M's methodology of figuring out if she needs to be worried about my health at any given time. If I swear and curse a bunch, I'm probably fine. ("fine" as in stubbed my toe or dislocated something that I can put back in no problem like a finger or ankle.) However, if I get very quiet and calmly ask for her assistance, she deems that is when to freak out. Like when a few days ago when I popped out my hip, I very calmly called out, "honey--I need your help," that is, I guess, how to worry her. Oops. I really hate worrying people. Guess I just need to yell and swear more then.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 4:40 PM
Can touch forearm? Just barely
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 75º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 130º
R
Can touch forearm? closer than normal, but still no
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
Friday, February 26, 2010
A Snowicane. Really.
Pain level: 5
Dislocations so far today: right elbow this morning, left hip last night (OW!)
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
I've been sort of a mess the past few days from the rain so I haven't been on here. Wednesday night I had a repeat of probably what I feel is the most annoying dislocation-scenario of having Ehlers Danlos. I dislocated my thumb while pulling up my pants after using the bathroom. Ugh. I really hate that. I had that happen to me twice in one week last year and I was just so pissed off because it's such a simple task that becomes complicated quite quickly. I then had this conversation with M's mom.
Me: I dislocated my thumb again while pulling up my pants.
A: UGH. You know, the last time this happened it was raining like crazy too. When it rains, you're just not allowed to wear zippers!
Me: I was wearing my pj pants.
A: *laughing* Well, I'm sorry but that's just pathetic! Okay, so when it rains, you're just not allowed to wear pants!
She may be on to something. XD
My back has been completely out of it from the Snowicane. Like a hurricane, but with snow. Yuck. Not even worth talking about--just my standard low pressure system pain. But that's better now. More snow/sleet/rain expected through Monday, but I think the worst is over.
I've been getting some more/new hand symptoms the past few days. The pain/swelling is down still, and I think the stiffness is too, but when I first wake up my right hand feels so weak that it can't make a full fist. The fingers don't feel stiff, just tired almost. Limp. Plus my hands woke me up before sunrise itching and hurting from itching so much that I was sure I had hives. Big ones. I turned the light on and they looked fine, but they had that stinging feeling you get with really bad hives or a bad sunburn. But only on my hands and it was gone later. Weird. No idea what that means.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 4:40 PM
Can touch forearm? Just barely/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 80º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 125º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 110º
Dislocations so far today: right elbow this morning, left hip last night (OW!)
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
I've been sort of a mess the past few days from the rain so I haven't been on here. Wednesday night I had a repeat of probably what I feel is the most annoying dislocation-scenario of having Ehlers Danlos. I dislocated my thumb while pulling up my pants after using the bathroom. Ugh. I really hate that. I had that happen to me twice in one week last year and I was just so pissed off because it's such a simple task that becomes complicated quite quickly. I then had this conversation with M's mom.
Me: I dislocated my thumb again while pulling up my pants.
A: UGH. You know, the last time this happened it was raining like crazy too. When it rains, you're just not allowed to wear zippers!
Me: I was wearing my pj pants.
A: *laughing* Well, I'm sorry but that's just pathetic! Okay, so when it rains, you're just not allowed to wear pants!
She may be on to something. XD
My back has been completely out of it from the Snowicane. Like a hurricane, but with snow. Yuck. Not even worth talking about--just my standard low pressure system pain. But that's better now. More snow/sleet/rain expected through Monday, but I think the worst is over.
I've been getting some more/new hand symptoms the past few days. The pain/swelling is down still, and I think the stiffness is too, but when I first wake up my right hand feels so weak that it can't make a full fist. The fingers don't feel stiff, just tired almost. Limp. Plus my hands woke me up before sunrise itching and hurting from itching so much that I was sure I had hives. Big ones. I turned the light on and they looked fine, but they had that stinging feeling you get with really bad hives or a bad sunburn. But only on my hands and it was gone later. Weird. No idea what that means.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 4:40 PM
Can touch forearm? Just barely/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 80º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 125º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 110º
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Ow ow snow ow
Pain level: 6/7 as long as I walk like an idiot
Dislocations so far today: right index finger again! jeez!
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: Lumbar spine pain with some nerve pain down my left leg, some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
And the snow is just starting to come down now. The flakes are wet and sloppy, splattering against the deck. Yuck. It's not supposed to really stop until Sunday.
EDIT: We're getting rain currently. Wish that made a big difference. But hey! No shoveling!
It took me a long time to wake up this morning. I was awake off and on since 6am or so, just trying to sleep off a little bit more of the pain, hoping to wake up again in better shape. That didn't really happen today. Took me a while until I could uncurl myself enough to stand up. I'm walking very slowly today, and each step is probably only 3-4 inches. I'm "sneaking" today--that's what M calls it when my back is so bad I can't walk faster than that. Like I'm some sneaky burglar hoping no one notices me. XD
Having a little nerve pain involvement with my back pain today--mostly when I cough or sneeze I"ll get it down my left leg.
Two episodes of Raynaud's already today. I'm trying to keep my hands warm.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 12:27 PM / 11:15PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º/ 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 110º/ 120º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º/ 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 100º/ 115º
Dislocations so far today: right index finger again! jeez!
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a couple of times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: Lumbar spine pain with some nerve pain down my left leg, some stiffness/pain/swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
And the snow is just starting to come down now. The flakes are wet and sloppy, splattering against the deck. Yuck. It's not supposed to really stop until Sunday.
EDIT: We're getting rain currently. Wish that made a big difference. But hey! No shoveling!
It took me a long time to wake up this morning. I was awake off and on since 6am or so, just trying to sleep off a little bit more of the pain, hoping to wake up again in better shape. That didn't really happen today. Took me a while until I could uncurl myself enough to stand up. I'm walking very slowly today, and each step is probably only 3-4 inches. I'm "sneaking" today--that's what M calls it when my back is so bad I can't walk faster than that. Like I'm some sneaky burglar hoping no one notices me. XD
Having a little nerve pain involvement with my back pain today--mostly when I cough or sneeze I"ll get it down my left leg.
Two episodes of Raynaud's already today. I'm trying to keep my hands warm.
Hand stiffness using middle finger has measure
Time: 12:27 PM / 11:15PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º/ 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 110º/ 120º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!/ same
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º/ 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 100º/ 115º
Monday, February 22, 2010
Back to computin'
Pain level: 4
Dislocations so far today: right index finger again, (ow!) just dislocated my right index finger while typing)
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a few times, left shoulder once
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Bought a new monitor today so I can use my computer again. Yay! Still not much to report which is fantastic. Same pattern with my hands in the morning. The flexibility is still way down, and even though I stretch my fingers every day, I'm not seeing any improvement. Hips, knees, and back have also been getting the benefits of my 24 NSAID. I walked around a lot today which was really great. It felt good. I'm sore-ish now, but it was completely worth it.
I've found I want more and more to talk to other people with EDS. I feel I don't have many people who I can talk to who understand what it's like, but while I am part of a EDS message board, I don't often get to talk to people more than in posts with days-weeks in between. Not sure how to go about fixing this though.
We're in for another storm tonight through Wednesday. And snow until Sunday. UGH.
Time: 10:10 PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 75º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 125º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monitor is kaputz.
Pain level: 4
Dislocations so far today: right index finger
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a few times, left shoulder once
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Entries on here might be a little sporadic for a bit as my monitor just died and I am borrowing a very old, and very temperamental laptop.
Hands were just the tiniest bit more stiff this morning than yesterday, but still amazing in comparison.
Raynaud's is acting up more. Especially my right index and pinky finger. They almost always leave together. It's like they're traveling buddies. Come on back, dudes! I need you!
Time: 8:02 PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 120º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 100º
Dislocations so far today: right index finger
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder a few times, left shoulder once
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Entries on here might be a little sporadic for a bit as my monitor just died and I am borrowing a very old, and very temperamental laptop.
Hands were just the tiniest bit more stiff this morning than yesterday, but still amazing in comparison.
Raynaud's is acting up more. Especially my right index and pinky finger. They almost always leave together. It's like they're traveling buddies. Come on back, dudes! I need you!
Time: 8:02 PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 120º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 50º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 100º
Saturday, February 20, 2010
More snow in the forecast
Pain level: 4
Dislocations so far today: none! I'm on a pretty good role!
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder several times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Not a whole lot to report. Woke up again being able to make a fist, which is awesome. My hands were a little stiffer this morning than yesterday, but I'm staying positive.
So far the medicine hasn't had any bad effects on my stomach (besides my normal tummy-ills), and I know I'm over-following the warnings. Drinking double the water they require and doubling the you-can't-lay-down time. I figure if I respect the meds, they'll respect me. I hope.
Next week looks like entirely snow. This does not please me. What the hell, weather.
Time: 8:19 PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely--was doing better during the day, but I think meds are wearing off right about now.
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 125º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
Dislocations so far today: none! I'm on a pretty good role!
Subluxations so far today: Right shoulder several times
Meds: meloxicam--1 tablet.
Major complaint: some stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints of my hand (R>L)
Not a whole lot to report. Woke up again being able to make a fist, which is awesome. My hands were a little stiffer this morning than yesterday, but I'm staying positive.
So far the medicine hasn't had any bad effects on my stomach (besides my normal tummy-ills), and I know I'm over-following the warnings. Drinking double the water they require and doubling the you-can't-lay-down time. I figure if I respect the meds, they'll respect me. I hope.
Next week looks like entirely snow. This does not please me. What the hell, weather.
Time: 8:19 PM
L
Can touch forearm? Just barely--was doing better during the day, but I think meds are wearing off right about now.
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 70º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 125º
R
Can touch forearm? Not even close--and OW it hurts to try!
Angle of extension of the center joint of finger: 60º
Angle of extension of the last joint of finger: 115º
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