Neuropsychological Testing

I had neuropsychological testing. It was brief and conducted by an underling. I wonder if it got at my issues--I did not feel like it did. It felt like screening rather than testing. I should have the results in a couple of weeks.

And it has been a rather painful day. Even my shot hurt.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 0
-Tingles: 1
-Dysesthetic pain: 6, the usual areas, especially the front of my thighs. The skin, not deep.
-Paresthesias: 1

-Numbness: 3
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 6 
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 2
-Sore muscles: 3

-Spasticity: 2
-Weak muscles: 4

-Endurance: 5

-Fine motor: 2

Cognitive:
-Processing: 2
-Memory: 0, figures--on a day when I am being evaluated
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 0

General:
-Fatigue: 4
-Balance: 0

-Vertigo: 0

-Sleep: 2

-Bladder: 1
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 0

Emotions: Nervous about the neuropsych visit, until I realized that some flunky was giving the tests. Then I was fine. I did get a little anxious later, worried that my issues would not be noted. I sometimes struggle with dysfluency from word-finding issues, and I regularly get frustrated with my memory. 

Getting Worse?

I did not feel like myself, but I felt okay today. Bad dry mouth, which began to give me a sore throat in the evening.

I was supposed to have PT today, but they had not filed for continued insurance approval, so my session was canceled. That was fine with me. I am not going to die if I miss a session.

I had a great day for pain, although my left sciatic nerve hurt in the evening. Not such a great day for strength or endurance, but I have had worse.

Tomorrow is my neuropsychology appointment. I hope they do a good job.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 0
-Tingles: 0
-Dysesthetic pain: 0
-Paresthesias: 1

-Numbness: 2
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 6 in the evening, 2 during the day
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 2, getting worse. :(
-Sore muscles: 1

-Spasticity: 1
-Weak muscles: 4

-Endurance: 6, again having trouble keeping the brake pedal depressed through a light cycle

-Fine motor: 3, yup, worse again.

Cognitive:
-Processing: 4, spitting out incorrect words left and right, misunderstanding things
-Memory: 1
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 0

General:
-Fatigue: 5
-Balance: 0

-Vertigo: 1, several times in late afternoon

-Sleep: 1, 8.5 hours but woke up several times

-Bladder: 1
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 0

Emotions: Confident, happy. 

Jellyfish

Today I had a hard time getting up, which has been the case since I began these darn antidepressants. I think they make me tired. I slept like a log on amitriptyline. I am not sleeping as well on desipramine, unfortunately.

Anyway, I also was weak and floppy when I woke up. Jellyfish! That is never a good sign for the day.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 1
-Tingles: 0
-Dysesthetic pain: 4
-Paresthesias: 2

-Numbness: 2
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 5
-Hearing: 2

Motor:
-Walking: 1
-Sore muscles: 1
-Spasticity: 1
-Weak muscles: 5

-Endurance: 6
-Fine motor: 1

Cognitive:
-Processing: 1
-Memory: 2
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 1

General:
-Fatigue: 4
-Balance: 0
-Vertigo: 0-Sleep: 1
-Bladder: 1
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 7, forgot pill

Emotions: A little nervous that I am getting worse again. But mostly contented.

Weakling!

I was a weakling today. My body felt like jelly sometimes, just like yesterday. I hope I am not getting worse again. It seems like every time I celebrate something, I lose it.

I went skiing this evening and had a hard time. I tried a blue and took five breaks on the way down. At least no falls today. My muscles were sore and ready to give out, as if I had skied all day. This is marked worse than last week.

Dry mouth and sour taste from the desipramine are still bugging me, although sometimes it is fine. Seems like mornings are worst--well, I take the pill at bedtime. Also, I had several bad dreams last night.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 0
-Tingles: 0
-Dysesthetic pain: 4
-Paresthesias: 1

-Numbness: 3, sometimes my left big toe, partial numbness in my left foot
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 1
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 1
-Sore muscles: 1, not including skiing
-Fine motor: 0
-Weak muscles: 5
-Spasticity: 1, not including skiing

-Endurance: 6

Cognitive:
-Processing: 0
-Memory: 1
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 0

General:
-Fatigue: 5
-Balance: 0
-Sleep: 0
-Bladder: 1
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 0

Emotions: I was a bit dismayed and discouraged to be weaker and more tired again.

Rocked PT Again

Yes, as the title suggests, I did well in PT, especially on the balance tasks. However, Shandi noted a problem when she tested me on the stairs. I am twisting my hips when I step down with my left foot. It is really quick. She wants to figure out why and fix it.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 0
-Tingles: 0
-Dysesthetic pain: 2
-Paresthesias: 1, buzz buzz

-Numbness: 2
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 3
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 1
-Sore muscles: 4
-Fine motor: 0
-Weak muscles: 4, way up, not sure why
-Spasticity: 3, left leg

-Endurance: 4

Cognitive:
-Processing: 0
-Memory: 4, thoughts and plans slip from my brain as soon as they appear
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 0

General:
-Fatigue: 4
-Balance: 0
-Sleep: 0
-Bladder: 1
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 0

Emotions: Nothing to say.

Getting Better!

I had another great, low-pain day. That is five in a row--I think I can officially say that the desipramine is working! I am so thankful.

I noticed today how much better I am moving. Walking, signing, everything.. much better.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 0
-Tingles: 0
-Dysesthetic pain: 2
-Paresthesias: 2, some weird electricity-ness in my legs, also that weird buzzy/pully feeling in my back. Paresthesias are just weird.

-Numbness: 2
-Vision: 0-2
-Nerve pain: 3
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 1
-Sore muscles: 1
-Fine motor: 0
-Weak muscles: 1
-Spasticity: 0

-Endurance: 3

Cognitive:
-Processing: 0
-Memory: 0
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 0

General:
-Fatigue: 3
-Balance: 0
-Sleep: 2, eight hours
-Bladder: 1 (medication)
-Proprioception: 1
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 0
-B: 0

Emotions: Calm. Oh, I forgot to say that yesterday I brought up bad dreams with my shrink. I have had a few in the last couple of weeks. She wondered if the anti-depressants were causing them. I did not think my dose was high enough to have that kind of effect, but I guess it might be. It is high enough to help the pain and to cause side effects.