Monday, December 28, 2009

The ongoing saga of my construction project from Hell

Since some of you are asking I will inform you to my take on Shingles.

They hurt like hell, they make your life miserable, you are weak and tired from lack of sleep and the constant pain, life goes on!!.

After three full weeks of constant pain I could not take it any more so called my doctor and pleaded for Prednisone as someone told me this is what to take. Hey, I am willing to take anything that looks, sounds, smells like it might help. If I have to inhale it, swallow it, eat it or rub it on; I am all for it. Jerry and I drove to Bismarck that night to get my prescription (as of course the doctors never call you back until after hours when the local pharmacy was already closed). A 120 mile round trip and we were back home after driving on icy roads and streets in Bismarck but "Hey, it was worth it". Well, after the first dose of Prednisone I felt better. The constant pain was gone just the lingering, "Shit, that still hurts but not as much" thing. Depression set in the 21st day. Don't talk to me, I will cry just thinking about it. This is not good as Christmas is just around the corner. The fact that my kids were coming home for Christmas helped soooooo much. Not all of them were able to get home for Christmas due to the snow storm but we survived with the ones that were here. We were all safe, warm and well fed. Lots of good food prepared mostly by the kids. I was mostly the onlooker this year. Thanks one and all. If I have to sit around for a few more days waiting for the Shingles to go away-I can do that. I'm flexible.
I am thinking 2010 will be better in the health department.

Happy New Year to all of you.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Construction from Hell

My construction project, as Ty calls it, is still under way. It has to do mainly with Shingles. Now if you have never had Shingles you can't quite imagine what it is like. I will tell you it is one horrible experience. First the pain starts then the rash begins. The pain is almost unbearable. Oh, an the rash keeps spreading. I was told and did read that Apple Cider vinegar would help the rash. I now smell like I fell in a jug of vinegar. But if it helps, hey, I am all for it.

I did discover one night as I walked the floors that my floors were really clean. No dust, no crumbs, no sand stuck to my tired worn out feet as I walked the floors all night long as the pain wouldn't allow me to either lay down nor sit down. I was so glad that I had had the energy to dust them that very day.

I have never liked needles but with the pain of my construction project I decided anything that might help would be worth a try. Jerry took me to Bismarck to a chiropractor that does acupuncture. I actually allowed him to stick those needles in my back. It did not hurt and I didn't have to watch him poke me as I was lying on my stomach. I do believe it might of helped the pain a bit. Of course I then had to go to my main doctor and get some pain medication as Tylenol wasn't cutting it. I now have some nerve medicine that does work. Alleluia!! Of course this I can only take 3 a day therefore I am in trouble when the pill wears off. Oh, I just remembered Jerry had surgery 2 years ago and he never took his pain pills. Alleluia!! I found those and in between nerve pills I pop the pain pills. The doctor also told me that Vitamin B Complex is good to take and to overdose on that as it does you no harm. More pills to pop. I read that Lysine is good for Shingles. I have that too. I am a regular medicine chest.

The only time I don't hurt is when I am in the shower. Now if I were a fish this would be great but being me I come out of their looking like a prune with a rash.

If anyone has any more ideas for me, please send them along as I am willing to try anything right now to relieve this miserable infection.