I am trying out...

I am going to try TimeBoss through NiceKit - I hope it works for what I need it to...

Not much news

I have mostly decided to just change my lifestyle - doesn't seem to be any medical help available to me.  However, I do have thoughts of visiting an "integrative" more holistic type family practitionery, and found one in Seymour.  But nothing further there yet.

Update on me

I went to a new neurologist today, trying hard to NOT tell him what to test for.  :)

He almost immediately said he was not the right doctor, but he did listen to me go through my history, symptoms, what has helped, what hasn't.

He said small fiber neuropathy would be detected with a skin biopsy (which I had already read about).  He said the dr for that would be a neurologist-specialist, and he had someone he wanted me to see.  He said he had recently seen someone else that had a small fiber neuropathy, and he was greatly helped going to see this other dr.  Later I learned this "other specialist dr" is the same one that Alex saw this same time last year, who was the one that diagnosed his MS-like symptoms as being a reaction to his bp medicine.  However, this dr doesn't have an opening until July.  So they took an early appt for me in April, with another dr in the practice.  I was encouraged to call every day to see if there are any cancellations/openings.

However, he also said it could be something else, that MIMICS small fiber neuropathy - possibly a cyst or something similar, pressing on a nerve somewhere in my lower lumbar area (spinal column).  I told him I had full-spine xrays from the chiropractor, but he said this would be soft-tissue and wouldn't show on that.  So I have an MRI scheduled this Thurs, late afternoon, @ Schneck.

I do plan to call every day, trying to get into either the original July-dr that Alex saw last year, or the other one from April, trying to get into either one of them sooner.

Thanks for your prayers, and please continue!

Cindy

Not many choices left

I saw an Indiana University orthopedic surgeon last Tuesday.  His best guess is plantar fasciitis - which was the first diagnosis I had back in March.  He gave me cortisone shots in both feet, mostly as a diagnostic tool.  The numbing stuff was GREAT - I could walk easily for the first 2 hrs, with no pain.

Alas, that has not continued.  He said it could take several days for them to help, and I am still waiting.  I've heard someone else say it could take 2 full weeks.  All I can do is wait.

I did get confirmation today that Mayo will NOT offer me an appointment.

I have an appt with Cleveland Clinic (another orthopedic surgeon, this will be the 3rd) on Nov 27.  I am not positive that I will keep the appt - partially waiting to see if the shots end up helping.

I am frustrated overall, and knowing I could come home with yet another "I don't know", after inconveniencing several people and lots of money - that is hard for me.  But I haven't ruled it out yet, and will not cancel for at least another 2 weeks, waiting on these shots and my own peace of mind/heart/soul.

Prayers would be appreciated.  I have been asking for direction, and one door has closed, so that IS some direction.

Cindy

Hope maybe?

I've said that before, so I'm trying to take it with a grain of salt...

I went to physical therapy today.  The therapist said my ankles are hyper-flexible (not good) and somewhat weak.  She said I have very little toe-lift when I walk (all my weight is concentrated on the outsides of my feet), plus I already knew I under-pronate (or supinate, same thing).

She was also very curious about possible stress fractures on that pinky-toe metatarsal bone, in both feet.

She is starting with ultrasound to loosen the muscles up (which I can also do at home before I do the exercises), then several different types of stretches.  Next week she said we'll start some deep muscle stuff.

I'm pretty anxious now for my xrays on Monday afternoon.

Cindy

Still frustrated

I am waiting to hear back whether my podiatrist will give me a cortisone shot for possible tarsal tunnel.  The nurse was doubtful.  He isn't in today, so that is at least Tuesday.

I just called and talked with a physical therapy place in Seymour, and they informed me that the "prescription" expired 30 days after it was written (June).  I talked a bit with a therapist to find out what can be done for some that doesn't exhibit tell-tale signs of anything being wrong - no limit in range of movement etc - just pain.  Alex said it was worth a shot.

So I called the orthopedic surgeon's office, and they are going to verify with the dr that I can have a new order for physical therapy, then will fax it directly to the place I spoke with.  IF for some reason the dr decided he would NOT give me a new order, then they'll call.

I did talk to the nurse that was in on everything last Friday during my physical, and she spoke with the dr - the "specialist" at IU would just be another podiatrist.  That is really hard for me to do (Alex agrees) to just see a 3rd podiatrist.  They are willing to help me get in with someone, but that just doesn't seem to be a helpful path at this point, so I'm letting that lay dormant for now.

I'm even reconsidering these barefoot tennis shoes - I don't know if I'm still suffering from those socks from Saturday or what.  I'm wearing regular socks today and the Vivobarefoot tennies - but my feet aren't very good.  It doesn't help that they're pretty cold.  I wore my worn-out JCP slippers during preschool time this morning.  These Vivobarefoot shoes aren't really feeling any better.

I have another 2 pairs of shoes coming today via UPS - one is a barefoot style, and one is a regular cushioned walking shoe, from a list I found online late last week.

I put a call in about the carpet - wondering about the termite info I received on Friday, and found out that Jason (my contact) is out today, and the gal I spoke with didn't have a clue about a carpet job today (really?!) that was supposed to have been last week, but the termites put the work off until today.  That just seems outlandish.  Anyway, she is leaving a message for Jason to call me tomorrow.

And that's where things stand for now.

Quick update

Sorry I haven't updated in a while.  I don't have much new to report unfortunately.

I did decide that the compression socks were causing some of my problem and haven't worn them since mid-August.  That has helped some.

For the most part, I have decided that the medical route isn't the right option for me.  Somehow, I am hoping to get a different pair of shoes, and have that be the answer.

So I am on a search through Zappos, trying pair after pair.

I won't bore you with all that, but wanted to at least give you an update.

Cindy