Monday, December 12, 2011

electric blanket and other items

Got a new ele.blanket and having issues with it resetting after 10hrs.Trying to find out how to find and obtain the union pension I supposedly had gotten after 5yrs of faithful service to Verizon Fios.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Still using victrellis

Went with new supplier accredo. If not the cost of meds is about $2500 a month, and since I'm out of work due to the meds this really helps. Still waiting for ACTS, VA to update with insurance info or availablity. I will say the fainting seems less and less, which is great. My taste and smell are not getting better though.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Hep C meds

I have been taking the Hep C meds (interferon injection and 1200mgs of Ribavirin) and have been dealing with severe (my opinion) fatigue. Lite headedness and a feeling of emptiness, always. I need to take a sleep aide and Hydrocodone to be able to sleep for about 8 hours, then upon waking I call into my job to 'call out sick', I only drink water and occasionally orange juice. I have no appetite. 
I have been off work now for 3wks, calling every morning, now I have a new shift 12:30pm to 9:30pm with Saturday and Sunday off. I checked the bank and see a deposit for $6.55, maybe it's a mistake - I hope. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Hep C

Well I started the medication for Hep C, and had chills, fever and bone aches for about two days. The rest of the week these symptoms discontinued. Now the prevalent issue is total fatigue, flu like symptoms and because of this I haven't taken the chance of driving to work. An hour and a half in traffic isn't something I want to challenge just to 'suck it up' as admin suggests I do.
I have contacted my doctor about the issue of fatigue, the nurse somewhat excited 'most people only experience this for about a day', thus an appointment with him 09/07/11. Hopefully he can contact my work with an explanation of issues associated with the medication. The nurse for Pegasys says symptoms usually last a month until the next new additional medication which starts 09/23/11, we shall see what happens.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Waiting for meds

While I'm waiting for meds for interferon, I am seeking Medco the prescription company to inform me if they will cover the cost for this, no word yet. Also will be seeing an eye dr. for an exam to fax to my liver dr. so he'll have the info he needs. Friday 08, 12, 2011 I start therapy for my back.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Liver Dr.Report

Saw the dr. and found out I've got hepatitis C stage 4 < the worst kind. Also need new blood work for the upcoming interferon medicines which pose all kinds of other issues due to autoimmune systems starting up. Gee, I can't wait to see what happens and the Dr. says 'oh its pain over all the body, not just the back' - uh, that's #5 on the list. But I didn't have the dreaded HIV. One good thing I reckon.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Update

Here's the update after returning to work part-time for 5 hrs a day, I spoke to Johnnie Jackson who informed me that there's to be a meeting between my union rep, ADA rep, and Verizon attendance group and the manager of the office of Tech Support for Verizon FIOS.
Being on a Phase 3 (365 days with no abscences) I had a meeting on Thursday 8/4/11 with Alex Palmer (my union rep), my supervisor David Lay and Johnnie Jackson admin. To bring Mr.Lay up to date on the pending meeting and express my opinion of Phase. where as in 2007 I was out of work with a pinched nerve in my neck due to posture for about 70 days and when returning in 08 recieved a Phase 1 (90 days). Mr.Lay intervened for me to get 4hrs of PHO and 1hr off today to see my orthopedic surgeon to discuss going forward with arthritic lumbar and sciactic pain, at which this time I'm using a 700mg Licocane patch on my back for both. Later at 5:30pm to see my GP to get a script for a new chair. Going forward believing I will retain my job.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6

With this and the belief that while on the potter's wheel my God 'will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. I will attend my job 08/08/11 for 5 hrs while on restriction of work and see my liver doctor that day.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Biopsy

Went and had the liver biopsy Tuesday 7/19, went well - the pain - no pain and went home about 11am. Took Wed. off to recover and have an appointment with Dr.Hames on Thursday 7/21 for update and Metlife form fill out, at $25. OK.
Hopeing to return to work Friday 7/22, but I think I will be postponing a sleep disorder test on Monday 7/25 at 9pm until I can get back to work. Although I've been out for some 3 months now I figure I'll be in training for a couple of weeks. If Metlife doesn't satisfy Verizon's absent regulations I could be out or face some sort of disciplinary actions, which I am now on for using to much FMLA leave.
I'll deal with that when the time comes.

Monday, July 18, 2011

metlife

Got some calls from Johnnie Jackson about no metlife issues and unwarrented abscence, called Metlife and informed them of pending biopsy and appointment with Dr.Hames on 7/01, and back issues, Metlife is contacting Dr.Hames and Dr.Namburu for biopsy info. I was hoping to postpone biopsy but the Lord put it in my heart to do it now. Hopefully I can return to work 7/21 or 7/22.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Back again

I was thinking of going to work friday 15th of July and just when I was making myself something to eat I felt my back tightening up, soon the sciatic was back. I do have an appointment with Dr.Liu friday whose going to do a EMG (electromyogram - An electromyogram (EMG) is a test that is used to record the electrical activity of muscles. When muscles are active, they produce an electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of the muscle activity. An EMG is also referred to as a myogram.). We shall see what happens, I think I'm supposed to have a liver bioptsy done, but I'm thinking of rescheduling this in hopes I can return to work Monday July 18th.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

June 12

Saturday I took one pill to make me sleep and no alarms set I awoke occasionally, but when I did awake Sunday about 7 am my back had a symptom of pain in the lower right lumbar region. Thinking I wanted to be ready for returning back to work Monday. During the day the pain became more severe and I took hydrocodone and another muscle relaxor, and used the heating pad hoping this would release the tension in my lumbar area, still I had restless pain in my lower leg regions. I took another pain medication to help me sleep, I awoke about 6 am Monday and the pain in my lumbar area was still severe. I called in to RMG to report being sick. Shortly around 11am the pain seemed to dissipate, but the whole lower back was still and painful. Restless Leg Syndrome seemed to come in my left leg - something inordinate, I continued to medicate and finally about 11pm I took another pain med and had to call in on July 12, Tuesday to RMG. Still the pain is unbearable. This makes me wonder why if this is only arthritis why is the area in the lower lumbar area on the right side seem to be nerve pain coursing thru the spine to right buttock and down the right leg, as was the original affected area. At this time pain is still persistent in the right lumbar area

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

2nd day

Took 1 Lunesta 1mg about 9:30pm and awoke about 1am, tonight I will try 1/2 of 1 10mg of Ambien to see if I can sleep through the night at least till 5am so as to get back to work routine. Since my new shift starts at 9am.

Monday, June 27, 2011

2nd update

I am still having issues getting my sleep routine back to a working routine, it seems that at this time I'm awake from 1am to about 9 or 10am and then passing out and sleeping till 6:30pm or later and staying awake till later. If I take sleep aides like Lunesta 1mg or more, Ambien 10mgs - which really puts me out. I am still working on regulation of these meds while trying to put my back (sciatic) into a manageable state without over sleeping.
Today or should I say last night I took 1mg of Lunesta about 2am and awoke about 7am, I will try and stay alert till about 10:30 and try 1mg of Lunesta to see if I can sleep through to about 7am without waking up around 2am or so, this seems to be the pattern. Sometimes when I take 1 or 2 Lunesta, I awake not knowing what time it is although I do have a clock by my bed and then can't remember what I was doing prior to sleeping.
Hopefully I can get this right and get back to work (9:00 am to 5:30pm with Sat.&Sun. off).

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Insomnia continues

After my surgery for ulnar nerve my sleep has been askew ed. I have taking 1mg of Lunesta and can't seem to get more than 2 hours of sleep. After taking the med I'd awake about 2am and stay awake until about 9 or 10am. Got to get my sleep regulated to normal patterns. Monday after taking 1.5mg of Lunesta on Sunday night about 10:30 I awoke about 1am and stayed awake until about 9am, then went to sleep and awoke about 6:30pm. I awoke disoriented and anxious, but knowing that God is the potter and I am the clay, I gave him the anxiousness and trusted that He would work it out. So from 6:30 pm on Monday until 11:30 am on Tuesday I stayed awake to clear the Lunesta from my system and then went to sleep to see what happened. I awoke about 6:30pm and stayed awake till about 10:30 when the storms came in and turned off the electricity and read the 3rd book in the series of "Game of Thrones" and again trying to find the right formula of med to put me in the right pattern for working sleep I tried and again and am awaiting the outcome.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Insomnia and RLS

It seems that when I have any opium based drug - synthetic or other wise my sleep cycle is messed up. So in hopes of getting in line for the start of my new shift June 19, 2011 I went to the doctor and got Lunesta 1ml., at first it seemed to work but then I would only sleep soundly for about 4 hours and awake with out being able to return to sleep until later. Sunday came and I took 1 and a half hoping it would help. It didn't' I slept for about an hour and a half. I will be calling in sick again to work and contacting Met life to extend my outage. I would like to get sleep preferably from about 10pm to 7:30 and then be able to go back to work after a elbow surgery and time off since about May 5th. I will try again tonight with 2 tablets of Lunesta - 2ml gs., and will see. Along with this I have gotten RLS (restless leg syndrome).

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Recovery

My elbow is still hurting something like a pinch, but I reckon its the clamps the doctor put in to move my ulnar nerve. Here's a picture:
http://www.certifiedmedicalillustrations.com/images/products/detail/U0014.jpg
I awoke yesterday with the same feeling in my right hand, the pinky and ring finger feeling of a half numb. I think this is part of the bulging disk I encountered in '07. But will leave till or if it gets worse.
I received a call from Metlife, that my return work date is now June 20 2011, and the claim is approved, hopefully I will receive a check.

Monday, June 6, 2011

out of surgey

Had surgery Thursday June 2 and had to stay until Friday due to no one to take me home. Got home and then for pain medications Hydrocodone 10mgs, seems to work doesn't kick in for about an hour or so, but with coffee faster is better. Got a return appointment Friday June 10, but will call to check on the time.
Will check with Anthem and Met life for short term policy, so I can get paid.
Got new shift at Verizon for 9am to 5:30pm with Saturday and Sundays off, will look forward to that. I just hope there is another ISP which I will be signing up for. Hopeing

Monday, May 23, 2011

EMG results

Saw the doctor today for the results of the emg, dr. suggested an operation to fix the left arm's nerve. Said I'd be out for about 10 days, now I need to call back and say when. I'm thinking I'd like to get it done now while I still have insurance.
I did call work and found out or surmised I still have a job although I am not available for FMLA. Now to decide which day. I am still hoping for a check now that Metlife approved my claim for short term disability.

Friday, May 20, 2011

EMG

Went to the doctor for an EMG on my lower back and left arm. No pinched nerves in the right side, but in the left arm at the elbow the doctor suggested possible surgery to move the nerve so that in the future I don't end up with 'claw hand'. I'm to see the doctor for my back to discuss the future and possible operation, also to check on sciatic pain.
Receive call from Metlife that my claim is approved from 4/5 - 6/6. Now to see if Verizon will pay!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

I called again this morning about 3:30am to inform Verizon I was sick. My concerns is for the spinal stinosis (sciatic pain) in lower left back area. I did get a call from a union rep wondering if I was calling in about fmla / I informed him I'd been told to call in sick, since I had no fmla available. I'm still trying to contact Jennifer Blackwood - scheduling coordinator, but keep getting voice mail. If I can't contact her I'll stop by after or before going to Dr.Liu.
Calling Brain and Spine again and got voice mail again, now I'm calling Tarrant Neurology Consultants. If not successful will call Dennis Bradley's neurologist.
Metlife still shows my short term disability:

Status: CLOSED – 01/27/2011
Explanation: Physician/Medical information was not received.



Seems Brain and Spine are to make the appointment with the neurology group. So I reckon I'll be stopping by 5/13/11.
Went thru the online form to again update the information about my primary physician, and will hope for the best, get some money. We shall see.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Calling reports

Called to report to Health Care Recoveries to verify I have spinal stinosis. Also to check out Texas Health Care Billing, if I'm paying co-pay of $25 then what is the issue, we'll see. Checking with
http://www.thpgbilling-payments.com/ for update information; paid $35 towards bill. Waiting on call backs from Dr.Namburu (G.I.) and back for follow up, also Dr.Liu for brain MRI and tests.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Back issues continue

I have been having for sometime dating back to 11/10/00 back pain in the lower lumbar area. I did see a doctor who looked at the MRI and informed me the nerves didn't seem to be restricted. Another issue is that I need to check with them again to find out about another doctor to check out legs and the nerves in them. I'll be calling them today.
The other item concerning me is not working and bills coming in, although I do have a rainy day fund I need to figure out my level which to work with. Any medicines I take only make me sleepy and may impact work. I did go to the neurologists to check out my brain functionality, of which the issues at work which David Lay my supervisor initiated for the doctor for Verizon needed to check out my medical records to verify if I am fit for work. I am off to another Catscan or MRI for who I'm not sure. But one thing remains I need to get to a place of knowing what capabilities I have dealing with my back situation.
As my own statement "You are the potter, I am the clay" if I am to deal with this-fine then I'll deal with it and trust that God's grace is sufficent.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Physical update

I have been dealing with physical issues for sometime now, after David Lay initiated a medical review for me. I have been to the neurologist, back doctor for sciatica and also a liver Dr who had me do blood work. This I did last week and am awaiting a call back on this.
It seems I have been out of work since about April 5th, also I have put in for short term disability and haven't checked but will soon. I was supposed to have a test for brain function today but called in to reschedule for 5/5. Also on this date I'll be going to Health First Diagnostic for either an MRI or Cat scan.
I will try and keep up with this so as to document what's going on also I'm not sure when I will be returning to work, but my main concern is getting my back and liver taken care of.