ER Run 6.13.2018

Last several days have been rough, but not abnormal. Tuesday, 6/12, around 9:30 PM I began to go out of it mentally and get somewhat weak. Going to bed seemed like a great idea at that time to reduce falling. When I awoken the next morning, I felt the same but a bit more out of it mentally. All day I was just going back to sleep over and over. I got up twice to use the restroom. It was a struggle in itself. Walking was difficult, and even sitting on the toilet I was swaying very badly. In the midst of all this, I forgot the process/what to do.

How mom found me. Unable to move at all.

The third time I woke up and went to the restroom were like the rest. When I got back to bed, I sat up indian style and checked my phone. It didn’t take long at all before I started to get so weak that I was unable to hold my phone. After putting it down, I grabbed my tea to drink before I laid down. I didn’t make it that far. Holding onto my cup, my entire torso and head began slumping to the left. Before I know it my weight was so dead/heavy that I flipped off the bed into the floor. At that point I could not move at all. Talking wasn’t even an option. After laying in the floor for a while, mom gets home from work and finds me. Able to talk by then, I told her what happened and I can’t move. She called Willie to help and they decided to call for an ambulance, due to the dead weight. After being drug though the house and loaded up, we traveled to DCH.

When there I could talk, but still had no movement of my body from the neck down. People had to move my head for me, itch my nose, etc. I was able to feel pressure to some areas, but not all of them due to numbness. After a few hours in the ER, I was slowly able to wiggle my toes and fingers. Gradually from there more of my strength was coming back. The doctor wasn’t sure what to do. Yet I had to go because it was a BAD time that needed to be documented. They did a CT on my head from falling off of my bed. Drew blood, urine, gave me meds, and fluids. Finally I was able to go home, but still not walking well. Calling my primary doctor today. My unavailability to move my body lasted from roughly around 4:10PM – 9:30PM, I believe.

One of many frustrating parts is feeling trapped in your own body and can’t function it. I had to ask for help for dumb little things. Another part is the doctor, He was like basically ok what am I suppose to do or why are you here. I’m sorry I’m wasting your time, but I can not move my body AT ALL! I was already hangry and frustrated about all of this. GRR!! LOL!

Many people have asked what happened, so this way is the easiest to tell all at once. 🙂

 

Ways to conquer SLEEP!

When you read this, you will think well DUH! No it’s not that easy let me tell you!

I have been struggling with sleep for a long time. Recently had a lot of health issues pop up, so I was referred to a sleep specialist. Just to see if it helps. My first appointment involved him telling me what I should do and how hard it will actually be to accomplish. He wasn’t lying.

Normally I’d fight sleep and wake up every night to tinkle, then struggle to go back to sleep. I avoided my phone and tv, and just tossed and turned the whole time. The doctor suggested I was thinking of sleeping too much. Wait what?!?!

Yes, it makes sense. Like swallowing a pill, you can’t think about it or you will throw it up. It’s the same way with sleeping. Don’t say you can’t sleep, won’t sleep, don’t sleep, or you are going to sleep. Say things like “I didn’t sleep that well”, “I have slept as well lately”, “I’m going to lay down”. It may seem silly, because it is all mind games.

I began this a week ago. Avoiding naps is my number one struggle, while dealing with extreme fatigue. When I lay down I just relax and rest my whole body not thinking of sleep. I have been falling asleep quicker, and sleeping longer than 2-5 hrs a night.

If I wake up during the night, the doctor suggest going to a separate room and read an article from a magazine that doesn’t get you excited or mad about. Not a book though, because you will not want to stop reading it. With an article there is an quick ending. This is to relax your mind and not think of sleeping. Give yourself 30 minutes (guesstimate the time length) to fall asleep. Repeat, if you are awake still.

Since starting I have seen improvement, sleeping longer and deeper at night. It’s not a walk in the park though. It is hard at first. If you mess up one night just restart the next night. Don’t give up!!

Goal: sleep as good as Fred!