Prednisone

 A while back, I mentioned that I aggravated my dodgy back. I actually arranged a face to face appointment with my doctor. He prescribed cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant which he promised would make me sleep a lot. 

Hence, I've been asleep for most of the last week and a half. (Cyclobenzaprine is an old drug with that powerful side effect of causing drowsiness.) I think that the doctor prescribed it BECAUSE of the side effect, so I wouldn't be doing much moving around, so I wouldn't irritate my back. 

Anyway, he also offered me a steroid (prednisone) to assist with the healing and I declined it because the last time I took  prednisone the side effects were horrible. 

We agreed that I could send him a message later on to request the prednisone if I needed it. After three days, the cyclobenzaprine had accomplished little other than promote about 16 hours of sleep a day so I asked for the prednisone. The side effects this time have not been bad. I don't know why.

I just finished the sixth and final day of my packet.

It has helped. I estimate that my recovery is about 75%. I don't know that I will ever fully recover. Bad backs run in the family. My brother retired at age 61 because his back simply was shot. 

I still have one day of the cyclobenzaprine prescription. I think I'll message the doctor and ask if he thinks I should do another round.

Evie's still struggling with her own recovery from her surgeries. She's still weak and lacks stamina and has had to carry a heavier load than she really can handle. She's been valiant, as always, never complaining, but she is worn out. 

Still, our lives are extremely simplified and I suspect that we'll be able to struggle through this...in time. 

Here's to hoping that this makes sense. With the drowsiness, typing a simple note like this one is a great challenge.