Let's play a game...

As you may have read in the previous entry, I had a mix up with my medication a couple of weeks ago, which forced me off my Clonazepam for almost three days.  By the end of the three days, I had a migraine and began to have twitches.  These led to mild convulsions; not the strong ones that I have had in the past.  I restarted my medication, but I was not bouncing back. 

During my last hospital stay, I was in full convulsions and then proscribed the Clonazepam.  Worth noting, they did sedate me for the evening while they ran tests, so the rest probably helped.  But, I noticed an immediate improvement upon starting the Clonazepam.  My doctor was amazed at my quick progress.  This is why I had concerns about not improving significantly when I restarted the medication.  My fatigue was still high.  I was having twitching during the day, and the convulsions would restart in the evening when I was tired.  I could not shake the migraines. 

I visited the Neurologist last Thursday and he reminded me that my condition is progressive and that my body would build up a tolerance for the medications.  This is something that I am very aware of, but I had been feeling so well, I was living in full faith that I was better.  He also explained that part of my symptoms could have been withdrawls, but those should have resolved by the appointment.  We discussed my diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus, which basically means that my brain was sending wrong messages to my kidneys and they were over producing.  He didn't seem too surprised or concerned.  I got the same response when we discussed my memory problems.  My illness is labeled in the dementia catagory...and my medications list that as a side effect...so again, he wasn't too surprised.  He did increase my dose of Clonazepam and added Gabapentin to assist with pain and help my mind slow enough that I could sleep better.

For the last week, I have been having increasing levels of joint and muscle pain.  Whenever I have a new or returning symptom though, we have to play a game.  We have to determine whether the symptom is from my illness or the medication.  In the end, the Specialists usually ask me, "Well, what do you think?" and I stare like a deer in the headlights.  Then we increase or add a drug.  This time...I think I will let you decide.

Game Objective: determine what is causing the continued headaches, memory trouble, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle/joint pain.

Details: Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is an auto-immune neurological disorder where the immune system attack the neurons in the brain, causing inflammation.  Symptoms include:Confusion, Disorientation, Psychosis, Coma, Tremors, Convulsions, Concentration Problems, Attention Span Problems, Difficulty Retaining Information, Short Term Memory Problems, Seizure Activity, Monoclonal Jerks - Involuntary Muscle Jerks, Dementia, Fatigue, Coordination Difficulties, Headaches, Episodes of Stroke, Episodes of Stroke-Like Deterioration, Right Sided Hemiparesis - Right Sided Partial Paralysis, Aphasia - Speech Difficulties, Articulation Difficulties, Word Finding Difficulties, Fine Motor Movement Problems - Coordination of arms, hands, fingers.

Side effects of Desmopressin:   
•headache •irritability •restlessness •extreme tiredness •confusion •slowed reflexes •muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps •hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist) •seizures •loss of consciousness for a period of time

The disclaimer on my Cell Cept says: If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: weakness on one side of the body or in the legs; difficulty or inability to control your muscles; confusion or difficulty thinking clearly; unsteadiness; memory loss; difficulty speaking or understanding what others say; or a lack of interest or concern for usual activities or things you usually care about.


Side effects: •difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep •pain, especially in the back, muscles, or joints
•uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body •headache •fast heartbeat •dizziness •fainting •lack of energy


Clonazepam is used alone or in combination with other medications to control certain types of seizures.  It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Side Effects: •drowsiness •dizziness •unsteadiness •problems with coordination •difficulty thinking or remembering •muscle or joint pain •frequent urination •blurred vision

So, the winner of the game should head to medical school and become a Specialist so you can tell your patients more than, "Well, what do you think?"  hahaha  

I am not getting down, but sometimes I think the Lord is testing my patience.  That is clearly of "Fruit of the Spirit" he thinks I need to develop.