It was about two weeks ago, and I am feeling about as good as it gets for me 🤩
It always takes a few days for the infusion to kick in, so the first two or three days I am pretty wiped out, because of my body's reaction to having such a hit of medication. I really do notice a difference when the lidocaine gets into my system though. The constant buzzing, the burning sensation in my back and the painful altered sensations all die down. None of it goes away but it gets a little less intense and allows me to function a little better.
While I was waiting for my lidocaine infusion, I took one of the drugs my pain consultant prescribed, in a bid to help with the pain. The drug is called Nefopam and I, hesitantly, will say that it did help. It didn't miraculously make the pain disappear, unfortunately, but it did help and the proof of this was last Tuesday, four days after my infusion. I had a physio appointment and after I had caught her up with what my pain consultant had suggested, I started going through some of my physio exercises. I have only had a couple of cycles of going through waiting twelve weeks for the lidocaine, and not eight, and those extra four weeks have felt like I have taken one step forward and two back, as far as my physiotherapy was concerned. So after my infusion it would take me a week or so to get back to doing a good set of exercises, where I would feel I was fairly strong, or as strong as it gets for me. Well much to all our amazement, I had a really good session last week. I was able to do two sets of balances for thirty seconds and my physio was thinking back to when I started doing it and I could barely do it for five seconds!
I also managed a few other exercises and it all felt really positive. She pointed out that taking the new drug, even for just a few days, was well worth it, so we will see what happens when I take it before my next lidocaine infusion and whether it makes a difference again. I really hope so because I felt so positive after that session. Don't get me wrong, although it was really positive, I wasn't walking out of there without needing crutches or a wheelchair........I wish, but I wasn't in as much pain and I felt stronger both physically and mentally so that has to be a good thing 😊
I have been doing physio, this time, for over a year now and, although quite small, the improvement has been noticeable to my physiotherapist. She has been a wonderful support and has given, and is giving, me lots of exercises to try and build up the strength in my legs. I have been working hard and I'm doing all I can to stay on my feet for as long as possible. Although it's never as good as I want it to be, I know that I wouldn't be doing as well as I am without her support so that has been really valuable to me and I appreciate it very much.
I keep reminding myself though, that any improvement is only going to come from me so I want to keep at it 💪😂
XxXxX 💕
As always I'm sending out some Rosie love to you all, so enjoy😻
