Pregabalin Update - Week 1/2

As promised here is the story so far.

During the first day of increasing the dose I was very ill. I was shaking, sleepy, confused and could hardly move due to extreme weakness . I normally feel weak but the medication worsened it and almost made me feel as if I were in the early days of my illness again.

After the first day I began to feel a little better. I could move about as before - which is slowly, but that is normal for me - and my speech improved to the same level it was before taking the medicine.

Although I felt no real improvement in terms of the majority of symptoms associated with ME/CFS I have to say that my sleep has improved. I can now sleep at night and have been awake during the day for the full week. This is a big improvement for me, as I struggle with sleep; usually staying awake for days and never awakening during the daylight hours. So, we will see.

I am going to increase the dose tomorrow, as requested by the doctor. My daily dose of Pregabalin will then be 450 mg. I will update you as to my progress.

A Miracle Cure?

There are many out there who claim to be able to cure ME/CFS but I think that most sufferers would say that there is no cure; they merely learn to cope with the symptoms one by one, with whatever means necessary.

But, maybe things have changed and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I recently began a new drug program, initiated by my GP. The drug, known as Pregabalin, is an anti-epileptic that has had some success with sufferers, even reducing the majority of symptoms in a lucky few. The key with the drug is to titrate it slowly to a level where it is effective. I have been on the lowest dose of 150 mg a day, for a month now and have just been given the go ahead to increase it to the next level.

Within a few days of initially taking the drug I noticed an improvement and even managed to go shopping with my sister for an hour. Something that I haven't been able to do for over a year. Sadly, the improvement only lasted for about a week, but I am optimistic that this initial improvement indicates that the drug will be effective when set at the correct level for me.

I will keep you informed of my progress. If there are any other sufferers out there on this drug program, please feel free to pass on your own review.

A SECOND LIFE

Well, it's been an age, hasn't it. I have been busy at home...working as a Fashion Writer - in Second Life!!! What, I hear you say! If you haven't already participated in this virtual world, I can strongly recommend it, particularly if you are housebound.

Gone are the days when it was viewed as a virtual game. Now opportunities are rampant and ripe for the picking. Residents can design, build and create (and eventually make money), promote and publicise real life accomplishments and events as well as network and make friends. Many major corporations, businesses and educational establishments have set up virtual offices in Second Life and there has been a succession of writers, musicians and actors who have also made it their home and stage. To name a few; Suzanne Vega (the first major artist to perform inworld), Duran Duran, who performed on their very own 3-D luxury island, Rapper Chamillionaire and grunge five-piece Hinder who have meet-and-greets with fans inside Second Life, Bruce Willis, who promoted his latest Die Hard movie inworld, by attending a live conferencing event organised by the filmakers - I was fortunate enough to meet and interview the inworld designer of his avatar. The writer of the Star War books, Michael Stackpole, recently did a book tour inworld and I was able to ask him questions and interact with him. I find it hard to imagine how I would do this in real life.

The basics of Second Life are simple. When you join (it is free) you are given an avatar which you must clothe. You can earn virtual money- Linden Dollar - which can be used to buy anything you imagine; new body, hair, clothing, horse, car, house, land, business...

Many people learn the building skills early on and apply it to designing and creating a variety of goods, from hair and skin, to furniture, cars and speedboats. Many buy land and build on it, renting out the space to vendors or people who wish to live in that particular environment. Land owners are able to terraform and landscape their land, adding rivers, oceans, trees, rocks, flowers, grass, underwater caverns, mountains, shopping malls, movie theatres, ice-rinks... only their imagination limits them.

The wonderful thing about Second Life is that there are no barriers to achieving, regardless of who you are or what you do in real life. Working in the fashion industry in Second Life, has been a real eye-opener and I have met some incredibly talented individuals. Some only began their designing endeavours inworld but miraculously, made the jump into real life fashion design and are now reaping the rewards. Many real world designers have opened up stores in Second Life and you can purchase virtual versions of their real life goods.

I recently interviewed the famous inworld model and designer, Callie Cline, who was voted one of the top 100 most beautiful people in the world in Maxim. Not content to leave it there, she has also been interviewed by major editorials such as Newsweek and Elle magazine.

Anshe Chung, the virtual land baroness became the first recorded millionaire in Second Life, in real U.S. dollars. It is believed that her net worth, based on land holdings, linden cash, virtual shopping malls, chain stores and virtual investments, was achieved over a period of two and a half year from an initial investment of $9.95. She began with small scale purchases of real estate, subdivided these and developed themed architectural builds for rental and resale. She has since developed the Anshe Chung Studios, which helps create 3D environments for applications ranging from education to business conferencing and product prototyping.

Well, back to work now; I have my first million to make! If you are inworld and want a chat, IM me or visit my office in Kirkness, Hinterland. My inworld name is Harriet Gausman.

Poorly Me!

It has been an age since I have posted anything of importance here. Apologies all round. I sadly had another bad turn and everything had to be put on hold whilst I recovered. The loss of a dear family member also added to the strain. But I am back now and although not full of beans I am at a level where I can start my writing again. So stay tuned, I have a wealth of information at my fingertips just waiting to be transfered to yours!

well whada ya know...

Get a Cash Advance

...and who are we to argue!

GEEZ - I'M A HALLO-WEENIE! How about you?

You Are Not Scary

Everyone loves you. Isn't that sweet?

How Scary Are You?

Teeth Grinding and ME/CFS

For some time now I have thought that my upper and lower set of front teeth were becoming loose. On my last visit to the dentist I mentioned it to him. He said they didn't feel unduly 'wobbly' and that teeth are meant to move slightly, so I shouldn't worry. Still I was concerned as they often move when I chew - to the point that I have to chew more on one side - the less 'wobbly' side.

I have always worried about losing my teeth. From an early age I've had vivid dreams where they would loosen, crumble in my mouth and fall into thousands of tiny pieces on the floor. Apparently these type of dreams are associated with stress, so I'm told. When I visited the dentist a few weeks ago I mentioned again that I was concerned about them as my teeth grinding had worsened. Low and behold, my dear dentist said "Oh, this one is loose!" I wanted to say 'I told you so!' but thought better of it.

He took x-rays of the tooth in question and said that the bone was undamaged but the pocket had 'stretched' somewhat because of the tooth grinding. He said he had never seen anything like it except in text books. I must be kicking quite a punch with my grinding. Fortunately, if I wear a nightguard to protect my teeth during sleep, the pocket should shrink back to its normal size and tighten up again. So I am having one fitted next week.

I have posted a poll on this very subject (which you will find in the introductory section at the top of the blog) please take the time to complete it as it will be very interesting to see just how many of us are having to deal with tooth damage as a result of grinding, something that is very rarely mentioned in the medical books.

TO SUFFER LIKE DARWIN

Muted sounds sink

through the walls

screaming the

echo to the depths.

Tiny hairs displaced,

ushered by salty fluid

filling the grooves

and the dark places.

Swimming dreams,

bathed in dampness

‘til emesis begins.

And odorous nightmares

of soup and roses

while senses overload.

Then like a child in utero

curling inward

with eyes shielded

‘til sickness subsides.


Andrea Pring

SOME OF MY BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE QUILTS

As promised, here are a few of the gorgeous quilts that I have for sale. So beautiful!

YAY FOR VINTAGE!

What a wonderful week I've had sourcing lots of beautiful vintage treasures. I managed to obtain the most darling pink paisley eiderdown (I'll post some pictures of it later so you can appreciate it's beauty) and another luscious green one. I've added some lovely glass plates and various other shabby chic delights. This whole experience has done me the world of good although I am more exhausted than usual. Last night, whilst I was photographing some china, I suddenly became aware that I had broken into a cold sweat and tiny beads were trickling down my face . My legs began to wobble and I had to admit defeat. I had only been on my feet for ten minutes. This is the reality of living with M.E - one has to learn the art of pacing. It can be a difficult concept to grasp but it can make all the difference to your life.