I'm Back. With mileage.: I've been off-the... - PSP Association

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I'm Back. With mileage.

JudyJ profile image
9 Replies

I've been off-the-grid for some months now. Holy cow, I was sick.

But I'm happy to report I'm doing MUCH better now. I actually feel stable. What is stable? Anything other than what I left behind.

Think I left off with my struggles with my newly diagnosed severe sleep apnea and trying to adjust to my fancy-dancy $7K C-PAP machine. It was unfun.

I finally became compliant, meaning using it every night for 30 days or more beginning mid-to-late summer. Now I wouldn't think of sleeping without it.

My apnea events (autonomic & central nervous systems oriented) prior to the machine were 120 per hour. For the past 3 months, they are down to 11 an hour. Amazing!!!! I'm really into oxygen these days:)

I have no idea I had sleep apnea and thought my Doc was sending me on a wild goose chase in May when he referred me for a sleep study. Little did I know. Nor how long I've had it. My Doc does believe it's related to or a complication of PSP.

What I do know is I've been a chronic fainter since age 3. The last 2 or 3 years, it became out of control and everyday I would have one or more fainting events. Since I've been compliant with using my C-PAP machine, I've not had a single fainting event or even a twinge of one.

This alone is a miracle. I believe I'm living a miracle. Over the past few months, I have actual energy tho I have nothing to compare it to. The PSP still makes me drag, but on a base level, I'm much better.

The summer was very rough. Fell numerous times, including a new type of fall in which my legs just collapse beneath me, as if I had no feeling from waist down. Those types of falls were actually worse than the usual falling backwards falls. With the backward falls, I would have at least a few seconds warning due to an odd sensation. The dropping-on-my-bum falls happened very spontaneously. No injuries tho. Like I said, I believe I'm living a miracle.

I also experience more disorientation than usual and my chronic pain was intense. I especially experienced cognitive difficulties very specific to anything involving time. Difficult to explain but if anyone else has experienced this, let me know.

We moved into our current, one-level residence October of 2012. As I posted before, my former residence was under repair/restoration prior to putting it on the market. It finally sold and the closing was early August.

However, this wonderful event came with some significant stress and set me in tail-spin for the rest of August into early September. I was really scared. My tremors were 24/7 and head-to-toe. I ached all over. Even 'at rest', I tremored. My neck had become so painful because of a pinched nerve high in the cervical column due to my PSP head-tilted backward position. But it became unbearable during that time. An MRI revealed I also have arthritis in the rest of my C-spine. I can no longer turn my head; I have to turn my body instead. I've accepted this.

In the present, my tremors which by itself can be quite debilitating, are generally manageable. Occasionally I will have a few days of bad tremors, but now I recognize that stress is a big trigger. Oh, the mind/body connection is an absolute to me.

I have been able to be mobile without the use a walker or cane of the past few months! Isn't it amazing? I'm living a miracle.

Just had a brain scan. There was no change which is good. They found enough wrong on the first one, a year ago:) I'm having my second neuro-psych in early December. That should be interesting.

I would like to believe that what was/is 'wrong' with me was an undiagnosed case of severe sleep apnea. I swear, the longer I use the machine, the better I feel. But it just doesn't explain my other PSP symptoms. I do believe, tho, if my apnea hadn't been diagnosed when it was I'd be a goner, or close to it. Not only was my brain being deprived of oxygen, so were my other organs. I love oxygen:)

My girls...must update you. My oldest, Katy, age 22, finally got into a job program in our current county in October (took long enough!!) and is thriving! My youngest, Melissa, age 21, is in her second year of college and living on campus. Her major is psychology. My crazy family inspired her:)

On 12-23, Melissa is having her 5th, yes 5th, poor thing, major hip surgery. She was born with my mal-aligned hips/knees. However, great news follows. At the end of January, she's going to Scotland to study for the semester! Yea for her! Her paternal grandmother was 100 percent Scottish. Born there, immigrated to Canada, then the states. I'm so grateful she can have this experience.

Life is good. I'm living miracles.

My love to all.

Judy

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JudyJ
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9 Replies
NannaB profile image
NannaB

So pleased you are back with us Judy. I was worried we hadn't heard from you for ages. You have certainly been through it haven't you but it's great you are feeling much better. Long may it last. Good to hear about the girls as well. Welcome back.

Nanna B

Hi Judy

Good to see you back with us. Thanks for your post about "neck position". It was an interesting little survey.

It's also great to know your sleep apnoea is under control. I'm not sure how much it is related to PSP, or whether PSP itself has exacerbated the underlying condition. The "oxygen" seems to have improved your energy levels.

Thanks for the family news. I'm sure Melissa will enjoy her "Scottish" experience, and perhaps find a bit of time to explore her grandmother's origins (I love family history - managed to trace mine back to the late 1500's in England).

Take care and keep living those miracles!!!!

Tony

carehope profile image
carehope

Dear Judy,

It is so great to read your email and to hear that you're doing so much better ! What a difference ! Who knew that a C-PAP machine would cause such a turn around ! Literally, a life saver ! Actually , it does make sense. As you said, oxygen is a great thing !! So glad to hear that the girls are also doing well and send all best wishes for Melissa's upcoming hip surgery. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving !! Elise

hmfsli profile image
hmfsli

Hi Judy,

Very glad to see you posting again and sounding on fine form. If Melissa makes a trip to London during her trip I will be happy to play tour guide and show her some of the sights.

H

MaddyS profile image
MaddyS

Hi Judy

Great to have you back and in good form. Congratulation to your girls doing so well and good luck with Melissa's operation.

Take care and keep us posted. Maddy

SharonAB profile image
SharonAB

Dear Judy,

Great to hear from you!

Had to laugh with enjoyment with your C-PAP machine.

For a couple of days ago I picked up a glossy teenager magazine that gave a little run-down of what is required for all (hollywood) stars of America! Top of the list demands to keep one's skin, body and mind forever youthful is to take in plenty of oxygen, oxygen oxygen......

Regards,

Alana - Western Australia

jillannf6 profile image
jillannf6

Hi Judy good That u r back,on the site and plz do not go away for somlong again

Loljill

Avid a :)

marytea13 profile image
marytea13

Hi Judy good to 'see' u back! I'm sure you'll keep on now especially with your oxygen! Cheers marytea13

marytea13 profile image
marytea13

Strelley thanks for that ref to examine it has a lot of useful info. I had been naughty & not taking Vitamin d with calcium but I quickly got back to it as that ref list lack Vitamin D being related to falls which I have been fortunate not to experience. marytea13

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