Archive for lyrica
Life in the Fast Lane
I can’t believe it’s been almost two weeks since I’ve posted. Thanks so much for everyone who has been supportive in this journey. I spoke with my insurance, and I was denied for Lyrica, so I am trying something new called gabapentin (Neurontin). It’s actually a seizure medication, but the upside is if it does end up working, I will be able to afford it for the few month where there will be a lapse between old- and new- insurance coverage. Cool. I just hope it works.
The pain has been pretty bad with the lapse in medication. I had forgotten just how bad it could get. I think it is the worst sitting all day at my desk, staring at the computer screen. I am very grateful to have a job where I don’t have to be on my feet, but my neck really bothers me most days at work.
I got to have a little time off from kids this week, thanks to the kindness of some very wonderful people. Lynn, who allowed the kids to do an art class for free at her shop; Ryan and Jamie, who let them come hang out at their house so I could get some things done; and Karen, who let the kids stay over last night. I have been spoiled with kindness ths week. These people are truly awesome.
It won’t be too long before it’s back to school time, though. I am a little worried about the costs associated with that–school fees, clothes, supplies, lunch money… we’ll see. To those of you with kids, how do you do it?
The Amazing Fibro Aunt
Yesterday, if you hadn’t heard, I finished my first week at a new job. Hopefully that will mean no more privileged, insensitive, ableist comments from bosses, at least for a little while. I’m really enjoying the new job thus far. I’m not just doing data entry all day and I’m gaining trust from my colleagues to undertake projects on the basis of my competence, not my age or the fact that I have not completed my degree.
One of the most difficult things I’m dealing with right now though is trying to raise my partner’s nieces and nephews that I mentioned previously. Don’t get me wrong, it’s immensely rewarding, but at the same time some times I feel like I’m crashing and burning. We had negotiated a bed time of 11:00 for the kids because it is summer, but my new job starts earlier and I have to be up by 6:30. My partner isn’t home in the evening, and I can never get them in bed with the lights out before 11:30. That puts me at 7 hours if I’m lucky. Usually though I don’t get to bed before midnight. Those of you with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue probably know that that amount of sleep is not enough. In fact, it’s nowhere near enough. I’m subsisting on Redline energy drinks to keep me conscious until 11:30, which is making me incredibly nauseous all the time. Thursday, my partner’s day off, instead of keeping with my usual Thursday plans I was so beat that I just lay down in bed when I got home and slept.
Did I mention I’m out of Lyrica again and the insurance has decided that they’re not going to cover it? Because it’s not a “necessity”, so I probably will not be taking it anymore. It’s far too expensive without insurance. I hate insurance companies.
Trying to relate to the kids has been a trip, too. When they get angry, they lash out in ways that I haven’t figured out how to deal with. They say things they don’t mean and react violently (hitting each other, etc). Sometimes I just don’t know how to respond. I know it has a lot to do with things they’ve observed from others, but it’s just so hard sometimes. I have to say, for those of you who have kids, I have a much greater admiration. Raising kids is no easy feat.
Hope everyone is having a great summer.
