Went to the neurologist today for my EMG, followed by a consult with him. The EMG sucked, as expected and as remembered from 15 months ago. Especially when they stick the needles in your muscles and then say “please flex it this way/tighten it that way.” Um, no thanks? Or when they are attaching the water-soaked gauze-covered metal ring to your finger before they hit the electric buzzer to shock your nerve and all you can remember is those ads for electricity/water mixing gone wrong. At least my frizzy unwashed hair went along with the electrocuted look. (We will be getting a replacement hot water heater on Thursday, thank God.) Verdict: damage to ulnar nerve explaining the numbness, tingling, etc. But slight, which is good. Small fiber neuropathy, as before.
After the torture was over and I got a year’s worth of refills on the CrazyMeds from my doc with a “keep taking your vitamins, see if there’s a study you can get into to look at the malnutrition-induced neuropathy and call me if the pain gets worse and you need more drugs,” I headed home for about 1.5 hours of soup and rest before jumping back in my car to head back downtown to the dentist. I thought I’d be there for maybe two hours tops. Three hours later, I woke up from a little laughing gas-induced nap to find the dental assistant chipping away at my new crown and I mumbled through my thick, dry lips, “whatimzit?!” When she replied “4:15″, you should have seen me run. Leg pain aside, I flew out of that chair and down the street with about 10 seconds to spare. The tow truck was one car in front of mine towing the line of illegally parked rush hour lane vehicles. Crap. I still got a $65 ticket, but that is much better than having to deal with a tow! Unfortunately it took the dentist another 45 minutes to finish my teeth and then she gave me the bad news of four more teeth that need work, one of which is a bone decay under an old root canal. Darn tooth-eating dry-mouth-inducing meds. Let this be a warning to those of you on anti-convulsants (or taking IV iron): chew Trident, use Biotene dry mouth rinse, etc. Do whatever it takes to avoid having your teeth go from perfect to rotted in 6 months.
The good news is that the dentist took pity on me and agreed to send a digital x-ray to her endodontist friend to see if my rotting bone is really serious (i.e., needs IMMEDIATE attention versus a few months) so that I can figure out where to cut back. I think I’m going to have to start by sitting down with Pumpkinhead’s psychologist this week and telling her that, continuity or not, I need her to recommend another therapist for him that works with my insurance. I just cannot afford the $140/week for only 30 minutes with her. Ack. At least if my insurance covers it, it will only be $35. I told her that before but she said I had to stay with her because he needs consistency. I’m going to ask her to tell him she wants him to see her friend, Dr. “____” and that way he will feel safe. I think that should work. Please!?!? Guess we will see…
