Neuropathy in extremities

At the BMT clinic this morning Abby asked me about any ailments I might have and I told her how the tingling sensation in my fingers and especially in my feet is getting progressively more noticeable. That it had begun in my toes then extended to the balls of my feet and now affects my heels. I had been told earlier that this tingling is a side effect of the Thalidomide that I have been taking since December 2009, and also was told that some of the side effects are not reversible. She told me that she would talk to Dr. Tricot about the tingling and then let me know what he had to say. She also said that the impaired sensation in my feet could affect my balance and could help explain some of the falls that I have experienced lately. Abby called this afternoon while I was out on an errand and told Emma that I should stop taking Thalidomide for 10 days and then they will try a lower dose for 10 days to learn whether this change will affect the neuropathy.


I got to the clinic a few minutes early and found nobody in the waiting room and was taken in for vitals almost immediately. The vitals showed that my blood pressure was 138/68, which seemed high to me because it usually is about 120/60, but was told that it probably was a little high because it was taken so soon after I arrived. Six vials of blood were drawn and I only had to wait about half an hour for the Velcade shot and then another 20 minutes or so at the pharmacy for Cyclophosphamide. The pharmacy will be closed next Monday, the day after Pioneer Day, and Humana would not allow the prescription for Omeprazole to be filled until July 20 and I will run out before the end of next week so I will have to make another trip. I can depend on Humana to complicate my life.


The medication that Dr. Curtis prescribed for Emma's tendinitis (?) in her leg has been very effective. She took it with her evening meal and she did not experience the pain until it was about time to take another pill. She ran out a couple of days ago and found out that refills were not authorized. She has done with out since and her leg has not bothered like it it did before starting on this medication. Dr. Curtis said that he expected the pain to go away because the fractures were completely healed and that the tendinitis would go away. Seems to be right.