Surprise!!

There are a few LJ projects that I really love and fewer in which I actually participate. I like the month-long projects like 30 secrets in 30 days and I was really intrigued with the March picture meme (might actually transpose that into April just to be different). I'm sorely tempted to do the "Year In Pictures" project, but that might have to wait till next year.

A couple of years ago, I participated in the Pay It Forward project as a recipient. This year, I posted the Pay It Forward project a the maker. I still haven't decided what I'm going to make for the people who've responded to my post.

On Monday, my building's front desk called to let me know that I received a package. I asked Matt, "What did we order?" Neither of us had ordered anything that would have already arrived by Monday. To my surprise, I got a BEAUTIFUL, well-made, personalized, and handmade quilted table runner from dorisduke!! I was surprised because I'm supposed to make something for him!

BIG THANKS to dorisduke (Mike) and Gus for their generosity and craft! Impressive work. Unbeknownst to most folks (till now!), we try to use Chinese reds and designs in the bedroom, so even as a festive adornment for the futon or bed, it's perfect!

Here are some pictures:




The back:

Sciatica vs Nucynta

Sciatica is mean. My bouts of sciatica have occurred more frequently over the last 2-3 years. In fact, I don't remember ever having suffered distinctly from sciatica until a few short years ago. This round of the pain has been quite protracted, and my guess is that playing Xbox for 20+ hours straight over the course of 3 weeks in one position or spot isn't good for your lower back.

Last week, I finally made it to the doctor for a check up and medication prescriptions. He was very excited to see the progress of my weight loss. I specifically asked for a strong pain medication, like vicodin, that might help me get some sleep. He prescribed Flexiril (a muscle relaxant), Naproxen (an anti-inflammatory), and Nucynta (a new pain medication). Nucynta is so new, the pharmacy had to special order it, which took two days!

Taking all the medication at once is something I do just before bed so that I maximize the effects in order to get a better night's sleep than in previous weeks. It's been working! Until yesterday and today.

Monday night, Matt and I got together with friends for a newly established, once-a-month bowling outing. I forewarned everyone that I wasn't going to be able to bowl because of my sciatica. I had also unfortunately forgotten to take any of my medication. Matt bought me some Aleve (OTC lesser equivalent to Naproxen for inflammation) and took that. Before long, though, seeing everyone else bowling (except for Matt) got the best of me. I simply had to bowl at least one game. I ended up bowling three games and was barely beating my lowest score. By the time I got home around midnight, my lower back was stiffened up, my middle right finger was immobile (those balls were heavy), and my legs were achy.

Nucynta really does help with the back pain and, frankly, any other pain I might be experiencing. ;-) I didn't realize the relief till yesterday because up till then, I'd taken the Nucynta at night with the Flexiril and Naproxen just before going to bed. Yesterday's pain dictated a day-time pain relief. After about 30 minutes of taking the Nucynta, my head felt like a fish bowl. I couldn't keep my mind focused on the end result of a sentence or use the best words to get my points across. Problem was, I was still working when the side effects hit. Monday night proved to be a night of insomnia, so besides being pretty out of it from lack of sleep, I also got VERY tired and sleepy because of the the drugs I took.

So, be forewarned: If you need a good, strong pain medication, get Nucynta. Just don't expect to be of much use at all, except for a good laugh or two from anyone around you.