Diane Ducret

Day 23 of calcium channel blockers for my vasospasms. I had a great night sleep and woke up with morning energy. NO PEM despite swimming in the sea for an hour and walking 5000 steps. I reduced TCA from 25 to 10 mg and already see an improvement in my HRV. I don’t know what it’s doing to me, but it’s not good. My mind also feels a bit more clear. I have a disability hearing today should I live stream it? They’ve been claiming they can reduce my payments by 33% due to “attributable risk” of illnesses they think contributed to me getting “long Covid”. It’s been 3 years of nonsense from them. This is the “ultimate” doctors committee to review my case. They allow me to bring a doctor with me, and I had hoped Emilio would be with me.

Good morning day 20 of calcium channel blockers for vasospasm and Tricyclic Antidepressants for pain management and MCAS. I slept 9 hours, a little bit fitful by the end, I probably could have woken up earlier. Morning energy is good, I feel strong and optimistic. My heart rate is high- got a high heart warning while I was sleeping. I’ll need to bring it up with my doctor. I raised my doses a few days ago so this could be a period of transition. I’ve gained a kilo this week and I assume it’s from the edema and perhaps metabolic issues from TCA. I was prescribed these because of my constant pain, but if the pain was from the spasms and they are under control, I’m not sure I need the extra medication. I definitely don’t want to be creating metabolic problems right now. I also take tramadol but I keep “forgetting” because I’m not feeling the constant pain. My goal is to get off those first and then the TCA. Here’s to hoping this keeps improving!

It’s day 18 on Calcium Channel Blockers for vasospasm and Tricyclic antidepressants for Mast cell activation and pain. Slept almost 9 hours but it was fitful. My oxygen went down to 87% which is a bit lower than normal, heart rate is high again and HRV is low. Not really sure why. I take Tramadol for the pain (been taking daily for a year) and now I keep “forgetting” to take it. I’m going to let myself skip doses slowly until I can stop comfortably and completely. I’m not going to stop suddenly as that is unsafe but I can see the vasospasm were the source of pain, and with that treated- my pain levels are much lower in general. I feel great. I’ve got strong morning energy. I’ve still got to finish paperwork that I didn’t do yesterday. Going to walk the dog, work on some decoupage and look for ways to add joy. Adding joy is an important part of my recovery. Music, art, and seeing people has been so hard to do. So I am trying to add in even small amounts of time because I’ve been in an emotional dark hole along with being sick. Constant pain, and lack of energy makes it almost impossible to enjoy anything. My goal for the day is Joy and getting some Ace Inhibitors :)