• 1 Day of PT~I did a new circuit that had me rotating through light treadmill work, light elliptical work, Body Gym squats, and toe raises…I also did arm and back strengthening, balance exercises and my PELVIC CLOCKS!
• 1 Day of home Rehab.
• I had prolo round 4 on Monday on my neck, upper back, mid back, and ribs.  I go back May 31st for round 5.
• On Wednesday I went to Toledo to see Dr. Grubb’s NP, Beverly, for POTS.  I am still working on this (long) blog post, but I will say that my appointment did not disappoint.  I left with a much better understanding of why my body is doing what it is doing, and hopefully ways to help better manage my POTS. 
• I filled a prescription for Midodrine for POTS.  I don’t start it for 2 more weeks though.
• My open toe compression stockings just came in the mail!  As soon as I try them on, I will grace you all with a picture. I better make sure my toes are pretty first!

After a big week last week of Bob Seger and Philly, I knew I had to lay pretty low this week…Sunday and Monday I was a mess, but by Tuesday I was feeling a lot more human.  Hopefully these five won’t bore you to tears…Especially since I have only a couple of pictures.  Everything on my computer was wiped out yesterday.  I still don’t know why.  Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…

1.  Medical Stuff: 

• 2 days of PT.  Circuit work and elliptical work.  I tried to do the recumbent bike yesterday but I was “taching” too much (heart rate too high) so I had to stop.  At least I got in a good amount of strengthening before the POTS attack hit.
• 2 days of home rehab.
• I had my monthly appointment with Larry.  I turned in my Apollo 13 assignment, we talked about where I am at with my goals/progress, what to discuss with Dr. Cantieri on Monday and Dr. Grubb’s NP on Wednesday, and we figured out a plan for my continuing physical therapy.
• After going over my sources of pain, we realized that EDS is affecting my jaw.  It keeps popping and subluxing, giving me some of my neck and jaw pain.  I am to wear my mouth guard more, and watch it.  If it gets too bad, I can be referred to a doctor who only works on TMJ problems.  I have also heard you can have prolotherapy on your jaw.  Hmmm… 
• Larry wrote me a prescription for a new pain med cream I had to have made at the compound pharmacy to help with spasms; especially in my neck (since I HATE taking muscle relaxers).  He also wrote me a prescription for open toe compression stockings!
• The good news about open toe stockings?  They are open toe.  The bad news about open toe stockings?  They only come in opaque, not sheer like my other ones.  I guess beggars can’t be choosers, right?  I am still waiting for them to come in the mail.

Sometimes you need a wake up call.  Usually I try not to whine about the little things that get me down about EDS and POTS, but yesterday I failed at this. Big time.

It was 84 degrees and sunny yesterday.  In all other years I would have been ecstatic about this weather; especially on April 10th.  I would have broken out my Reef flip flops and capris, and spent as much time as I could outside reading, relaxing, and soaking up some rays.  I would have also probably have gone and gotten my first pedicure of the season. 

But not yesterday.  I whined and complained all day.  I even got on MY nerves after a while. 

• 2 Days of PT-Did regular circuit strengthening.  My PT also put new foot lifts in my shoes to give me better support. 
• 2 Days of Home Rehab.
• I got into Dr. Grubb’s Nurse Practitioner!  I had sent my info into their office in December and they called me Tuesday to schedule an appointment.  My appointment is in Toledo on April 20th, to get another expert’s opinion on POTS and my treatment.  It takes a year or more to get into Dr. Grubb himself so I jumped at the chance to see the NP since I was told they work very closely together.  I was also told to expect at least 2 hours for my appointment because she will go over EVERYTHING.  At a couple of my EDS appointments in the past year, I was told that Dr. Grubb probably has the best understanding about how POTS plays into EDS so that is promising to me.
• My ribs hurt!  It’s been pretty frustrating.  I go back Monday to get my third round of prolotherapy (I cannot believe it’s already been 3 weeks!) so I will definitely be bringing up my ribs because they are worrying me!
• I had to go to Sparrow Medical Supply to get a new pair of compression stockings since one of my stockings ripped in half when I was taking it off.  ?Oops.

This would be considered a not so great EDS day…Back brace.  Check! To keep my ribs from subluxing, and to try and keep them in place.  They have been giving me real fits lately.  Cervical Collar. Check!  To keep my neck stable so the headaches and neck pain stay at bay.  And as always, my oh so cute compression stockings to help with circulation (POTS) to keep my blood from pooling.