Mar 9-11, 2023

Thurs

Sleep: 11:50pm-8:44am but was up for at least an hour at some point during the night. 

Went back to sleep and didn't really start the day until after 2pm. I don't recall if I worked. If I did, it wasn't for long.

Fri

Sleep: 11:51pm-8:03

Feeling better than on Wed & Thurs. At work at about 10:20am and off about noon. I got back on by 1pm and I think was on until 2:30. Ben called and we had a long talk. Afterward I did another half hour of work to be sure I wouldn't forget anything over the weekend. I was quite exhausted at that point. Really overdid it. Even the talk with Ben was draining, as though listening was taxing, probably because I had already done more than I should have.

Sat 

Sleep: 10:50pm but couldn't get to sleep for a couple of hours. Over stimulated or overtired. Mild sweats on head, esp back when trying to get to sleep. Up at 6:19am. Watched a couple of videos and dozed off for about an hour. Finally up at 9:05am.

Feeling run down. I went back to bed after breakfast and animals fed. Was awake enough to read for a while. Napped for a while and felt better. Up at about noon and was pretty active until about 3pm and started to feel I was overdoing it. Messed around on computer until 4pm. My energy started flagging even for that and haven't done much since then. Evening shower and watching videos and typing this up.

Lips were especially bad these days. Chin acne was also bad. Fatigue level was bad on Thurs, and on Friday evening. I was still taking coricidin at least once a day on each of these days. 

I was having sharp low back pains and spent quite a bit of time on the tennis ball on both Thurs & Fri.

Mar 8, 2023

Went to sleep at 10:15pm. Up at 1:15 due to Boo barking. Due to sinus issue (cold? or sinus infection starting), I wasn't able to get back to sleep until 3am (took a coricidin about 2am). Fitful sleep. Up at 8:30am. 

When I turned off the light to sleep initially, I had a bit of a head and neck sweat, which is very unusually just when preparing for sleep.

Poo report: Yesterday (Tues) nothing. Today 9am med-large dump, then 10:30 diarrhea (small amt).

Ankles, left particularly, tender upon rising.

Lips: I've had a serious issue with chapping over the past week. Yesterday after being outside (wore lipstick outside to protect from the sun) for about 45 minutes, I noticed that my lips were quite a bit better. I also had chicken soup yesterday, which may have alkalized my system. Today, even though I had to sleep with my mouth open much of the night, my lips are less chapped rather than more chapped. I'm still keeping lipstick or some other balm on them.

It's now 11:10am and I think I'll lay down to see if I need anymore sleep before starting my day. I've taken another coricidin.

I didn't wake back up from that nap until after 2pm. I had a snack lunch, got dressed and then went to pickup Boo's meds and to get a couple of items at the grocery store before heading home and having supper.

My ankles continued to be tender throughout the day on and off. 

After supper I worked some, keeping to very simple tasks. I'm pretty unfocused and frankly some very simple tasks still proved challenging because they required some decision-making and searching. 

It's now after 8pm and the rest of the evening will be maybe watching some short videos and then getting ready for bed. I expect to be in bed by 10pm.

Mar 7, 2023

 Went to sleep at 11:30 but was up again at 3:30. Achy hips and mild nausea. Left toe and inside of left foot numb. Back to bed at 5:30. Up again at 7:30. Alert enough to get up and start morning routine. Thus far (10:20) haven't gone back to bed but can feel that late morning woozyness starting. I'm going to get dressed now and pick up dog yard to see if that helps me wake up instead of going back to sleep.

I'm hoping to get some minor yard work done today. 

Reporting back:

After picking up the dog yard, I felt well enough to tackle the chainsaw work, always bit by bit with no commitment to go to the next thing. I was able to do it all of the cutting I'd hoped to, though I didn't pick it all up. My ankles became tender shortly afterward though not while doing it. I managed to do all of that before noon, which is extraordinary considering I'm usually not able to get myself alert enough to get properly dressed until 1pm, often even later than that. Promising development! Let's see if it sticks.

Allergies have been a factor today, in the form of a scratchy and sore back of my throat when I went outside and post nasal drip and sneezing later. Yellow pine pollen has started covering my car so I know it's in the air.

Later:

From 12:45 to a little after 5pm l was on and off my work computer. The first hour was passive (a general mtg). After that I took a shower. So the main work period was from 3-5 and I took at least one food break during that time. At that point, there was nothing left in the tank. I've watched videos the rest of the evening and am starting my bedtime routine now (8:40).

Mar 6, 2023

I tried to sleep at midnight last night but couldn't get to sleep, first because of throat clearing that came on suddenly. I was sleeping propped up, which I've been doing regularly, so I'm not sure why putting myself in that position would result in a phlegm response. That interference ended before long and then I had a left restless leg. Eventually I got up at 1:30. I did the finger run down the left leg, peed, and used a tennis ball on my left glutes. I read for a short time and went back to bed at 2am. I was awakened by Jasmine at 7:30. My eyes were very dry this morning I had to put drops in 3x. I read for a bit and eventually got up at 9am. I also had a noticeably sore left him up at the top of the hip bone where it meets the torso. As I was fixing breakfast later, I felt it on both sides.

One of the things I've been failing to mention is that about a week ago the rash that the rash on my lower scalp and down my left neck, moved onto the right side of my neck, while staying on the left side of my scalp. 

I've written this at 10am, waiting to see how my body reacts to breakfast. Though I felt quite awake initially, I feel some of the wooziness from yesterday coming on and I suspect I'm going to have to go back to bed before really starting my day.

Next day recount of rest of the day:

I had to go back to bed for a while but didn't sleep long or deeply. I was out of the house by 2pm to go get groceries and started work at 3:15 and worked for almost 3 hours. Though I was fading in terms of ability to make decisions toward the end of my work period, I wasn't completely blotto. After supper and taking care of animals, I was able to finally (had been sitting waiting on my computer for a good 5 days) was able to sort through some shopping options on amazon for some higher cost (thus high stakes) purchases. However, this was very taxing and my ability to do it diminished the longer I was at it. The final and most expensive purchase taking me a long time to sort out and commit to. Starting at about 8:30 my energy was flagging and I was becoming nauseated. I sipped on a cup of water I'd brought with me, which kept the nausea from getting worse. I was off the computer by 9:30 or so and began my nighttime routine.

My latest plan is to try to get things done earlier in the day so that once tiredness begins (which I think is the armodafinil wearing off) I can simply give in to it and go to sleep, especially on days like today. So I was sure to have had the cat boxes cleaned and dishes washed before going in to the computer. Even though I stayed overlong (past first feeling tired) on the computer because I wanted to finally make a decision and the purchase, what I had to do once off of it was minor and I was soon in bed. I hope I can establish this as a new routine.

Mar 5, 2023

 Last night I went to bed at 10:45. I'd started getting ready for bed at 8:30, I think, because I was so tired I knew I couldn't stay up. I was then up at 2:45 due to dogs barking. Somewhere in that time I awoke with a sweaty face and head. I couldn't get back to sleep so I got up at 3:15 and went into the office and put poetry reviews on goodreads. I went back to bed at 6:15 and was up at 9:45 due to Jasmine yowling. Though I was able to get up at that time, I've had a slow morning and feel rather light-headed. I think I'll probably have to go back to bed for a while before going to the grocery store--or may have to put off a trip to the store until tomorrow.

End of day:

I definitely had to sleep in the afternoon. Though I was able to be a little more active, I would get woozy each time I did. I clearly needed to go back to bed, which felt like a waste of a beautiful day.

When I was up again at 4pm, I showered. While in the shower I cleaned the canister part of the vacuum, taking all of the parts apart. I had supper and then cleaned and reassembled the mini-chainsaw, which took some time since I'm still quite new at it and because it had been a couple of weeks so stuff was hardened including some sap. I also completed the chores of washing dishes and setting up the week's vitamins & meds.

So once I was up for the second time, I was fairly alert and willing to tackle some unpleasant tasks that were fairly new to me. These are not things that I can usually do in the evening.

It's now 9:51 and I'm fading very quickly, so I'll be prepping the animals and going to bed.

Mar 4, 2023

Went to sleep at 1:30 and up at 6:30, so 5 hrs sleep. When I awoke, I wasn't terribly sleepy, so I committed to something I thought about yesterday, which is to help the armodafinil adjust my sleep toward starting my day earlier and going to bed earlier. I stayed in bed but propped the pillows so that I could sit mostly upright rather than slouched. I watched some videos and researched armodafinil more. I didn't become re-tired, so I got up at 8:15 and began my morning routine. Afterward, I've been awake on a computer but not getting much done, so my ability to focus and complete tasks is still not great. I'm now (12:14) feeling like getting away from the computer and getting something physical done. Hopefully that feeling will last through and after lunch. Even if I get one or two things on my list of 9 things done, I'll be happy. I'm happy I haven't returned to the extreme tiredness of Sun-Tues of this week.

Report next day:

I happily was able to keep moving after lunch. I cleaned most of the worst stains on the cat carpet by sitting on the bottom step of the step stool.

I was able to vacuum the livingroom even though the vacuum itself is broken. The brush won't turn when the handle is at an angle, so I had to scootch it with my foot in the fully upright position. I suspect I'm going to have to buy another vacuum. At the very least I'll need a new belt and to clean out the brush.

I changed out my vent filter. It didn't look that dirty, probably because I've been using the gas heat for the last 5 months but I replaced it anyway.

I also threw away or relocated some of "junk" & yard tools that have been at the northeast corner of the back of the house. I should probably sell or give away the lawn mower & gas can. I also need to find a way to fill the foundation vent hole there before I can remove everything. My home has so many issues I don't have the energy to deal with. While doing this one of my ankles began to hurt. This told me I was overdoing it and it was about time to call it quits, above and beyond the fact that I was dragging and moving slowly doing everything on this day.

I wore a mask both in the cat room and while vacuuming. It didn't totally eliminate allergies but they didn't get out of control or stop me from continuing.

I did a load of laundry, getting it all put back away.

I took a look at my previously set up journals for the year but didn't get much done/decided in regards to them. Essentially after the physical activity in the afternoon, which was done by 4:30, I was not alert enough to do anything more of value.

Lip chapping continues to be a big problem. I'm continuously putting something on my lower lip, whether calendula cream, aloe gel, chapstick or lipstick. They quickly develop armor. Peeling is painful. The outer edge of the lip is red and tender.

Mar 3 2023

I went to sleep about 1pm an awoke at 7:30am unusually alert. But since I don't usually get up at that time and I saw Ginger completely knocked out in the living room, I watched videos for a couple of hours before moving around more than going to the bathroom. When I finally got up again, I felt heavy and groggy. 

After eating I was very woozy and groggy. I would have gone back to sleep if it weren't for a heavy wind weather event headed our way. Once it was past about 1pm, I dozed but wasn't able to got to sleep after lunch I felt somewhat better. I showered, engaged in a little photography with my camera, and was finally ready to work at 3pm and worked until 5 (and a bit beyond but it didn't require any concentration--was just waiting for files to transfer).

I've been awake and mostly sitting at my computer this evening sorting photographs and typing up blog entries, so more functional than usual. No evening nap or need to nap. It's now 11:37 so I'll get the pets ready for bed but I wonder when I'll be able to get to sleep.

Mar 2, 2023

Poor night's sleep because right after I turned off the lights a storm started--and built over time and took its time departing, along the way providing a very long rumble that had me alarmed it was a tornado sound. When everything settled down weatherwise, I was very aware of my body from the waist down, mild achiness in that entire area. I'd used the tennis ball on my glutes and low back while reading. 

I dreamt but I no longer remember the details.

I've been trying to sleep propped up to eliminate sinus problems. As I was going to sleep I was very pleased with how clear my sinuses felt (true the past couple of days as well and I was inclined to attribute it to wearing a mask when cleaning litter boxes) but once I was asleep I awakened to a lot of throat clearing from post nasal drip. Why? Supposedly in sleep one's allergic reactions are suppressed. In this case, they apparently got worse. 

My hips/glutes are very achy today. (They continued to be throughout the day--I even thought I might resort to some celebrex.)

What's above was written in the morning--and what's below was written the next day.

It was very hard to get going. I eventually got out of the house about 3pm. I needed to pick up prescriptions for both myself and Ginger. I managed to do this. I worked starting at 4pm. I was sluggish & unproductive in the evening but didn't fall asleep.

Mar 1, 2023

Without going into detail, a horrible night's sleep. Had napped in eve and though I got to bed early I was up reading until after midnight and a couple of hours later Boo was barking and I had to get up to make her stop. And from there it never recovered.

But...

It was my best day in terms of alertness since Saturday. So Sat was decent, then 3 days of serious struggling to do anything. And then on Wed (today), I started work before noon. Did very minor chores (but at least active) around the house for a bit in the afternoon and then returned to do a little more work. After supper, though, I was pretty much done in. I drowsily watched videos and dozed a little but not a lot. I revived somewhat about 8:30 and recorded 2 chapters of the book I'm reading for Mom. At 9:30, I was starting the nightime routine.

I've had to use lipbalm, lipstick and aloe increasingly on my lips. They're getting "armored" and the outer edge of my lower lip is getting raw. This has been increasing for the past 3 days.

Feb 26, 27, 28

These have been very low days. Sunday I didn't get up enough energy to go to the store. I didn't even start moving until 3pm. I opted to stay home and do some US Chess work and planned to go to the grocery store on Monday. 

Sunday night I slept poorly.

Monday proved to also be a very sluggish day. It was challenging to get out to the store, though I did manage to. I didn't have enough energy to also take Jasmine to the vet and instead put in some work time.

I slept well on Monday night and awoke feeling decent, which was a relief since I had an appt to take Jasmine to the vet at 1:30. However, about 40 minutes after eating bread with my morning pills, I felt nauseated and had to lay down and rest until it was time to get ready to go to the vet. I was sluggish all day though I managed to get to and from the vet and to do some US Chess work. In the evening, I was a vegetable and dozed while watching videos. I got ready for bed early but read in bed until 11:45pm.

I had trouble with my hands going numb while driving.

I now suspect this excessive sleepiness (and the nausea) is an effect of the armodafinil. I'll give it some time to subside and if it doesn't will consider going off of it, which is a shame because I feel it was correcting my sleep to some degree, just not consistently.

I suspect at this point that armodafinil won't provide me with a substantial increase in work ability even if the side effects wear off. It has not given me the acuity to finish prepping my tax stuff. Essentially, the fatigue rules.