12 August 2009

It's been a strange few days. I have pushed myself harder than in some considerable time, in terms of the hours I have been alert, awake and doing things. The amazing thing is that I have managed it!

Of course, the incentive has been there, but in the past it has always seemed that when I'm tired, I just have to be realistic and give up. Perhaps that's not the case at all. Perhaps I really can, within reason of course, push myself to do what I want to do, when I want to do it.

It's quite an exciting prospect - which in itself is a little sad, I guess, but hey ho - to be able to do more than I thought possible. Strange too that my energy levels seem directly linked to happiness/contentment.

It is undeniable that I tend to 'crash' the following day, but then that's always been the case, even before the MS. So, although my days of staying up all day and all night would still seem to be a distant memory, with a little planning it would seem that I can still enjoy myself!

Happy days indeed.

6 August 2009

Yesterday was quite a day. I'm not going to go into the specifics of why - that's far too personal - but for a very simple reason.

It was the first time in ages that I have driven a significant distance, without a snooze in the middle, and driven back. All in all I guess I was out for the better part of 10 hours, of which I was driving for about 3 1/2. I'd be lying if I said I was fresh as a daisy at the end of it. Truth be told I was fit to drop. But I made it!

I took an extra Modafinil tablet before setting out, on the basis that it was preferable to stay awake whilst driving. Whether it helped, I'll really never know. Since I've been warned that they generally lose their efficacy after about a year, and I've been taking them for far longer than that, it's probably a moot point. How can I tell if they're still effective when I feel tired all the time anyway?

But I think the best thing of all was my orthosis - the bit of plastic strapped to my right leg. It was comfortable, I didn't trip, and even managed to make it back from the bar with a glass in each hand, my stick under my arm, negotiating steps along the way. Sure, I had some assistance from resting my elbow on a conveniently sited beam whilst negotiating said steps, but I managed it with pretty much all of the contents of the glasses where they were meant to be.

Driving was easier than I expected too. The problem with my wretched right leg getting tired was countered by the orthosis. Even when I got back, I managed to make it from my car to my flat relatively easily.

All in all, a good day I think. One of the best for some considerable time.