Randy had a frustrating day. He had his driving evaluation today. The first part was a repeat of the reaction time test from the last time. Randy actually did very well with this part. He actually scored above the national average. The second portion included actual driving situations on the screen and Randy had to interpret and react. He was allowed to do a practice drive before beginning the evaluation. The test included many different driving situations including hazardous driving conditions, such as cars pulling out in front of him or turning ahead of him. Tina, the therapist, said that he had improved on the beginning section and he did well on the general driving, but had some difficulties with the hazardous driving situations. She said he is steadily improving but needs more time before getting behind the wheel again. Randy was very disappointed. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to have that freedom taken away from you. I am not sure when the next driving evaluation will be. I assume next month. In the meantime, Randy will be working on his reaction time and the time it takes him to process information.
After the driving evaluation, Randy went to meet Dr Vira, whom I had hoped he would like enough to make his primary care physician. She is my doctor and I find her to be absolutely amazing. Thankfully, Randy was very impressed with her as well. He hadn't been convinced that the doctor we had seen close to home was a bad choice, but then, upon meeting Dr Vira, he said he now agrees with me. Dr Vira asked great questions in taking his history. She had also requested that I get her the medical records prior to the visit. The previous doctor had never requested the records. Dr Vira also appears to be very knowledgable about medications and seemed gunuinely concerned about finding the correct medications and the correct dosages of those medications to help Randy with the pain. She said that the dosage of the Gabapentin Randy is on is "like peanuts". She immediately doubled it. She also prescribed him some other medication for pain, as needed until we find the correct dosage of pain. The pain medication is called Ultram. Randy was so excited to get the Ultram since the Gabapentin hasn't started working yet. Unfortunately, when we went to the pharmacy to pick up the Ultram and a refill of Amitriptyline, the pharmacist handed a piece of paper stating the the two medications together can increase the chances of seizures. Well, the fact that Randy has a head injury increases his chances of seizures. I didn't want to add to the chances. So Randy didn't get to try the new pain medication tonight. I will have to call the doctor tomorrow to either get another medication or to have her ease my fears. Randy was very frustrated, but he said he understood my concern.
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Randy, I read about a woman who had suffered migraines her entire life. (Right about the time I started having them, too.) She described being in a church when one came on, complete with the "flickering light" phenomenon. A fellow worshiper saw her and asked if she had a headache. She was really surprised they knew right away, and asked. They explained about some dilation in her eyes and some other symptoms. The coolest part, though, was that the person went on to say they had experienced migraines for years, and hadn't found an appropriate medication, either. So this person had been forutante to work with a doctor who helped develop some visualization techniques to sort-of confine the pain, work with it and through it, then gain control of it. Each episode had become more and more bearable. I don't know the details, but pending medication I encourage you to pursue visualizaiton and relaxation strategies as interim coping mechanisms (d-uh, if you aren't already!) You will fine some ideas here. I say "Hear hear" for the bath with Epsom salts, which are proven to help draw toxins from the body...
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