So silly me went back to work a couple of weeks ago because I thought I was "better" - the IV steroids had packed a punch and my body was almost back to normal. The 2nd day back at work, I had to leave - the parasthesia on the whole left of my body returned in full force. Coincidentally - two days later they found a brand new lesion on my brainstem - my neurologist said this could definitely account for the speedy return of my symptoms or that they maybe never fully went away. Aaaaanyhow, that is the short story... I have been on FMLA/STD for four weeks - my neuro and I discussed in detail and decided the 18th is a good day to return.
Basically - my left leg is very weak - I feel like it could "collapse" at any moment", my left butt, thigh, toes, arm, hand, face, boob and ear are all numb. Because of this I am walking slowly - pointedly - it is very obvious - my balance is off. On top of that, I am still experiencing that bowled-over "MS Hug" - my left ribcage is in a constant state of someone sitting on it. Whooooah is me - lol - I am getting used to all of this sort of - my Point is:
I am nervous - about returning to work - I am walking slower, I am walking funny, my neuro and I even talked about potentially getting a cane to help with balance. She explained to me that there is no telling how long this will last - or if it will ever go away, mostly the parasthesia. I am taking Trileptal for the "neuropathic pain" but she stated that this can take a long time to start working, weeks or even months...
Everyone knows me at work - I just received a promotion to a Supervisor to boot - and these peers of mine - are instantly going to see that I am "different". I even look a little different - my face is...well...different - I think it is from all of the steroids - it is chunky - I have a double chin that wasnt there a month ago. I am different. My whole body is different. Everyone is going to notice. I don't know what to do except barrel through. What do I say when people ask? Because they will ask - I've been gone a month and I'm coming back gimpy. *sigh*
Maybe this was more to get it out - but if you have experienced this and have any input or kind words - throw them my way!!!
Basically - my left leg is very weak - I feel like it could "collapse" at any moment", my left butt, thigh, toes, arm, hand, face, boob and ear are all numb. Because of this I am walking slowly - pointedly - it is very obvious - my balance is off. On top of that, I am still experiencing that bowled-over "MS Hug" - my left ribcage is in a constant state of someone sitting on it. Whooooah is me - lol - I am getting used to all of this sort of - my Point is:
I am nervous - about returning to work - I am walking slower, I am walking funny, my neuro and I even talked about potentially getting a cane to help with balance. She explained to me that there is no telling how long this will last - or if it will ever go away, mostly the parasthesia. I am taking Trileptal for the "neuropathic pain" but she stated that this can take a long time to start working, weeks or even months...
Everyone knows me at work - I just received a promotion to a Supervisor to boot - and these peers of mine - are instantly going to see that I am "different". I even look a little different - my face is...well...different - I think it is from all of the steroids - it is chunky - I have a double chin that wasnt there a month ago. I am different. My whole body is different. Everyone is going to notice. I don't know what to do except barrel through. What do I say when people ask? Because they will ask - I've been gone a month and I'm coming back gimpy. *sigh*
Maybe this was more to get it out - but if you have experienced this and have any input or kind words - throw them my way!!!
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