I’ve been on the increased dose of pregabalin for almost two weeks now, and I’m definitely seeing benefit in terms of the burning sensation in my for and ankle. I have even got to the point where it goes completely for periods of time, and when it does come back, the worst it seems to get is what I would’ve described as the best it was previously. As for the pain, well it’s different. I’m still getting stabbing pains in my right shoulder blade, but less frequent and generally less intense than before. The pain around my spine hasn’t improved, and if anything I’d say I’m having more acute spasms in the central area, and the pain from this is travelling further down as well.
Yesterday, following a management workshop, I was coerced (ok, I admit I’m weak-willed and it didn’t take much to persuade me) to go to the pub after. Now here’s the thing, I know most of my meds say avoid alcohol, but general advice from at least a couple of GPs has been to “be sensible, but don’t need to live like a monk” – or similar such words. I didn’t really give it much thought when, having had only a couple of mouthfuls of beer stood at the bar I felt wobbly. Let’s face it, I can stand up anytime and start actually wobbling, let alone feel wobbly. It wasn’t until I was getting ready to leave after only my second pint that I realised I odd I felt. I’m not sure I’d even say I particularly felt drunk, just odd. It occurred to me as Cat was driving home, that this was almost certainly the first time I’d touched alcohol since our works Christmas party in mid December, was definitely my first alcohol since starting the new meds, and all I’d eaten was a bag of snack-a-jacks and a pear! Two choices I guess – don’t drink alcohol again, or next time eat something before going to the pub and see if the effect is the same.