Actually it is a bit cooler here today than it has been for days and days. It's only 93 degrees (F) instead of 98-100 that it has been. Here is how I am spending my time in this heat.
Just chillin'
Mom says she is so happy to see me relaxed enough to just let it all hang out:) Today is day #15 of my transition to my new seizure medication. All in all, it wasn't too bad. Yeah, I had lots of very deep sleepytime, some disorientation, some stumbling, lots of hunger and thirst, but I survived (and Mom did too:). I still am experiencing one concerning side effect. Mom says I am dragging my back legs. She can hear my nails scraping on the floors. She took me to the nice vet place last week to have my nails trimmed as she thought maybe they were too long. But even with them trimmed, I am still dragging my feet. Dr. C., my very nice neurologist, says he is pretty sure this will go away with a little more time. It is not a side effect that he commonly sees, but it is possible it is related to the phenobarbital. I am still weaning off my Keppra and zonisamide. I have gone from six Keppra a day and four zonisamide a day to just one of each daily. One more week and I can stop taking those completely. Just in time for the Fourth of July.
The Fourth of July is not a good time for me. Those noisy fireworks really get me all worked up and anxious. Dr. C. doesn't want me to get so anxious that I have a seizure so I will be taking some valium in addition to my pheno starting next Thursday and continuing for about a week until the bang bangs have gone away. Hopefully this plan will work.
Meanwhile, I am getting my energy back and have been trying to get Lightning to play with me. Mom caught us doing zoomies around the family room last night. She really confused me because we usually are told to take that craziness outside, but this time she was actually happy. I think I might try that again tonight.
Thanks again to all who have supported me through this transition and especially those who have contacted Mom by email. It is so very much appreciated. Here's hoping the pheno keeps me seizure-free for a long time.
Woos - Ciara
Zoomies in the family room!!??!! That is AWESOME, Ciara! I'll bet that made your mom SUPER happy. We're so glad the transition is almost complete. Don't you wish they wouldn't let private residences/people set off fireworks?!?! It gets SO crazy here, even we don't like it!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
Oh Ciara, that is such good news. Hopefully the dragging of the hind legs goes away when you are just on the new medicine. We sure have all of your paws crossed for you.And hope the 4th of July isn't too bad especially if you take the valium. We so hope it all goes well of you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the wishes for keeping you seizure free for a very long time. It's too bad they don't make ear plugs for dogs who hate the fireworks. Hunter doesn't react to them, but last year our neighbors had their grandson over who kept lighting them off right near our side yard. Hunter and Lily both got scared. This year we will be away and I need to nicely ask the neighbor is she can keep her grandson from lighting off illegal fireworks, because we will have three dogs here with a dog sitter for the evening. Don't want any issues. I may need to have others call the police if the grandson starts up again.
ReplyDeleteThe pheno and valium cocktail sounds like what my sister used to take when she was dealing with her cancer.
Have a great evening.
Wags,
Noreen and Hunter
We are super happy you are doing good beautiful Ciara and we know the improvement will continue. 4th of July is awful for us, and the ferals too, fireworks will be going on at the lake across the street. Hugs sweetie.
ReplyDeleteHOT DIGGITY, keep on fightin', Ciara!
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Christmas
We all have our paws crossed for you, Ciara. Hope Mr. Pheno will chase away that S-Monster for good!
ReplyDeleteWe are so very happy that things are going well with you, Ciara and are keeping up our POTP your back feeties get better with time!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Why were fireworks ever invented
ReplyDeleteWe continue to send you lots of positive vibes, Ciara! We want you to be s-free forever!
I'm glad the dogtor had good news... and I hope the 4th of july with the fireworks and the pawties will not turn into a bad day for you... maybe the people can use silencers this year? That would be great... Hugs to you and POTP that efurrything is good in your kingdom...
ReplyDeletewe sure hope you continue to get better and the nasty S stays away - we are not looking forward to the 4th either - last year they were setting off fireworks off for a whole week ! Have you looked at 'nail guards' they are little rubber guards that slip over the nails - they provide traction for the feet but also help protect the nails and your floors :)
ReplyDeleteOh Ciara, I am sooo pleased the new meds are settling down and working fur you.
ReplyDeleteThat's the pawfect position fur coping wiv the heat, I use that yoga stretch often myself as well!
Now about those horrid firey works bang bangs...would it help if came over fur a few days and put my paws in your ears so you don't hears them?
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Oh sweet Ciara, this makes me SO happy to hear!! You're going to be giving Lightning a RUN for his money soon with all your zoomies!!
ReplyDeleteCiara darlin' you do look very chillaxed and relaxed!! I'm beyond thrilled to hear that your energy is returning and you are playing. Finger, paws, eyes, legs crossed this new med it just what you needed.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs
madi your bfff
Hello Ciara, we're crossing your paws and thinking of you. We hope all is continuously going well. :) :)
ReplyDeleteMomo & Pinot xo
You are doing the zoomies. That is great news. We hope you adjust to the news meds and stop dragging. We are praying for you and will especially be doing it on the Fourth
ReplyDeleteZoomies? That's great! No wonder your Mom let you zoom inside - that's a BIG DEAL. Now if that back leg dragging thing will stop - maybe once you're off the other meds? Let's hope that July 4th does NOT bring the Monster back. I've got all my toes (including my extras) crossed for NO MONSTER...........
ReplyDeleteLove, Sammy
We're glad you're making a smooth adjustment. We're having some seizure problems here and Mom is reading all your posts very carefully.
ReplyDeleteYou better turn that fan on high.
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Indoor zoomies! (keep draggin' the back feet.) Who wants to zoom in the heat. We'll keep our paws crossed that the BANGS aren't too bad. Keep improving, girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteSHE doesn't even put on the A/C until it gets 95°F--but our house is a cave AND we don't usually have humidity. It's -1°C (30°F) This morning. But that usually means a beautiful, sunny day is coming.
We are glad to hear that the transition has been relatively smooth, Ciara, and hope that any remaining side effects will disappear very soon.
ReplyDeleteIt has finally turned warm here but nothing like where you are. At least we don't have to wear fleece anymore!
Woofs,
Tommy
We hope things all even out real soon. 4th of July is our least favorite holiday. the fireworks would drive Bailey crazy till 2 in the morning. he doesn't hear well anymore so it is not as much of a problem thank goodness
ReplyDeleteWe hope the valium will do the trick for a seizure free 4th
hugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
We're purring for lots more zoomies in the living room and everywhere Ciara! We hope there's not many boomies either. Sending you lots of purrs to keep doing well!
ReplyDeleteWe hope you stay seizure free for a very long time and we have our paws crossed that you have a non eventful 4th of July. Tuiren doesn't like the boomies either, she hides in her doggie house.
ReplyDeleteIt's great you feel like playing.
Hang in there Ciara! We hope things will get a lot better for you soon!
ReplyDeleteWe are always-- right there beside you,,,always
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
Keeping you in my prayers sweet girl!!! So sorry you have to go through this!!
ReplyDelete