Detroit transplants living in Dallas
Over the last two weeks or so we’ve progressed from zero interest in walks to walking to the park and back twice a day. I’m happy to say that so far this week we have extended our walk to the park several blocks and beyond. This morning we managed just two blocks short of our pre-relapse routine, and he was still very much ready for more.
It’s a small victory, but definitely a good sign.
Today was the three week checkup and unfortunately not everything went according to plan… Monty had his Cytosar treatment, got the hot spots scrubbed up good with a hospital grade topical, and even got his nails trimmed. I started discussing how things were going with the neurologist and I mentioned that we’ve seen a few cases of him “spacing out” the last week or so. I had always thought this was due to the heavy medication, but she considered it suspect. Since he’s so sensitive to the Prednisone it was decided to up the Cyclosporine to twice a day for the next two weeks to see if there is any difference. Next checkup is four weeks so hopefully he continues to improve.
I had good news today. Honestly I did. Unfortunately it has now been squashed over new hotspot concerns…
For the last three days Monty has been more active and actually interested in taking walks in the morning and evening. Since over the last two weeks we have more or less walked out the door with him doing his duty and turning right back around to head in, this seemed like a major breakthrough. The original hotspot had been treated and was on the mend. Things were feeling good!
Then last night we discovered two new, larger hotspots. OK, fine, been there done that, no big deal. Shave, wash, iodine, powder, bed. I called our vet today to get more of the prescription powder, and also left a message with the neurologist so she was aware of what was going on with the hopes that if there was something else we could be doing she’d let us know. In the afternoon she called back and we decided that since his next checkup isn’t until late next week just to be safe she would phone in prescription for an antibiotic (500mg Cephalexin 2/day) to get us through until she could evaluate him again. An hour later I found two more hotspots that weren’t there when I checked him over this morning. Shit.
So now he looks like how I’ve felt some weekend mornings, but he still has his spirits and is running around the house alternating between chewing on a bone and squeaking his beer bottle toy. I just wish the guy could catch a break at this point.
Today marked a year since Monty’s original GME diagnosis, and I wish I could say no news is good news. Over the last two and a half weeks while he no longer seems in any pain and we haven’t seen any overall worsening of neurological symptoms, he has descended back into the Prednisone zone/funk and has already developed a hotspot/skin infection similar to what happened last year.
After I was injured early last week the doctor prescribed me Tramadol with the same dosage that Monty was taking, and after discovering how it made a 150 pound human feel we immediately decided to taper him off. Luckily by this time the heavy Prednisone dose seemed to have started working it’s magic on the GME so didn’t seem to be in any further pain. I can only imagine how the 35 pound dog must have felt with that much Tramadol, but once he was tapered we immediately had to start back up with the 2 hour bathroom break routine so I’m pretty sure he just couldn’t feel anything. Unfortunately it’s also plain to see the Prednisone saving his life is ravaging his muscle tone and strength once again with the emergence of “pred head”, water retention, and splaying of his legs when he sits or lays down.
Yesterday I happened to find a small clump of matted fur on his back and after some investigation and clipping discovered a dime sized hotspot on his back. Given the history and our leftover supplies we were able to trim his fur, wash the wound, and start treating with Iodine & prescription topical powder (Neo-predef With Tetracaine). So far it seems to have been kept in check but will of course have to keep a close eye on it for any worsening.
Today marks the end of the two week 15mg 2/day high dose of the Prednisone, and we begin the slow tapering process again with 10mg 2/day. Our next recheck and Cytosar treatment with the neurologist is scheduled for 7/26, so we continue doing our best to keep him doing his best.
As a random purchase at my local record store (FBC in Lansing, MI) in 1998, I can honestly say this is one of those albums that changed my life and continues to influence my musical identity 15 years later. After finding out Oliver Lieb (the man behind the moniker) made public an unreleased L.S.G. album from 2002, and listening to that pretty much solid all week, I took the opportunity to pull this album back out and bask in the memories and emotions coaxed back from grey matter obscurity.
In my opinion, with its precise percussive arrangement and warm analog synth it’s still as relevant and innovative today as it was then. Take yourself on a journey through sound and tell me what you think…
L.S.G. – The Black Album
Label: Black Series Recordings – 62833-2
Country: Germany
Released: 1998
Genre: Techno, Trance, Progressive Trance
It was really no surprise that this afternoon the neurologist confirmed Monty’s GME relapse, so we’re starting over with his treatment of: 15mg Prednisone twice daily, 50mg Cyclosporine once daily, 10mg Omeprazole, and he had the first of several planned Cytosar injections today.
The good news is that he seems to be responding favorably to the heavy medication as he is more active and aware. The doctor did note a neurological deficiency with his left rear leg, which coincided with the abnormality we experienced with his front left leg. Luckily his CBC levels were back to a normal level after being low earlier this year so at least we are not starting with a treatment deficit as that would not bode well for his long term outlook. It’s going to be a rough couple of weeks to get through the worst of the side effects, but we remain hopeful we can make it through with him.
We had been excited to reach the 1 year anniversary since Monty’s diagnosis with continued good news about his status and prognosis. He’s been one of the lucky ones having fought back from the brink of death for 347 days. It’s been a daunting road, draining mentally, physically, and financially, but the rewards during that time have been enumerable and unquantifiable. Unfortunately, it’s now apparent he has suffered a relapse.
All of his current symptoms can be explained by a condition once called Beagle Pain Syndrome, but has since been renamed as Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis and recognized as a form of GME.
Beginning Wednesday, Monty experienced acute onset neck pain, loss of appetite, stiffness, change in stance (hunched appearance), weakness, and jaw pain. Thursday we went to see the vet, and started him back on 10mg Prednisone 2x daily with 50mg Tramadol 2x daily to try to manage the pain. We’re waiting to determine the next steps with the neurologist, but the voicemail I just received indicates we will also be restarting Cyclosporine, Omeprazole, and possibly Cytosar. So far he seems to have quickly rebounded with the initial medication, though I have some fear that’s only due to the Tramadol.
We’ll know more soon and will pass it along as we can.
The hypoallergenic food trial is officially a failure, and Bailey has lost a tooth. Getting old sucks, doesn’t it Boo?
Over the last month and a half he has three times decided to stop eating the special food we were feeding him after initially having no problems with it, forcing us to start over with something new. The last week we had two vet visits as he pretty much stopped eating anything for at least 2 days, so after injections of vitamins and anti-nausea medication didn’t help we were forced to try an appetite stimulant and steroids. This helped him to finally start eating again only to have us discover he had lost one of his canine teeth, so a round of antibiotics to make sure he healed properly and he seems to be back to his old self again.
It’s amazing how stoic pets can be even in dealing with excruciating pain.
Eater reminded me that there is a TON of new foodie stuff opening soon downtown, and my immediate favorite would definitely be Wing Bucket less than a block from my front door. It’s hard not to get excited about the availability of wings until 4am, but the take away beer/wine sales until 2am will fill a very important untapped (pun!) market…
This marks the end of the 17 day diet live blog. Not because it has failed (far from it as I’ve lost 8 lbs to date) but because there are only so many ways I can say “damn I’m fucking hungry”…
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