A Medical Friday Night

Deb H. called and invited Cassie and me to meet her at Culver's. While there we encountered Ina and her husband. Deb, Ina and I all worked for UNL Housing at one point. Ina had been in a serious auto accident July 30, 2007 and was in critical condition for some time. There were several surgeries (she nearly lost her left arm) and lots of rehab. She is still healing and has a long way to go, but looked good considering what all she's been through. It was good to see Ina and have the chance to talk with her.

Cassie, Deb and I had a good time as usual and enjoyed our chocolate dessert. I was concerned about taking so much ibuprofen but Deb reassured me that four pills are prescription strength and by my doctor prescribing three pills she's giving me a strong enough dose to handle the pain yet save me the cost of a prescription.

I got Cassie home and bathed, then got to work on taking my meds. I was warned that Gabapentin would knock me right out and that's why my doc prescribed it for night use. So Friday night I warned Cassie that I was taking a pill that would put me right to sleep and if she needed anything I wouldn't be able to hear her hollering from her bed; that she was to come to me and wake me.

Not being able to swallow pills, I had to use my pill crusher and pour the remains onto a spoon to dissolve with water. This fascinated Cassie to watch. But I must have made too much of an impression on her about my meds knocking me right out for as soon as I swallowed the drugs she was very concerned that I'd go to sleep right then and there. She was very insistent that I get to bed immediately. So she and I both hit the hay right away. And of course 15 min later she needed me.

Turns out Gabapentin doesn't knock me out, for I lied awake for an hour watching TV before I finally went to sleep. But it does make me dizzy. I'm fine as long as I'm supine, but when I got up to help Cassie I had to hold furniture and lean against the walls to get to and from her room. But once I did get to sleep it kept me asleep.