Oops. I meant Cuomo. Definitely not De Blasio. sorry 'bout that.
Apparently, I learned, you have to wait 3 months between cortisone injections in each area.
Happiest of “modified” Thanksgivings. 
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GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT STAGE FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT:
I havent posted in almost a month now, so I thought I would keep everyone up to speed on what is happening.
On Tuesday, December 22nd, I am going for an epidural in my spine. I cant remember if I posted the last dx, but basically the results from my most recent MRI showed Spinal Stenosis, Sciatica, Scolliosis, Osteoarthritis, Herniated Discs (pushing into lumbar nerves) and more Osteophytes.
The specialist believes that the most of the pain is coming from the herniated discs which are impinging nerves, as well as the arthritis in my lower back.
So I am scared out of my mind over the pain factor. 3 Separate injections. one for local anesthesia, one for tracing dye, and then the cortisol steroid. Then I will go through about (judging from the last time I had the injection in my hip) 8 days of extreme insulin resistance, which I shall try and control through changes made to my pump for Basal, ICRs, and ISF and correction factors. Last time I was close to requiring about 200% of everything across the board. It began the day after the injection and when it stopped, it stopped suddenly ( no gradual lessening, just an abrupt cessation). I knew when it had stopped because my BG went from something in a perfect TR to a BG of 21. UGH was that ever frightening. I hope to be as prepared as possible this round.I don’t want another episode of that again !!! (and this time I pray that it works!)
So as I write this, I am still taking the Percocet, The Ibuprofen, and the muscle relaxer Robaxan as well as using icepacks for all of the pain. And despite this powerful cocktail, I am still I pain. I have, however, been able to get out for walks most days, and my husband has been treating me like a princess. Flowers, chocolate, Grilled Cheese sandwiches (which has had to come to an abrupt stop due to NYC CoVid restrictions closing indoor dining). (So sad about that one).
Anyway…I hope that everyone had a wonderful CoVid Thanksgiving and will be enjoying a healthy Christmas and New Years. I am praying for all of our safety, health, joy and prosperity during these very trying times. Hopefully we will all be vaccinated in the future and that this pandemic will cease to govern so much of our lives. We deserve that freedom!
I promise to continue to keep you up to date with my procedure experience, but until then, SMILE.
And although last night was the last night, Happy Chanukah to all who observed and celebrated. We didn’t exchange gifts this year, but we did enjoy delicious foods, kisses, and prayers, songs and dradle-won-gelt 
signing out,
DM
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Thanks, DM, for the update!! I am hoping and praying that your upcoming appt on Tuesday goes well.
I hope Santa keeps this in mind, and you wake up pain-free and limber on Christmas morning!!! 
I am relieved to hear that you continue your daily walks. Although with our recent storm it may be too cold and snowy to go out! Warmer weather and blue skies will surely be on their way in the new year!!
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!!!
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@daisymae You certainly have been through the ringer and back! My thoughts and prayers are with you that you will get relief! Happy Hanukkah to you and yours!
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TODAY IS THE DAY OF MY SURGERY; I’M AN ABSOLUTE WRECK
So at precisely at 11:15 this morning, I will be positioned uncomfortably in a surgical gown and my face mask beneath a sonogram/Xray machine and preparing for the 3 injections in my spine. The local anesthesia, the tracer dye (so that the surgeon can observe the exact injection sight from beneath the sonogram machine; and its a big one). I hope, as they did last time, that they will give me a pillow to squeeze for tolerating the pain!!!
I am a complete wreck. In fact, I had to turn on a TB of 110% and do corrections all night long every 2 hours just to keep in TR. And, I sweat through 4 T-shirts throughout the night. I was so restless and had terrible nightmares. So despite all the corrections and the elevated TB, my BGs are hovering around 130. Ugh. But it is definitely safer to go in elevated than to go in crashing. At least in my opinion.
Please keep me in your prayers as I go through this entire event. My insulin resistance shouldn’t start until tomorrow (as based on my previous experience),so I hope to be ready to make all of my pump/insulin adjustments. God, how I dread this! 
will keep you posted.
singing out,
DM
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Oh DM, I only sign in here every 10 days or so when I get an email reminding me that I haven’t checked lately, but I see that you’re having your procedure shortly. If you’re still reading, IT WILL BE OK. Not an exactly similar experience, but I had spinal epidurals with c-sections for both of my daughters and it was totally fine - scary and unknown and lonely - but ok. It sounds like you are in good hands for the procedure. I am hoping that you can take Xanax or something like that to float through it all. Deep breaths. More importantly, I hope that this provides you relief and the ability to move freely and get back to enjoying life. What happens today will be over in literally minutes (I always count for these things; I figure like 100 seconds will get me through a lot of it, another 100 seconds will get me through a lot more…) and then you’ll be over this big boulder to see what’s on the other side. I will be thinking of you all day and sending you my best thoughts. xoxo - Jessica
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My prayers are with you, along with lots of virtual hugs!
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Hopefully it will give you some relief very soon!
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AND THE BG MANAGEMENT NIGHTMARE BEGINS:
so, unfortunately, unlike my last experience with this steroid, I am not responding in the same way. I believe that I was given a MUCH stronger and larger dosage of the steroid, and that my insulin resistance is MUCH higher bc of it.
My BGs spiked suddenly climbing from 37 to 230 within no time at all. Really caught me off guard. I cranked my TB up to 200% and did a 200% bolus correction, which barely brought my sugars down. I was up all night injecting myself (IM in the thigh, as usual) every 2 hours.
Finally, this morning my BG came down to 183. I gave myself a whopping 3 units and tried to increase my TB on my pump; my pump will not allow me that option…much to my dismay. So, I made a new basal profile with an increase of .75 u/h and then put the TB back up to 200% This seemed to work, however now my BGs are 66 going down quickly. I just ate a very low-carb lunch of cottage cheese for which I had changed my ICR from 1:6 to 1:3 (it seemed reasonable, all things considered with my insulin resistance).
I truly do not know what to expect from one moment to the next. I am just finger sticking VERY frequently and doing the best that I can to manage through this challenging time. I am exhausted from lack of sleep. And all I feel like doing is crying.
The surgeon, however, said that she was shocked when she looked at my MRI before the she prepped me for the treatment. MY spine was very damaged, and so this time she injected me up a lot farther than the last time. Thankfully some of the pain has abated, but that could be just from the lingering of the local anesthesia. I am still taking the pain medication, but I have not needed the icepacks. Hopefully I will get improvement from this treatment and that I will finally find relief.
I absolutely hate what I am going through. So sorry to moan and groan about it. Perhaps this will help someone else down the road with my condition. Perhaps this will help someone who is just dealing with horrible insulin resistance. I do so hope that I can be of help.
Please keep me in your prayers while I proceed through this journey. I know you have all been rooting for me and have been I my corner. I cant begin to put into words how very grateful I am to everyone of the FUD community. You have carried me through so far and I trust in all of your compassion. 
signing out (for this morning),
DM
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More hugs and prayers are going your way!! Try to rest / sleep as much as you can. That, in and of itself, will help with your recovery.
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Sending you prayers and good thoughts that this treatment finally gives you pain relief and strength to get back into your favorite activities.
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AND ON WE GO…:
so last night went rather smoothly with managing my blood sugars. Nothing above 94 BG. And this morning, much to my surprise I crashed to 45. I had 3 glucose tablets, lowered my TB and went back to bed (I was seeing stars, so there was really no point in getting up).
I had a few more lows, so I have continued to reduce my TB and am now down to 150% (from more than 200% just 2 days ago). I hope that does the trick. I have been sipping apple juice for hours now just to stay in a comfortable TR. ( 70-96)
I also adjusted my ICRs so that I won’t be getting so much insulin at meals, but it is still more than usual. We’ll see how that experiment works out. And I am still on a practically NO CARB diet.
My back pain has lessened tremendously, but my hip is still excruciating. I was told that I would need to wait up to 2 full weeks to see if I get relief. I have been counting the days, and unfortunately it has only been 2 so far. Call me impatient, but heck, I have been going through this since August. I think its fair for me to have some of my patience to have worn out its welcome.
I’ve had no need for any insulin corrections in the past 24 hours, and for that I am grateful. At least I can focus on that accomplishment and gift. As Eric is always reminding all of us: “it is better to go low than to go high.” (much easier to correct and it can be much more fun too.)
So that’s the latest. Thank you all for your prayers, well wishes, and hope for my speedy recovery. I am truly grateful
signing out,
DM
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I’m so glad your BGs are much more stable, course, I know that is really due to your perseverance and dedication to maintaining that control! As I always say, you are really amazing!!
Thank goodness your back pain is already reduced. That’s a great sign for full recovery! Sending hugs 
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BACK TO NORMAL INSULIN NEEDS:
Since I didn’t respond to the steroid injection the same way as I did the last time around, I asked my surgeon if she had given me either something different or just a different dosage. And, Yes Indeed, she gave me a different type of steroid.
While last time I was injected, my insulin resistance lasted about 8-10 days, this time it lasted only 4 days (yahoo!). I am completely back to my normal basal profile, making some very minor adjustments to my ICRs, but my ISF is exactly normal.
I am still in pain, but I thought that I would report on some god news. Good news is ALWAYS nice to hear, especially during a Christmas Pandemic!
I hope everyone had a lovely “modified” Holiday, and that the New Year brings you joy, good health, and prosperity as we enter this new year with so many changes taking place in our countries.
(personally, I am looking forward to several things, but in particular, 2 things: The CoVid inoculations, and the lowered cost of Insulin! in the USA)
signing out,
DM
PS: The first steroid injection was with Celestrone, and this recent injection was with Depomedrol
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I SPOKE TOO SOON:
So all was going along pretty well as of yesterday with my BGs, my basal rates, my ICRs, and my ISF. I thought the hell of steroid side effects was over. NOT SO!
after dinner last night, my BGs creeped up from 77 to 160. I had to give myself 2 units (IM) and increase my TB before my BG came down (71 at 10:30pm).
I increased my TB to 105% and went to bed. AT 6am, I increased it to 110%, and when that didn’t do the trick, I raised it again to 120% and gave myself another injection.
Currently, 1 hour post injection, my BG is 113. I will test again in another 1/2 hour and see if I am still dropping or if I have begun to climb again. If I am still dropping I will consider lowering the TB back down to 110% and see what happens.
Everything is such a crap shoot with this. I cannot find significant patterns, so all the decisions I make are based on my best guesses (Trying very hard to TRUST IN THE FORCE.)
that’s the latest. I’ll keep you posted.
signing off,
DM
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LATEST UPDATE WITH SAD RESULTS:
So its been over 2 weeks since my last epidural. It was as unsuccessful as the previous one. No relief whatsoever.
What now? Well, tomorrow, January 11th, I am going to the specialist for a nerve test where the doctor will stick needles in my back, hip, butt, and thigh and send electric current through to see how my body reacts. I havent a clue as to what this may reveal, but it was recommended by two other doctors that I have this procedure performed before I look down the road to a more permanent solution (hip surgery, possibly a full hip replacement). And just to note, I am not going to be repeating any other steroid injections, as they only make my BGs insanely out of wack, but they are painful to have, and havent done a darned thing to help alleviate my pain.
ON ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:
I forgot to keep you posted, but while going through the past week of this, my trusty insulin pump broke. OMG!!! I havent been on MDI for over 20 years. Havent a clue as to how I would manage. I called Medtronic, and found out, to my chagrin, that my pump model had been discontinued and no longer was in existence anywhere (well, perhaps I had a shot on Ebay 
or Amazon ). SO, as I was still under Medicare’s warranty, Medtronic had to upgrade me and ship me out a brand new pump. (and its a really snazzy one, too, the 670G model)
I was astounded how my Endo (a remarkable human being) responded immediately and did all the paperwork within hours, Faxed everything over to Medtronic, and got my CDE (also a phenomenally remarkable human being) on board to talk me through the set up for the new pump. (we were on the phone for 1.5 hours, and with her incredible patience, I was able to totally set up the new pump.)
SO, I have this fancy new pump, and its all set up, and I realize that I have only been needing about 75-80% of my basal insulin 24/7. Havent a clue as to why.(But perhaps bc I lost about 6 pounds during this Pandemic???) I am keeping my usual OCD notes on EVERYTHING, and seeing what needs tweaking. (a little less insulin here, a lower bolus insulin there, etc).
I am still a bit overwhelmed with all the new buttons I need to press to get into different screens, but I know that I will become more proficient with time. I had my old model for about 12 years, so I could use it in the dark without a thought in my head. So simple. Hopefully this one will become my new best friend soon.
signing out,
DM
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Here’s hoping the nerve study will show something which can be easily remedied! I feel for you @daisymae . You’ve certainly put in your time!
Glad to hear you have a new pump! New gadgets are always (well almost always) a welcome change. I’m hopeful you’re able to learn it in short-order!
My thoughts and prayers continue for you 
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I’m so sorry @daisymae the last cortisone injection didn’t provide the relief you so need. I sure hope your appointment tomorrow with the nerve specialist proves to be the right solution. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and praying for you. 
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OH NO! NOT ANOTHER EPIDURAL:
I know I know I know. I swore I would never have another one again, but here I am, on the schedule for another shot. The earliest they could get me in is a month away, so suffer I must while I wait.
apparently, there are about 5 ( maybe more?) different types of cortisol steroids that can be used. if one doesn’t do the trick, move on to the next one. so I am trying to remain open-minded and optimistic.
what did the new nerve test show? well it told me that I have severe neuropathy in both feet (anyone without a medical degree could have told me that! I’ve had neuropathy for years; I even have it in my right hand)
but the test also revealed that I have a severe pinched nerve at the L4/L5 part of my right spine and it is pushing its way into my hip. my hip, apparently does not need to be replaced. it is, and this is the most current dx, not as bad as was originally thought. the problem is my spine.
I didn’t realize that the spine could be the source of such distant discomforts. Apparently the spine has other ideas for it seems to dictate like some Devine King where your body may feel healthy or not.
SO, my preparation, aside from the mental and emotional, is to have another pump basal profile on-the-ready for when I need more than 200% TB post epidural.
interestingly, and this is merely an ASIDE, I have been needing so little insulin, I am beginning to wonder whether my pancreas has become revived. of course, it could be the weight loss, but the less I weigh, the less insulin I need, and the less insulin I need, the less I weigh. I’m certain most of this could be just coincidental (perhaps Eric could shed some light upon this curious circumstance.)…but since this pandemic I have lost almost 10 pounds now. each week I have been losing more weight. AND I AM NOT DIETING! PROMISE! SWEAR TO GOD! of course, they say that muscle weighs more than fat, and since I have not been able to exercise I have lost major muscle mass, but still, why are my clothes swimming on me?
And speaking of swimming… I am dying to get bk into that pool again. I think once it is re-opened and we are all vaccinated, a two hour swim will solve all of my ill-issues. I am 200% certain of it.
until then…
signing out,
DM
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Wow, you are a real trooper! I surely hope, should I ever be in a similar position, I can handle it as well and look for the positive.
Thank you for sharing your ongoing saga with us! You are remarkable! Hugs!!
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