All the news (good or bad) from Summerhill Stables

We have had a busy week medically speaking. On Monday we saw the neurosurgeon who was very pleased that X-rays showed the metal framework holding up four vertabrae in Pikey's back was still doing its job and that the bone did not appear to have deteriorated - this is the classic result of myleoma which causes the bone structure to go spongy and crumble. He is arranging for MRI scans to give him more information aand let him decide how to relieve the pains she now feels all down her non-numb leg.

Today we saw the haematolgist at Barrow and he has advised that no further course of Velcade is necessary. So we have four weeks off until we seehim again. Good news.

The neuro surgeon had prescribed Gabapentin which a well known drug for the relief of nerve pain. When Robert collected it from our GP. He acts as Pikey's in-house pharmacist and was amused to see the the drug manufacturers of this particular potion had apparently covered legally themselves in all possible ways by listing the side effects as follows:-

"Very common side effects which may affect more than 1 person in 10:
Viral infection, feeling drowsy, dizziness, lack of coordination, feeling tired, fever.
Common side effects which may affect more than 1 person in 100:
Pneumonia, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, infection, inflammation of the ear,
low white blood cell counts, anorexia, increased appetite, anger towards others, confusion, fluctuation in mood, depression, anxiety, nervousness, difficulty with thinking, convulsions, jerky movements, difficulty with speaking, loss of memory, tremor, difficulty sleeping, headache, sensitive skin, decreased sensation, difficulty with coordination, unusual eye movement, increased, decreased or absent reflexes, blurred vision, double vision, vertigo, high blood pressure, flushing or dilation of blood vessels, difficulty breathing, bronchitis, sore throat, cough, dry nose, vomiting (being sick), nausea (feeling sick), problems with teeth, inflamed gums, diarrhoea, stomach pain, indigestion, constipation, dry mouth or throat, flatulence, facial swelling, bruises, rash, itch, acne, joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, twitching, incontinence, difficulties with erection, swelling in the legs and arms or swelling that may involve the face, trunk and limbs, difficulty with walking, weakness, pain, feeling unwell, flu-like symptoms, decrease in white blood cells, increase in weight, accidental injury, fracture, abrasion.
Rare side effects which may affect less than 1 person in 1000:
Decreased platelets (blood clotting cells), allergic reaction such as hives, hallucinations, problems with abnormal movements such as writhing, jerking movements and stiffness, ringing in the ears, racing heartbeat, inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver, yellowing of the skin and eyes, severe skin reactions that require immediate medical attention, swelling of the lips and face, skin rash and redness, hair loss, acute kidney failure.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist".

We wonder what complication is missing from the list and how many she has already had except one obvious one in the list above guess which! A clue - it comes after incontinence.

We keep cheerful and find life funny in the most unusual ways!!!

Lots of love from Robert and Pikey