Sometimes it is hard to tell people how I feel.  Bonnie suggested I make a list to give to doctors.  Here is an updated copy.

SYMPTOMS OF RONALD RAMSEY AS OF 6/6/17

Overall: - feels hot most of the time as if thermostat is broken; has had for 3-4 years; used to be cold, then hot; now hot most of the time.  At times will break out in heavy sweat that will wet my head and clothing.

-PAIN: NOT joint pain; nerve and/or muscle pain; had “cramps” in legs at night for several years (but at a physical therapy session a PT person said muscles were not contracting when had the pain….????)  But at times they do contract.  Pain became so intense over a year ago that I would vomit while preaching and at other times.  Learned to swallow the vomit but this caused acid problems.  So if drink carbonated water can burp it off.  Pain most intensive when riding in car.  Was so painful once I passed out and had no movement for about 18 hours.  (Lately pain not as bad in a car since the numbness is going farther up and so do not feel as much pain.)

-location of pain: 

1)HIPS (NOT back) that varies from side to side (feels like saddlebags), sometimes both 

2) LEGS (NOT joints) sometimes one side or other; calves, thighs, crotch area; has had pain in shin that was so excruciating that he described it as someone cutting it open without numbing it like they were removing the bone 

3) FEET have sharp pain, pins and needles, numbness, middle three toes raise up on their own, at times feel like they are like blocks, etc., etc. 

4)SHOULDERS and ARMS pain there is not as often but still strong at times 

5)HANDS  pain and also pins and needles numbness, fingers feel like sausages, drops things or has difficulty with coordination e.g. buttoning, writing 

6)HEADaches, sometimes from clenching jaws (from chronic pain?) two kinds 1 = very painful even to touch on top of head 2 = a “circle” of pain around my head just above ears. 6) At times neck becomes stiff or painful.  This is more frequent. 

7) Feel either shooting pain in side or sometimes a crushing pressure that makes it difficult to breath and lately causes me to double over.  (Feels like being unched)

-numbness especially in lower extremities and hands;  first EMG was excruciating, second EMG did not feel all the “bee stings”. Especially did not feel those in feet and hands.

-weakness in hands, feet, legs; loses balance; walks with cane and has a walker handy to get to the bathroom at night

-Eye muscles “pull”; vision changes from day to day, sometimes lazy eye “pulls” and can see better out of it; other days vision blurry in both, eyes dry sometimes. At times have a perspective shift where unsure of where to place feet. At times light can be bothersome and even painful.  Lately see a bright shape of person was looking at when look away.

-had rash across chest and under arms, used coconut oil to help heal open rash in underarms lasted almost two months. Skin getting like crape

-brain fog – trouble with names and words.  Fumbles in speaking and I memories

-Bruising ( a lot) Skin seems to bruise easily  find cuts at times only when see blood.

            In spite of increasing medications and trying to exercise each day the pain is getting worse along with fatigue and weakness. 

WHAT RON CAN NO LONGER DO OR ONLY DO WITH DIFFICULTY

Walk                                               Drive

Dress self easily (problems with buttons)                    See to read

Shower (uses chair in shower now)                        Get up from a chair

Work (waiting for disability)                             Use hands