I came to the boards with a vengeance in late October; a bit part of it was I felt I was losing ground and was looking for some support and advice to try and change the tide. I've been away the past few months because I got that bad. The community here combined with my will to fight and my initial care team 700 miles away I was able to get my garbage doctor here to run some tests. I call him garbage because anytime I went to him with my issues he would remind me that I had a stroke and I needed to rest and pace myself...like any of us forget that we had a stroke. Out of those tests my liver tests, triglycerides were though the roof. Now I thought it was just a vitamin D issue, coming home to winter, less of a social life and getting out which means WAY less sun than I was getting. I was diagnosed with statin myopathy. Now looking back I was starting to have these side effects back to when I was learning to walk again so I really thought it was a side effect of the stroke. I started questioning when I peaked and then started going backwards again. (my inital rage post is here)

I never thought of side effects of the medication, really wish I had. But seriously, who would think of medication when the side effects can take 2-6 months to show?!?! I felt the difference when I was off it for just a day. A month later I started feeling functional on a day to day basis vs. every 3-4 days. I vowed never to go on another statin again...famous last words. Because of my triglycerides I got referred to a cardiologist, but it would take a month to get an appt. Which was fine because I was excited that I might actually enjoy my holiday to Jamaica 24 Dec thru 1 Jan.

The get away was amazing. I didn't have all my endurance back, but enough to enjoy our relaxing trip, and even stayed up till midnight on NYE!

Last week I saw the cardiologist. He made sense on needing to be on a cholesterol med and talked me into a different weaker statin, but I wouldn't cave until he atleast agreed to 20mg vs 40mg. I'm a healthy man. I watch what I eat and even track it (minus the weekend) and exercise nearly everyday. Exception when the myopathy was in full force since exercise causes the side effects to be multiplied. My tests before the statin but after the stroke were picture perfect (they were perfect before the stroke too) Now, here I am three days into the new med with the symptoms coming back faster and harder. The difference this time I now know the enemy and can adjust.

*Switching Gears*

My vacation to Couples Resort in Ocho Rios Jamaica was amazing!! Though it would have been nice to have more endurance, it was wonderful to not worry about life. Eating, drinking, sleeping when I want, where I want was much needed. My first time off since my stroke. They had flag on the beach so you can "summon" a server to order drinks and food. The food was amazing, even the beach bar had a culinary trained chef!! I did go to the gym one days, did yoga about three times and spent some time swimming, but that wasn't able to stop me from gaining five pounds in nine days! :Gulp: For those that my travel to Jamaica, they have a company that runs a VIP service in the airport called Mobay. Depending on when you land and leave it's worth it just to get the personal VIP walk though Customs. When we landed it took everyone else 2.5 hours to get though customs when it took us just 20 minutes. They also have a private sitting area with free drinks and snacks till your ready to leave.

Nothing beats a 85 degree Christmas in the Caribbean!! If it loaded correctly, here are some pictures to share!!