While I pondered weak and weary...

So this morning I went to see my neurologist to have some testing done as the last couple of years, on and off I've had problems with pain, numbness and tingling in my legs and feet.  Things would happen randomly and I would just forget to mention it.  Like, I would be walking and I'd get a twinge of pain in my lower back and it would feel like my legs were going to give out.  Or I would be putting on my shoes and when I would bend over I would get tingling and pain in the bottoms of my feet.  This might happen for a few days, then it might not happen for months.  So, last week at my check up I finally reminded myself to tell her.

Today we did a Electromyogram (EMG).  Well, the 1st part of it anyway.  In each leg, and parts of my lower back, needles were inserted to various points in the muscle to record her findings.  The very 1st needle was in the lower part of my left leg and, if anything, was just uncomfortable.  So I thought the whole test was going to be a breeze, but as it went on it got more uncomfortable and much more painful.

There was one part of the test where it hit a nerve in my left leg and pain radiated up my back.  My back gave out and I felt like I was falling, like that pain I would get in my lower back where my legs wanted to give out.  I went into work and the nerve pain still radiated in me.  Took some Tylenol and that didn't help.  The pain went up into my neck, my head was pounding, I was starting to get nauseous, light headed, and sensitive to light.  I just got out of a bath and am feeling better but still not great.  My legs don't hurt as much, my head isn't pounding anymore, though I still feel like there's a lump in my left, lower back.  Maybe some ice cream will make me feel even better.  :)

Next week we will do the other portion of the testing where she will test the electrical pulses, not as invasive.  She also is trying to get an approval to have an MRI of my lower back and legs done.  As of now we know there is some type of damage.  I do not believe this has anything to do with my autoimmune disease but we are trying to rule it out and now I have many more new and unanswered questions.

I'm not even 40 yet.  Why am I having all these problems?

In other news, my mom's ATC was on the RubberStampMadness facebook page for Cinco de Mayo.  Isn't it cute?  I'm not much into rubber stamping or ATCs but I have done a few.

Eventually I'll get to my April Birchbox.  I feel like I need to lay down and rest my legs & back more.  Until then... ice cream!

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration body wash review! #TheHerbalistas

I remember many years ago when Herbal Essences first launched their line of insanely fantastic and addicting smelling shampoos and conditioners.  I also remember at one point getting a body lotion of theirs but they don't make them anymore.  Maybe now they are dabbling back in body washes we will see that again.

When I received the Herbal Essences Hello Hydration body wash, before I even sniffed it, I was automatically a bit disappointed because I'm not a big fan of coconut-like scents.  After opening the bottle & taking a whiff, I was pleasantly surprised!  It's hard to describe.  There's that very fresh coconut smell that I get a hint of, like when you have coconut water or coconut milk, mixed with other beautiful scents I can't even put my finger on.  Like all of their other scents, it can be quite intoxicating!

Let's compare this to all the other body washes out there.  What makes this better & why should you but this?  First, you can buy it for $3.99 at Target.  Look at it this way.  Everyone is a fanatic over Bath & Body Works products.  Sure, they have a rotation of different scents every season and some that stay, some are discontinued, and some are brought back under different names.  The top ingredients in these washes are all the same, it's when you look at the additional ingredients, which there really is very little of, for it to make any difference in benefit to your skin, and those are the ingredients they are trying to promote?  Seriously, if you have a major skin condition you aren't going to use these anyway, or if you do you'll lather on a beneficial lotion afterward, like I do.

My point is, have you EVER smelled something by Herbal Essences you didn't like?  I didn't think so.  $3.99 at Target is a steal for 15.8oz.  Bath & Body Work body washes are $12.50 each for only 8oz and so even if you get their B3G3 deal, you are still paying $6.25 a bottle!  Have a 20% off coupon too?  Still $5 a bottle and you only get around 1/2 the amount that Herbal Essences is giving you!  Walmart shopper?  You can get 32oz for $6.97 right here!

Other key points?  Its lather was average & the scents lasts well after your shower or bath.  All of the body washes also have matching scent products ranging from shampoos to conditioners to styling products.  See it in your favorite store?  Take a whiff and let me know what you think!

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This is my 2nd sample and share from Crowdtap!  With Crowdtap you can pick and choose what challenges or discussions to participate in, and apply for sample and share opportunities like this one where you get a sample and a checklist of fun things to do.  Another THANKS to Crowdtap for giving me this opportunity!