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Staying Healthy -- it seems more important as we get (ahem) older. When I was young, I could get away with little sleep, eating irregular meals and coping with stress; now, not so much.
I think that the main issue for me is how to increase my energy level which is low, low, low, requiring a nap in the afternoon if I am home. What I have found out during these past few years of health issues, is that we need to pay attention to how our bodies react to medication. I am unfortunately one of those people who are super sensitive to everything, so most pain meds are too strong.
How often do your doctors ask you what kind of meds are you taking over the counter? They just go ahead and prescribe more meds. Perhaps what you so blithely take and pop in your mouth because "pain hurts" and you are desperate is the underlying problem.
So, after, ten years of taking Ibuprofen for knee pain and after a knee replacement, and two years of little problems, itching, tiredness, lightheadedness, I decided to stop. After three weeks of no pain meds, it has been interesting, as I do feel better, of course now I have to figure out what to do about my sore knees. But I am sleeping better, no itching, no brain fog; well almost no brain fog. This all sounds so grim; it isn't. It's just being self-aware. There is so much I still want to do: projects, ideas in the autism realm (see below), and making sure that I pay attention to my family and friends, keeping good connections.
One more thing, which really made me think. My grandson, Joshua has autism, but he is high functioning and thoughtful. A few weeks ago we were at a restaurant and he asked me, "So, Grandma Tasha, how old are you?" On a paper napkin I wrote the year 2013, and under it the year of my birth (I am not publishing my age as I do not want to scare my blogging friends away). He did the math and then with tears in his eyes, he said, "You are ------? ! That means you won't always be here."
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An excellent post and as you so rightly say "A wake up call". especially the mature aged people.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
When you get to my age you get to wondering how many years you have left and which of you (partner or self) will go first.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
I try not to think about it, but sometimes I do anyway. Each day is a gift, but hard to not take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteWell, that was sad!
ReplyDeleteMedications can interact and make things worse. Glad you found one culprit, although you still need to do something for your knees.
Thanks for participating in our bloghop.
Meds can be miracle workers, but there can be side affects. I think I sound too grim, I'm really not. Joshua, my grandson is sweet and I was glad to hear that he showed empathy which is not a hallmark of kids with autism. Time to show my creative, crazy, risk taking side in my blog.
DeletePain meds and all sorts of meds have their purpose, but we weren't meant to live on medication and walk around like zombies all the time. I'm glad you shared this post. And I'm glad you feel better being off the meds too.
ReplyDeleteMJ you are so right and I am glad that holistic medicine, acupuncture, and alternative approaches are mainstream now, although for major, major illnesses I think you need to go mainstream medicine, then work on fine tuning your health with good diet, etc. etc.
DeleteYes, staying healthy is a problem. I take as few meds as possible and exercise a lot. Exercise is the key.
ReplyDeleteExercise is the key. 30 minutes almost every day is so important. I don't do this but perhaps this blog challenge will shame me into being more consistent.
DeleteI hope you are able to find something to help with the knees.
ReplyDeleteSusanne, thank you! Me too, but I am working on it, physical therapy, stretching, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that intimate moment with your grandson. It does sound like Feldenkrais will really help you!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
I saw Feldenkrais demonstrated at a seminar I went to and I remember being impressed with the few exercises/moves the instructor showed us. Josh surprises us sometimes with his comments.
DeleteHi Tasha .. glad I've got a name .. as long as I remember when LoW posts next!
ReplyDeleteHealth is a nuisance isn't it - I'm lucky and sincerely hope I continue to be so .. need some help with my back - but will get that resolved shortly I expect.
Medications can affect us without realising ... and I hope you can ease those knee pains somehow .. Tina's idea on Feldenkrais .. is something I'm considering.
Having a brain with spare room makes such a difference doesn't it .. good luck with muscle strengthening etc ... all the best
Love Josh's comment - but that sad realisation that anno domini does come around for Grandma's and Grandpa's ... lovely you can spend time with him ...
Cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary: Actually I have several names. Natalia is my birth certificate name. Natalie is what I call myself because it is easier. Natasha is what my parents called me (being Russian), but Natasha is a "pet" name, like Jack is to John. Gamma Tasha is what my grandchildren call me, or GT. Sadly, only my family call me Natasha and although I hated it growing up, it is my favorite. Love your comment, "brain with a spare room."
DeleteFirstly, I adore the name of yer blog! Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love Josh's comment. I get told by my wee lassies that I'm a Fossil...print THAT and eat it.
Thank you, all I could think of when I set up this blog, was "The time has come the Walrus said to speak of many things, of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax and Cabbages and Kings." Since I do tend to ramble on, I thought it fit.
DeleteYour blog name is perfect, reminds me of a wonderful time spent in Scotland, I need to get back. What would your wee lassies call someone who is much, much older?
What a precious moment with your grandson! Thanks for sharing that. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dana. Now that he is a teen, I don't see him as much. But he can be so funny without realizing it and sweet too.
DeleteThat is such a sweet comment from your grandson!
ReplyDeleteI don't like popping pills and taking medicines. Sometimes a cold/flu has to run its natural course. However, there are more serious ailments that require a doctor's attention. But I firmly believe that a doctor is also a businessman...
I hope you find a solution for that sore knee.
Writer In Transit
Thank you. Hope it didn't sound morbid. We were thrilled that he showed such empathy, most kids with autism don't understand the feelings of others. The pharmaceutical industry is huge, but I also know that many drugs are true life-savers -- TB drugs, etc. etc. This has been a interesting blog-hop.
DeleteI think your comment about being self-aware is so important. I know I often get caught in the everyday rush and forget to listen to me and my body. Hope you find something to help with your knees. And I love Josh's comment, he is a dear, sweet boy.
ReplyDeleteThat fogginess in the head is what I dislike the most. It does interfere with self awareness which is so important to knowing what to do with your body.
DeleteAnd touching story with your grandson. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Stephen: Brain fog makes me jump around from one project to another, lack of focus, which I hate, writing requires more thought than just a few minutes. Concentration is important. Thank you for hosting this blog hop. It only took me three hours to figure out how to add the list :) I am so technologically challenged!
DeleteCQ, thanks for thinking of Josh. All my trivial complaints seem trivial compared with what Josh faces in his future.
DeleteSome meds can be reduced, as I've done with a few I had. I experimented to find the minimal level. Then I told the doctor what I'd done. He approved, but had never suggested I reduce them. He just said to be aware if problems arise from the reduced dose. So far, ok. This isn't possible with all meds though. Some are critical.
ReplyDeleteKids can be brutally honest, but he's looking at it from his perspective and how long he'll have a loving Grandma.
I guess we are our own best "doctors." It's the ying and yang of meds and the fine tuning of what we take. I am an impatient person and want to feel better immediately, if not sooner. But I am learning.
DeleteI always like looking at your mysterious photo/picture -- timeless.
I hope you find a way to help your sore knees - I get joint pain in my knees sometimes after work, and it's never nice.
ReplyDeleteI try not to take pain meds unless I really need to, but sometimes you really have to.
Thanks Laura: And I find if I do stretching exercises at night, it helps. But after sitting a long time, it is hard to get up and move.
DeleteI was with you doing the Ibuprofen popping. I actually got toxic poisoning from taking TOO MANY. I have chronic arthritis and the pain was just unbearable at that time. AND, I was young... in my early thirties. It took me years to detox from meds and find what worked for me to be more pain free. I still have pain, but I can bear it now.
ReplyDeleteBut you make a valid point. I was on Blood pressure meds for years too and the side effects were horrible. Thankfully with my weight loss, I no longer need them and feel GREAT.
Thanks for joining the hop, Tasha....
AND your grandson sounds AMAZING....
Arthritis is tricky; I think some foods set off joint paint too. So glad you are feeling better. And thank you for your Joshua comment.
DeleteJune 6th, 2013
ReplyDeleteDear Tasha,
Nice to meet you! Thank you for visiting my post and following my blog. As you see, I am now following you.
You make a good point, that sometimes you wind up taking medicines that are no longer necessary and may even have unwanted side affects.
My father got arthritis after sleeping in damp tents under heavy but not very warm Spanish horse-hair blankets in Belgium during World War II. He was so thankful to be sent home to the US, in one piece, when peace was declared in Europe, that he did not care about seeking special benefits for ill health. As long as I knew him, he was always taking some kind of pain-killer and resting in bed on an electric heating-pad when he came home from work.
I attribute his long life - 88 years old - to my mother's loving care and knowledge of nutrition. She made sure that he ate a balanced diet and gave him vitamin supplements. I think it helped.
Toward the end of his life, when he was admitted to hospital and not given his ration of vitamin supplements, I could tell he was going down hill. And then he would get better when he was home again and under my mother's care. He became more like himself, even mentally.
Once again, thank you for your comment. I am so happy to make your acquaintance. I'm glad you like my blog. You have also a beautiful and interesting blog, that I will continue to visit.
Best wishes,
Anna
oxox
Thanks, Anna, for taking the time to write a long comment. Read my post about D Day, thinking about your father. Will keep up with you.
ReplyDelete