Physical Check-In #2

Get it all out. We are here for you and you are brave for sharing. I hear you on the treats and baked goods. The struggle is real.

Oh! yes! Now I recall. THAT is very painful stuff! I have had it several times. My rheumatologist always recommends I place an orthotic n my shoes in that region of my feet.

This last I had fasciitis, I went and bought new sneakers. I know we are all different in how shoes fit and feel. I had bought some Saucony sneakers and they are the most comfortable sneakers I have ever had. They have memory foam inserts. I would buy another pair in a flash! Great support, too! I love wearing them.

I hope your foot heals quickly!

Increase anxiety is typical when going lower on a AP .. hopefully it’s only temporary

Ahhh none of that ... Who has what worse stuff

All of us struggle with things that disrupt our lives and it all sucks!

Your trying to make 2 major life changes at once , which most doctors are leery to push together.

Quitting smoking and starting a weight loss program at the same time??? Yeah almost a certain disaster and many backslides. Most people gain 7-10 lbs when they stop smoking, yes people eat more but also smoking increases your metabolism, you quit , your going to gain something.

My advice ?? I’d stop smoking first then address the foods more seriously. I’m not saying have zero control with food , just don’t beat yourself up over it so hard.

Maybe guzzle down 16 Oz of water 20-30 mins before you sit down to a meal , it really does help with not over eating as much.

Enjoy the First Christmas in your own home with RS and your son

Saucony is the ONLY sneakers I will buy, they for me are by far the best.

I think I’m finally noticing an improvement in my breathing , the proverbial elephant has lost some weight, finally!

The first time this issue flared up on me a few years ago I was exercising pretty hard and doing a lot of jump training and I bought a pair of those and some inserts. They were awesome! This last time around I went with another brand and it was a huge mistake. I'll probably be going back to the Sauconys. They helped a lot. Thanks for the reminder!!! I had the picture of the gray and pink sneaks I used to have in my mind, buy I had forgotten the brand.

If they get a double thumbs up from Christina they must be the right way to go. Thanks ladies!

So awesome! Finally!!!

My orthopedic nurse practitioner is a pistol!
She is 76 y.o. and still participates in the world, yes, world, triathlon competition. Of course, she competes against other athletes her age. AND...She is number one in the world for her age group!

She is one hot number, too! I have never seen such wild skirts, shoes and outfits in general! She has Tina Turner's legs and I expect her to break out in song and dance any minute! She says she has about 200 pair of shoes. She has just built a new house and had designed the master bedroom closet big enough to display that many shoes.. What a ticket!

l saw her a few months ago for plantar fasciitis. She's a great healthcare provider. She is "old school," in that she LOVES to teach her patients. She gives all kinds of exercises instead of leaving that part up to PT, etc.

So she prescribes these orthotics/insoles made/distributed by SofSole. When she'd first mentioned this to me, I thought they'd be at least $100.00. NO!
Not at all, I bought the ones for plantar fasciitis and I have not gotten it back. I was talking to a guy in the store, as we were both buying this specific insole model. He was telling me that he has chronic plantar fasciitis IF he does not stick with using the insoles. Interesting. So, here I am months later, enjoying the insoles (and my Sauconys.)

After reading your post, fern, I looked at the SofSole web site. They have just 3 insoles, as far as I can see. At least two of them have extra support in the metatarsel area. I use them. Since I have started using them, my H has started to use them in his work boots, as he is on concrete floors for 12 hours at a time. He says they are the best insoles he has ever had and he has had so very many while trying to find some relief,.

I am leaving a link to the web site, fern , incase you are interested. Anyone else interested might also look into them. Oh, even though my insoles were prescribed, they were only $29.99 and are worth every penny.

Sof Sole - Insoles, Socks, Laces and Shoe Care Accessories

Oh, by the way, Tina Turner has quite a life story. If you are a Tina Turner fan and have never heard her life story, look into it. There is at least one movie.

If you are not a Tina Turner fan, and you have not seen the movie about her life story, see it and I am quite sure you will turn into a fan of this very strong woman. She is amazing and has my utmost respect.

Love to All!

YES!

I AM SOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

I am so relieved, too.

Love Ya!

I must admit that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I relax my eating standards and indulge in the foods and drinks of the season. I gain about five pounds which I quickly lose in January. I’m going to try a different approach next year.

As many of you are aware of my struggle with pain from Fibro but also Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) I have had no relief from biologics , my Enbrel after 1.5 years just quit working and the Humira I started has caused this ridiculous asthma type breathing problem.

All my joints are swollen but my left hand middle finger? Oh damn it’s literally on fire 24/7 with intense white hot shooting pain every min or two ..

I will be asking my Rheumatologist to do as many injections as humanly possible in January. They can be painfully but I must get relief

I had reported I'd been pushing myself physically. I continue to do so to a lesser degree. I've needed to devote more time/energy to more sedentary tasks.

I have been super busy with:

- trying to beat the deadline of 12/31. There are certain benefits I should use, verifications I need to obtain, all before 12/31, so I may utilize them again in 2020, if needed.

- I am in the midst of filing Discrimination and Violations of Rights Complaints against the Social Security Admin. Thus far, I have documented any/all interactions with this agency, have done the research, have drafted the (several)documents and letters and have sent a couple of the packets out via Certified Mail.. I have a couple more drafts to do,, which should be easier, as the main/major documents have been completed and will be utilized as "enclosures."

A couple of officials have received their legal Notices of Alleged Discrimination and Alleged Violations or Rights packets, confirmed via return receipts. I expect a response or two at any moment, which will likely prove quite interesting . I may or may not need an attorney at any moment. Lol! Time will tell. (I am currently restricted from sharing further / more specific info. at this time.)

- I continue to negotiate "The Divorce."

- I have been informed we are expecting between 25 - 35 guests on Christmas. Any prep needs to be done within the next 48 hours.

I only have so much energy and thinking/focusing "juice" available, as I am also dealing with the extra chronic fatigue and chronic pain at all times. I could use a getaway right about now. The added stress tends to "drain" me as well.

Exercise has taken a back seat for a week or so now. I hope things settle down and/or become much easier in the New Year!
It's critically important for me to make sure exercise is high priority. I will have my change(s) in "lifestyle" plan more fully outlined by 12/31 at the latest.

Many have asked what I've been up to. Just a few recent activities listed above.

Love to All!

Wild Coyote, I only had two guests yesterday and it was a lot of work. 25? You are amazing, my friend!

Christina, I am glad you arrived safely at your destination. I'm sorry you have to deal with the pain over the holidays. Are your fingers still swollen/in pain? Is your breathing OK?

Fern, did you get the special sneakers? I used to wear higher heeled shoes, but can't anymore. But I don't have such serious pain as you. I hope you have some relief.

Merlin, I hope your anxiety is easing. I can definitely see how lowering Seroquel can bring some on. Seroquel has been very helpful at keeping mine in check. There must be other helpful meds, and work those anxiety coping skills. They can work.

Wildchildflower, quitting smoking and dieting, during the holidays, does sound hard. Please be gentle on yourself.

A week ago, I fit into a smaller size jeans. Now they're getting mighty mighty tight. I have succumbed to holiday food temptations. Otherwise, I feel good, physically. My bronchitis is long gone.

Good Morning!

Oh, I do not want to have so many guests. I don't feel up to it. However, my 80 y.o. mother, who lives with me right now, has invited this many, informing me after the fact. I am very torn each holiday because if she and I do not host a family gathering, she will not see her children or grandchildren. Nobody else will bother to host anything and they fail to invite her to even just stop by. their homes. Neither will they lend a hand while here for a gathering. I find this both incredibly sad and very infuriating! (This refusal to lift a finger to help is very passive-aggressive.)

I am with you, two guests are plenty! I find smaller crowds more interesting, as people seem to interact on a somewhat deeper level.

Have a great day!

My mother was always in the same situation as you.

No new shoes yet. I haven't had the time to get to the shoe store. I was worried it would flare up big time today due to it being baking day, but so far so good.

I am taking a break while the Gooey cake bars cook. I am thinking I'm going to sneak in a quick workout while my kids rest. I haven't had time the past two days and I feel sluggish.

You make an excellent point. Normally, exercise will increase stamina and people are likely to feel more energy and less "sluggish." Mitochondria are the "energy centers" or "powerhouses" of our cells. The more mitochondria we have, the more energy we will have.

The only way to increase mitochondria is through exercise.

"Mitochondria are intracellular organelles found in almost all human cells. They are responsible for aerobic metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation, which leads to energy production in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)." ( What are mitochondria? | How The Metabolic Process Works - Sharecare)

In some conditions, especially those caused by aberrant mitochondrial processes, exercise may or may not increase stamina. (This topic can be complex and I do not see a current benefit in going into this any more than I have/am writing below.)

With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/CFIDS/ME), the increased energy effects are often grossly delayed. People with these conditions tend to become too fatigued to continue a regular regimen of exercise. They take much longer to recover from exertion and cannot participate in daily physical training.

The relatively new diagnostic label for CFS/ME in the U.S. is SEID or Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disorder. This new name reflects the core diagnostic criteria for CFS/ME, now SEID. The exertion referred to in this diagnostic label refers to an intolerance to both physical and mental exertion.

So while those of us living with CFS/SEID can benefit from exercise, we need to accept the fact that we need to be kind to ourselves and slow down the frequencies of our workouts. We often benefit from altering our schedule of physical activities in general. Instead of daily physical exertion, one might plan exercise sessions M, W, F or a similar schedule, according to what works for each individual.

If a person swims one day, for example, and swims again the very next day, s/he would not "qualify" for a "CFS/ME/SEID" diagnosis. The "recovery time," which is the amount of time it takes to recover enough to exercise again, is too quick in the example I have given.

Even so, it is extremely important that everyone exercise, including those with CFS/SEID. Although the training involved in people with SEID must go at a much slower pace, the person does reap benefits over time, including the increase of mitochondria, which leads to increased energy production.

If/when a person is without these (and other) types of limitations, it is very important to exercise on a regular schedule in order to keep/increase the number of mitochondria in their cells/bodies.

Again, mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells (and of the body). We all experience more energy when we have more mitochondria. The only way to increase mitochondria is through exercise.

Fern's comment in her post above had triggered my remembering and my sharing a little bit of knowledge re: mitochondria and energy.

Thanks, fern!

I am thrilled to learn you are feeling better!

I have a "nurse" friend. She works dressed in scrubs all week long. Her scrubs have an elastic waist band, which does not feel very tight, even when she is gaining. On the weekends, she wears her tightest jeans, in order to remind herself that she needs to pay attention to her diet and to her exercise regimen.

I had been spending a lot of time in "sweats," and other clothing which is loose and comfortable. One day I went to wear my jeans and... oh no! I had to order a size up in order to have any to wear!

The moral of the story: If you are perfectly happy and/or feeling depressed, DO NOT try on your jeans!