Re: health improving

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Ray, on your accomplishing your goals, fitness levels &

eliminating Rx drugs. That's wonderful for you as is your new dating partner.

Thanx also for the suggestions that we all follow suit.

Unfortunately, I for one, cannot do all the things you've mentioned anymore due

to aging & increasing spinal degeneration/bone loss, restricted movements,

chemical sensitivities & the list goes on. I have climbed out of the

pain/depression hole just as you did with fasting, dieting, all kinds of

exercise & many other alternative natural methods many times when way younger &

my body was more capable of doing that.

But now at age 67 it just gets harder & harder to do & doesn't work as well, if

at all, anymore. I'm happy for you though & wish you all the best. Thanx for

sharing.

Blessings,

Caroline

HRayN wrote:

I'd like to update you on my health improvement situation.

[Guest guest]

Hello Ray

I am happy to read about your improvements. You and the rest of the group

have inspired me to keep trying to use my exercise bike more and to get out

and walk more. I have a couple of 1 pound hand weights that I keep by my

chair and use those several times each day also. I am also trying harder to

decrease my portions etc.

I haven't had a significant weight loss but I feel more in control of my

life. DH finished his IT degree from Montana Tech recently so once he gets a

job I will be able to get back to the pool. Being totally broke also limits

many things I might be able to do.

I have noted that now that you are no longer a house husband and no longer

being all things for your family that you seem much happier. Just the

repition and endlessness to home making and lack of at the very least a

paycheck can be depressing.

Do you suppose these things exacerbated your pain? Is your family saying " I

told you that you could do more " ? I am curious about but if it is too

personal you don't need to respond.

I am so glad you feel like a winner!

Kaylene

>These improvements in my health situation have helped me cope with

>separation and pending divorce after 34 years of marriage. I am dating

>again and have a great dating partner. Even with the continuing family

>difficulties I feel like a winner!

>Ray, moderator

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

HRayN wrote:

> I'd like to update you on my health improvement situation. I still continue

> to lose weight, though I am now building muscle mass with frequent workouts

> on Bow-flex and other weight equipment. Always every other day to allow

> muscles to repair and avoid overstimulation.

Way to go Ray!!!

> I am still taking Effexor 225 mg daily and Trazodone 150 mg daily at bedtime

> (both are antidepressants). The Effexor has proven to be a great benefit to

> handling pain and keeping depression caused by pain from interferring with

> my life. I take the Effexor at bedtime since I usually react to it by going

> to sleep.

If I took those two in combination, I'd need a rubber room:-)

> Since Thanksgiving I have given up all pain medication, all anti-anxiety

> medications, all sleep meds, and all muscle relaxers. This may not be

> possible for everyone, but it has proven beneficial to me. I no longer want

> the side-effects of such medications in my life. For me, the side effects

> were not worth the benefits they provided.

Bodies sure are different. You get nasty side effects from all of the above,

yet can handle Effexor and Trazadone together. I can't handle antidepressants

or anti anxiety meds, but moderate doses of the others don't do anything much

except lower my pain level and reduce the muscle spasms.

> Get good and appropriate exercise into your life. Reduce your weight!!

Amen Brother Ray.

> Work with your doctor to maintain a good sleep pattern. Be sure to monitor

> your depression...all chronic pain patients have depression whether you wish

> to acknowledge it or not...and work with your doctor to find an

> antidepressant that helps with your depression and your pain managment.

I agree with the monitoring one's depression part, but I'll skip the

antidepressant drugs, thank you very much :-)

It's no wonder doctors get frustrated dealing with us chronic pain types. The

obvious things like diet, as much exercise as we can convince ourselves we can

handle, contact with considerate people, etc. are all standard things that most

folks (including doctors:-) know are necessary for feeling better.

Then we get to the drugs. We're a good example of that problem. What works best

for you is a disaster for me.

But, how would the docs know if they didn't try the drugs on both of us? I

can't handle things like the duragesic patch or antidepressants. They wreak

havoc with my body. But, I can take certain old standards without much in the

way of side effects at all. Others can stick on a duragesic patch, put a Actiq

lolly in their mouth and get on with their day. That'd probably flatten me.

If we have such different reactions to things, it's no surprise that lots of

docs throw up their hands when they see a chronic pain patient coming!

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

WOW Ray,

I am not really keen on giving you a compliment since you jumped in my case as

bad as you did, but I have to say I am happy for you. Anyone that can come that

far in six months has to be commended. Congrats. are in order. donna

[Guest guest]

Congrats, Ray!

sherrie

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