Physical Check-In #2

I posted this in the check in thread today, but it's an ongoing monthly hell-cramps! They get so bad 1 to 2 days a month That no painkiller can contain them! I'm essentially on bed rest for the 30some hours I endure this. Wow! 30 seems a lot! Ok, no, it's more like...24 or 26??? I suppose it is a good amount of time and even after the worst is over, I have soreness for the next 24hours. Ugh! No doctor has been helpful yet! I mean, the birth control pill helped, but it gave me other side effects. The next suggestion was an IUD...I'm afraid of the procedure though. And you can probably guess I'm afraid of childbirth too, but at least that's something coming out, not going in and maybe the scissors aren't so close to the body (ok, unless you need stitches and blah blah. I do realize childbirth is worse, but at least you get a baby, right??) Ughhh, yes, all those antipregnancy campaigns they have to scare teens off sex really did a number on me! Didn't stop me from the sex part though! Lmao

Happy Friday everyone. I've noticed a lot of people here have been affected by closings and concern of contracting viruses. I wanted to see what everyone is doing to stay positive and be proactive towards fostering a healthy immune system.

I'm focused on healthy eating even more than usual. I'm making sure to supplement with extra vitamin C. I've been drinking a citrus tea that has tons of it in the morning. I also take a probiotic to make sure my digestive system is on the ready. Additionally, I have Echinacea tea to drink if I start feeling off.

I'm also staying active and getting plenty of cardio exercise to ensure my lungs are healthy. Other than that, I'm just focused on not buying into the fear as stress and fear weaken our immune systems. I wish the major news networks focused more on that aspect. It is a powerful tool for health and I want to be sure to deploy it. I am not discounting the legitimate concern people have, but I feel there is a balance to be obtained if we wish to create it.

Spiritually, I am working to keep my mind and my heart calm and to be present in the moment. I have young ones who have had their activities and classes cancelled and I want to give them a balanced state to lean on while things are in flux.

I am wishing all of you health and wellness during this time. Much love to all!

Hi giddykitty. When I was a teen, I had especially horrible menstrual cramps. They would even make me so sick that I would vomit. I was lucky that my cramps eased up a bit as I aged. I did find the good ole' heating pad to always be helpful. Ibuprofen has also been helpful. More helpful than other OTC pain relievers. Another thing? Oddly, sex or similar. I know sex during a period may seem strange, but the whole result from it (muscle spasm) can be a relief. Sorry if this sounds gross.

I had an IUD in the past. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for me. I was one of the small percentage of women where it always fell out of place and would need to be replaced. After the third time, I gave up. As for the discomfort of its insertion, yes it was uncomfortable for me, but only for a matter of seconds. Though I've never had a child, I can't imagine that the IUD insertion is anything close to the magnitude of discomfort as that.

I wish I couldn't be nervous, but as I mentioned in another thread, my mom hardly washes her hands and never uses hand sanitizer. I am afraid she will catch the coronavirus and unknowingly give it to my 88 year old grandma. Now that is scary, since most of the reported deaths were elderly people. I don't want my grandma to die from something horrible as coronavirus. (Well, it isn't so horrible for 80% of the people who catch it, but you know what I mean.) She gave her a bunch of colds in the past from not washing her hands or using hand sanitizer. I wish my mom would be smart about it, but she doesn't seem to learn. She just keeps doing the same thing over and over and over again.

If I am honest, my mom's ignorance kind of irritates me. Nearly every cold is preventable if you wash your hands and use hand sanitizer before touching your face. I know coronavirus also spreads through virus droplets in the air, but usually you get sicknesses from touching infected objects. But no, she doesn't seem to understand that basic principle. I know she has gone days without washing her hands. Frustrating.

I'm suddenly not feeling well. No, I don't think it is coronavirus of any sort. I've been kind of stressed by my mood elevation and the stress of all of what's been going on, relating to it. I was sweating profusely in the grocery store because of anxiety. Whenever I have those sweating spells, it makes me anxious that people notice. I especially felt anxious thinking that people might think I was sick with COVID 19. I went to three different stores and then had to unload groceries and make lunch. I'm trying to rest a bit, but the house needs some major tidying up. I am also thinking of making some banana orange muffins, to mostly freeze. I have to do something with the two bananas that are almost black. I bought enough oranges to ensure that hubby and I will not get scurvy in the near future!

I can absolutely appreciate your concern for your Grandma. She will be in my thoughts. I wish that as a nation we could be doing more to protect the elderly and those with preexisting conditions. I know there are a lot of family members showing extra care and I think that's beautiful.

My mom lives in a 55+ community and a lot of her neighbors are worried. I don't like that they are living in fear, but I understand the concern.

I hope your mom pays attention to what's going on and takes one for the team and washes her hands. It is such a simple way to show your love and care for others.

Dancing to Dire Straits

Respect and hugs to all

I am sorry you go through this. there are a few conditions which could be causing your extreme pain. I don't want to play ob/gyn

I have found women OB/Gyns tend to listen better than many (not all) of the males. Women know what it is like.

Do you have a women's health center or a large OB/GYN practice nearby?
DO you have access to a University practice?

There are people who will help you. The issue is in finding them.
Keep looking and keep asking around. Do not give up.

OH! Dancing Bear!
I am glad you are enjoying yourself!
It's nice to see you happy!

Ok so a mini update since I wasn't really here yesterday. (But i see i also have responses to my last comment. Ill make separate posts or this might get too long and overwhelming)
My jaw started hurting yesterday. I've apparently got a misaligned jaw or something so it cracks a lot, but on both sides and this just hurts on my right side. Anyway, it still hurts. Might need to get a mouthguard if it keeps up or gets worse. Also, day 3 and I'm still cramping, albeit milder, but still a pain. And I woke up with the recovery headache I always get after cramps. Sigh! But it's a day with good things too! I got to watch my daytime drama and it was a GOOD one! Its also been sunny and nice today, so i got to sit out in the porchroom soaking in some sun which prompted me to start writing a story again. (Have been struggling with creative endeavors for at least 2 years now) So that's good. It was actually inspired by a nice letter I received today from a sort of friend. I'm just going to end this now on a positive note!

That last part was especially for @Fuzzybear I'm also glad you're enjoying yourself! <3

@BirdDancer ok, i do understand why sex might be helpful (and ironically I'm more in the mood on my period, although those are typically the lighter days at the start and end of the deal), but unfortunately I just will not do that on my period. I've tried doing like kiegals tho...still hurts tho. And I take Tylenol instead of Ibuprofen because I'm already on so much aspirin I don't want more NSAIDS. The Tylenol sometimes helps, but not enough and this time it was worse even. Some periods are better than others though. I just don't get it! Oh yea, and I used to vomit too for a few months around college days. It was so scary!
Yeah, I'm sure giving birth is worse, but I don't want to do either (that or IUD)

Oh, also sorry you're not feeling well! Hope it passes soon and you get some rest! <3

@Wild Coyote unfortunately I've only ever seen female by now (well that's not the unfortunate part). The thing is is that none of them have been helpful with this, sadly. The last one I went to suggested the IUD.

Ok, I swear I read somethi g about a heating pad, but I don't see it now. I've tried the heating patches (in those vomit days in fact). Didn't work. It does help just for me to stay relaxed, and warm in general though, laying is best, but still hurts. I guess the problem with the heat pads could have been they were too small, but I dunno. I can maybe try again. I forgot we have one! Still might not be big enough though. Well it's too late this go around. I also forgot to try these yoga poses again. Apparently some are meant for this. I tried once on one of my not as bad days and it helped, but not sure if it will help the worst days.

Oh I guess I can keep trying to find a good ob/gyn but they're likely in the city and its such a damn pain getting there. :/ I think I'm actually overdue for a visit too. Argh! Stress!

lol thanks

I didn't realise I was the sort of friend

Oh Gah! Didn't even touch on the virus stuff. Im concerned because maintaining cleanliness to the degree necessary always seems a challenge for me. For us. And I have sensitive hands that don't like so much washing. Luckily I don't go out much tho...but grocery shopping is a concern...and stuff running out! :/ I'm just going mostly on faith because I've been under the weather too and if I'm meant to get sick, I will, but I really hope not...oh, that's all about me. Of course I worry about others who are even worse at hygiene than me and like my husband bringing it home from work...though he might end up having to work from home, which actually sucks for both of us. It's uncomfortable seating for him and his desk is in the middle of everywhere so I'm constantly going around him to do things, unless I stay in the bedroom. :P ughhh, plus then that's just more time for us to get on each other's nerves...on the other hand, it could be a good thing spending more time together...but I'm skeptic.
Oh and of course I worry about those others at risk for serious illness or carriers going around undetected...but frankly, i try to stay away from the topic as much as possible because it really is just depressing. Just doing what I gotta do! We'll get through this! *hugs all around!

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to eat dinner now at 9pm cuz I was so tired I had to take a short nap at 7p. Hey, it's not so bad. Maybe I won't binge before bed then tonight. Eh hem. We'll see.

Peace!

Ohh awe! I mean @Fuzzy you are my inspiration to bring fun and enjoy life today! And you are a sort of friend, right? I consider so anyway. But oops! I was talking about someone else with the letter part...you know you didn't write me a letter today! Still, you did bring me joy when I saw your other post in my thread.

That's ok, I didn't think I had written you a letter

I was up late last night. I am soo tired right now. I f÷el it was worth it though. But I'm really struggling to get going right now. I feel physically unwell. :/ I have to take one more med on an empty stomach and then I can have breakfast. Hoping that will begin to wake me up.

Glad someone had fun. I suspect you are in the minority here...

Since I am in my cave I might run up and down the stairs a few times

here's hoping I do not fall down them

Now THAT'S FUNNY!!!

I overdid it today, in terms of too many activities and too many sweets. The sweets were half sugar substitutes, though, so the sugar part could have been worse. My stomach is a combo of upset and achy. I just want to drink water and fall asleep early.

How is everyone feeling physically this week?

I feel pretty good, but my exercise has been a mixed bag this week. I've had more homeschooling responsibilities than usual and have devoted a decent amount of time to making sure we use all of our resources as efficiently as possible. I was able to squeeze in some workouts though and also some playing out in the yard.

I know many are struggling with cabin fever, so I wanted to point out there are a lot of great workouts and physical activities popping up on YouTube. I've come across a number of them in the past few days. Also, a good old fashioned dance party can do as much for the mind, heart and spirit as it can for the body.

You all are in my thoughts and my heart. Everyone struggling has my support. Love to all who want or need it.

I've been taking on ambitious projects that tire me out by the end of the day. Yesterday, my back hurt a lot because of it so hubby gave it an arnica rub, which helped.

My sleep is crazy lately and I have been waking up in the middle of the night with racing heart. I've had to take Ativan for that, which also helps me get back to sleep. I'd rather not take Ativan, though. I'm thinking of asking my psychiatrist if I can take an extra 20 mg propranolol at night. I have a huge oversupply anyway. Propranolol is mostly for tachycardia, for me, but anxiety and tachycardia are related in my case.

Mood isn't so great, but I was able to pick up groceries today from Wal-Mart. (Thanks, fern, for initially letting me know a few months back about Wal-Mart pickup!)

I got healthy stuff to eat a well balanced diet for a while. Eggs, milk, brown rice, etc.. I drank some milk and ate some eggs when I got back.

I think I'm going to start exercising in my apartment and going for walks around the neighborhood. (Need fresh air.)

Waking up with what felt like a racing heart happened again even though I fell asleep at a reasonable time of 10:40 pm. But I woke up only one hour later feeling the "racing heart". I confess that I took an extra 20 mg propranolol this evening at around 6 pm, but why then the issue? And yet, I just got done taking my blood pressure three times in a row, which also measures heart rate, and it was all normal at 110-115/75-80 with 69 to 80 bpm. 69 bpm in the third.

Yesterday, hubby gave my heart a manual listen and he said it sounded a bit fast. I don't know. I don't want to take the Ativan. I'm unsure what pdoc will say if I tell him I've increased the propranolol. If an increase doesn't stop these "episodes" in two days, maybe I will go back down. I don't think the increase is dangerous at this amount. I can measure my BP a few times per day to monitor.