Done yesterday (20090606)

[mdlbear]

0606 Sa
  * up 9:30; W=188.4; drugs, nose, teeth; coffee, C, extra aspirin
    started new Flonase bottle
  | shoulder not hurting much, but a knot at the base of my spine
  * buy briefs.  Urgent.
  & worked on TG* index files
  * Walk, 3 miles by the creek
    | mindful for about 20 minutes, then scattered.
  * Fry's:  YD's video card
  * Installed YD's video card.  Sims 3 works.
  & Red Lobster for dinner
  * Drive with the Cat
  * bed ~10:30; cyclobenzaprine

Got up at 9:30, and went to bed at about 10:30. DO NOT LIKE. Yeah, I know I have to get enough sleep, and I'm making up for at least a week's worth, but this does nothing at all to relieve the sense that I'm not getting anything done.

Cyclobenzaprine has definitely helped unknot my shoulders, though there is now a knot near the base of my spine. I've also spent the last couple of days getting by during the work day with a little shoulder bag with just room for my wallet, my keys, and my 3x5 card notepad. Naturally that does not include things like my coin purse, camera, business cards, car clickers, checkbooks, ... For work, I carry the big bag in my rolly along with the computer. I suspect that a lot of my shoulder problems were caused by a too-heavy backpack and shoulder bag.

I got in a good walk, about 3 miles by Los Gatos Creek. I managed to stay mindful and in touch with my surroundings for about the first 20 minutes; it did seem to make a difference. Unlike the state I get into when I'm reading or hacking, I seem able to snap out of meditation instantly if I'm needed for something.

Got to Fry's and bought a video card for the YD so she can run the latest version of Sims. Half a gig of RAM in that thing -- I remember when that was a hell of a lot of disk.

Comments

[shadowe_wraithe]

(((((((((((((((((((STEVE)))))))))))))))))))

I understand the shoulder thing. The Cyclo will help, but the lower back is what I want to share about...I use a yoga release position a TON for the lower (and upper back). It works wonders. Considering that you are not tall, you may need to use an ottoman or something of similar height with a flat top. I use a regular dining chair. Make sure you have a clear area on the floor, and place the flat top object (chair/table etc) near one end of the cleared floor space. Lay down with your bottom as close to the front legs as you can. Put your legs up on the chair, and scootch yourself towards it until your calves are fully resting on it, and you can let your thighs fully relax. As you let your legs relax, use your hands to gently encourage your ab muscles to let go, and relax your back into the floor. You can lay like this as long as you like, just be careful in case you fall asleep.

Hope this helps. There's an awesome book titled "Back Care Basics" by a medical doctor who is also a Yoga instructor, and it has helped me so much, I always recommend it to folks.

Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Shadowe

[mdlbear]

((((*hugs*))))

Thanks -- that looks like a winner. There are a couple of other back exercises I do when I think of it, which isn't all that often. The most effective is a sort-of half pushup: lie prone on the floor and push up my shoulders as far as I can, putting my back into a reverse arch. It's also a yoga position, but I don't recall the name.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Hmm -- reading backwards sometimes leads to different thoughts: I will also note that some meds decrease the effectiveness of many antidepressants. Your pharmacist can tell you if the cyclo is one of them (I don't know that). If it is, call your psych, let him/her know about recent symptom changes and your new prescription, and ask for dosage advice.

[mdlbear]

Hmm. About all I've turned up in my research is that the combination might make me drowsy -- which isn't surprising, since cyclobenzaprine is used off-label as a sleeping pill (and is a very effective one for me).

However, my use of cyclo is pretty recent -- just the last couple of days -- and the depression has been ongoing for at least the last two weeks (since Baycon).

Still, it's worth mentioning.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that makes it less likely that the cyclo is related. But if you're not sleeping well, tiredness and depression have pretty much the same symptoms. And adjusting to having someone in bed with you again, no matter how much happier you are about that, can disrupt sleep too, even without having to do stuff like wake up to help her in the middle of your sleep.

[harmonyheifer.livejournal.com]

Have you ever had a professional massage? It can work wonders for those minor aches and twinges that came sometimes hit below the pain awareness radar and it can be heaven for tired aging bodies that have been lifting and tugging and burning the candle at both ends.

I kept a promise to myself today and went for an hour massage at Massage Envy and made another promise to go monthly from now on. I have been totally without pain since 4:30pm when I walked out of the massage room. I can't remember when I last went four hours with no pain, and I take three Vicodin a day for chronic pain.

An introductory hour massage is only 39 dollars. If you've never had one, think about giving it a try. If you have, you probably know how good they make you feel. It may even help with the depression. Some people with depression swear by their twice a month massages as more effective than anti-depressants.

[mdlbear]

I've had a couple -- yes, this is a very good idea. I have no idea how to go about finding a good place, or what kind of massage would work best, though.

(Just googled and found that there's a Massage Envy close to home, so with your recommendation that's probably the right place to start.)