Once again, I’m happy to be joining in with A Chronic Voice’s prompts for the months of October and November. Despite repeatedly promising myself that I would blog more regularly, life has been so chaotic recently that I just haven’t been able to. However, thanks to Sheryl’s regular prompts, I am at least putting pen to paper and crafting a blog article in response.
Approaching
My back pain has been steadily worsening over the past few months, to the point where it’s having an impact on walking and being on my feet. So, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to approach a physio. I’ve got an appointment next week, and hopefully that will go some way towards helping with the pain.
Physiotherapy is something that I’ve dipped into and out of over the past 20 or so years, but back pain has been a feature of my life for almost 30 years in some shape or form. It’s getting to the point now where, on some days, I’m struggling to do things that I was able to do six or eight months ago. Pain is interrupting my sleep even more than it normally does, and I’m waking up in pain in the mornings.
I decided that it was time to stop messing around and approach a physio in the hope that I can be given some exercises to improve things. In the past, when I’ve been given exercises by a physio, I’ve not always been the best at following their advice or being disciplined enough to do them. But as I’ve got older, I’ve got better at making sure I stick to a routine, so hopefully that will help this time.
Depending
This prompt really got me thinking about the core things that keep me ticking over as well as possible. I have a wide range of interventions that I dip into and out of, depending on what’s going on and how my symptoms are behaving.
Certainly, one of the main things is my two dogs. They make me get out and walk every day, which helps me in myriad ways. It’s not just the physical exercise of walking, but also the fresh air and the connections with others, however fleeting they may be.
There’s also the incredible healing power of nature: noticing the seasons change, the wildlife we encounter on our walks, and appreciating the beautiful area in which I’m fortunate enough to live. Being by water is something else I find hugely beneficial for my health.
However, seeing as Sheryl mentioned coffee and medication in her introduction to these prompts, I also wanted to include the fact that both are hugely important to me too. I can’t do anything without my first two mugs of coffee in the morning!
Morning coffee has almost become a ritual for me. I always have my first cup in bed, looking out through the window over the water. I try to meditate, drink my coffee in a mindful way, and make room for gratitude as well. I find that gets my day off to a good start.
Medication-wise, I am dependent upon amitriptyline. If I had to get rid of all my other medications and keep just one, this would be the one I would choose. It helps me to sleep, and I dread to think what my sleep would be like without it. It’s not brilliant with it, but it’s an awful lot better than it would be if I didn’t have access to this medication.
Regaining
I’m trying to regain control of my symptoms after a period of being incredibly busy with various life changes going on. I’ve also taken on a new volunteering role and am trying to decide what else to get involved in locally.
I’m trying to find a balance between being involved in the community and connecting with others, while also not overdoing it and respecting my daily rhythm.
There are lots of activities and groups in my local area, but many tend to meet in the evening. I tried going along to a group last week. They were really nice people, and I would have liked to become involved, but evenings are not a good time for me.
My energy levels tend to be quite low, and to get a decent sleep, I need to follow quite a regimented sleep hygiene routine. Activity in the evening doesn’t make that easy. It affects my sleep, and not in a good way, so I’ve had to step away from being involved in that particular group, which is a shame.
It’s a fine balancing act. I’ve tried a few different online groups, which suit me a lot better, but obviously you don’t connect with people in your local area that way. So again, it’s not perfect, but I’m sure it will come together over time.
