January Sixth; Didn’t Expect That

Changes

Before Christmas I wasn’t feeling well. I will admit now I was concerned and frightened. A fitness watch I had purchased with help from my son, showed my blood pressure was higher than it had ever been. I was also having chest pains. Not stabbing, double you over pains but the pain that just went on and on. I blamed it largely on stress and partially on inactivity. I have no health insurance so going to the doctor was not an option. I did not put all belief in that band as it is an inexpensive brand that’s accuracy may or may not be on point. Still, the physical feelings were real. I couldn’t ignore that.

I did some online research for ways to ease stress. Stop smoking, did that well over thirty years ago. Cut back on alcohol. I don’t consume alcohol so you can’t cut back much more than that. Lose excess weight. That doesn’t apply either. Eat healthier foods, its right after the holidays, I still have homemade goodies left, but I get it. Get more sleep. I’m working on that and actually doing better than I have in the last nearly five years. Exercise. That one I need to get back at. Meditation, walks in nature, long hot baths, reading, music, even holding a purring cat or petting dogs helps. As do hobbies such as learning an instrument, painting, crochet, gardening.

I knew that most of the stress was coming from the pressure I was putting on myself over Christmas and over taking care of my parents and wondering if I am doing as well as I could. I think I am, mom keeps thanking me, but you always want to try and do more, do better. I was also afraid of how my first time at desert would turn out but that also went okay. Since we are past Christmas and New Year’s Day, that pressure is gone as well. Yet I still need to lower that blood pressure.

I researched supplements and made a list. I then contacted two people who I knew to be well versed in supplements and their uses. Both suggested the same supplements. These are the ones I am currently taking. Ashwagandha. L-theanine, B Complex and Niacin. I have been taking a combination of Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium, Selenium and a lot of vitamin C plus vitamin D. Its a wonder I don’t rattle when I walk but I don’t take them all at the same time so there is that.

I have also began cutting off my coffee consumption around six in the evening and began drinking hot herbal tea of various blends. I had some here that I had purchased a while back, but I couldn’t get into the habit of drinking. Now I enjoy them and they seem to be helping me sleep much better. I still have nights when I wake and stare into the dark for a while but nowhere near like what I once did.

All of this has helped me greatly. The chest pains are all but gone. Yesterday when I discovered that extortion email I allowed a moment of panic and then dismissed the fear. If something were to be released claiming to be me, my real friends and family would know it for the lie it is.

That’s all well and good you may be thinking, but what was it that I didn’t expect?

Warmth. A better regulation of body temperature. For as long as I can remember, I have been very cold natured. If the temperature dropped below seventy degrees Fahrenheit I was cold and reaching for sweaters. Since this vitamin regime has gotten into my system and taken hold, I have not suffered as before. Currently it is forty-five here according to the icon on the computer. I have doors open and the furnace off. There is a low fire burning in the other room but the cat still prefers that warm area. When we went to the Jeep event the other night, I was chilly, but completely fine with the hoodie I was wearing. I am amazed and over joyed. If this keeps up I won’t have to listen to my son telling me to stop being cold. Because I have.

I know from what I was told, that the Niacin will open up restricted blood vessels. So maybe that is largely what is helping me in the warmth. Which ever and what ever is helping, I am thankful because when I get cold, every muscle start stiffening up and takes a while to release. That trembling violently thing is also not fun.

And before any one from the medical field gets all upset with me.. here are my don’t try this at home words of warning and advice.

I do not recommend taking supplements blindly. Many supplements can work against medications so discussing it with your personal physician is important.

I also don’t recommend going without insurance if it can be helped, though I know for many it isn’t a viable option. In all honesty, that is the one thing I hate about not working, no insurance. But so far the Lord has kept me healthy and I am grateful for that blessing.

I don’t recommend diagnosing oneself through online searches as those can be misleading even though there is a wealth of information available. One has to comprehend what they are reading and understand that many different illness and injuries have the same symptoms and some can only be accurately diagnosed through testing.

I definitely do not recommend ignoring the alerts your body is giving you that there is a problem.

I also understand that there are times when we are our own best physician. We know our body. We know when something is off. It is important that we seek the answers needed over those times. If one doctor dismisses you, doesn’t listen or believe, there are other doctors. Keep after it until you find the one who will listen, believe and assist you in finding those answers.

One cannot overdose on the enjoyment of the purring of cats. Slash is the one eating. Itty Bitty is standing hear the wet food, Moe on the bottom step and Swoosh is the mostly white standing on the edge of the steps.