The other day while visiting with a friend I mentioned the health goals that I have for myself including my eating and drinking habits. Her comment was “That sounds like a lot of work” and My response was “It is and you’ve got to be highly motivated to do it”. She agreed.
My motivation?
Staying as mentally healthy and as physically able for as long as I can. That for me means being able to walk (without a walker or cane), being able to take care of my daily chores, i.e. buying groceries and cooking and cleaning, and having the mental capacity to take care of my finances while living alone and feeling alive.
At the age of 83, I currently have glaucoma, environmental allergies, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, arthritis over my entire body, Rotator cuff issues in both shoulders (one worse than the other), diverticulitis, GERD, and lymphedema. I have been prescribed pills for everything but lymphedema. I get injections for the knees, upper and lower back, and both shoulders as needed.
Lymphedema, arthritis, bone issues, and glaucoma cannot be cured. Therefore I’m just trying to do what I can to reduce pain and increase strength as much as possible.
My health goals are to get off blood pressure meds, reduce inflammation, and get rid of GERD/Reflux and diverticulitis symptoms.
I hope to either remove the thyroid pills or reduce their strength.
In other words, I want to remove all those pills that can cause another health issue that requires another pill that can cause another health issue (you get the picture).
I’ve been on an elimination diet of yeast and wheat products along with a few other foods that I have found to be sensitive to.
Since the elimination, I’ve not had any issues with GERD/Reflux, or symptoms from diverticulitis. My theory is the elimination of yeast and wheat helped reduce my pain level. This allowed me to stop taking a pain pill that I’ve taken for years that causes issues with the stomach. With the reduction of the pain, I was able to discontinue the pain pill which caused the GERD and Reflux to stop.
My blood pressure is not yet at the level the doctor wants but it’s not as high as it was.
This is my third month in the process of writing this and I have yet to get all of my tests done or begin to take my vitamins. But even now I sleep better (unless I’m on blood pressure meds). Blood pressure meds sap me of energy, and cause sleepiness and brain fog.
Here’s what I’m doing.
- 1. Eliminating foods that I’ve discovered are not good for my system which appears to be helping with inflammation
- 2. Getting several nontraditional blood work and stool work analyzed in an attempt to discover the cause of some of my issues
- 3. Getting traditional tests done on the digestive system to either rule out or to see if there is something new going on
- 4. Getting physical therapy to aid in balance and certain kinds of exercises and stretches to reduce pain
- 5. Taking a Yin Yoga class to help me with breath control/breathing, and managing stress/anxiety.
- 6. Take the time to meditate/do breath control exercises
- 7. Getting acupressure massages
- 8. Taking vitamins based on the results of my lab work
To be very honest, what I’m doing not only requires high motivation but also requires time, energy, and money. It’s expensive and time-consuming to get the kinds of foods (fresh and prepared) and vitamins required as well as to pay for the kind of physician that it takes to assist in this process.
But if it will keep me out of assisted living or the nursing home (which is expensive), I’ll do it.
Admittedly I don’t know how this will all work out. But if how I’m feeling at the beginning of this game is any clue, I’m looking forward to the future.
I’m giving it 9 – 12 months to see if I’m accomplishing my goals and by how much. That amount of time should determine if what I’m doing is working or not.