March 2020

Pill Swallowing Techniques for Pill Haters

4 Comments / Living With Chronic Pain / /

I hate taking pills. Big ones. Little ones. Pink ones. Blue ones. Doesn’t matter. If it’s medicine, it doesn’t go down easy. You know the line – hard pill to swallow – well, it’s a metaphor for a reason.

I can just about swallow a cheeseburger whole, but put a tiny little pill in my pie eater, and my gag reflex engages like I took a swallow of expired (read chunky) milk straight from the carton. 

GROSS.

There's a Name For It

Difficulty swallowing pills, or Dysphagia, can be caused by fear, pain, or other mental or physical conditions that can lead to dry mouth, gagging, choking, and sometimes even vomiting.

Personally, and in the absence of all logic, I’d rather suffer a five-day blackout migraine than take a Tylenol. Unfortunately, for the majority of chronic pain sufferers – myself included – pill swallowing avoidance is not an option.

For most people, the basics of pill swallowing are not rocket science. Put pill in mouth. Fill with liquid. Swallow. But when you’re like me, and you hate taking pills, this method often doesn’t work. Might have something to do with the Globus Sensation. A tightening of the throat not related to a physical condition brought on by stress, anxiety, or fear.

In other words, it’s all in my head.

Helpful Advice

So what can we do when a spoonful of sugar doesn’t help the medicine go down? Well, there are plenty of articles out there offering suggestions on how to take your medicine. Recommendations include:

  • Drinking lots of water – before, during, and after the pill swallowing attempt
  • Employing the use of relaxation techniques – deep breathing, throat humming
  • Visualizing success or changing the inner monologue – I can do this, as opposed to, I can’t do this
  • Building up tolerance – practice makes perfect, people – I have witnessed this as truth
  • Establishing routines – taking your medicines at the same time and in the same way, daily

Edith's Technique

All of the above may work for some people. Not for me. I have my own method…probably a genetic tic I inherited from my father who also hated swallowing pills, but who ultimately ended up eating them by the handful – kinda like me and smarties.

Anyhoo, the technique is simple really.

  • **Put liquid in mouth first – this is the critical first step
  • Squeeze pill between pressed lips avoiding liquid dribbling onto chin
  • Don’t let pill touch any other part of the mouth including teeth, tongue, and palate
  • Squeeze eyes as tight as possible
  • Grimace
  • Swallow
  • Repeat swallowing with as much additional liquid as necessary
  • Thank God when success ensured and pill hits the wide-open space of the stomach
  • Grimace again
  • Finally, go about your daily business proud of the fact that you wore your big girl pants to the pill-popping party and showed that little yellow bitch who’s boss

Seriously though, is there a little bit of resentment on my part about having to take medication at all? Hell, yeah. I hate taking pills. To manage my chronic pain, I’ll be taking them for the rest of my life. Truth – I forgot my pill last night and again this morning – could be a passive-aggressive forgetfulness – who knows?

Do I feel better when I remember to take my current prescription? Yes. Yes, I do.

How about you? Do you take your medicine like a kid in a candy store? Or are you more like me? A two-year-old who needs to be wrestled to the ground and forced to open her mouth, leaving the parent sweating in a crumpled heap of defeat five minutes later?

Hope you’re all staying safe, practicing social distancing, and taking your pills regularly and on time!

Until the next blog – peace out pain sufferers.

Current pain level 4/10.

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Stress – Don’t Let it Kill You

8 Comments / Living With Chronic Pain / /

No question, we are living in stressful times, and that was before the onset of COVID-19 and the impacts of social distancing.

Stress is a normal part of our daily lives, even positive life changes like getting a promotion, planning a wedding, buying a house, or even the birth of a child or a grandchild can produce a stress response.

Our bodies react when change occurs. Mentally, physically, or emotionally, we’re going to have a stress response to the majority of situations we face daily. Doesn’t matter if we’re aware of our stress or not, we all react to some degree, our individual responses varying depending on our personal triggers.

Stress isn’t all bad. It keeps us alert, ready to avoid danger, motivated to take action. These are good reactions. Most of the time, stress keeps us alive, driving our responses to emergencies by infusing our bodies with adrenaline for a potential “fight or flight” situation.

Here’s the deal though, prolonged activation of our stress responders causes both mental and physical wear and tear on the body. 

Symptoms of chronic stress can include:

  • Headache/dizziness
  • Upset stomach/gastrointestinal problems
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Chest pain
  • Depression
  • Panic attacks
  • Anxiety
  • Sexual dysfunction – whaaaat! Ain’t nobody got time for that!
  • Muscle tension/pain especially in neck, face, and shoulders
  • General aches and pains
  • Sleep issues
  • Cognitive issues
  • Weight loss or gain

There’s more – the list can go on and on – but I think you get the idea!

In addition, prolonged stress can bring on or worsen symptoms associated with other diseases and chronic pain ailments, such as:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Cancer
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes

Again, this list can go on for pages. So, I’m gonna stop here, cause it’s stressing me out.

5 ways to reduce stress:

The good news…there’s lots of advice out there on how to manage stress. And yep, these are going to sound remarkably similar to the things we should be doing to reduce chronic pain and maintain our overall health:

  • Exercise
  • Eat healthily
  • Get proper sleep
  • Take medications on time
  • Utilize relaxation techniques – deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai-chi

5 additional ways to reduce stress:

Keep a positive attitude – not always easy, but it goes a long way in times like these.

Be assertive – let people know what you need but keep the drama for your mama. Actually scratch that, she’s probably more stressed than you are. Just be kind while being assertive.

Make time for hobbies – write that blog, take that walk in nature, make that recipe you’ve been dying to try.

Set limits and manage your time effectively – don’t spend hours upon hours doing shit you hate.

Seek out social support – it’s why we have a tribe, people! We don’t need to be in the same room. Heck, we don’t even need to be in the same country to support each other in a meaningful way. For me, memes, emojis, and inspirational quotes posted on Facebook don’t count as meaningful! They can be funny or moving, but they don’t replace personal interaction.

Finally, if you find yourself needing a little extra support in managing your stress, seek professional help as required. Sadly, I’m not a professional…look for a qualified therapist!

The point is, do what you like to do – and what you can do – to reduce your stress. You’ll live longer. You’ll be happier. The people around you will be happier. We’ll all be rolling around in a big pile of stress-free happiness. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Unrealistic.

But lovely.

So tell me, what are some of the things that stress you out, and what do you do to manage your stress?

Personally, I get super stressed when the three men in my life (Roy and the boys) get to bickering about EVERYTHING. It drives me nuts. Usually, I end up yelling about how crazy they all are before I remove myself to a quieter room in the house. 

Fight and flight. That’s me.

I also get to organizing when I’m stressed. Rough week at work – look out junk-drawer – I’m coming for you!

Anyhoo, I got no time for stress right now. I’m up to my eyeballs managing COVID-19 emails. So, I’ll end this blog by saying, stay safe out there, and practice social distancing, if not for the sake of your health, then do it for someone you love!

Take care, everyone.

Until the next blog – peace out pain sufferers.

Current pain level 6/10.

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Living in a COVID-19 World

11 Comments / Living With Chronic Pain / /

Today is my last day of sitting by the pool in Florida. Ask me two weeks ago, and I would have said I’m in no hurry to get home. Ask me last week, same thing.

Today?

Well, I’m not in a hurry, but I am looking forward to it.

No, not the weather, unless by some miracle it’s twenty-four degrees with non-stop sunshine. Nope. Still have the same aversion to winter and cold temperatures as when I left.

What’s prompting my change of heart?

COVID-19.

Ten simple COVID-19 strategies for the immunocompromised...

Am I fearful? No. Worried? Not more than your average immunocompromised person. Basically, I know what to do to protect my family and myself as best I can.

  1. Twenty-second hand washing routine
  2. Sneezing and coughing etiquette – tissues when available, elbows when not
  3. Social distancing
  4. Flu shot
  5. Routine home disinfection
  6. Responsible household preparation – no unnecessary hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizer
  7. Keeping abreast of the situation without increasing stress levels (super important for chronic pain sufferers)
  8. Monitoring of elderly and higher risk family members
  9. Staying home if feeling sick or unwell
  10. Self-isolating and seeking medical attention if flu-like symptoms present

This is not a drill...

Well then, if I’m not overly worried about it, why is COVID-19 the reason I’m looking forward to going home? Good question. Happy to answer it.

My former boss called while I was on vacation. She’s been tagged as the Public Health Agency of Canada, COVID-19 Event Manager. I told her she would be before I left on vacation two and a half weeks ago – so no surprise there.

The surprise came when she asked me to join her, taking on my former role as her advisor. It’s a high profile job for her, and she wants me on her team.

I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER.

So much of my identity is wrapped up in my job, and when my (read favorite) boss left to take on a bigger challenge, my role in the organization I stayed with shifted not so subtly. Personally, I need to feel like I’m contributing in a significant way at work, and that wasn’t happening.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll fetch coffee, manage HR or finance issues, change calendar appointments. No problem. I’m more than willing to do what needs doing to allow others to focus on priority issues.

But I also need to feel like my ability to work at my level is recognized. I need to know the advice and guidance I give to senior management is heard and considered.

My former boss trusted my advice, and she took it – or not – as appropriate, but she never made me feel like I couldn’t or shouldn’t contribute – even with the fibro fog stifling my words on some days.

And that’s why I’m looking forward to coming home and going back to work, because I know, supporting her on the Canadian COVID-19 response will be a challenge and an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to an important public health issue for our country.

Contributing to the cause...

All this to say, I’m going to be busy, with a lot of my time dedicated to being the best advisor I can be. As a result, some things are going to take a back seat – writing and blogging possibly being one of those things. We’ll see how it goes.

There are other things, however, I’m determined to keep on keeping on. Healthy eating and exercise are at the top of my list – more important than ever with everything going on in the world today – not to mention the benefits of both on stress management.

Anyway, my computer is overheating and acting wonky because I’m sitting in the sun, so I gotta wrap this up. I just wanted to take this opportunity to touch base with all of you before I start my marathon drive home, and to express my hope that you’re all able to prioritize your mental and physical health in the coming weeks.

How about you?  I would love to hear how you are coping with COVID-19 and what the impacts have been on you, work, family, etc. Or, if you have any tips or tricks to share on how to stay as healthy as possible in light of the situation, leave them in the comments below. I’m sure there are many in the tribe who are maybe a little anxious and could use the support.

Until the next blog – peace out pain sufferers.

Current pain level 3/10.

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When Yoga Hurts

14 Comments / Living With Chronic Pain / /

I enjoy going to yoga. The act of getting to the gym in the dead of winter – not so much – but once I’m there. I’m good.

Okay, truth. I’m good when I get into the yoga room.

First, I have to walk the gauntlet of judgey machines, ellipticals, treadmills, rowers, stationary bikes, all of them mocking my flabby belly for passing them by. You should be doing a cardio workout they clamor.

Next come the weight machines, usually occupied by a couple of burly guys lifting heavy loads, and making it look easy. They don’t pay any attention to me, and I’m grateful, and also a little putout.

I’m fifty. I’m not dead.

And now, I’m wondering if they can see my panty lines through my yoga pants.

Keep walking. Keep walking.

Enter the yoga center...

Okay – yep – now I’m good. No judging here. No judging out there either but – helloooo – crazy brain talking.

Take a breath. Register. Grab a mat, a bolster, a strap, a couple of blocks, two pads – not one – but two pads for my knees. Set up my space, near the wall, at the back. Now I wait. Do a bit of stretching on my own.

A pre-stretch stretch. Cause I’m gonna need all the help I can get.

The instructor arrives, young, peppy, cute. I try not to judge. She’s about to kick my ass.

She starts the music. It’s soothing. She talks us through some slow breathing. At least, I think she is. I can’t actually hear her. Stooopid ears. Deep breaths now. Feel your chest expand. Mine feels like it hits a wall. I can’t breathe as deep as I used to. Stooopid Ankylosing Spondylitis. Oh, shit! We’re moving now. Okay. Downward dog. I got this. Glasses slip off my nose. Now I can’t see. Stooopid eyes.

She goes through the yoga routine. I follow along as best I can. Yep, you bet, I feel the stretch of muscles that have been neglected for too long. It feels good. It hurts, but it’s a good kinda hurt. The instructor takes us down to the floor for the end of class unwind, the find your inner peace moment. She’s still talking. I still can’t hear her, and my brain’s still going a mile a minute, but hey, I did it. Yay! I made it through my first yoga class since I stopped going…in February of 2019.

Barbie isn't real...

I started back at it in January 2020. One class that first week – Stretch and Unwind – not bad, I can do this. Moved up to two Stretch and Unwind classes by the third week.

Too easy. I’m a yoga ninja now, so I sign up for the Hips and Shoulders class. Not gonna lie. I started to cry about halfway through. Not because I was in pain. I was…in pain, but that wasn’t why the silent tears rolled. Nope. It was the dawning realization that there’s shit I can’t do anymore and am never going to be able to do again.

It was the frog pose that did it. My hips will not allow my legs to open in that way. Not without snapping off my body like Barbie doll legs. Problem is – I’m pretty sure mine won’t snap back on.

It sucks losing something that came to you so easily before. I’ve always been flexible, always been athletic. Team sports mostly. Basketball was my first love, followed by soccer. Both fast-paced. Both high-impact.

I continued to play my favorite sports as long as I could. Somewhere in my early thirties, the pain started to outweigh the gain, and it took longer and longer for my muscles to recover from a game. Add in the Fibro fatigue, and sometimes it was everything just to drag myself onto the court or the field. It got to the point where I couldn’t play any longer, not without risking a serious injury.

My auto-immune diseases took sports from me.

Not the love of sports, but the ability to play them. That was tough; I was an athlete stuck in a non-athletic body. I ate my feelings, gained weight. Eventually, I joined the gym, tried going to aerobics classes, lifted weights, trudged along on the cardio machines. I hated it. Kept trying to convince myself otherwise, but yeah, I’m not a gym girl.

After the tears...

Now I walk for exercise, do yoga for muscle conditioning, and recently I tried aquafit. I loved it. I think I smiled through the entire class. Thanks for bringing me, Suzanne! So I’m adding aquafit to my list of things I CAN do to help myself stay mobile.

Happily, aquafit is one of the activities offered at the resort I’m staying at in Florida, and I’ve been to two classes. The instructor is sixty, funny, and a ball of energy. She makes me laugh out loud, these days, it’s what I need. A group activity where I don’t need to speak to anyone if I’m not in the mood, but the option is there.

Best part – nothing hurts after.

SCORE!

Sure, as I continue along on my wellness journey, there will be more tears, more frustrations, more things I can’t do. But I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m figuring out what I can do. It’s all part of the process.

For now, Jodie is waiting for me to get my butt in gear. We’re going for a walk – to IHOP for breakfast – what could be better? Exercise I can do, sunshine and prescription sunglasses, a delicious and healthy breakfast, and a best friend to share it with.

If I’m crying, they’re happy tears.

Wishing you all a low pain week.

Until the next blog – peace out pain sufferers.

Current pain level 4/10.

**Still waiting to hear back from Subscriber 26 -WASSHES. If that’s you, check your spam folder. You’re one of two winners of the Sharing is Caring Prize Package. Please touch base with me by March 14 to secure your win!

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Winners of the Sharing is Caring Prize Packages Are…

Leave a Comment / Living With Chronic Pain / /

Subscriber number 26, you are the winner of the random draw for the Sharing is Caring Prize Package!

Email sent your way. Looking forward to connecting with you.

Subscriber number 12, you are the subscriber with the most blog post shares! Email sent your way as well.

Will make a formal announcement on the blog as soon as both winners get back to me!

Thanks for entering everyone!

There will be another Sharing is Caring Prize in the future. Maybe when I reach my original goal of 100 subscribers?! Who knows, in the meantime, if you enjoy the blog, and want to keep helping the tribe grow, keep on sharing!

For now, peace out pain sufferers.

Edith

P.S. Sorry for the crappy video guys!

And OMG – no one ever told me my voice was like nails on a blackboard!

Will work on my video skills, as to voice, I think we’re all shit out of luck!

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