Hello Callalloo~
Hope Asheville and Moke are all doing great!
I'm currently waiting for my 'big' 10 minute consult with the OS in AShland. I've had all the x-rays and an MRI for him to evaluate and see what his plan is for the numbness in my toes..probably due to the narrowing of my lumbar area that's causing this..bone spurs..lovely...
Actually..since I've been taking R~lipoic acid that seems to have gotten better. I'm doing Doctor's Best product, which is stabilized R~lipoic acid with bioEnhanced Na~RALA.
My dexa scores were greatly improved....now trying to do the right things to 'heal' the compression frxs without any surgeries or 'glue'....using the far-infrared belt everyday on my upper and lower back as well as my knees.
Solving the stenosis problem will get explained on Wednesday's appointment. I'm not into any kind of intrusive surgery for a 'fix'..so the jury is out on that...BUT....my biggest concerns right now is 'balance' or the lack thereof. My knees are shot..OS..my x-rays show...bone on bone..so I started doing Turmeric and bioperine...but also found a good book about regaining knee strength called..."Treat your own knees" by Jim Johnson. It's a very informative little book and written with humor. I'm gleaning a lot from it. I've started out with the basics..like standing with one leg a bit raised...not so easy these days...but, after a couple of days doing this exercise..I can see improvement already!..Now, if I can do this exercise with my eyes closed...I will have truly progressed. Since we all face the doom of a fall..having good balance is an essential part of this. He also has some simple but powerful exercises to do to help with the knee pain associated with things like stairs and well anything 'knee' related. Gaining strength back in the large muscles that support the knee is most beneficial.
I think my next step is to get a treadmill..and build up my walking time. I live in a place where I can't just walk out the door to go for a walk...then..when I do drive to an area to take a walk..even with my walking sticks..I find that tripping over the smallest of things..or even getting my shoe stuck can cause a fall. So, maybe walking on a treadmill will allow me the time to put in without the fear of falling.
I am mostly living a plant-based diet..but trying to get the right amount of proteins isn't easy eating this way...but gee..my cholesterol levels have gotten better! Life is such a tradeoff, right?!
I'm ready for this next phase...more walking and regaining my balance. I realize that I'm fortunate to not be on a lot of medications that can counter one another..which I feel a lot of us are are for other reasons. I'm only on the generic Keppra to avoid having another seizure. I've had two in the past..once when my son passed away..about 7 years ago and then another 6 years ago...I wasn't handling the death of my son very well..as I was caregiving for my husband and really couldn't do too much grieving around him...and then when his health was failing..I again had one...but have been seizure free for 6 years now. I just want to get my health back after all this time and heartbreak....whatever time I have left, I want to be able to enjoy it...but on my terms. I'm an 'older' hippy lady...not hooked up to a lot of mainstream medications and dooming reactions to them. I'm into self care and treating my body, mind and spirit with ameliorative and healthier choices..which goes along with my peace of mind.
Now that I'm alone...except for my sweet Lilli-lou kitty...I have to maintain my health for me as well as for her and her forever home, I hope to always be. Being strong and positive is helpful of course....after so much heartbreak, I'm just trying to heal my broken heart and enjoy my days.
Time is not on our sides...but hopefulness is...I wish you the best days ahead! Bless you all.....