Oh lumbago

[ritaxis]

Not of general interest.

Saw my primary doctor and these are the findings: as I gained weight, my triglycerides went up, which ruins the rest of my numbers (I would seriously be totally normal if the triglycerides were lower). Both of these due to eating too much carbohydrates (and too much total) and not exercising enough. I have a pocketful of reasons for both of those, but the point is to analyze the reasons and overcome them, not dismiss them as excuses.

One big reason is the extensive arthritis in both knees and in my lower and middle back. What I knew of the back stuff was that I had significant damage there "but not causing any of the immediate problems" as of two years ago. Now, with recurrent bouts of usually relatively mild sciatica and a general feeling of ill-at-ease in my back and legs, I would not say that anymore. It increases my reluctance to do things and contributes to my laziness.

So the approach is: back on the diet of mostly vegetables, without comfort eating: find a way to overcome the awkwardness around movement and move, back on the physical therapy wagon, and dog damn it, knee surgery. The first consult appointment available is two and a half weeks. I have that. There's no really viable surgical approach to the back. For very desperate people there are surgeries, but they just don't work all that often or all that well.

I rode my bike to the new doctor's office and didn't take the folding cane because I would just be walking from the bike rack to the waiting room, right? But the bike rack is a city block away from the entry door. I made my comment to the receptionist and she said "I know, you're not the first one to complain, we're working on it, I'll add your complaint to the others."

I did like getting on my bike again for the first time since Prague.

On another front, it rained and rained last night. On my laundry, but I note this more as a note of humor than a true complaint, because hey, it rained and rained! We love rain.

Comments

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard any reports from anyone I know who actually had back surgery that were positive. One friend made his lemonade from those lemons -- by taking enormous amounts of pain killing drugs, staying whacked out all the time. This was back in the earlier 90's when oxy and such meds were far more easily available and prescribed. He liked it, but ultimately the drug use killed him before his time. Heart. Because he ate badly and never moved. He made life miserable for everyone too.

Which is why people like you (and me) don't make those choices, I guess.

You have all my sympathies.

Love, C.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

My back is fortunately not all that painful. It's just not wonderfully functional. It's not completley unfunctional: I can lift and carry and I can shovel, awkwardly and slowly. But I know what it's like to have the kind of pain that you can't ignore and breathe through, and I feel for the people who do. And yes, it disturbs me that some of these things can lead in that direction.

[erikagillian.livejournal.com]

My mom has had both knees replaced. First time was an ordeal but the recent one was a cake walk. You also sound a bit more committed to exercise than she is, so maybe even easier for you. Of course, good painkillers management and good PT are important. And she had it done at Tahoe-Forest in Truckee, which is a great little hospital but not Bay Area good :)

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

I am ridiculously uneven with exercise. Myh talk with the doctor this afternoon recommitted me to figuring out a thing I can do regularly given the current conditions (which actually involve a healthy dose of "I can really do whatever I want, if I remember that").

I figure the knee is standard enough I can probably have it done in Santa Cruz and not go over the hill for it.