Changin' it up to SPARK my health :)

Try some increase in physical activity and don't forget mental activity. It seems that a lot of studying and thinking about more complex matters and trying some problem solving can help tire me out. Medical and veterinary topics seem pretty useful in this way. Remember I like this type of topic material, so it might take something different for you.

Edited by: SDANLSON at: 11/24/2017 (21:44)

The bad things linked to poor sleep patterns include weight gain (just what we don't need) and possibly increased cancer risks. I read on line that fibromyalgia (or any source of chronic pain -
even if we are used to ignoring it except when it is worse than usual) and some breathing problems (COPDs, serious congestion problems, etc) seem to be linked with having sleeping problems if others have those problems too. I guess we need to try to stay stay active since at least that seems to help. For some people (like my brother) any antihistamines will put them to sleep, for the rest of us there is little or no effect.

sending prayers

You've got it! I cannot imagine. You are one strong lady!

A lot has happened in the last few months. Hubby Charles and I both caught a horrible virus. He was especially ill because of all his other medical issues and ended up in the hospital for 12 days and then a nursing home for awhile. He's back home now, but much weaker than before. He's been back to the ER several times and has been hospitalized once since his return from the nursing home.

I think I am not completely over the virus, and my care-taking responsibilities are heavier than ever. It is so exhausting! I did lose a bunch of weight. I would forget to eat sometimes. Anyone who prays, please pray for us!

Thanks, Kathleen

That's great that you started one in your area!

My DH had a horrible cold/flu last week. It knocked him down for several days and he's still not feeling 100%. So thankful I didn't catch it.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

OH! Regarding Brain Injury Groups, I actually facilitate a county group here where I live. We have been going for 4.5 yrs. :)

Hey everyone,
Great to see y'all here. I have been sick with a cruddy cold all week (really bad, doesn't usually get me like that,) but I have actually gotten my steps in--whooohoo. I had a doctors appointment today--just a regular checkup and my BP was DOWN and in the IDEAL range! Double yahooo!
We continue to talk about my sleep. My doc mentioned liquid melatonin. Didn't know that existed, so I am going to try it out. I have been taking regular capsules, but found out several months ago it has to be taken 3 hrs ahead of bed--how odd is that? I never knew that!

Our weather has been horrible -- lots of barometric pressure changes so LOTS of headaches this winter. Not been much fun at all. I look forward to gardening... Have done a bit of sewing this winter but not too much-though I have done some teaching of simple tasks to my granddaughter.

Take care all!

Starting activity increases is one of those strange things where even though you you have a hard time getting started (emotional issues maybe??), you will start to feel better and have more energy one you get started. Are there any activities your husband can do with you? You have to find something comfortable and safe for you. We all have to deal with our own deficits and everybody's are different. Walking or bicycling can be a good start. Yardwork, gardening (even in pots and flower boxes and can be something as simple as growing some of your own herbs or flowers you like) and even some major housecleaning or home improvement projects can be done without having to go far and you may feel better seeing results of your own work. I grow tomatoes (grape in my case, but any of the smaller plants may do), broccoli, and basil together in good sized pots. I have had thyme, sage (planted out side), rosemary and oregano plants from stock I bought many years ago. Other handicrafts that require some mental focus can exercise your mind and may make you feel better too. You just have to try things and see what works with you. Do you belong to any local groups, brain injury or otherwise, so you can have some focuses outside of things at home? Online classes and groups (including this one) may be helpful activities too. You need some thing that you can enjoy doing so you will be motivated to continue doing them long term. Activities also give us something to do other than boredom snacking.

I try to shake things up from time to time, but it is hard. I am glad you are celebrating the loss of inches, Barb. That is truly worth celebrating!

I deal with some other health issues, so food choices have been problematic for me as some of the healthiest foods mess up my gut. I am finding ways to slowly incorporate some of those foods, and that has helped me a lot.

I am also exhausted all the time, partly from poor sleep at night; partly from chronic mononucleosis; partly from the rigors of caring for my disabled husband. This makes it difficult to sustain a regular exercise routine.

My immune system is not good. I know a consistently good diet will help this, and I have made a lot of progress toward this. I also know that consistent exercise would help, but I have not made much progress toward that. The lack of energy figures hugely into this problem!

Any suggestions?

Wish I could be more help instead of just asking for help myself!

I usually only sleep a couple of hours each night too. I was on the low side in the lower grades too. They used to let me read during nap times in Kindergarten and first grade since I was reading on the second or third grade level before I started and I rarely slept then. I read at night too starting that early. I came with allergies and congestion problems that will most likely be with me for the rest of my life. The meds that worked best for me are not available anymore since the illegal drug manufacturers liked them as ingredients. My mother's father died young basically from allergies and secondary pneumonia before much was available in the way of antihistamines or antibiotics.


If I get really upset about something I can be up up to 96 hrs. We have a monitor here. My blood pressure will go way up too. I have systolic BPs in excess of 200 at these times instead of in the 130s. Yeah, I usually have to have blood pressure retaken later during doctors apts since I usually get up around 150 early in the apt and drop back down. I started doing this at Brain Injury recheck apts, but it has continued on. Major hi stress GI signs too, so I don't eat at these times.

I had lost weight before my brain injury because of a medical problem, and I was down to 96 # when I came out of the coma. I still had a transtracheal tube for about another three weeks. I had marked dysphagia for almost a year and still have chokes to deal with. At least my veterinary background gave me a starting point in dealing with it, so I knew to start walking during episodes and yes I have had to get up at restaurants and go walking in the parking lot for a while a couple of times too. This has been going on 25 yrs now so it's nothing new to friends and family.

Unfortunately, sleep disorders seem to be linked with extra body weight and snacking. I try to keep around a little raw broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots (they have bags in most stores and they are not real expensive). I also like edamame (soybeans in the pod), snowpeas , waterchestnuts, and bamboo shoots. I like raw cabbage too. I also eat some of my container produce including grape tomatoes, broccoli and whatever else I am trying that year when it is in season. I get to use some of my herbs I grow in food prep too. That way I have some low calorie snack food around. I keep some bags of frozen vegetables around too. If there is no fresh, frozen will often do after a bit of microwaving. At least it is something other than sweets or overprocessed carbohydrates. Everyone has to find out what works for them.

I do a fair bit of walking and stairs with animal care, gardening and lawn care. Any regular activity does seem to help. A cat deciding to sleep on me seems to help sometimes too. I guess purring vibrations and being kneaded have that affect on me - as long as I am not too congested. Antihistamines do not put me to sleep like they do my brother and some other people. Everybody is different.

Edited by: SDANLSON at: 3/6/2017 (01:33)

Alrighty. I have been sitting at the same weight (well, within 6 pounds depending on sugar intake) for years... I do not sleep. I keep a record, and the most I have slept is 4.5 hrs and that was when I was sick and on night time cold meds... So I know why my energy isn't UP there the way it could... This is part of my brain trauma. Generally I sleep about 3 hours if I am lucky. I am tired, when I am tired I get cranky, and when I get cranky I want FOOD! Truth.

I have been wearing a fitbit for over 2 yrs now (I have a flex) and appreciate that it gives me feedback. But with my hours being odd, I have days I just cannot get in the 10,000. For WEEKS the term "5x7" has been bugging me. I didn't know what it meant. Well, I am up at 3. I do dumb stuff like laundry and yes, watch tv. I wander around to get a workout but wasn't 'structured' about it. WELL. About 2 weeks ago, I started getting at LEAST 5000 steps in by 7AM. And last week... I upped my number to 11,000. No, not sleeping any better, but I am more consistent in the last two weeks of getting my steps in (I have to break up some of the workout due to knee pain) and by getting that chunk out of the way--even if I DO have a bad day (where I used to get maybe 3000 steps in--about once a week) I am better than I was.

NO, I don't have sleep apnea. I was tested last fall and cried when they told me no... I wish at this point. As I might have a resolution to the problem... but nope.

So. Has anyone else shaken things up to get things going? I mean besides getting off the couch in the first place?

I am still not down weight--but I have lost 2 inches in my hips in the last month.



Edited by: BARBGEO at: 3/4/2017 (21:01)