Thursday, March 24, 2011

An Apple A Day...

Hello friends!

It's been another long while since my last post.  I apologize for not writing consistently for you to keep you updated about the goings-on in my life.  I would like to tell you that I've been busy with projects but honestly, I've been kind of lazy, depressed and unmotivated.

I have been to the doctor (exciting, I know) and am working on trying to be a "better", healthier me. 

I discussed the headaches that I've been getting for a couple of years now & she said that they are indeed migraines and has prescribed some medication to help.  The first time I tried the medication, I had some pretty severe reactions to it.  My throat got tight, I felt extremely light-headed & dizzy, I was extremely nauseaus and almost went home from work.  There was also what felt like an extreme pressure in my head until the headache faded.  These feelings lasted about 2-3 hours.  I talked with my doctor about this & she mentioned that those are side-effects that can occur.  She prescribed a lower dosage and the last migraine I had, I took one of those pills.  I felt a little pressure in my head for about 30 to 45 minutes then poof!  It was gone!  I haven't had another migraine since & it's been 3 days!  She wants me to go in for an MRI to make sure there aren't any underlying problems causing the migraines so I'll have to schedule that appointment soon.

We also started discussing some other issues that I've been having. 

For my insomnia, she told me that I can continue to work with over the counter sleep aids (since they are working & once we go down the path of prescription sleep aids, you can't really go back) or I can try taking a melatonin supplement to try and regulate my sleep schedule.  So while I was picking up my new prescription, I picked up some melatonin & have been taking that.  It takes a couple of months to assist but it's a more natural way to train my body to sleep than taking medication.

I talked about my weight & overall health.  I got my bloodwork back & it looks pretty good.  My cholesteral isn't bad but could be better and everything else looked ok I guess.  I'm going to have to call to discuss the results over the phone so I'm sure I understand everything.  As far as nutrition goes, she's referred me to a nutritionist and told me that trying to focus on small accomplishments (for example, telling myself to walk 30 minutes, 3 days a week instead of, "You must go for a walk every day") will help me get started.

She also referred me to a phone number so that I can find a therapist that is covered by my insurance.  That will be really helpful and help me with my depression.  I know I'm depressed & my doctor mentioned something to me that it appears as though I've been dealing with it for so long that I've just accepted that this is how I feel and I've coped with it as best as I can.  Well, I'll tell you all - I'm tired of coping with it!

I found out something interesting...  Depression can lead to insomnia, migraines & weight gain (well, that part I knew) & I know it has a huge effect on my motivation to get up & excercise or eat right.  Maybe if I can get that under control, the rest will fall into place.

I will be heading to another doctor to get the "womanly" stuff worked on.  Maybe the depression has something to do with the reason why I haven't gotten pregnant yet.  We'll be looking into all of that soon too.

How are you doing?  Have you been to the doctor recently?  Are you working on making yourself a healthier, happier person?  What are the struggles you deal with when trying to be healthy?

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I Just Want to Be Ok by Sarah A. Manning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Monday, March 7, 2011

It's March Already?

I know...  It's been a while...  A LONG while.  I'm sorry, readers.  I've kind of been on a "bender" of sorts.  No, there's not been any liquor involved (I'm not sure if that part is good or bad but I guess it is what it is) but I have been pretty out of sorts.

I'm pretty certain that there comes a time in everybody's life where everything just seems so overwhelming.  It's hard to feel like you're in control, which in reality, you're not.  That fact is very unnerving to me.  To feel completely out of control and so unsure of anything and everything...  I forget that with my faith, it is these times that I should be lifting my worries up to God & letting Him handle them because after all, He is the one that is really in control.

I'm struggling a lot with what information to include in this blog.  I really don't have a problem with sharing different tidbits of information but there are other people in my life that feel that personal information & venting should be done in private and not in a public forum.  I find that it can be helpful for me to write my thoughts down "on paper" and share certain things with others to obtain a different point of view and perhaps some advice.  For things that I believe too personal to share with just anybody (especially on a public blog where most people know exactly who I am), I do have a private blog but I hate to keep so many of you in the dark (assuming, of course, you actually enjoy reading my "real" thoughts!).

I would like to be able to write about how I really feel and not worry about people being upset with me.  I feel as though people believe Facebook should only be for the "happy" things in life and never to vent or voice your opinion about a personal situation.  I don't want to just write about the "happy" things.  That's not being true to myself or being honest with those around me.

I do agree that you shouldn't bash people publically on Facebook (for example, to have your status be:  My [sister, brother, mother, father, spouse] is such a/an [insert name-calling here]!  I can't believe [he/she] [insert exactly what they did here]!) , however I feel that it is ok to state that you're frustrated/upset with someone (leaving them nameless) & to vent a little.  It gives your friends an opportunity to share some perspective & support your way.  I know I could use all the support I can get.

So what do you think?  What would you consider to be too personal to share through a public blog?  Where do you think the line should be drawn?  Is it ok to write about your encounters with other people as long as you don't include their names?

Feel free to share this blog with others!  I'd like as many opinions as I can get!