Health Challenges we face

@soulsings

So what kinds of health challenges do you face?

In 1998 my car was hit from behind, giving me whiplash and damaging my upper back.
Standing for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, especially while using my hands to do work is painful.
Taking a shower, shopping for groceries, or doing chores like washing dishes is extra hard.

And how are you coping with these health challenges?

My visiting nurse suggested getting a stool to sit on when doing chores and for the most part it works great.
I have a warning however. Once when I was washing dishes, the wooden stool slipped on spilled water and I fell.
For this reason I don't recommend a stool with wheels, unless the wheels can be locked to prevent rolling.
I glued rubber feet onto my stool and it doesn't slip now.

I have a question for folks in the US. I know there is Prescription Hope besides Medicare Part D. Is there anything else that you know of that is cheap for prescrptions that you don't have to wait the 4-6 weeks for like Prescription Hope?

@soulsings

hi soul, , health challenges are definitively a big topic when aging.

So what kinds of health challenges do you face? I am not as flexible as before, I cannot crawl into tight places (if something fall down) as before. I realized also I simply cannot work as hard as I did anymore, I had to reduce it a lot.

And how are you coping with these health challenges? Trying to stay flexible as much as possible with yoga, and accepting that the body can't do certain things so I became more careful when planning work. It's not so easy for me to slow down but I am understanding more and more that it is not an option.

Had my second spinal surgery 3 weeks ago. Developed pneumonia, thrush and heart failure again. Have had more surgeries than I can count and a host of other medical problems. Can be very frustrating, however I must be like the energizer bunny and keep going.

I was injured in 2011 when the vehickey I was driving was hit from behind estimated by the emergency authorities between 45-65 mph. The person who hit me was on their cell phone at the time. I suffered from back and side pain immediately and migraine headaches but the xrays at the emergency didn't show other damage. So for. 3 years I suffered with chronic pain and some bleeding but still was working part time. Then the pain in my side got so bad I barely could walk and went to the emergency room. I was sent to have ultrasound performed. It was discovered that my liver was enlarged and slightly damaged and my spleen. I changed my primary health care. I work part-time, eat very healthy, frequent discount outlets and farmer's markets and exercise everyday to maintain the best health possible. I use a cane and sometimes have fallen when it gets caught in the crack.Before this I had no known physical disabilities and it really changed my life. I have less energy and have to deal with the stigma, because most people have treated me as if I am lazy or mentally incompetent once I was injured which I am neither. So problems I had such as vision impaired and income challenge just became exasperated. However, I'm trying to overcome those stereotypes without killing myself with exhaustion. I have almost complete retraining and another academic achievement, worked, volunteered, care for my elderly parent, and saw them through 4 surgeries and medical emergencies in the last couple years. We also flees some natural disasters together. I try to stay motivated, because above all else, I want to survive and serve others. I have also entered and attempting long-term therapy. @soulsings

@soulsings

🦋 I am challenged by some autoimmune problems, and my immune system is generally very poor. Though young, these difficulties sometimes become obstacles to my daily life, and I find myself sometimes comparing myself with peers etc. but I try not to.

🦋 I have found that maintaining a diet free of some allergens and immune system targetting foods has helped. Otherwise, I just have to be really careful to not fall ill, and as for comparing, I find reminders that I'm doing my best really helpful! Over the years, my health is quite better, thankfully, so looking back, thats all an encouragement.

About 10 yrs ago, for no known reason, my body stopped producing an enzyme that keeps the veins porous. this made it difficult for me to absorb oxyen thru my lungs, contributed to me becoming diabetic, and generally slowed my recovery from exertions, etc. no one knows how to treat this, so i am on oxygen 24/7, dragging a tank with me when ever i go out of the house, because i herniated a lumbar disk shovelling snow off the roof about then, too. all of this contributed to me gaining a lot of weight, some of which i have since taken off, but still i am 'morbidly obese (which makes many things difficult). i have let all these things get in the way of my being active, so i am losing muscle mass, also.

i am focusing on my spiritual development, figuring that is the most important feature of my life at present (especially since this involves personality adjustments). i have also been active in my brain rehab (from being poisoned 25 yrs ago), and now i spend much of my time online, encouraging and informing others, and playing brain stimulating games. and chatting .

i do sometimes miss being active and fit, but if this is what life has to offer me, i don't see where complaining does much good. i will endure until i can no longer..... also, death holds no fear for me, i have already died twice, and it was lovely. i study the teachings of the Buddhas and find great wisdom and guidance in them. now i am here. that's my motto: be here now~!

@soulsings

For me, the struggle is to have patience to deal with the younger generations.

It seems there is great urgency to have instant gratification.

But the comedy portion is the LACK of forgiveness my body has:
Going to a bar with friends and then the next day ... morning comes so quickly.
Had a pizza and then a week later on the scale.... that pizza is still there!
Asking forgiveness later is not easy on this LOL

August 2021 I had an immediate drastic change in my abilities to function. I called a nurse to ask if I needed to let them know before I went to the ER due to Covid. She asked me what was wrong, I explained I didn't know but just didn't feel right. She told me to come in and asked how I was getting there. I said i would drive. She offered an ambulance telling me I should not drive. I said I would find a ride knowing the expense involved with no insurance, but knew no one to call. She told me to dial 911 for an ambulance if I needed. I told her I could not remember how. She called one for me, and when they arrived I walked to it, but remember nothing after that until waking a few months later in the hospital unable to do anything, including breathe for myself. My brain has been like a newborn...Had to relearn to breathe, to move my fingers, toes, then arms, then legs...crawl, walk, talk....after 8 months I was able to come home and I am still relearning but am blessed to be able to do the things I do now. Thing is, I forget how far I have come, only see how far I have to go. That isn't all bad, so long as I remember to keep working at it. Often I am depressed when I don't see signs of great progress, or I take a step or two backwards, as I have recently. Then I get depressed and that is the main reason I am here. I expected things to gradually become a bit harder as I aged, but never expected to basically go from 55 to 95 in one day.