Ah, the joys of aging!
Have I mentioned the issue I have with scent? For the past 3-4 years, I've slowly developed a severe sensitivity (allergy?) to scent: perfume, after-shave, hand creams, etc; detergent, cigarette smoke, gas and diesel. I can actually feel those things in my nose and throat and at times, all the way down to my lungs. I get an immediate headache and stomach ache; and if I'm exposed too long or the scent is very strong, my sight will be affected and I will develop a migraine that could last for days. It's a serious issue.
I've also been developing noticable respiratory problems over the past 2 years - wheezing in my chest, persistent cough and clearing of my throat (which is never fully cleared), and recently, some added difficulty in breathing. But after 6 or 7 years, I finally have a family doctor. I'm on the list to see a specialist; but in the meantime, he's prescribed asthma meds; one for emergencies (like when I climb mountains) and a daily puffer, Symbicort.
By Day 2, I had to cut the Symbicort dose in half to 1 puff 2x a day. The side effects are more tolerable then. AND it's working already! I can breathe easier, no chest congestion, even my singing voice has improved. (Now I only have what I call the old lady tremolo, so I only sing in the car with the windows up!)
Side effects, you say? Well, there's the headache, nausea, leg cramps, heart palpatations, constipation, flu-like aches, terrible back ache (additional to what I already experience from my injury), constipation, killer heartburn and bloating. AND I hear I'm in for some additional weight gain! Ain't that grand!
(If anyone has any advice to pass on, please do so.)
So, while for my body to adjust to the meds and come into greater balance, I search for more natural ways to deal with the above and ways to make myself feel better. This week's weather has been a bonus: we've had sunshine and high temperatures (for the region and season). I've been taking extra care with my diet; practicing mindfulness, prayer and meditation; and trying to get enough sleep. (My sleep patterns are also affected!) And I'm being more careful about my dress; we all know how wearing something we love can alter our mood.
Yesterday, I put on my comfy thrifted leopard print shoes, my double strand of sparkly purple glass beads, and a newly acquired, thrifted floaty top in a rusty-red color.
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| The color helped to brighten my day and put a smile on my face. You can't even tell that my head hurts, my arms ache and my bloaty belly hurts. After all, it was 18 deg C (64 deg F) and sunny. What's not to be happy about? |
- So, how do you deal with those downer days?
(Now excuse me: I have to go drink my daily glass of prune juice.)
Ahhhhh! The joys of aging!
5 comments:
my husband has copd which is a downer like you described. but the meds help. aging is a pain for sure.
I've had asthma issues for more than 40 years....meds in the 70's were not as efficient and safe as the ones we have now!
Drink plenty of water, if you have carpets think about replacing them, you might need to cover your mattress and wash you pillows more often...
eventually , with care and the meds it will get better.
Pinky swear!
You've moved to a colder part of Canada. Climate does affect health.
7-hour sleep and maintaining normal body weight are very helpful to many health issues.
Search the internet for naturopathic remedies for allergies or make an appointment with a certified naturopath. Conventional doctors will give you meds which don't solve the problems, have side effects, and might ultimately lead, in old age, to dementia and other bad conditions.
Feel well!
So sorry you have developed allergies. It seems that more and more people are doing so. Thankfully I've no problems so far, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. Age does come with it's woes as well as wisdom.
I wish people would quit wearing perfumes. It can be almost unbearable in a crowd. There have been times when its been so strong that I could taste it. Eww!
Blessings~
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