Keziah, City, Choc et al support thread

[Keziahhopes]

Hi - found us a new home. Just didn't like the title of my old thread - and have found your support so helpful but would also like this thread to be less egocentric .

Choc -hope cbt assessment goes well.

City - how are you doing?

My physio exercises are helping me, but don't see stroke consultant until beginning of July. Still not had OT assessment, but dont' think will need it by then - just been horrible for dh to do everything for me since Easter. Now more independend - just had my first shower by myself!!

Evening Keziah and city. Sounds like we're all doing ok. (Hope the flu is at bay, city and the voice is being nicely rested Keziah). I'm just back from staying with a friend and her ds yesterday/overnight. The change of scenery was lovely BUT my dd was a right pain to sleep with! She kicked and turned all night long and woke up early (5am ) so I didn't get much sleep after staying up chatting. Overall though I am much more relaxed so it was a good last minute decision to up and go . (Alas no chance to read any of my book).

Choc - staying up chatting sounds good - glad you had nice time away.

city - where I live, surprisingly, prescriptions have not changed but I had to wait 5 years for diagnosis due to lots of reasons - but have to be very strict as had a pre-cancerous growth removed from bowel, family of bowel cancer (the serious side of coeliac sadly) so no choice. I get bread, flour, crackers and pasta on prescription and they are the things almost impossible to get in local shops here - as supermarkets have lots of things now but nearly all sweet stuff, not the savoury stuffand flours needed for everyday life etc. And in supermarkets I find the dates of long life bread almost extinct!!! Sorry - not a rant, just happy that although I lose in ivf postcode lottery so far with coeliac I don't. Not sure if it helps that I am under a gastroenterologist and a dietician. But, yes very expensive and we usually cook 2 of everything as I have other food allergies etc.

Did you enjoy the tennnis?x

Glad you get your dues Keziah when dealing with such a serious risk if you can't get the gluten free products. Really interested in coeliac as have family who aren't thrilled with the limitations of their recent diagnoses. Bah at you having had that growth & so glad for modern medicine - so you should be uner the care of a gastroenterologist & dietician .. You're obviously more virtous than I am when choosing the week's shopping < sugar addict >

Brilliant that you took the chance of going to your friend's , choc, but your sleep didn't get a chance to improve , did it . Glad you had a good time including a proper chat & hope you carry that feelig into the week .

Thanks , only saw half the tennis & still don't know who won! We were watching avidly when I realised I needed something from shop before it shut , & delivered birthday card to SIL whilst we were out ... Had a good chat with her & she's doing really well , currently downsizing from the family home a few years after being widowed suddenly . It did dh good to see she's genuinely all right . Eek , sorry for essay . Peaceful sleep to both of you xx

- plenty of shopping that is coeliac and full of sugar !!

Glad you had nice time with SIL - sounds worth missing the tennis for! xx

Laughing at Keziah and city's shopping being full of sugar!! Am I the only virtuous one right now? I can't remember the last time I had any chocolate . I've gone right off it (not like me at all ). Am now wondering if it's anything to do with the venlafaxine. Whatever, I hope it doesn't wear off! The shopping is so much cheaper without the premium slabs of chocolate .

city I still don't know who won the tennis (mens). But as Keziah said sounds like visiting SIL was worthwhile.

Keziah your dietary requirements sound quite complex, bless you. You must be way more disciplined than me [choc looks towards Keziah for inspiration] .

choc - that is so not fair, 3 yrs or more of venlaflaxine and I never went off chocolate or sugar (sulky emoticon!)... but had virtous lunch: light babybels, raw veg (3 sorts) and low fat hummous and fish and 3 veg and new potatoes for dinner. But had a gluten free choc cake for afters, x

Choc -I will tell you tennis results if you like, but don't want to spoil it if you want to watch it.

You are very considerate Keziah to make sure everyone's seen the tennis before chatting about it . Saw the rest of it this morning as was rushing about and was surprised by it & impressed with the standard of play .
Most impressed with your dinner Keziah, and v interested as am experimenting with long term strategies to deal with the intense hunger & weakness I get with the MS - it's been going on since my teens & though I don't have serious food allergies like you , I do have a common tummy problem that leaves me unable to eat some of the more obvious healthy foods , so all tips are very welcome . atm I eat absolutely thousands of calories a day but my (over) weight is stable atm. It may take a few bloomin' years but I'm sure I can retrain my body .

At last a positive sideeffect , choc ! But did see a Mner commenting that an AD - venlafaxine , I'm almost certain , & will check - caused her to totally lose her appetite for months on end & forget to eat ... she was concerned it could trigger eating disorders .Sorry for my silly downer there , just mind out for any further loss of appetite.

Hope you both get decent sleep and Keziah's voice continues to heal , & that you feel less horribly stressed about reorganisation at work , choc , or are able to find brilliant new avenues of stress relief and fun ... you are probably too stresed to really have much "fun" atm but you said the other day you might like to join some group with aims you identify with , as it might help you at the same time , so perhaps you'll come across something locally / on the net that you can fit round your commitments .
Sorry for long ramble & hope you both have a good day tomorrow

city - glad you enjoyed the tennis

Choc when I was on venlaflaxine I had no weight changes with it at all. Always been between 25 and 30 on BMI scale.

city I am seeing a dietician once a year due to coeliac, go this week in fact, so pick up tips there. I don't eat meat only fish, so try to eat a lentil/bean dish once a week (lentil bolognaise usually as it is easy) and quorn or tofu once a week. Am trying, for obvious reasons, to eat fish once a week - but I only like smocked haddock, tinned tuna or gluten free fish fingers. I did manage salmon at a wedding recently, but that was hard going. Can you find foods you like and tolerate and build meals around them? I eat a lot of pasta!!

Thanks for your tips , Keziah , & I hope the dietician's appt this week proves useful . I feel awful that I didn't ask you wwhether the surge in appetite you were having after the neero event has eased off now .
I don't eat meat etc either & can eat tofu , Quorn etc & really enjoy them ( nom nom at lentil bolognaise). I need to practice cutting down long term on the sweet & fatty foods I use to stave off the jelly feelings .... I find the glycaemic index approach seems most suited to me - must persevere ! I am always so happy when I find a new food e the foods which give you a sustained release of energy like pulses , nuts & wholegrains do.

I feel daft saying this to one who's had a miserable stint of being unable to cook a meal , but the practicalities of preparing food often defeat me as I'm so tired ( dh works long hrs so I need to do most of it - but then I'm sure you have had the same problem ) . Am experimenting madly with ways of pacing myself in everyday tasks so I can manage to prepare a few portions in advance so always have the sensible food I'm hungry for waiting in the fridge .

Hmm , I see getting the fishy nutrients you're after must be a struggle & can only suggest olive oil , lots of garlic & herbs , maybe roasted peppers & tomatoes etc if you're not allergic to them , to make it more palatable . ( I'm sure you've tried everything ) You're doing well to eat the types you'r managing to.
Sorry for long , rambling posts lately - overtired from more small responsibilities this last year than I can really manage , though it's so much less than you & choc do. I must get back to them - hope you both have a good day .

Hope choc 's having a reasonable week so far

city - yes, cooking energy wise is difficult for me. Can't say I do it very often right now. But what I do do is cook lots at one go. Will post my lentil bolognaise recipe for you.... I make at least 4 spare portions, but them in boxes/bags in freezer. Then for 4 meals all I have to do is defrost it and cook pasta.

You are so lovely to think of that , Keziah - thank you so much . I've got a gigantic new saucepan I want to christen and have been wondering whatI should try to batch cook that doesn't have 40 inredients to chop up . Ha , I still haven't got tonight's meal on !

Hope you find a gradual improvement in your energy levels . How's your voice coming along ?

Hope you've both had a reasonable day . Doing OK here , stayed in to work on the house ... this may take some weeks

All this talk of food! Sounds very yummy, Keziah. And great to find like-minded individuals that like tofu . Ah Keziah you reminded me I used to do a lot of batch cooking. Hopefully I can get back to it soon as so very convenient. So do try your new saucepan city . I think I've got just about every gadget going to supposedly make cooking easier (mini chopper, food processor, electric whisk, bread machine) so I've got no excuse really.

Today has been ok but very long. I decided at work that I would watch the tennis (thanks Keziah for not telling) tonight and now I'm home I think I'm too tired for it . But I don't know how long I can go before inadvertantly finding out who won .

city my cbt counsellor would disagree that I do a lot . He thinks my minimal 'activities' are trapping me into a cycle of depression. Says if I did more I'd be less depressed . I see what he's getting at but how do you do more when you're exhausted, anxious and sleep deprived (yet concentrating on ensuring the essential things get done)? So what was on the house list today?

[Choc laughs at the amount of emoticons in her post]

at Choc's equipment. I survive by batch baking and freezing!! Will find my lentil bolognaise recipe and post it up for you, know it is typed somewhere ( I don't know where it is since we moved to windows 7 and documents not in obvious places, oops!). It looks like it has lots of ingredients, but I have all the dry things in all the time so just take 2 minutes to get them all out in one go and have them there!

at your long day Choc. Being exhausted it is hard to do more - but what I did was start to do more of the things I enjoyed rather than just "more" first - gradually my energy (before recent illnesses I might add) did come back.

Big fan of emoticons here! I like the Skype ones - dancing people etc.

Thank you for looking out your recipe for me Keziah - no rush, I'm sure it will become a mainstay in this house < Skype pizza - being - munched emoticon > Dh & I don?t much like updating PC systems & try to hang on to ancient ones.
How are you feeling today?

I sympathise with being urged to "do more", choc ... when I had the physical ability to be wildly busy, I also had depression & anxiety which killed my motivation. Also of course the medication you're on may be responsible for a fair amount of the motivation of the problem - can't win can you.
Nowadays I do lots of stuff relating to my interests than I should - I ought to stay in & sort out neglected self / meals / home. It is the interests which makes me "feel more alive" as I think you once said when you mentioned before wondering whether you should join a campaigning group or similar - that really struck me & I 'm sure you'd feel better for finding something you gel with.

You can have a lot of fun with your hobbies on the net , mostly avoiding dodgy types too ...things like family history , archaeology groups , walkers / camping, arty stuff - if you live near a city , there might be groups for going to art & museum exhibitions together . I love all that but only because we've met unpretentious people through these hobbies - you occasionally have to try another group. I would & do go along to new groups on my own, but I know it's not easy (am very awkward socially).

Would also strongly recommend meditation type practice for you to feel more centred and in touch with yourself. If you don't want to jump into a class or one of yoga, you could go to tai chi, which I found v helpful, or Quakers, even if you're atheist - you do a communal meditation style practice awaiting divine wisdom together! You can practise the "centering down" on your own ... I really love it & it doesn't bring up panic / flashbacks, which is a big concern for a lot of people.

Sorry for long essay - I haven't even told you about my boring household tasks yet. Hope you both have a lovely evening.

Sorry for all the poncey suggestions there , choc - am embarrassed now . Hope as ever that you and Keziah get a decent night's sleep.

Know not what skype emoticons are like, city. 'Dancing people' sounds...interesting .

Keziah I'm dying of hunger awaiting that recipe (my turn to attempt teasing ). I'm with city on not updating PC systems. The other day I inadvertently upgraded Internet Explorer. I didn't like it (couldn't work out where all my favourites etc had gone) so had to go back to the old version!

Thanks for the suggestions city - not poncey at all. I'd love to blame the lack of motivation on meds but I would be lying, I've been this way a while! One thing is for sure though this wretched sleep is because of meds . One reason I was sooooo reluctant to go back on them. It's great you're able to do lots of hobby stuff. I've done more since my dd has been spending time at my mums. I have only a few hobbies but I could spend a long time doing them. In fact I could easily play piano for 4-5 hours a day if I had the time (which I don't). If I didn't have any child care responsibilities that's probably what I'd do (not very sociable I know ). I'd give up eating and sleeping for that (sounding a little obsessed me thinks - eeks!). I think I could get to new groups alone - just need to work out what, where, when and how. I did actually try yoga a number of years ago but I made the mistake of starting sessions in the middle of a depressive episode and struggled (unable to concentrate, too knackered, anxious at being in room with others etc). I need to start going when I'm well so that I'm more likely to be able to continue going when I'm not. Also meditation is something that has been recommended before and it's definitely of interest. I haven't heard of Quakers so will definitely look into that. Anything that doesn't induce panic is welcome .

www.emoticonsforskype.net/ There you go , choc ! Sorry to lower the tone .
Oh lordy , I feel even more embarrassed now as you have hobbies you're really passionate about ... you're always telling yourself off for not doing anything...I hope you do get more inclination and chances to get stuck into them . The whole topic of motivation is one I think about a lot but am not sure I have any wisdom to share from my experiences < scratches head >

How fabulous that you're such an accomplished piano player .. I watch dh totally absorbed when he gets a chance to play guitar / digital instrumental thingy & I see how healthy it is to have that avenue for "losing" yourself.

Maybe you need refreshment for your mental landscape , as motherhood ties you to routine & place - I feel less claustrophobic if I watch international films or programmes featuring open terrain

Not surprised you couldn't keep on with the yoga at that point- you'd surely need to feel a bit better than you were then to do the beginners classes.. You can do tai chi when feeling rotten though , and Quakers Quaker.uk ( thank you so muchHfor not shooing me away)

Hmmm , the most recent posts have just hidden themselves so I'll have to leave all the bits I've forgotten in case I lose this post . Hope you do see the tennis eventually , choc.

Hope you've both been OK today . I'm fine , getting on with tasks & looking forward to the weekend .. Are you able to try a bit of light physio , Keziah , or will you need to rest a while longer after your infection ? If so , I hope you've been Mumsnetting / watching lots of Seinfeld videos / dozing whilst listening to audiobooks .
Peaceful evening to you both xx

Thanks city for the Skype link. I can't believe how many there are! I wonder if MN could import some - makes their handful seem quite pitiful.

Ever seen any motivational speakers? I'm wondering whether they are indeed motivational. Worth a try I guess. Can't do any worse than yelling at self to "get a move on". Ah you have a musical dh - you have my sympathy . The come-down I experience after "losing" myself in music is often horrendous, especially if I've been "emotional" to begin with.

Oh just realised I didn't get to view the Quaker link. Must go do that in bit. Glad you're fine today city. I'm good too (getting worried now!) though haven't really thought about the weekend yet. Are you looking forward to anything particularly nice? Hope Keziah is able to get a good night's sleep and that I join her. I'm looking forward to changing to capsules at the weekend (only one dose a day instead of two) so hopefully that will make me less awake at bedtime. Can't wait. Goodnight x

And thank you for your patience with the emoticons , choc! Hope you're OK today and haven't too many chores to do this weekend .

Hope Keziah has been having a reasonable day . Is your DM as OK as she can be atm , Keziah ? Sorry , I never know whether to ask or not .

Very interesting what you said about the huge comedown you get after a long playing session - very difficult for you . You prompted me to ask dh about the issue , & I didn't quite realise how intense it can be - he tells me it varies a lot for him .

Yes , been trying to do some more chores before weekend - meeting / political things (with the people I was whingeing about a few weeks ago ) and some meandering around the countryside , I hope , as a little outing for anniversary.

Sounds as if going down to one capsule could help with the sleep , choc so I hope that goes OK .

Mad rush today , sorry for rubbish post.

Choc - so glad you got capsules prescribed, they are so much better !!

City - my dm seems to be doing ok - she has had some happy times doing nice things as it is sunny which helps/

I think I have beaten my tonsillitis so yes, need to do more physio!!

So pleased your dm has had some good times Keziah, your family so deserves that . Glad tonsilitis recovery almost complete and sorry for reminding you of your physio chores!

Hope you and choc get a decent night's sleep .

Hope you're both making the most of the weekend. I had my first decent night sleep in ages (a whole continuous 6.5 hours) but of course it has left me wanting more. Really tough to get going this morning but dragged myself out for a run pm while my dd rode her bike so feeling better.

city would that be a wedding anniversary? Congratulations! I hope you managed to meander - sounds relaxing and peaceful. I too have loads of chores to do but haven't done any except washing up .

I couldn't get the quaker link to work city but I googled and found Quakers in Britain site. Is this the one? It's all new to me so may take me a while to find my way around.

Glad your mum doing ok Keziah and that you're almost done with your recovery. On with the physio! I opened my prescription this morning only to find I've been given prolonged-release tablets and not capsules. Still only once a day so hopefully there is no or little difference between them. On the plus side they don't contain gelatine .

What's it with the wizard smileys?

Sorry I didn't reply to you last night , choc - I got in late , replied as quickly as I could to another thread I 'm on < brain of a snail >, then got a migraine and couldn't write at all so had to go to bed . Very pleased you got a decent sleep at last on Fridayat , and hope it's the start of better rest .

Thank you so much for your kind wishes , and we had a lovely visit to a bay and villages < soothed > after a really good political meeting where I met long lost friends , great joy. Should have been home doing chores , and resting < redoubles efforts at both >

Brilliant that you made yourself go for a run with dd , sounds lovely . You're a woman after my own heart when it comes to the gelatine in tablets , though I have sometimes taken such if really needed to , urgh .

I'm sure you've seen by now that the wizardly / witchy smileys are in honour of the release of the final Harry Potter film [hsmile] .
Thanks for looking at my broken link , and you found the right site if you fancy looking at any of it , but obviously don't feel as if I'll be quizzing you on it , heh heh

Hope we all have a lovely Sunday and that Keziah's having a few nice diversions from sensible things .