The Dark Path

[labelwench]

Virtually all medications come with warnings about the potential for adverse reaction in certain individuals. I have been most fortunate in needing very liitle medical assistance in getting to this point in life. The occasional Aspirin or Ibuprofen for an overworked muscle about sums it up.

Therefore, my recent slam-dunk off my horse and the requirement to take 1.5-2 times the standard recommended dose of this NSAID which is about 4 times the amount my system is accustomed to, is reason for close observation to response to the medication. The attending physician was quite clear that final outcome is predicated on establishing and maintaining the regime prescribed unless side-effects are serious. Fortunately, Ibuprofen has lower percentage of life-threatening adverse reactions than most other anti-inflammatory medications and is easier on the stomach and digestive system than Acetylsalicylic acid, most common brand name Aspirin.

Ultimately, it is the patient who is responsible for monitoring their own dosage and response, as the medical professionals may only prescribe and advise. As the instructions portend to my own continued and future well-being, it is in my own interest to be diligent in following her guidelines.

Only three doses into the treatment and I observe that my blink response is less frequent, conversation requires considerably more effort and I have to give considerable thought before it pleases me to take action.

I have 45 degrees of left and 50 degrees of right neck flexion before my muscles start to complain, even under this dose, and will begin my own physiotherapy in a few days time, after the initial trauma subsides.

For some, this frame of mind might be enjoyable, as it seems to mimic that state which we commonly refer to as 'stoned' when people partake of common illegal substances. For myself, it is an impediment in that the routine care of myself, household and animals takes far more time than usual, and certain aspects shall be shelved until a future date.

Having enjoyed exceptional health and endurance most of my life, it is likely a good lesson in humility to experience life without the benefit of these genetic advantages, even for a time, as it makes me more cognizant of the daily challenges as the greater part of the population experience them.

Human toxicology

Ibuprofen overdose has become common since it was licensed for over-the-counter use. There are many overdose experiences reported in the medical literature, although the frequency of life-threatening complications from ibuprofen overdose is low.[23] Human response in cases of overdose ranges from absence of symptoms to fatal outcome in spite of intensive care treatment. Most symptoms are an excess of the pharmacological action of ibuprofen and include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, and nystagmus. Rarely more severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding, seizures, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalaemia, hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, coma, hepatic dysfunction, acute renal failure, cyanosis, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest have been reported.[24] The severity of symptoms varies with the ingested dose and the time elapsed; however, individual sensitivity also plays an important role. Generally, the symptoms observed with an overdose of ibuprofen are similar to the symptoms caused by overdoses of other NSAIDS.

[SteveA]

My father avoids using medications and drugs as much as possible (I picked up the same from him) and neither of us have been to the hospital for except when there was really no other option (I had a pilonidal cyst removed quite a few years ago) and he had problems with gout that he eventually went to some doctors for some assistance.

The first two doctors wanted him to continually take medication, whether or not he was experiencing an attack, but he didn't want such a medication plan and he finally found a 3rd doctor that had a treatment that supposedly worked well and he could use it as soon as he began to notice the symptoms. This is a benefit, as the medication does (as most all do) have side effects that damage organs etc.

Yes, sometimes help is needed and doctors can do great (for example, a compound fracture would be a great time to use medical services and the problem and solution is rather obvious! , but for more delicate things affecting hormones or chemical influences in the brain and organs etc. ... I'm skeptical that most doctors know more than a small fraction of the influences these have on a patient and I'm certain drug companies would tend to recommend a recurring and costly prescription over true cures).

Anyway, I think you're doing it right (I'd do it the same way).

Hope you recover without any other major problems,
Steve

[labelwench]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Steve. My mother and I both do considerable research on alternatives to drugs, as she has lived with scleroderma for decades now, and knows more about her autoimmune disorder than the professionals who treat her. They are ever amazed at her resourcefulness in dealing with her condition and that she does so with an absolute minimum of drugs, which are the only recourse they have to offer as there is no known cure, hence symptomatic treatment is the only current option available.

Rather a freak occurrence that my horse should fall while I was riding her, and I credit the helmet I was wearing with absorbing the brunt of the impact. Over the years, I have used several different designs, replaced at regular intervals, and this is the best helmet I have found to date. The full harness offers excellent coverage and support for the neck as I can attest, and I don't doubt the outcome would have been much worse without the technology of this piece of equipment. The carbon fiber is rated to be five times tougher than steel. http://www.irhhelmets.com/ATH-CARBON...met-ID-16.html

Of course, the genetics inherited from my German father likely didn't hurt either, as he was always joking that as long as we landed on our head, we were unlikely to come to any serious harm as we were descended from a thick-skulled branch of the family tree, lol...though I doubt he meant for any of us to take this remark quite so literally.

Most of the time I self diagnose and treat. I do recognize that there may be underlying injury that is not evident at the time, while one is under the protective influence of the body's shock response. Discretion is ever the better part of valor, and the medical affirmation of my assessment of the injury is helpful to my frame of mind.

[SteveA]

My best friend appears to be of similar "stock" as you Many times we'd be technically "playing" ... but that often ended up with the wind knocked out of me and him wondering what happened?!

He's a great guy but I tend to keep fragile things out of his reach (I'm not implying you're similar in that respect. You seem particularly mindful).

[labelwench]

My best friend appears to be of similar "stock" as you Many times we'd be technically "playing" ... but that often ended up with the wind knocked out of me and him wondering what happened?!

He's a great guy but I tend to keep fragile things out of his reach (I'm not implying you're similar in that respect. You seem particularly mindful).

Kinesthesia is a key component in muscle memory and hand-eye coordination, and training can improve this sense (see blind contour drawing). The ability to swing a golf club or to catch a ball requires a finely-tuned sense of the position of the joints. This sense needs to become automatic through training to enable a person to concentrate on other aspects of performance, such as maintaining motivation or seeing where other people are.

Perhaps your friend may be slightly lacking in proprioceptive or kinesthetic sense? These senses are largely inherited through genetics but may also be improved through awareness and co-ordination exercises and training, both physical and mental. In order to increase our physical agility and co-ordination, it is helpful to do likewise with our central nervous system, IMO and observation.

The majority of things are safe in my vicinity, in part because I recognize risky venues and undertakings, and either take measures to avoid same, or approach them with the appropriate precautions.

Perhaps I'll have a T-shirt made up that says, 'Highly excitable and completely unstable.'

Or perhaps I should just have the word ASTATINE put on, and let them ask?

[SteveA]

Perhaps your friend may be slightly lacking in proprioceptive or kinesthetic sense? These senses are largely inherited through genetics but may also be improved through awareness and co-ordination exercises and training, both physical and mental. In order to increase our physical agility and co-ordination, it is helpful to do likewise with our central nervous system, IMO and observation.

Yes, it could be something genetic ... or at least something he managed to pass onto his daughters as well. Again, he's a very nice and well intentioned guy but he's a little bulldog and trying to say things like "Watch out for the car ..." only appears to have limited success in helping avoid collisions It's gotten better over the years with a family though and I assume it's because he's been trying to be more responsible.

The majority of things are safe in my vicinity, in part because I recognize risky venues and undertakings, and either take measures to avoid same, or approach them with the appropriate precautions.

Yes, from everything I know, that seems a good summary , and I'm rather certain your position at work requires a bit of that as well.

[quote]Perhaps I'll have a T-shirt made up that says, 'Highly excitable and completely unstable.'

You could "work" like this instead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M81ph3BslqQ

Or perhaps I should just have the word ASTATINE put on, and let them ask?

What?

[labelwench]

What?

Originally posted by SteveA

Because of its extreme rarity, it is not likely that the general public will be exposed.

After 7 or 8 X-rays, I likely glow in the dark, lol, and no other woman in these parts has endured graveyard shift with the corporation for even half of the time I have, so my work history proves me to be somewhat of 'a rare element'.

Astatine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astatine

[SteveA]

After 7 or 8 X-rays, I likely glow in the dark, lol, and no other woman in these parts has endured graveyard shift with the corporation for even half of the time I have, so my work history proves me to be somewhat of 'a rare element'.

Astatine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astatine

I hadn't known what it was but apparently it packs a lot into a small package, though with a short half-life. You appear to have better staying power.

[labelwench]

I hadn't known what it was but apparently it packs a lot into a small package, though with a short half-life. You appear to have better staying power.

LOL.....

What I lack in endearing, I do make up for in enduring.

Given enough time, one eventually gets accustomed to me, finding consistency to be of a certain kind of comfort.

Stockholm Syndrome perhaps?

Perhaps not. Take no prisoners when walking a lone path. The care mandated by same will only slow one down when on a long and ofttimes hazardous journey.

[SteveA]

Well you can add the care if you want something to 'mess with your day' It's entirely optional.

I personally think the long way around is best - not as easy and it's more convoluted, but hits some nice scenic spots, though yes, sometimes there's a little too much baggage to carry at once and you might need to set something down for a bit (come back for it later if you want) and quality is better than quantity, IMO.

It's easier to do things in a controlled and convenient manner than to wait for something else to nudge the activity.



I couldn't find the quote I was looking for, but here are a couple related ones by Buddha (though another quote should include that appeals to authority don't matter either - the value of something has little to do with who said what but is instead in the content):

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it."

"Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others."