A Brave New Hope

SInce my last post hoping I could find a new route to pain relief, I have been in constant pain after my diving trip. I started taking 3 capsules of Purtier a week before my trip and had no significant pain until I returned, my wrist started to swell slowly again. I was taking 2 capsules a day then. My GP prescribed Prednisone for a course of 10 days to give time to taper down the potency of the drug. I had a breakout of acne and constant eye-twitching until now it seems to be sporadically calming down. 

Upon completion of the course, it started to swell again. My GP gave me Danzen, a non-inflammatory for post-operative skin conditions which was of course, of no effect at all. I dug out some old but not expired NSAIDs which I have been avoiding and had no choice but to take it to control the inflammation. This Diclofenac sustained-release helped me to get through the working day with no disruption. Coupled along with constant topical rub (Rumalaya), I could still hold on despite getting the swollen eyes everyday. Intense pain kicked in during dawn break when the effectiveness of the meds wears off. It lasted until Christmas Eve,  when left with the last tablet, went hopping by the GP again. This time, she wanted me to lay off meds for a while to give my liver and kidneys a break. Yes, of course I have been deprived of sleep for a long time already. So I left the clinic with only a packet of Ketoprofen plaster and Rumalaya rub. I put on the plaster immediately, hoping for a fast relief but nothing happened even after few hours, it was time to knock off half-day's work. God I was worried the swelling would be so bad in the night I had nothing to turn to... but I kept the faith and leave it to my Lord.

Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

I headed my way home with the gnawing pain carrying a low spirit of Christmas. I was telling myself then, "thank you doctor for giving me a painful Christmas". I felt guilty instantly for putting the blame on the doctor. I felt sorry for myself and cried in my heart. It was Christmas and a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord who came to save us sinners but I hide in my room all day rubbing cream and icing my wrist. On Christmas night, I had to bite the bullet and resort to opiates, Tramadol which I hated all along, It causes dry mouth, blurred vision, insomnia, anxiety and constipation. However, it masked the pain to help me get some rest.

I told myself, I got to do something different. No more pain meds, no NSAIDs or even paracetamol. I suddenly recalled taking Purtier 3 capsules and I was doing well so .. why not? Thank God I was given the stock to keep or consumed at my wish. Today is the third day taking 3 capsules with no other meds and things look promising. My brave new hope to end my debilitating pain!

A New Hope for me - Purtier Placenta

Picture taken on 20th October 2014

Picture taken today ~ 26th October 2014

I was introduced to Purtier a couple of weeks back but I was hesitant about it initially until I attended the event and listened to the live testimonials with full presentation, it almost convinced me. As I have allergy to NSAIDs and Acetaminophen, there is no other anti-inflammatory for me. I have been living with this pain in silence or at least, no one will ever understand.  The daily pain I am going through should come to a stop. 

I am glad Raymond & Joel let me start taking the supplement as I had overspent this month due to my trip. Today is the 7th day taking 3 capsules/day of Purtier as you can see the results from the pictures taken a week ago and today. My face has more radiance, brighter eyes and clearer skin. You may think I used make up ... but nope. I stopped wearing make up ever since I felt sick as it has since become a heavy chore, painful and time-consuming ritual for me. You can see that my right wrist (with Tendinitis) swell up, I had more pain due to the acting of Purtier but the redness is gone. I am confident of better results after two weeks. I shall be posting more pictures of my face and wrist to compare the difference before and after.

picture taken today~ 26th October 2014

Picture taken on 20th October 2014

Picture taken on 20th October 2014

Sick & Tired of my pain

Looking back the past weeks, I have been having non-stop uncontrollable pain that I have to rely on some kind of pain medication to function at work. Despite several visits to the GP and cortisone shots by the Orthopedic, going round the different medications, cocktail and concoctions which again do not prove its efficacy on me, I am almost giving up. 

Just a brief summary of past experiences with NSAIDs, I have always had allergic reaction such as swollen feet, eyes, face and blurred vision. With acetaminophen, my eyes will swell the next morning and looks distorted. I am especially allergic to Celebrax (etoricoxib), my stomach will be bloated with pain and loss of appetite the whole day. As I was desperate for pain relief, Tramadol seems to be the temporary relief, though not an anti-inflammatory, I could sleep for a few hours then kept me awake for a few hours. I could still function the next day. Looks like I am taking it day by day. My company GP do not want to prescribe Prednisone or NSAIDs anymore, due to its serious side effects, neither did she have a better suggestion other than surgery. I am now at a loss.

So I have stopped medication for two days. Only using ice pad and deep-heat cream several times a day over the weekend, I could still function doing nothing except washing up, sleeping and surfing with my touchscreen laptop. However, with the new week ahead, am I able to work with the computer mouse all day long? 

How long more do I need to mask my pain and suffer within myself? I have hide it so well that no one seems to understand the pain I am going through as I was never offered help in carrying things but instead was asked to help the other way round. People may think that may only be some kind of muscle ache or headache. Did anyone ever know that I even have difficulty using chopsticks during my meal? No one ever knows that I have difficulty and pain while washing and brushing my hair, soaping myself and even dressing up.

What other alternative medicine can I take for my chronic pain?

I have heard of Chinese herbs that maybe effective, but how long does it take to see the results?

How about deer or sheep placenta etc? Purtier, Dell-V, 

Less Pain Today - Tendinitis

It is frustrating to see my room not being spic and span, tables filled with stuffs that should have been where they belong and everything seems filled with dust. Pain have subsided tremendously that I could complete the tasks left on my table for the last month. Today, I used a small broom to sweep my room and mopped the living and kitchen areas as needed. I even cleaned my underwater lens,  housing and most importantly, completed the DIY viewfinder for my housing and fixing the extra attachment for my red filter. These are really simple tasks to most people but not for me when I have wrist pain. I am finally feeling satisfied to even checked and packed my dive and photo equipment to the bags to tidy up my room as well as getting ready for my next trip.

I cannot go on like this anymore, having numerous steroid injections that cause degeneration, oral Prednisone which lower my immunity and increases risk of osteoporosis and analgesics I am allergic to for the last two years, I am adamant to search for effective  yet economical ways that will work for me. After much research I came across an article on wrist pain, I will learn to do my work differently from now on to alleviate pain and prevent further aggravation.  For documents, I will try to use shortcut keys instead of using the mouse, change hands if possible and take frequent breaks. I must make this change no matter how little time I have to meet whatever deadlines. I am confident it won't take long to master it but even if I could not, my decision stands. I must not abuse my right wrist anymore, especially on tasks that do not make me a happier person. It is not worth it. 

I am sorry because of my pain - Tendinitis

Looking back the last three weeks of torture from my wrist pain, my irrational behavior have obviously offended some colleagues whom I have interacted during my "peak" hours when my pain level were high with the demanding workload. Here I have to apologize to them:

I am sorry I have not been nice

I was rude, angry and unwise

It was due to the pain 

That gone up to my head

It was Tendinitis

The cause of the pain

It was not me

The words that were said

God give me the strength
To fight this fight
And wash me clean 
From the enemy's lie

Finally had my Cortisone shots

I am not pain free yet as I am writing this post but the remaining gnawing pain gives me inspiration for a clearer picture of what happened during the last few days. 

It has been three painful weeks since my De Quervain's Tendinitis relapsed. I had difficulty washing up, dressing up, even putting lotion on my face was painful. Every simple movement on my right hand was painful. I did not sweep my floor nor cleaned my room since then, nor did I effectively cleaned my toilet bowl, bath and sink. Yes, I did sweep the floor then and that was not the only cause of the relapse but the repetitive strain from work. I am not trying to blame it all to my work but I did not relapse so often before I started on this job without obvious injury that strained my wrist tendons. I was pushing it too far. The company GP suggested that I should see a specialist and have a surgery instead of going on the Prednisone route long term. However, upon meeting the Orthopedic (from Colombo) at Changi General Hospital, he supported my opinion that surgery should not be done unless nothing else works. Even though the two cortisone shots were never my wish, apparently it seems I had no other options but to immediately ease the pain and inflammation I was suffering. 

I was told my body has an immunity imbalance, where the antibodies attack my own cells. It reminded me of the time when I was being treated for staph infection, I was on continuous IV of penicillin of Gentamycin, Cloxacillin and Clindamycin for nine days at the hospital and oral Clindamycin for post-hospitalization. My right hand and arm swell up as an allergic reaction after few days I got home. Soon after, I had my first tendinitis attack. Could these potent drugs have caused the tendon problem similar to what the Quinolone antibiotics does? Or should I blame it all on Hepatitis C? 

This is the first time I had two shots together for two tendons. The pain was excruciating on the whole palm and wrist. There was a big swell and bump on the base of thumb and my whole wrist was numb, stiff and immovable for more than an hour.  However, I was positive that this pain was only temporary and the swell and pain would subside within hours.  I felt a great sense of relief, psychologically and emotionally. As I have had such shots few times before with good results, it never worry me at all.

Because of the pain from the injections, I was in shock and forgot to request for medical leave. The next day, I went to work as usual but with a lighter spirit. Alas, I was myself again.

I still feel the pain when I mouse slowly but when using more stress with speed, the pain seems similar prior injection. I was supposed to rest the affected area for at least two days but it is tough with the demanding job scope. The swell and redness has subsided but the pain was at a moderate level. My mood was back and even went out for the night with my colleagues and my boss.

On the second day after my shots, I went swimming, had lunch and went home straight after. Hai Choon has been feeling tired lately so we went back early to rest. My wrist were better, less swell but my neck and head was aching from the strain. I was surprised the cortisone took more than usual to take effect this time round. Honestly, I was disappointed at the results and blamed it on the doctor's skills. He might have missed the right spot for the jab.

After some research, I have learned that the such effects may take up to few days, so I will wait. On the third day, did some laundry and swept/mop a quarter of my living room and spilled the dirty water in the toilet due to my weakened wrist. Just hate the stains from dad's outdoor slippers on my flooring. After all, my parents are old and eyes already tired, I will have to do it if I want a clean looking house. Eventually, I swept and mop the whole living room and kitchen as well. My wrist movements were still restrictive but able to complete the job with a little more pain and water spilling all over. But when my wrist is useless, there is no way the cleanliness be kept. Am I looking forward to a dirty house where no one is capable of keeping it? Question mark.

I am trying to research for ways to cure or reduce the relapse of my tendinitis besides supplements, ergonomics and diet. If anyone has more suggestions, I would appreciate very much for your contribution.

From my recent research, this may be viable:

Collagen

Ergonomics Mouse/keyboard

Avoid alcohol and smoking

Rant

I haven't been ranting much for a while since I learned to manage my De Quervain's Tendinitis much better. I used to be screaming in pain in the middle of the night then finally getting the steroid jabs that works like a miracle. I could be in remission for 3 to 6 months but during that time I was in a less demanding job.

I got into a new job due to retrenchment six months ago and this job sucks! Work is too much that my wrist pain flares up very often despite taking prednisone and codeine together. Everytime the pain start it will last at least for a week. This time round it has already been more than a week being on prednisone and the pain is still there especially the mornings when I wake up.

The agony of the pain at work can't be described when nobody sees it at all. Not seeking any pity nor consolation but just simply not taking my pain as a joke is enough. When I use the splint some think its a sports aid. Some says "it's cool". Do people think I need to look cool when most of my time is spent in front of the screen than walking around the office? I accidentally drag a folder to an inaccessible folder due to the tightness of the splint and was reprimanded for doing so intentionally. Due to the meds, I can't sleep at night that brings much exhaustion during the day. coupled with the heavy workload, been very edgy and my mood has been unstable lately.  This is the first time I used up my prescription meds in a week. Looks like I will  to depend on Prednisone to be able to continue working at this job.

Just in case people do not know what this medication does in the long term, here is the link

for more information:

http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/drugs/prednisone.html

Tendinitis and Pinched Nerve at the same time!

This last week was the worse days working at Otis.  The referred pain from the pinched nerve got to my elbow, feelings of numbness and headache at the back of my head everyday and the pain on my wrist have reached the unbearable level. I was overwhelmed by all this pain with negative thoughts, stress and anger. Why am I still here? I should be out of this pain-causing environment. The workload has reached my nose and yet some people wants me drowned. Looking back the last week, I was not me. This job has taken over my life.

My wrists were strained a month ago from a week's diving and equipment hauling and yet there was no relapse.  However, being back to the desk and computer working from 8 am to 7 pm for the whole week brought back the crippling pain. This kind of pain does not occur immediately but progresses slowly if I continue using my wrist to sweep the floor, mousing too much or carry heavy stuff.  Last Sunday I swept the floor and when I woke up the next morning, it was stiffed and tight with medium pain level of 6. Then it went up as the days passed until I felt unbearable so I have to get back with the steroids and codeine regime again. Voila! my mood was back.

Pinched Nerve on my neck ... pain on biceps

After several sessions of acupressure with acupuncture, the therapist has convinced me that it is a pinched nerve on my neck. Anyway, the pain decreased tremendously after two sessions. However, due to a strain whilst trying to hold my 75kg friend when she was drunk, the pain on my biceps was back to square one. What makes it worse was sleeping on my left side resting on my biceps.

On the third session, I suggested that my biceps be treated without oral herbal remedy to see if it makes any difference but oh no .. it did not get better at all.

Being adamant on getting relief through TCM without painkillers or other inflammatories, I am quite sure of improvements in a month maximum. I have placed a rim of A4 paper to raise the height of my computer screen and replaced the bifocal lens with the normal presbyopic lens to avoid raising my neck repeatedly. It felt better.

Today, I did my fourth session of acupressure, manipulation and acupuncture on  my neck and shoulder with herbal hot pads and take home herbal medication. Let's see how it goes the week ahead.

OMG!  My damages each week S$63. How long more and how much more money am I going to spend on this?

My Tinnitus was gone for 3 seconds!

Last Friday morning, as I was walking out of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) along the underpass, I suddenly realized the silence and serenity. Then I paused ... yes! No more sizzling and ringing at the back of my head! However, this silence was shortlived. The sizzling sound started again after 3 seconds of silence.

I wonder when will this noise at the back of my head be gone. As of today, I am hearing sizzling sounds on the left side and the high pitch ringing on the right side. The only time I experience silence is when I am underwater ... scuba diving. The only time I could feel the serenity and peace while exploring and enjoying the amazing beauty beneath the waves.

The thing I hate most is the sound is not only significant when it's quiet but it is still obvious with reasonable noise around. That makes my world noisier in crowded places such as the malls and markets. My office is not excluded especially on Mondays and Fridays.

I just loved to remain in my room with only one noise ... the music from my stereo set.

Last but not least, I will continue to sincerely pray for more silence in my head.  I would not ask for more but simply just ... one sound at a time.

God, please grant me serenity and silence in places where there more than one type of noise.
Amen.

The Good Old Times

(Standing from left):  Ying Leong, Cheryl, Hai Choo, Hai Lan, me (Photo by Alice)

Just imagine when you have not seen someone for almost 33 years and when this person suddenly appeared, memories of the past were relived. I was expecting the same few girls we met last week who wanted to visit my parents.  But Alice brought him without telling us. The guy standing in the picture is Michael Kwong, we used to call him Ying Leong left Singapore to further his studies and settled in Perth. I think he came back few years ago as a Permanent Resident to work. He and his younger brother, Ying Choy were staying opposite my block and we share the same lift to go out. Since primary school days, we all walk to school and bus stops using the same route. Cheryl and Danny are his cousins. All of us we were rather close. The Sim sisters (Hai Choo, Hai Lan and Hai Choon) used to play at my place and vice versa. Cheryl has always been the jovial one who brings up the atmosphere. Our laughter and tears of joy could wipe away all sadness and erase all pain. I could feel the genuine love we have for each other. All unhappiness and misunderstandings we had before had been deleted and facing each other as brothers and sisters in Christ as we were once innocent and always will be.

A few more of the closer friends got married and migrated. Wonder if we ever have the chance to meet again.

We had a great time talking about our younger days at the church, flipping the old photos in album and taking shots of them with our phone. I suddenly realized how precious those old photos are now. I have decided to frame them up and hang on our wall.

Neck, Arm & Wrist pain

Despite having a stiff neck for many months, I did not seek medical attention as it did not restrict much movements. However, after working with a new desktop computer for about a month, I could feel the pain was getting worse. Being not able to turn my neck to the left fully, pain was more significant at the back of the neck with frequent headaches. Concurrently, I have been "knocking out" on bed every night with a bad position. After waking up with pain on my biceps, the pain radiated to my elbows and fingers numbed. Movements involving the arm muscles and neck have become restricted, muscles weakness and pain escalating in the middle of the night. With the regular night sweats of peri-menopausal symptom and blocked nose and asthma attacks, my nights have been almost sleepless. However, my experiences from the HepC therapy was much worse. I could still get going in less than an hour after waking up. I am doing so much better now.

Started the second week going to the Chinese chiropractor with acupuncture, I was hopeful the massage therapy could release the tension off the muscles. I think either a pinched nerve on the neck or the tendinitis on my shoulder could be the cause of my biceps pain.  In addition to that, the Degeneration Disc on my back could also be related to my wrist tendinitis and cervical disc problem. However, the after effects of the massage therapy was debilitating pain not only on the neck, but also the biceps and wrist (surprised right?). After the second therapy, the after effects pain was less significant now. 

I have also started back with 3000 IU Vit D3 per day for calcium absorption and Magnesium to promote nerve strength and sleep.

I am hoping things get better with each week's therapeutic session and supplements intake.

My neck is agonizing painful now I need to stop writing.

Reminiscing the Good Old Days

(fron left): Hai Choo, me, Cheryl, Hai Lan, Alice

Alice Tan organized this gathering a week before and we all confirmed it just the day before we met on 31 May 2014. Some of us had not seen each other for about 30 + years! How time flies! I could feel the innocence in us when we were kids is back. However, this innocence has turned into a sincere and genuine friendship we kept over the years which will last forever.

We were all childhood friends and actively involved in the activities of Calvary Jurong Bible Presbyterian Church. As each of us were growing up, we all went our separate ways. Some pursued education overseas while others moved away from the neighbourhood and eventually lost contact ... like myself. Due to our personal obligations and pursuits, we had to strive and struggle to live the life this society mould us to be. To get employed, settle down and start a family. In order to achieve this basic needs of a  happy life, we had traded in with much efforts and sacrifices encompassed with pain and suffering. Not all of us had a smooth ride. Some were less fortunate than others. Some made it eventually after a roughing out the tough times and some are still going through the different transitions in life again and again. As some of us strayed away from God and led our selfish lives for selfish gains, the ups and downs in life eventually led us to realize His greatness and unconditional love that no other can give us. We are like the prodigal sons who return after having rebelled and wasted half our lives. We lost ourselves along the way through the many ordeals again and again but finally at this point of life, we found God and ourselves again.

We thank our Almighty God that for His grace and mercy Who had watched over us all these years. For blessing our lives and that of our families, for giving us hope when many times we almost gave up. 

 

Live and Be Who You Want To Be - my experiences

Hope you guys like this new poster I made with my own picture taken at Secret Beach, Sabang, North Sumatra.

I have been waking up during the wee hours in the morning with so much in my mind that inspires me to update my blogs which I have neglected for a while.  Recently met a nice young lady and we got along fine. However, I soon realized her perceptions are not quite open yet. The advice I can give is limited to using my life experience as a living example as life cannot be taught but live to experience success and happiness, failures from mistakes or tragedy and traumas. What I am putting down here is only my personal opinion based on my life experiences. This is not a professional advice for any readers. We will begin this with what success is:

Success ... what is it to me?

It has been said many times, to many, that success is a journey and not a destination.  This is very true because many people stop moving when they achieve financial stability, wealth or status and become complacent. From the business point of view, long term stability and security is achieved through endless relationships with customers which is the journey and process. Aside from financial achievement, what else is there to achieve in order to live a fruitful and meaningful life with purpose and value that motivates you to live with happiness and contentment? That at the end of the day, when you are rich and famous but old and tired, you will ask yourself, what have you achieved in this life to feel you have done what you should have for the society or did many things which cannot be brought to the next "world" and that have to come to a stop the moment you closed you eyes forever? We fully agree that the monetary rewards for working like a dog this whole life will help our younger generation achieve their future desires but we will no longer be around to know what will happen. Do you want to be remembered or will they even remember you as the giver? Let us leave this discussion to interested parties on estate management.

Let us look at what success in my life mean. Those days, I thought I was successful because I drive a marque, live in a Orchard Road condominium, dine at restaurants and socialize with the high society, it never lasted because they come and go.  Some of the rich did not stay rich and the richer became more snobbish. My then lavish lifestyle also led to bad habits like gambling. Slowly, much of of my fortune went down the casino lane and subsequent business ventures. 

After going through financial success, failures, death of family member, tragedies, personal traumas and sickness being the latest, my perception of life changed 360 degrees at this turning point in my life (third quarter of life ... guess my age lol!). Having been through a chronic illness for a few years, the pain had me awaken to realize the real happiness of living. I was not at my death's bed but the symptoms and effects from the therapy had gotten a toll on me for a year and a half. The non-chalant attitude from others left me with nothing but disappointment and hopelessness.

All Alone ...

When I was sick, nobody really cares financially or physically. It was financially strained paying for my medical bills but all said they got no money. The only help I received was $4000, the minimal medical claim provided by my company. I was even advised to borrow from relatives. I asked myself "Am I such a bad person that did not deserved any help even from my own family? I have been the provider, driver  during the good times and even shared my marque ... ", I was devastated and frustrated but no one to talk to. I was always in all sorts of pain and allergies but nobody at home co-operated, understood or empathize. At that point, I encouraged myself to hang on until it was over. I depended on myself mentally and emotionally during this whole ordeal. At that point, I realized my life had been a failure. Nothing I had done meant anything now. Despite the marque, monetary gifts and status, it was lost and had become history. What I was yesterday was already forgotten because only what you are today matters. I told myself that throughout this ordeal, I will have to grit my teeth and not give up.

I am almost at tears writing this post, recalling the saddest part of my journey in life. But this part of the journey has brought me up to realize what real happiness is. I went to take a break. I was so tired fighting the illness, its effects and emotional strain. As I recuperate, I started to travel to North Sulawesi, Bali and especially to Banda Aceh, North Sumatra, Indonesia, I saw how difficult but simple and happy life can be and learned how the Tsunami has affected their lives and family and how unfortunate they have been, deprived of the luxuries of life, having limited resources in healthcare provision, daily needs and government support, I realized how fortunate I am living here in Singapore and still not happy. We can go through all kinds of pain but how can that be compared to the sufferings of the unfortunate? Not only did they lose their homes and property, but together with many of their loved ones. That is the trauma that could live in their hearts forever. Why are we unable to live simply and happily despite the difficulties in life and stop complaining? Why are we never contented with what we already have? 

Live Your Dreams

With my in sights to the lives of the less fortunate in Indonesia, new discovery of the magnificent underwater world with travelling becoming my passion, my perspectives of life have changed. Life can be very simple but too often our human nature complicates matters . 

My definition of happiness and success can be concluded as "Live and be who you want to be, not what others want to see". We live for ourselves and do not need the approval of others. Do what we feel is right and not against our conscience or at the expense of others. Your wealth and status may not bring you happiness. Good looks and youth wither as we grow older but the joy and fulfillment in us last for as long as we live, the choice is ours. 

If you do see the unfortunate with your own eyes, are you willing to offer help besides monetary gifts? Have a dream and live to fulfill it, do for yourself whatever that makes you happy and a life fulfilled. For my life, I will not stop continuing my dream for exploring the underwater world and travelling to support the less fortunate diving destinations. If my obligations have been met, I would volunteer in remote locations. The most important will be to appreciate and take care of my parents. With this simpler goals, in life, I will be a happier person. Life is less complicated and the world a better place to live in. What more could I ask for in this life?

Fresver Beauty @ Tampimes - BEWARE!

I should have checked them out before going for the “free” facial but I did not expect to experience such hard selling similar to certain direct marketeers. They offered the diamond peel facial for free but when I went in the consultation room, they checked my skin and said due to my sensitive skin, will not be suitable and recommended another type of facial. I asked for extraction and had to pay $40. The therapist was nice and gentle but she did not do a proper extraction which i discovered much later. She did not even bother to extract a pimple! After the session, the consultant and therapist talked me into buying a 3 facial package cost $295 incl GST. Having seen my face still with the white heads and pimple and looking back at their sales techniques, I felt I was coerced into buying the package. I called and then went down asking for a refund. I was told that any request for refund or exchange of treatments are to write in to an email to Karen… what rubbish! After a few emails, she still did not grant me the refund but gave me options to exchange for other treatments. Now I am not happy to go there anymore and yet can’t get my money back! What should I do?

Anyone got suggestions? Maybe I can only go back to finish the package but with a change of therapist. Not sure if it’s possible. I will not hesitate to continue telling everyone not to go to this salon.

For those reading this post and have received a call to go for free facial, PLEASE DO NOT GO TO FRESVER BEAUTY SALON!!! It will NOT be free! They will hard sell you until you buy something which you may not be confident of. They are dishonest and unethical, unprofessional and not customer oriented. They will rebut anything you say and give all sorts of excuses to make you buy something.

So REMEMBER, DO NOT GO TO FRESVER BEAUTY SALON!

Backache on the bus

It has been three months since one of the drivers fetch Arlyn and myself to work and breakfast (I normally just have tea) every morning. I decided to give this a break and start taking the public transport again which started yesterday.

Today, I could feel agony of the past has been relived. While standing on the bus, I was looking for somewhere I could lean my back to ease the pain but the bus was too cramped up. At my age (cos nobody believes), I should be called the auntie to the many younger 9 to 5 office staff on the bus and yet young lads and gals did not give way when there was an empty seat. So I take it as a compliment that I still look young! lol ...

Even leaving my laptop on the floor, the pain still persist. I was facing sideways standing on the slope of the bus so I changed position to face the front. It helped. I analysed that the back needs both sides of the body to be aligned in order to balance and not aggravate the disc any further.

I recall there was a middle age Malay lady (about 30+ yo) whom I used to see on the same bus (no. 17) from Tampines to Bedok who always let me have her seat. She must be knowledgeable or experienced to notice my problem and a very kind-hearted person. In so far, the last two years, I have never met another kind soul. Whenever I am on the MRT, nobody give up their seats to the elderly too! And this "auntie" having back problem have to give up my seat. What an irony in this world!  Maybe I should I go back to being a plain Jane, no color dyes on hair, keep my hair white and dress like "auntie". Maybe then there be a little more sympathy from the younger people ...

I also started fidgeting on my seat again. I just need to keep adjusting to reduce the discomfort and pain. When will people ever notice and learned that these are the symptoms of a bad back problem ... for my case, it is called Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).

Allergic to scents

It all started when I was on Hepatitis therapy. The first few weeks on the medication, my sensitivity to smell, light and noise rose above the normal person. I thought it was temporary but today, more than a year later then I realized this has become permanent. 

Perfume

I have become extremely sensitive to perfumes with floral scents and asthma will be aggravated. If I get on a crowded bus in the morning, I would cover my nose with a piece of tissue, acting like I've got runny nose. If not, I would feel choked, difficulty breathing with airways blocked and start coughing till my lungs drop. This is also regularly experienced every Sunday morning when dad spray perfume on his shirt before he leaves for church service. I would stay in my room until he leaves the house.

Chemical

Certain chemicals also affect my breathing such as strong detergent, paint, varnish and hair dyes. Whenever I color my hair at the salon, my scalp would even feel numb and swollen.

Odor

Not too bad. I could still breathe normally but feels like I'm gonna faint.

Remedies

I have not found any remedy yet. I am still learning. Meanwhile, I will begin by eating less processed foods such as instant noodles and canned food. Of course, eating healthily and  a balanced lifestyle is common advice but not easily adhered to without discipline. Taking vitamins for long term is also beneficial to people with allergies and inflammation. These are my regular vitamins/health drink have been taking:

Evening Primrose Oil 2000 mg per day

Omega 3 1000 mg per day

Vitamin D3 2000 mg per day

Glucosamine 800 mg per day

Vitagen (low sugar) 5 bottles a week

I always recommend drinking at least 2 litre of water daily. I drink almost 2 to 3 litre daily. Water not only cleanse the body system, it also helps reduce getting colds and flu.

Another common advice usually heard from doctors and nutritionists is to eat lots of vegetables. Vegetables contain abundance of nutrients that fights illness. Besides eating chicken, fish or pork, I also ensure that these are on my dinner menu once a week:

Broccoli

Chilli Peppers

Green Cucumber

Celery

Carrots

I will, however try my best to live healthily and my next objective is to start jogging every weekend to build up my stamina.

Some information can be found here on healthy foods:

http://vitalhomeremedies.com/category/super-foods/

On Pain Meds again

Tramadol 50mg

It has been months since I have stopped all my pain medications: pregabalin (Lyrica), Ultracet, Tramadol and Prednisone being the most recent. I realized that my back will ache intensely after one and a half months from my last diving trip. Since last weekend, I resumed taking Lyrica and Tramadol due to intense pain again. I really do not like this meds due to the side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, swollen eyes in the morning and feeling dizzy but it is very effective, at least for my pain.

Lyrica 75mg

That was the result of re-painting of the living room, I had to mop and sweep three times before I could find it clean enough. This over-activity caused a very bad backache radiating to the buttocks and thighs and a swollen wrist, the same position where I had tendinitis several times last year. I was anticipating the same would repeat after a few days but thank God, the pain is almost gone today. 

However, the pain radiating from my the left side of my neck all the way to my elbow has been intermittently restricting some movements. My forearm to palm and fingers would feel numb with pins and needles too. Recently I am back to examining my own body and the pain on all the tender points for Fibromyalgia are still painful. But I would avoid going to the Rheumatologist again unless the pain has become debilitating, to cut down on medical fees that do not cure. Morever, the specialists at the hospital do not believe in such illness.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Recently I found out that the person who said hurting words which can be found on my post "To be sick is the greatest", when I was suffering under the effects of the medication more than a year ago, has fallen sick.  He is 28 years old and is suffering from high blood pressure, the common illness of the elderly and the obese. I was surprised to learned that despite of his young age and medium size, is down with such an ailment.

I was not laughing my heart out, but instead gave him some advice on how to control his diet and lifestyle. Neither have I ever wished he would get sick or curse at him for hurting me. However, it is beyond doubt that karma is at work. What goes around comes around.

There is no need to seek revenge on anyone who did you wrong or hurt you. Just sit back, relax and let nature to take its course. If he deserves it, he will get it back for sure.

Post Treatment - 1 year

Yes! According to my liver function test, I am perfectly fine.

That is exactly how I feel since a few months ago. Side effects from the medication are almost gone! The only one lingering is Tinittus. However, I realized the other conditions have not improved are my Degenerative Disc Disease and Tinnitus.   I am still getting a lot of pain and discomfort ranging 4 to 7 pain scale.

I could still feel a lot of pain on my back whenever I sweep, vacuum or mop the floor. Any actions that require to bend my back I will feel intense pain that stops me from continuing.

Nobody understands what I was going through even though I have completed the therapy and my health looks back to normal, I am still facing some issues.

I am experiencing pain on the left shoulder starting from the neck to the fingers. Often feel pins and needls and numbness but still bearable. I have given up on TCM or Chiropractice which I think is a waste of money.

During the period before starting therapy and after that, I thought TCM helps ease my pain but it only drain my finances with not much improvement, only comfort for the moment.

My main disappointment was from mum. When I explain how I started with the pain, she reprimanded me instead. A that moment, I felt degraded that I am not worth being her daughter. Mum, being the only family I am livng for, now give me the feelings that all my efforts are gone... there is no meaning left in this world to live for.