I haven't been up to par lately

but I promise I will get back on as the cat tales are stacking up in my head. (Anne or Debby, tell me what I do to keep them in one thread for you) Anyway, I have been having trouble with circulation and the doctor said I had to stay in bed the last day with my legs above my heart (seems like I remember something similar to that getting me into a whole lot of trouble back in '74) I am going to try to get one of those adjustable beds by Craftmatic cause I tried stacking sofa cushions and pillows on the bottom of the bed, but I kept kicking them off or practically paralizing my knees trying to sleep without moving. Bummer! So, I am supposed to elevate my gams for 3hrs. for every 1 I spend sitting (typing or drawing or whatever) letting gravity, in all her mystery, store the fluid in my lower legs and feet. Not to mention that the fluid aggrivates the joints where the arthritis is the worst and for the last 2 days my pain (on a scale of 1-10) has been at an 11 or 12; so that's another reason I haven't felt up to posting much at a time. I have been trying to get on to read what's going on and keep up somewhat. I go to the doctor 3/27 and will have to listen to him scold me for lack of exercise, but it's damn tough to do even simple things to get around the house and care for my babs on a daily basis, much less try to "Sweat to the Oldies" with Richard Simmons. . . . . . . .

Have you thought about finding an acupuncturist in your area? After my last accident- I was in a world of hurt and I went from doctor to doctor with the only result being I got more pain pills, muscle relaxers and sleeping pills. =( Then I tried an acupuncturist and the result was marvelous. I regained use of my arm, I could walk without pain- I even lost weight! After a treatment (I went once a week) I would come home and fall into bed like a stone, usually not even getting under the covers, just falling headfirst on the bed with kittens piling on top of me. It is and was an amazing cure and now, I am only taking two pills a day- one being estrogen, the other a pill for my cluster headaches and I am almost pain free. Just a thought- it really does work

Thank you so much, I am willing to try anything. I will have t ask my clinic if there is anywhere I can go for accupuncture that is partially paid by Medicare. Thanks again! Darlene aka Threeleggedkat

Kat, I agree w/ Hissy! I'm getting accupuncture right now to help relieve some of my neurological and pain ales, so give that a try. Needles suck, but it's not like getting a shot.

Have you tried sleeping with your legs propped over a back rest? If you flip it upside down and put the elevated portion towards your knees, it will help you stay in one place while you sleep- because of the curve in it. I've got one floating around here someplace if you want me to send it to you- I will be glad to do it.

Hissy; thanks for the backrest suggestion. I think we do have one of those in the basement with some stuff that we couldn't give away at the last yard sale. I shall resurrect it tonite. A friend (I use the term with trepidation after his suggestion) said I should move the foot of the bed against the wall, scoot down in bed and rig some type of a stirrup to tie my feet up in the air. . . . . . . EXCUSE ME What happens if I wake up in the middle of the nite; forget I am tettered and end up bashing my head on the floor and hanging unconscious upside down. . . . .The press could have a field day with the morning after headlines from that one. ie. "Victim of Bizarre Sexual Restraint Cult Found Bloated in HouseFull of Starving Felines" or "Elderly Southside Female Hung Upside Down During Cat Worshiping Ceremony" . . . . . . Feel free to think up any of your own.

Oh TLK.....you are too funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well lately

As far as keeping all your stories in one thread....just start a thread entitled something like....My Stories (or something like that) and then just always post them in that thread.

Oh, geeze, TLK those visuals are just about more than I can stand. It's hell to get old but, it beats the alternative!lol
Since my back is shot and I can't be on my feet very long, I have been relegated to doing phone triage nursing but, I'm grateful to be able to do that for a few more years until I'm elegible for medicare. Hope by then we oldsters have some kind of a drug plan,too.
Do take care and follow doctors' orders.

I hope the pain ends for you soon!! However some of these positions we are talking about..I would almost pay to see..LOL. I have heard a lot of good things about homeopathic stuff. I think hubby and I are going to look into it soon. Maybe theres something out there to help you.

Hey Kat:

Have you ever heard of Reiki? My father was a 2nd degree Reiki master, and I had many treatments from him. I swear, it works!

Here is some info off a website I found to explain it better than I could:

Reiki therapy is a holistic, gentle energywork process that assists in physical, mental and emotional healing. It is a simple, effective and powerful method of natural healing.

Reiki (pr: Ray-key) means "Universal Life Force". The system allows the practitioner to easily channel this loving energy through the light touch of the hands on the body. The hands-on technique applies natural vital energy in a systematic treatment that covers all organs of the body.

Reiki therapy helps to alleviate pain, fatigue, stress and emotional disorders. It has eased the effects from all types of illnesses, both acute and chronic.