Summer healing and a couple of resources for neuropathic pain

I've spent as much of the summer getting outside when I could. There is something about the wind on your skin or the feeling of floating in the waves at the seashore that is such a balm to the soul and the body of one suffering from chronic pain. It has helped me feel more at peace.

I've taken some time here and there to keep researching neuropathy and came across a couple of informative sites.

Neuropathy Support Network

I've added a couple of the books recommended from the above site to my Amazon cart.

A Canadian Neuropathic Information Site

Walking the sandbars and my collections

For the moment everything is in balance. I'm staying on all the medications, even though I don't like it, and all is good.
This morning, I took a little drive out to the Beresford market, feeling very summery, almost touristy. I donned my straw sun hat, shorts, and a cool cotton blouse, gathered up a basket and off I went. I used to have a rule that I would only wear shorts around the yard, or on vacation. I've gotten over that!
I bought a Frech country bread with cranberries, a quart of fresh local strawberries, and garlic greens which I'd not seen before.

I'm told to cook with them and add them to stir fries.
Since my mother in law is just around the corner at the beach, I popped in for a visit. I was lucky that it was low tide. We went for a little walk on the sandbars and waded through the warm pools. Of course I left my phone/ camera in the cottage.
I did bring a few treasures home to use as subjects in my sketches. I laid down a first wash of color and left it for now as even though the air conditioner is on, I'm sweating. Going to take a break.

These simple little indulgent pleasures keep me happy and serene, making me forget anything else.
An email from my son to tell me about a tree purchase they just made for their new home and a picture on Facebook of my daughter doing what she loves made me happy. Better than any medication.

She did a 'Color run'.

Dealing with nagging neuropathy, cranberry muffins

A couple of days ago I decided to see if I really needed to take the 25 mg of Elevil at bedtime, so I stopped it. I've found out that it really doesn't seem to affect my sleep at all. However, I have noticed a remarkable increase in the daytime itchiness, burning and tingling.
Last night. I took a half pill; again no affect on sleep but I'm still having the increased symptoms. Looks like I'll have to go back to my regular dose.
Taking all this medication gets me down, but so does the neuropathy. I guess I'll have to choose the lesser of two evils for now.
One thing that helps is to keep busy. I especially enjoy making healthy and colourful meals.

These are one of my go to recipes. Granola rhubarb muffins-- I used cranberries since I just made a rhubarb crumble yesterday.

Swimming in the sea

I swam in the sea today, well technically a bay, the Chaleur Bay. And it was warm.

I floated in the shallows between the sandbars on a noodle, rising and falling with the gentle undulation of the swells, remembering the dark time a short couple of months ago when neuropathy held me in its grip 24 hours a day.
Now it is mostly under control; I am reminded from time to time during the day with light symptoms.

Today, I walked the beach in my bare toes and flip flops taking in the beauty of the sand and the tide worn stones.
I kayaked, I swam, I floated, the salt water doing wonders. I turned with my back to the shoreline gazing out to the endless horizon.
It felt so wonderful. I still fear the return of the all consuming pain, ever hopeful that I'm on the mend.

Gabapentin for neuropathy

I'm still taking a large dose of gabapentin for my neuropathy. I still remain hopeful that it might get better someday and I'll be able to get off it although the groggy side effects have worn off at least.
It really does help for me to stay busy as it takes my mind off the symptoms that are not completely eased by the medication. I still have some tingling, burning and itching at a moderate level. Doing something physical really helps. My husband doesn't like me to mow the lawn, but I insisted the other night that I really needed to do it. I couldn't sit still all evening!
Keeping busy during the day with my gardens and artwork help too.

I'd like to be able to sit and read a little more often. Depending on symptoms, sometimes I can't relax enough to do it.
I can only relate it to having a feeling of ants crawling allover and I have to move even though I'm tired. At night to sit and watch TV before bed, I have to add Tylenol or Benedryl into the mix.
I'm doing what I can and need to go about my day and do most of the things I love. For this I am thankful at least.

Getting away

There is definitely something about getting away from things! We've come to Hampton, NB to visit my son and his fiancé in their new house. We have our own room with a comfortable bed. Their house is sweet.
Today, I relaxed a bit while the men worked on a garden fence.

It really does the body wonders to get away and relax. I still have pain but it has gone down and of course I think about it less.
I took their new puppy, an Auussiedoodle, for a walk. He's such a sweety!

And quite well behaved for a puppy.
I gathered some wildflowers while taking him for a walk. I think a nicely shaped jar makes a great vase.
While the boys work a bit more outside, I sat at the table with puppy curled around my feet while painting in my tiny travel sketchbook.

Oh, and I do always take sleeping pills when traveling. It makes for happy days.
It's all a good prescription for well being.

Finally, a walk

I've been icing and my leg and wearing a knee brace and  it finally feels a little better. A noon hour talk show with a doctor convinced me to get out and give it a little spin. He said that contrary to old beliefs, one should use the injured limb lightly to build up muscles.
So I did.In between showers I took my poles and went for an easy 30 minutes. Seems OK.
It's silly isn't it the little things that can wear you down, and the equally simple things that can make one happy. good thing for that!

i picked the forget me knots near the beginning of my walk and gripped them with my poles all the way!d

And I picked up the little orchid while at the grocery store.
I've had a busy couple of days writing for a deadline. Between that and my knee, it was lovely;y to get out for a bit. Even the mosquito didn't darken my mood! They sped me on some though.

What do you do to cheer yourself?