2017, a year to forget, really!

As 2017 ends, here’s a health update. My last iron test was good, and I don’t need frequent infusions. However, stomach pain has worsened since surgery. I’ll have an upper endoscopy in a few months. Surgery may be the best option for the hernia. I’ve tried everything, including weight loss and a healthy diet. My blood thinners are inconsistent. A few weeks ago, I had severe headaches, confusion, weakness, numbness, dizziness, and off-balance, which led to a fall down the stairs. Fortunately, I only bruised a few steps and was a bit confused, but I was okay. My INR was 5.9, which was concerning, so I started twice-weekly checks to get back on track. My legs are often swollen and painful, especially my calves, which feel like they have clots. I’ve been in so much pain that I look like an older man in a nursing home. I can’t take pain medication without having stomach pain. I’m tired of the medical complexities and want to recover, but I can’t get back on track. I’ve been reading lately to understand why I’m attracted to stress and how it impacts me. An odd thing happens: I often get sick after a stressful period, like an intense deadline or holiday houseguests. When are my iron levels normal, and are my blood thinners balanced? Then I get sick. I read that the let-down effect, a phenomenon where people experience illness or flare-ups of chronic conditions after stress dissipates, is linked to increased pain and other ailments. Studies show more panic attacks on weekends and more emergency room admissions for peptic ulcers on holidays and Sundays. So, is this why I look forward to stress? I feel better? It seems odd, but there’s some validity. I have less pain when stressed. Research indicates an increase in cortisol and other stress hormones that can protect against the perception of pain, which is beneficial in the current situation as it enables me to reach safety in dangerous conditions without being hindered by pain. Conversely, a post-stress decrease in cortisol could trigger a flare-up of other forms of chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. A study suggests that both emotional and physical stress elicit the same inflammatory response, which can lead to illness or the “let-down effect.” After either type of stress subsides, there is a down-regulation of the immune system and suppression of the immune response as a reaction to alleviating anxiety. Additionally, the surge and fall of stress hormones can lower dopamine levels in the brain, potentially triggering overeating, which I have a significant issue with. The most effective approach to addressing this issue is to seek appropriate physical and mental stimulation intensity. For physical stimulation, I can engage in moderate exercise in short bursts, such as jogging or walking stairs for five or six minutes at a time, several times a day. For mental stimulation, I can challenge myself with math problems, crossword puzzles, computer games, or play chess under time pressure. I should perform these activities for three days after a stressful period, as this is the critical window. So, it is a new year, and you think I will get it. I am still determining. The older I get, the higher my stupidity climbs, so I will keep trying.

Carry on, my friends, carry on.