I really miss ibuprofen (motrin)... Ever since getting sleeved, and then being told by the tummy doc (gastro-enterologist) not to take it, I have really TRIED not to take my little pain helper...and only take it when the muscular or "owie" pain is worse than what the pain will be to my GERD ridden sleeve.  The tummy doc said that motrin singlehandedly keeps them in business...that statement says alot...

I have chronic neck and back pain (I know...who doesn't have pain at some point, right?)  And recently my left hip and knee have started "tweaking". So tonite I took 2 ibuprofen before heading into work.  It was worth it to me not to think about my knee and hip for the duration...  But I have new strategy that I hope will pan out.

I already take hot baths for muscle pain.  And, I'm sorry, but tylenol doesn't do anything for me!  I have even tried the 1 tylenol, 1 ibuprofen thing before, with fair results.  This Tuesday, I head back into the doc, finally ready to deal with my tailbone pain (she is doing an x-ray...after I have been sitting on a "donut" for almost a year).  I hate dealing with doctors but I fell flat on my butt last fall chasing a little pipsqueaker, and it seems the "no butt fat" has not helped my backside, so here I go again...

I am pretty sure I can get a scrip for Flexerall (cyclobenzaprine) from the doc, as I have found that taking 5mg of this with my Ambien and my melatonin before bed, not only helps me sleep better, but seems to relax all the ickiness out of the muscles, etc so that I don't have to take the ibuprofen at all... (It comes in 10mg tablets which I cut in half because 10 mg gives me restless legs.)

Flexerall is easier on my sleeve than motrin so I can take it daily without the same consequences. I guess my overall point is that we can find new answers to our pain rather than relying on some OTC meds which can tear our little tummies up...  (lol, I made that big bottle of hydrocodone liquid last a very long time after getting sleeved...and I am known to "hoard" pain pills anytime someone in our family gets them...cutting them in half to last longer - that is, after the intense pain is over, and it turns into a pesky nuisance...pathetic I know!)

Speaking of prescriptions...I am taking as many now as I ever was before...the difference is that I don't take them for the same reasons.  I don't have high blood pressure or high cholesterol anymore, but I still need my happy pills, and my allergy ones, and of course the GERD/"happy tummy" pills. 

And speaking of Happy Pills (antidepressants), I hear some people say that depression isn't real...or that anxiety isn't real...and hallucinations aren't real (visual and auditory ones).  Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis will note that I try keeping a positive attitude about life in general.  I believe we don't necessarily control our circumstances but we can control our attitudes toward the things that life throws at us.  I have battled with depression for nearly my whole life.  While there have been circumstances that have contributed to the little black raincloud, it has never really been about my attitude or having a pity party for myself, but about neuro-chemicals and a family history (on both sides) where bipolarism, depression, suicide, and schizophrenia have affected various people in my family.  I am one of the lucky ones.  Yes, I have my little ball'n'chain companion (probably for life), and I might be able to do it for awhile without meds, but it would take so much effort that there wouldn't be a lot of room to deal with anything else...namely, my hubby and kids, my work, and engaging in a full life. 

I have learned how to deal with early symptoms that I am having "trouble" (even with meds), and guard against things getting any worse by making sure I take care of myself.  Getting enough sunlight, exercise, rest, while minimizing stressors, helps me get back on track...and sometimes having to "up" my meds for a few weeks or months until the raincloud isn't pressing down so hard on me. 

I tell you all this because taking meds to deal with a mental disorder does not make me weak.  And, I believe that being open and honest about ALL things, will help change the world into one where secrets and monsters can't lurk around trying to scare or hurt others anymore.  Transparency in our thoughts and lives holds us accountable to the standards we claim to believe in (do you think this can catch on before the next political campaign takes over? lol...okay, I may be a dreamer but even I know that is just pipedream...lol)

Police Negotiator:  "Alright Sleevie and Pouchie!  Come out with your staples up high...No funny business!"
SWAT Team guy looking thru his binoculars:  "Wait!  There is someone in the room with them...with wings and fairy dust...and she is holding them hostage with a protein shake..."

It seems like I play the same game every day... Eat what feels like a lot of meat based meals (with little room for anything else) OR eat what appeals to my finicky appetite (carb based foods) accompanied by at least one protein shake (to make up the lack of protein in the carbs).  (It's more like "if I want the treat, then protein I must drink...."). 

How many protein drinks have I drunk in the last 16 months?  I wonder... My guess is at least 400 - 500.  At 25 - 30 grams a pop (not to mention, I can check off ounces of liquid), protein shakes are hard to pass up...unless you drank them so much you are prepared to tape your mouth shut!  (And while a tasty protein drink helps, even "tasty" doesn't cut it when you are bored out of your mind in protein powder hell!)

So now, the game is "How badly do I want the pasta, cookies, chips, etc?"  Because room for them requires sacrifice (and don't I already know that the nutrition in these carb rich foods is comprised of somewhat empty calories).  I don't even want to hear about that!  I reason it out that I still need calories, so carbs and fat will help me get there.  And I take a good multivitamin, biotin supplement, and for goodness sake!  I don't want to start losing hair again because the Protein & Calorie Fairy DING'd me!  And, of course, I will just make her happy with a DAMNED protein shake! (Why am I such a people pleaser....?)

One way I even the score is by eating my lovely bread portions thru the super thin bagels, breads, and even flatbreads that I top with meat and other toppings.  I adore bread...especially spongy warm french bread...but seriously, what is the point when I am going to take 3 bites and be done with it!?  (I may not know all the answers but I know the less bread I eat, the more room I have for a variety of protein sources.)  If I order a fastfood or deli sandwich, I take off half the bun/bread, then try to manuever bites into more protein and less bread.  By the time I get done eating, I get maybe 30% of the bread with 90 - 100% of the protein. 

I have also learned to live without a lot of lettuce loaded onto those sandwiches.  Again, what is the point if I get hardly any calories/nutrition out of the little bit I can eat?  I frequently take off 2/3 of the lettuce on sandwiches because it's just not worth it.  (Funny how that works now...remember when we used to diet, eating salads?...with loads of the green leafies...)

What I put in my mouth has a direct and unmistakeable affect on my energy level, my HAIR regrowth, my bones and muscles (trying to maintain those), and my weight.  I don't want those 116 pounds back, but I don't want to feel icky either.  (By the way, now every pound I lose corresponds to another wrinkle in my skin suit.  My butt and boobs have fallen and can't get up; but they don't seem to respond to ironing....but I have been eyeing the bike tire air pump lately wondering if I can re-inflate them a bit.  Why can't skin shrink like 100% cotton in a hot dryer?  I lost my jiggle and the tassles just don't swing the same now...lol)

I'd like to hear how other people in MaintenanceLand (or Normalville) keep their Sleevies and Pouches from being held hostage by the Protein & Calorie Fairies out there... And to those of you dreaming of the day when you arrive at these places, keep working your plans! (But watch out for those wings!)