LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

*disclaimer - I am not a medical professional. I am in no way, shape or form qualified to give you medical advice. I am just a person, sharing my experiences with others


A little while ago....a week and a half, maybe two, I got a couple funny spots on my left wrist. At first I didn't think much of them. They looked like ant bites. I couldn't remember getting bitten by any ants, but I didn't get too worked up about it. Then the bites started to itch. I tried not to itch them, but eventually gave in. After the scratching started, they seemed to spread. More bumps popped up along my arm, and then my right wrist and arm.

I was puzzled at this point. Ant bites don't spread without getting bitten again. Someone thought it might have been poison oak/poison ivy. I still didn't know what it was, but it sure itched like crazy and heat made it worse. 

Now, those of you who have been readying any of my blog posts (sorry for the lack there of, I didn't realize it had been so long since my last one) know that I've been on a journey of going as chemical and toxin free as possible. Cleaned out the nasty products from under the kitchen sink, cleaned out my portion of the medicine cabinet, replaced as many products as possible with safe, healthier ones. So, I wasn't about to go to the Dr. and let them prescribe some man made medications full of junk with nasty side effects. No thank you. 

So, I tried some home remedies. I tried swabbing the bites with alcohol and peroxide. I tried a few essential oils. I tried hot water, then I tried cold. The alcohol seemed to dry the "bites" up for a while, and the cool water seemed to sooth the pain some, but the "bites" remained. The "bites" not only remained, they were multiplying and weeping a clear water like substance. They continued to spread even after we bought new sheets for the bed, threw out the old shower scrubbies and washed everything I wore everyday, no wearing shirts/pants multiple days in a row.  I woke up last Sunday morning beyond frustrated and at a complete loss. The "bites" had spread even more, itched worse than ever and were constantly weeping. I now had them on both arms, my right shoulder, both hips, the top of my left thigh and the insides of both legs.

Feeling very defeated, I got in my truck and drove to one of the walk in clinics. You know the kind that your insurance company sees as a regular Dr. visit, not an ER visit. I was the only one there, and was seen right away. The Dr. couldn't tell me exactly what caused it. The official diagnosis was allergic contact dermatitis, cause unknown.  I got a steroid injection at the clinic, was prescribed 2 medications, and told to get an additional 2 over the counter. I got my medications, went home, and took a nap. When I woke up, I ate and took my first round of medication that had been prescribed to me. At this point, I only took the steroid pills. What I wasn't prepared for was my bodies reaction to the medications I was prescribed.

First of all, I was wired. I couldn't sleep, couldn't sit still. My mind wouldn't stop either, it was constantly going, I couldn't get any peace.  Secondly, I was hungry. All the time. Not just normal hungry, the hungry you get when you haven't eaten in a few hours. I constantly felt like I hadn't eaten in weeks, and could eat more than an entire high school football team in one sitting, even though I had just eaten. Not good for someone who struggles to make good food choices already. Thirdly, even though I was wired, at the same time I felt exhausted, blah. I had no energy, but I couldn't sleep either. I was miserable for almost 48 hours.

 I didn't take another dose of medication. I began researching other ways of supporting my body through this ordeal. If one does of medication made me feel that bad, I could only imagine what continuing them would do.

I sought out other options, and supported my body with some more natural choices instead of man-made ones. I started to feel like my old self again after a few days. I'm still using some essential oils to support my various body systems that took a hard hit from the medications. Word to the wise - if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right! Go with your gut, trust your instincts, find people who have experience with alternative therapies and let them guide you. Don't be afraid to think "outside the box" my friends!! I'm glad I did!

Muddin!

Interesting title huh?

Well, let's just say we didn't get the SNOW that was predicted last night...but we got some more unneeded rain at my house. I know, I know...don't complain. We'll be screaming for rain again this summer I'm afraid...so let's take all we can get now.

Got up a bit later this am to dr Skelly. He's been sooooo good....I figured he was really learning something.

DH was less than cooperative...he stayed in bed. MUST BE FREAKIN NICE huh?

So, i crushed pills after donning a few layers and headed out into the COLD....

Yeah, chilly...but no SNOW.

Skelly's 'pasture' (aka round pen) was a muddy mess.

Maybe I should explain my choice in foot wear here....my sneakers. YES SNEAKERS, not TENNIS shoes....I DO NOT PLAY TENNIS

That being said.....UNLACED SNEAKERS. It's gotten to be a habit lately..slip 'em on...do what needs done....slip 'em off. Easy Peasy....I like that.

Enter Skelly's Pen. Turn, close gate. Set bucket in bucket (LOL). Turn. Catch Skelly with ease. He was waiting right there...didn't budge. I rubbed him for a sec.....then undid right side of neck cover and folded it into itself. Next I undid the chest straps on his blanket so I could see his owie. I'm so happy to report that his owie is healing. VERY WELL. It's covered over, nice small scab. Very good.
Like I said...DH STAYED IN BED. SO, I'm dr-ing Skelly myself. I keep his nose turned into me...nice small circle.....he moves a little bit and stops. I go to touch his owie, he moves a little bit and stops....he moves a lot! I move with him....my sneaker doesn't....i step in about 4 inches on mud with my right foot...i start cursing DH. Not HIS fault I didn't tie my sneakers, but I wouldn't have to be following him all over the round pen so much if he'd have been there to lend an extra hand. Not taking my stress out on Skelly I step back into the sneaker (squish squish) and follow him some more. Spray medicine....move a bit.....put baking powder...move around a little bit. Rub shoulder till he stands still. Rub some more. Touch owie area....he stands still. We end on a good note! put blanket back together, but neck cover back on. Pressure behind ears, he lowers head. Scratch scratch rub rub on face. I dump his food and leave him to it. He's happy to eat his medicine enriched breakfast, thank goodness!

Leave sneakers caked in mud on the back porch steps...ask DH to hose them down. Rinse of muddy foot in bathtub and get ready for work.....

I'm happy I didn't take the DH and no sneaker tying frustration out on my horse. He didn't deserve it....

On the plus side I know I can dr Skelly solo now. That's a good thing!

Have a good day everyone!

I don't like my medicine!

Sometimes, horses are like little kids....they don't like their medicine.

DH called me Saturday afternoon......he was complaining about whoever shot Skelly....he wished he could make THEM come deal with him.
Apparently he didn't want to stand still for his meds....not his oral meds...his topical meds.
We use Underwood's it's truly the best medicine on the planet!!

Skeletor hasn't been messed with much since he came to our place. I know, our fault.
We didn't have the place to work him till the end of 2009. We got a round pen. Then the weather got bad and...well...I know most of you can relate. We don't have any place covered to work our horses and we are at the mercy of the elements.
Skelly often times acts like a wild 2 yr old whose never been touched.
Apparently that's how he was acting Saturday when DH went to put his medicine on.

I told him to wait till I got home to help.
He said he got it done...
I said ok...I'll help you in the morning.....

Sunday am came and out we went to put Skelly's medicine on.
And the fight was on.
Guys don't always understand that 5 minutes of prepping can turn what might end up as a war into a small hissy fit.
DH had gone in with the 'just do it' (thanks Nike) attitude instead of the 'lets teach this little bugger something' attitude.
20 misn of squirting a spray bottle full of water on and around Skelly and he stood pretty well for his meds.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat Sunday PM and Monday am......what a good boy.....
Monday PM however.....a story all of it's own!