Managing health with a doctor shortage

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Are you affected by our doctor shortage?

According to a November 2017 article on CBC the doctor shortage amounts to 37,000 Nova Scotians without family doctors. Our family is about to join the ranks with four of us losing our doctor.

We were very fortunate when we left the metro area and moved to the rural town of Yarmouth. With a referral from my doctor, to a doctor he’d worked with in some capacity we had a doctor almost immediately after moving. I know people who went 4 years before finding a new doctor after their doctor’s practise closed.

Today we are faced with our doctor’s practise closing in two months, if he can’t find someone to take over his practise. Fortunately for our community our doctor is moving to another much needed position, at our ER. However, for people such as myself and my daughter who have chronic conditions or frequent health concerns… it just plain sucks.

What does someone needing regular and consistent care do?

It’s not such a big deal for people like my youngest who almost solely sees a doctor in the event of an emergency. But what does someone who needs regular and frequent care do? I’m fortunate to have a specialist who helps me attempt to manage my pain, but I need more than just pain management. And I need someone who is familiar with my history.

I’ve been trying to set myself up to be taking a well-rounded approach to my care. I’ve been reading books on many different approaches to chronic pain management. I see a physiotherapist and a massage therapist regularly. I’ve tried many other modalities and professionals for treatment.

I am attempting to track everything somehow. I use a lot of apps that cross-sync, so most of my data is available on my smartphone.

Not only do we have no choice about who we see, but we have not choice about IF we see someone

The challenge with reading and attempting alternate treatment, is that not all doctors support that. And with a doctor shortage, not only do we have no choice about who we see, but we have no choice about IF we see someone at this point.

If it were possible to see a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other medical professional on an ongoing basis privately, I believe I would. Unfortunately, of the alternate treatment modalities I’ve tried there is not one collaborative source for this that I can find.

I’m seriously considering getting my own wellness coach. Someone who can help me navigate all of this. It’s interesting that even when someone has the skill set to do so for someone else, it is still important to find a third party for ourselves.

Find a wellness coach and support community

If you are looking for someone who understands the challenges of navigating a complex medical and alternative medicine approach to treatment for your own health & wellbeing, contact me. I have done a lot of research and am aware of multiple sources for information and for support.

Want a place to chat with a coach and others in similar circumstances? Join our community.

I hope to see you there! 

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Drop me a note in the comments below, or connect with me on Twitter @ceilidhontherun, email me at ceilidho at ceilidhontherun dot com, or use my contact form!

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Filed Under: Coaching, Health & Fitness, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

GIFT GUIDE for Chronic Pain Sufferers

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A Gift Guide for Chronic Pain Sufferers

*This post contains affiliate links.

 

Wellness GIFT GUIDE for Chronic Pain sufferers

 

wellness gifts for chronic pain

I have researched nearly every tool that I use to help ease my chronic pain. Some help more than others, but following are tried and true products that help to make my life a little more bearable…

Aside from massage therapy, which I highly recommend, and being completely buoyant in water, heat probably provides me with the most relief. So, I love both my microwaveable heat packs, and moist-heat heating pad. The long magic bag that can wrap over my shoulders, and the large size heating pad that will extend from neck down to tail-bone…

1. Magic Bag Extended Combo Pack

2. Theratherm Digital Moist Heating Pad – Large

There are a number of products on the market for topical pain relief, extra strength Voltaren provides me with a bit of relief…

3. Back Pain Killer Extra Strength Relieve Cream Voltaren 2.32% 30g / relief gel muscle joint

 

For more targeted pain relief I use a tens machine on trigger points that just won’t stop aggravating me…

4. TENS MACHINE (TENS 7000) FOR PAIN RELIEF AND MUSCLE STIMULATION

 

My sleep suffers significantly as does many chronic pain sufferers’, so I have found a few tools to help including aromotherapy essential oils and blue light blockers…

5. ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil and Diffuser Set

6. Amber light & reading glasses – Ultimate Sleep Bundle

Somnilight Ultimate Sleep Bundle

There is something soothing about a warm cup of tea, whether for sickness, pain, insomnia, etc. Davids Tea are my favourite…

7. DAVIDs TEA – Organic Cold 911

DAVIDs TEA – Organic Mother’s Little Helper

 

We all need to stay hydrated for optimal health, but pain sufferers especially need to keep those toxins flushing. I really like infusing my water with lemons or different varieties of frozen fruit. A travel bottle and infuser in one is a great gift for someone who needs to keep the water handy and wants to add some flavour and/or additional health benefits from infusion…

8. 2-in-1 Infuser Water Bottle,CLINE Sport Water Bottles BPA Free Gym Water Bottle with Fruit Lemon Squeezer

I take a lot of medications and supplements, and with the brain fog caused by meds, lack of sleep and the pain itself, I need a lot of reminders. I use an app that serves both as a reminder and a log, and still need an organizer for when I forget to log my meds and have no recollection if I took them or not…

9. MEDca Pop-Up Weekly Pill Organizer, Single Box and 4 Daily Compartments

 

I have found hydrotherapy to be the ultimate in pain relief, before purchasing a permanent hottub with therapeutic jets I had an inflatable hottub. I used it outdoors in the summer, and in my basement in the winter…

10. AQUAPARX 600SPA 155 cm Inflatable Hot Tub

I’ve been listening to a number of podcasts dedicated to improved health and chronic pain. Dr. Joe Tatta has a fantastic podcast focused on functional medicine and non-opioid treatment of pain. He recently published the book “Heal Your Pain Now”. I am just reading it now, but find it easy to read and like the focus of mind, movement and nutrition.

11. Heal Your Pain Now: The Revolutionary Program to Reset Your Brain and Body for a Pain-Free Life

 

When I spend a lot of time on the couch, or in my recliner I love my lap desk. I have a Sofia & Sam, that includes a task light (but not the extendable mouse pad). I don’t use the task light often, mainly because I am trying to reduce the bright LED light exposure to try to help my sleep…

12. Sofia + Sam Multi Tasking Lap Desk with USB Light (Black Top) | Supports Laptops Up To 15 Inches

Finally, an extra gift idea, simply a basket or bin comes in really handy. I had set up a draw in the coffee table with all of my necessities, but have recently filled a tub with the things I most need close by, and now can move from recliner to couch without having to move more than my bin and perhaps my lapdesk if I am computing…

13. LARGE ROUND BIN – 15×16″ with O-ring and thick, sturdy material that holds shape and gives structure, simply collapse bin and store when not in use

Hopefully this Gift Guide for chronic pain sufferers gave you some great shopping ideas!

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Drop me a note in the comments below, or connect with me on Twitter @ceilidhontherun or email me at trish at trishblogs dot com!

I invite you to subscribe to my blog using one of the options available on my page (email, rss, Google Connect, like my page on Facebook, etc.)

If you enjoyed this post, please do like/share it. You can do so using the easy share button below

Wellness GIFTGUIDE for chronic pain

 

Filed Under: Affiliate, gift guides, Health & Fitness Tagged With: , , , ,

Living “right” for health & wellness

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Wellness has a right/wrong?!

Imagine that there is a “right” way to live. That by not living it your health and wellness suffers. Now imagine that this right way applies to every single human – regardless of age, gender, fitness level, income level, etc. – on the planet. It seems implausible. Why is it that people have such emotional responses to how others chose to live? Why is that so many try to convince others that their way is the right or best way?

*This post may contain affiliate links. TrishBlogs receives a small percentage of compensation for purchases made via these links.*

I have been looking into many options. Because of my chronic condition I have a specific motive for doing so – that is to find the right way for ME. I have read many books. I have surfed a lot of websites. I have listened to many podcasts.

 

It’s not one-size-fits all

Everyone presents his or her way as THE way to living the best life. From dietary recommendations of Paleo, to Vegan, omnivore, Vegetarian, low-carb to prescribed diets from nutritionists… one thing is clear to me. Each of our unique body-types, gene make-ups and lifestyles has a unique need for health & wellness. I’m not looking for a one-size fits all solution. I’m looking for what meets my individual needs – INCLUDING my other treatment options. It’s funny how few people question my doctors’ multi-prescription approach even with no noticeable improvement – yet tell someone that you have seen improvements due to a change to your diet based on natural/alternative medicine theory and you must heed many warnings.

There are a few common threads and that is where I want to focus for the time being. Limit processed foods. Eat real, whole, foods as much as possible. Read labels. The more green vegetables the better. Reduce sugar consumption. Move your body.

Then the waters begin to muddy.

Draw from multiple diet & exercise plans

It’s unfortunate that all professionals don’t have the same information. A base of unbiased general knowledge of all schools of thought and what situations they seem to apply best to. And the ability to then work with individuals to determine what is most appropriate for their lifestyle, body’s needs, etc.

I love research and so I have been attempting to find my “right” fit for a while now. From books like Dr. Sara Gottfried’s YOUNGER, websites like http://www.mercola.com/, podcasts like Ultimate Health, and professionals whose care I seek… Some of my preconceived ideas are applicable to a certain lifestyle (i.e. carb-loading for running races), but seem detrimental to my current condition. Where I once was training for endurance sport I learned specific recommendations. However, as my body began to complain, my mindset didn’t keep up with the changes. Not entirely.

So now, I am eating and exercising for my condition or what I hope will offer the best possible outcome. My biggest challenge is reminding myself not to compare my progress in any way to the formerly fit me. I need to compare my progress to me current situation going forward. One thing is clear – it’s much easier to navigate the waters when you have a better idea of the destination.

 

Wellness coaching services

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Drop me a note in the comments below, or connect with me on Twitter @ceilidhontherun or email me at trish at trishblogs dot com!

I invite you to subscribe to my blog using one of the options available on my page (email, rss, Google Connect, like my page on Facebook, etc.)

If you enjoyed this post, please do like/share it. You can do so using the easy share button below

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