• Health And Fitness - Mini-Posts

    Medusae R-Alpha Lipoic Acid – started today

    My latest purchase of magic snake oil. This formulation is supposed to be the right form of ALA for best absorption. It has a pleasant lemon flavor (two droppers sublingually) and I’m taking it for the burning/tingling in my left hand, arm, and left foot. I had been taking various “neuropathy support” gummies, vitamins (magnesium, B12) and capsules. The last products I tried (the vitamins are latest) and an ALA capsule seemed to be working the best, though I did feel some relief from the ALA gummies. the shop.app/p/16023724982606

  • Health And Fitness

    NEW TRIKE DAY in 2 Weeks: Catrike All-Road Etrike

    So I bought a trike today… Not the exact one I test rode a couple of weeks ago, it will be completely Atomic Orange and I opted to add an electric motor. Basically, it will be built for me and final assembly will be at The Bike Rack in St Charles. So imagine this trike in bright Atomic Orange, but with an electric motor instead of the single front chain-ring. It’ll make getting up hills a little easier for me. My left leg is the weak, flollopy one (TM Barbara Good), but on the test ride I was able to…

  • Health And Fitness

    Tai Chi Heaven and Earth

    This set of morning movements looks tailor made for some of my stubborn post-stroke issues. 35 years ago I used to take a Tai Chi class (Wu style) and some of the forms and stances were similar. Link leads to Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/187DYYqMfX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  • Health And Fitness - Politics, Schmolitics

    Central post-stroke pain–trying amitriptyline gives me HOP

    Trying amitryptiline for the persistent “burning tinglies” in my left arm, hands, and left side. I suspect the carpal tunnel is overlaid a bit with this CPSP on the left side, my doctor started me on a low dose. It may take a few months to dial in the lowest effective dose. At night I can neutralize it temporarily with electric massage, a tight cycling sleeve, and gloves so that I can sleep. Daytime, I wear long sleeves and avoid typing or touching textures. As soon as my bare arm touches my shirt on the side, or upholstery, fabrics, etc.,…

  • Health And Fitness - Politics, Schmolitics

    Medicaid: What Is Able-Bodied?

    A family member is on Medicaid, and could be affected by the #BigUglyBill and the murky definition of “able-bodied.” Also, a family friend is on Medicaid, but is moving to a Red state. I worry that both of them could lose health care in this era of “screw the poor and disabled.” Via Mother Jones: “The Deceptive Phrase Behind Trump’s Medicaid Purge” www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/09/medicaid-rfkjr-able-bodied-keyword-mother-tongue/

  • Health And Fitness

    Stroke Of Luck: Friday May 16 2025 (from my written journal)

    The following is from my written journal… as part of my occupational therapy, I’m supposed to try keyboarding. There may be typos, even using a full size keyboard. On Sunday night May 11, 2025, I had a stroke.  Full stop. I was lying on the couch, watching videos on my iPhone, holding it in my left hand. Around 9pm, my hand kept flopping over and I had to hold it up with both hands. It irritated me so I decided to go upstairs to go to bed.  Standing up, I was a little unsteady, and really had to dig deep to…

  • Health And Fitness

    The Scary Season: US Healthcare Renewal Time

    Yes, it’s terrifying trying to pick a healthcare provider in the US, because of our awful for-profit health insurance system. I’m keeping my current plan because their app made it easy to find a new primary care physician. But I still had to talk to two customer service reps to set it up, and have to call my old doctor’s office to inform them of my new doctor and request a records transfer ‘This is not freedom,’ Swedish man tells newspaper as he learns costs of American medical care He’s not wrong, that Swedish guy. I’ll meet my new doctor…