OS ways and Poor Health

Pollyanna - welcome back, btw - I use microwavable wheat bags; the trick is to not let them dry out so much (through repeated use) that they combust. I always put a half-filled mug of water in the microwave with them when I am heating them up, and *touch wood* have never had any problems with them.
HTH.

I'm having a very rough time with nasty withdrawal symptoms having stopped taking Gaba; but from what I can ascertain, this should pass, hopefully sooner rather than later, as I have Big Jack Spaniel arriving on Friday for a fortnight's stay.
I'm definitely not fit company for humans right now, though *waves to Lynplatinum*

Hi ladies.It seems that Bonnie is a nocturnal, furry pirahna.She refuses to sleep in her crate, so have relented n let her sleep with me, as she's still sooo tiny.I know i'm soft , but the noise she was making was ear splitting:rotfl:
Am absolutely exhausted, but happy

Hiya Polly

My wheatbaag was made by a local craftsperson and have just made a 'guest' one my self (as my last hot water bottle died!!) I use 1 kg organic wheat (ordered from a health food shop - who range the manufacturer to check it was OK for this purpose); a few drops of lavender oil; a handful of lavender flowers (dried out and harvested from my lavender plants). The outside was made from an old tea shirt - I created a tube 30 cms long by 10 cms (so the orignal material was an oblong of 20 cms by 30 cms). My own wheatbag is about 20 years old and still functioning - do not heat for more than 4 mins for a kilo sized bag!!!

LW - sorry to hear that altering your meds is making you feel worse. Sending virtual hugs and good vibes
Nite all

Hi guys :-)

Polly my new lady is really good She strikes just the right balance, she is supportive without being patronising, just what I need. And she hasn't hassled me about not having a cooker LOL. She has helped me to apply for PIPs and is coming with me to my doctor's appointment next week. She's definitely the best one I have had. We got on like a house on fire right away, but she told me that if you don't gel with a support worker you can ask to change and nobody will mind, different workers have different ways of going about things and they know that each person's approach will suit some clients better than others. I'm mentioning that in case this helps anyone!

I haven't had a great week or so, but I feel as though I am on the up again now Yesterday I went to the allotment I share with a friend and picked three of the biggest butternut squashes I have ever seen. This afternoon I am going back there to clear some of the [STRIKE]triffids[/STRIKE] weeds that have struck up here, there and everywhere. I started helping my friend with the allotment in the first place because he didn't have enough time to keep on top of it, so I feel a little bad that I abandon it for weeks at a time when my health takes a nosedive. But it is surprising, it's only the weeds that are an issue when I let things slide, the crops seem to just take care of themselves. A lot of the plot holders are down there constantly mollycoddling their plants, whereas ours seem to thrive on neglect :rotfl: I definitely feel like the fresh air and moderate exercise are good for my mind, once I can actually get the motivation to go and do it.

Those who have mentioned about companionship - I find it helps, and it doesn't. I lost my darling kitty Baloo earlier this year, he was almost a therapy cat, when I had night-time flashbacks he would snuggle into me and bring me back to reality. I still miss him terribly and even have a little cry for him now and then. He was like my rock and kept me going through some very dark times. He wasn't old at all, only about eight (rescue kitty) but he developed a sudden serious illness. We battled through surgery and feeding tubes, and he seemed to be on the up, but then his organs began to fail and it was kinder to let him go peacefully and before he suffered further Because this was only a few weeks before I lost my home people kept making 'helpful' comments that maybe it was for the best, but I can honestly say that losing him was far, far worse than losing my home. I don't feel like now is the right time for another pet, but when I feel like it is, I will definitely get another furry companion. Animal companionship definitely helps me. But as for humans - it depends. When I am at my lowest it doesn't help at all, in fact it makes me feel even worse. Even though I have some fantastic friends who are as understanding as they can be. But at the same time, I am dependent on friends to a degree, and I do know that I wouldn't be back on the up now if it wasn't for one of those friends dragging me up. I guess it varies from person to person what helps and what makes things harder.

I don't use a wheat bag, but I have a Snugglesafe pet heat pad that is amazing. It stays warm for hours and hours and is safe. But it is also rigid, so won't suit everyone, you can't drape it across the painful area the same way you can a wheat bag. They are also pretty expensive (I got mine as a freebie when my sister was working at a vet's). Wilkinson's had wheat bags very inexpensively last winter, I got some for my old neighbour who had arthritis and he found them very helpful. I haven't looked to see if they have them back in this year though.

Anyway, I am back off to the allotment while I am still able to force myself to leave the house! Hope everyone is having a good day, hugs for all those who need (or want) one :grouphug: