Being My Own Doctor

When you go online, you discover some interesting things. 

Like, back around 2000, I used eye drops nearly every day to relieve redness, but then I read on the Net--oh my! Many eye drops are designed to actually redden your eyes so that you'll feel the need to keep buying and using them.

I immediately stopped using eye drops and the whites of my eyes have remained just that--white.

Similarly, I'd get daily headaches so I'd take an ibuprofen or naproxen each day for, gah, over a year. But then I read online that I was getting rebound headaches because of the medication. I stopped the meds and all these years later? I've only had the occasional sinus headache, maybe three per year.

And well, if I do begin to get a sinus headache, I immediately take 1,000 units of Vitamin C, drink a glass of water and plop my head into my handy-dandy facial steamer. Takes it all away 98% of the time.

To avoid those sinus headaches, I've had to cut waaay back on dairy products like milk and cheese and I had to totally give up oranges and lemons, including citrus juices. I can take all the Vitamin C pills I want (appreciating what they do for my health and my gums, even), but oranges, etc. (in tandem with milk products, especially) can start a sinus infection faster than you can say, "What were you thinking?"  :)  Oh, and I've not had any kind of sinus infection in ten or so years.

Speaking of headaches, many years ago I had to give-up caffeinated coffee (much to my distress) because it began giving me headaches. But once I did (after the painful withdrawal part), I immediately felt better all over, perhaps partially because I slept sounder, also. It's certainly been worth it. 

I can't drink too much decaf, either, because it can bring on arthritis symptoms, so years ago I came up with a hot chocolate recipe that I love. It uses baking cocoa which--I've read--can be as healthy in antioxidants as green tea. Since I can't stand green tea, I'll take the chocolate. heh.

If either Tom or I even begin to feel a little indigestion, we immediately chew a (tasty) acidolphulus tablet from the refrigerator. Occasionally we need two, but they always work. Daily we take one or two of these because they're vital for good digestion and getting rid of bad bacteria and adding good. I've not been sick in 3 1/2 years and I believe these (and Vitamins D3 and C and krill oil) are major reasons why my immune system is strong.

To get a good night's sleep, I can't eat dinner too late, avoiding these foods in that meal: potatoes, chicken, rice, pasta, apples and dessert. Protein like beef and peanut butter (and bananas, as well), help me sleep better, as does melatonin, krill oil and half a caplet of magnesium. Working and exercising earlier in the day, help, too, as opposed to sitting around and doing lots of nothing.

Oh, and I drink a quarter cup of cranberry juice each day.  :)

Also? God and I have trained my mind not to worry, to release the past and to--instead-- think upon these things:

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--anything that is excellent or praiseworthy..."   Philippians 4:8

And personally, I have found thinking those thoughts to be huge when it comes to both my mental and physical health. That, and laughter. Oh, the healing power of a merry heart.

Of course, I'm not saying anyone else needs to do any of these things. 

But I guess I'm sharing these to illustrate that I've chosen to be my own doctor in these areas. I've had to learn much by trial, error and research online and really, I could, instead, whine a lot, complain, or take a bunch of meds. But I've chosen not to do that--at least, for now. 

Now my research and choices seem to be working... and that's what matters to me.

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" A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries up the bones."   ...Proverbs 17:22


(I love that verse because it shows our emotions and physical health are connected.)


"Do not let your hearts be troubled."   ... John 14:1


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“Don’t fail through defects of temper and over-sensitiveness at moments of trial. One of the great helps to success is to be cheerful; to go to work with a full sense of life; to be determined to put hindrances out of the way; to prevail over them and to get the mastery. Above all things else, be cheerful; there is no beatitude for the despairing.” 
― Amelia E. Barr


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Free Kindle books:


A Stranger on my Land

The Trouble with Holly