_edited.png)
HCPC-registered Occupational Therapy and accredited Psychological Therapies, offered alongside separate holistic wellbeing support.
Day 17 & 18
Saturday 04.10.25
Day 17
All seems to be going well at the moment It’s getting a little easier every day. I’ve reduced the pain killers to one a day, usually in the morning. I still don’t like taking Naproxen, so changed to Ibuprofen now, much easier on the stomach. My back is still painful but mostly a strong dull ache, rather than a sharp pain, and only if I stand, or stay in the same position for too long.
​
The worse thing is the frustration! It just feels as if I’ve lost complete control. My husband is being really ‘helpful’, and I know it comes from a place of love, but he does things in a different way, and I didn’t realise how annoying that can be, or useless that can make us feel. He is doing most things, like pegging the washing out, but I’ve never seen so many pegs in a dress 😄, I counted 8!
​
He’s also doing all the shopping and buying me lots of comfort food to cheer me up: that’s lovely, and of course, I have to eat it, but I’m not burning it off. Im so used to doing everything, and being really active, that it just doesn’t sit well with me.
Sunday 05.10.25
Day 18
Today was my first day out of the house and we just went for a short walk around the block. Im walking much faster now, but still get really tired, especially in the afternoons. I can also do much more without getting too exhausted: cooking (but I need a stool), ironing (3 or4 things at a time), putting the washing on and pegging it out (if I take it out in small loads). It’s been a game changer!
​
I’m becoming much more confident in my movements, but still ache a lot if I overdo it. I'm also bringing in more stretches to my daily routine and no longer needing lots of pillows to sleep, just one under my knees, oh and my head of course.
​
Keeping up the daily routine and if I have to pick the most useful things it’s meditation, mindfulness and gratitude. They really get me in the right place to start the day, with a calm nervous system.
​
Downside is that I'm post menopausal, so I was already struggling to maintain my weight, and with less activity, it’s getting even harder to shift. I can’t wait to get back to my yoga, Tai Chi and forest walks.
​
This was also the first day without any pain relief at all! Don’t get me wrong, the pain is definitely still there (all the time), but I can easily handle that by resting, and using heat and ice.
Warning:
​
Know and listen to your body. It’s a personal decision not to take medication if I can help it, but if you feel you need it then take it, especially if advised by your doctor. Don’t suffer unnecessarily, but also be open to other options.