Sjogren's Mom : Weight loss

How Important is a Good Bra?

amop — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:40:00 GMT

Yes, I looking for a good bra. Not only a good, supportive yet sexy bra for my day to day needs now that I've packed up the nursing slings, but I am desperate to find a sports bra that doesn't wind up leaving me screaming in my post-run shower. It seems like every sports bra I have tried at one time or another chafes, rubs, and ultimately leaves me raw. Whether it's the straps that come down from the shoulders rubbing against my chest leaving marks that define the boundaries of the bra, or the lovely under-the-boobs chafing I've now got going on. Yes. On my boobs. I had to apply neosporin and a large wound sized bandaid to each boob the other night in hopes I could get them to heal more quickly.

I've tried doubling up with Champion sports bras, buying those pricey hooked back bras from LL Bean, as well as a handful of the UnderArmor ones from ***'s Sporting Goods (which, by the way, they took back after seeing my chest lines). Nothing seems to work. I thought I had found the solution with a new Nike sports bra, but alas, this one did the above mentioned lower damage on Sunday.

My big problem (no pun intended, but it makes sense) is that I'm normally a D or DD, so the average sports bra just doesn't have enough support for a runner. Might be fine for gardening, but not for anything more strenuous. I'm also at the inbetween stage where I'm decreasing in size as I just finished nursing my now nearly 13 month old, so I'm not the size I will be in a few months (aka, I don't want to spend a roll only to toss aside the bra because it doesn't fit in a few months). However, I need something that it's going to mame me everytime I run a few miles...let alone the 13.1 miles I signed up for a week before my sister-in-law's wedding. I was hoping to wear a dress that didn't include a high front and/or sleeves.

What should a woman do? I've been applying mass amounts of Vaseline not only to my toes, but also along the edges of my sports bra. Maybe I should buy stock...or check out BJ's largest jar. Would welcome any suggestions!

Twelve Weeks and Counting

amop — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:37:00 GMT

I saw my pain management specialist of Monday - finally, as she extended her maternity leave bumping my appointment several weeks. Since I last saw her, my pain has changed a bit. Rather than being pain down the left side of my neck, along my shoulder, and down my arm to my elbow, about half of the time it's a cramping, knot-like feeling just below my left shoulder blade. Nothing too painful to go about my daily life, but definitely an uncomfortable feeling that I'd just prefer not to have. It is worse when I'm stressed and when it's raining (believe it or not).

Well in advance of the appointment I had decided that if this pain was going to be with me the rest of my life, I could (and should) live with it. I saw my rheumatologist about two months ago and she tried to help me out by putting me on an overnight dosage of a muscle relaxant...which just served to prompt my 11 month old to stop nursing. That was too soon, and as the medication wasn't making me feel that much better, I discontinued it even prior to filling the prescription. In addition, my rheumatologist wanted me to get back in the groove of exercising. She said it would help me sleep better and is obviously important for staying healthy...not to mention helping with this dreaded residual baby weight.

The pain management specialist I saw had also encouraged me to resume normal activities (including running, which I love) once the pain was gone. Although it wasn't gone, I was feeling the itch...and push...to get back out there. So, one Saturday while my husband was with my kids, I laced up my sneakers and hit the trails (we have great rails-to-trails). The run made me feel better than I've felt in nearly a year. So I went again on Sunday. And again a few more times during the week (with my youngest in the jogger - my oldest was at summer camp). The cramping pain in my shoulder hasn't gone away, but it's not worse.

During a dinner out with some of my Mom friends many, many months back, one of the Moms suggested that the runners in the group run the half marathon together in October. At the time, October was far enough away that I comically quipped, "sure, as long as my back is okay." Well, as the months have passed by and nearly eight weeks back into a running groove I'm making my plans for that half marathon. I'm technically 8 weeks away from the date, and wow, does that sound close. I spent several evenings at the local bookstores back in June reading through all the running and "Even YOU Can Run a Marathon" books I could find on the shelves trying to piece together what it might take training wise to get my body ready for the race. Back in high school and college I ran for sports and to keep in shape, and I even was talked into running the second leg of the 4x800 in college because someone was unable to run it. As a thrower, my focus wasn't my time, but I managed to pull a good enough time in the race that the other three relay runners were able to pull out a win (over three others). That is the only race (other than the grade school timed miles) where my time actually counted.

I've always thought it would be interesting to run a formal race, like the half marathon, just to proove to myself I can do it. In high school I did run about 8 miles at once, and my typical "run" prior to my second child was between 4 and 5 miles at a time. I'm not the type of person who runs 2 miles and heads back in for the day. I enjoy running and the time to myself to clear my head and destress. As such, getting back into the habit of running over the past eight weeks has been wonderful for my mental and emotional health. Not to mention helping rid another 10 lbs of the baby weight.

After culling through books and websites about running marathons and half marathons, I pieced together a training schedule that I think works nicely for me and my current abilities. I've heard from friends that you technically only need to run three times a week to prepare for the race. However, I would like to run more, and I think in terms of beefing up my stamina, I need to run more. It's been about a year and a half since I ran more than a handful of times. I'm not going for a better time or looking to increase my speed, so I only incorporated one mild "speed" day into my schedule. That's Tuesdays, then Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday are my shorter long runs (right now between 3 and 6 miles depending on the day), and Sunday is my long run (right now I'm gearing for 8 miles this week). I'm four weeks into the formal training program, and after talking with my pain management doctor on Monday, she agrees that as long as the pain doesn't get any worse that there's no reason I can't continue to train.

Since I'm now done nursing my son, I can take the great medications the pain management doctor has wanted to get me on since the beginning of our time together. After I explained how my pain has changed and what it is currently like, she prescribed a Flector patch that I change every 12 hours (and wear for the next 30 days) that administers a constant and directed dose of anti-inflammatories to the affected area. As the area moves, I move the patch. She said after 48 hours I would start to notice a difference, and I kind of have...which is great. Not fixed, but not as tight. Additionally, I'm scheduled for my third epidural injection on September 3rd. I won't be able to run that day, but otherwise, I can easily stick to my training schedule.

My major accomplishment was running a 5k on Sunday. My town had their annual 5k race with 414 participants (183 females), and I not only made my goal of being under 30 minutes for the 3.1 miles, but I came in 5th in my age group (30-39), and 63rd overall among females. Not too bad. My time was 28:20, which equates to a 9:08 pace. Still room for improvement, but I'm hoping to be around the 10:00 pace for the marathon. Here's hoping for few hills and a much cooler and less humid race day!

Iâ€™ll Drive

amop — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:20:08 GMT

I wasnâ€™t sure whether to laugh or cryâ€¦both because of how cute and sad it was at the same time.

Friday as my children and I spent a day together at home, my oldest grabbed my car keys and headed out the door ahead of me to â€œunlockâ€ the car. Itâ€™s one of his new favorite things to do. At three, he likes to try and navigate the key into the hole and turn it to open the doors for me. Heâ€™s a big helper. In both senses of the phrase.

Heâ€™s such a big helper, that as I stepped out the door behind him into the warm beautiful day (itâ€™s summerâ€¦nevermind spring), he said to me over his shoulder as he walked to the car, â€œI take Mommy to da dot-tor.â€

Yeah, guess where I go all the time. Or so it seems to a three year old. To the dot-tor.

Iâ€™m going again on Tuesday for my second spinal injection. After a weekend of hurtâ€¦that my lovely regular strength Tylenol canâ€™t touchâ€¦Iâ€™m SO ready to get on with things. Itâ€™s not only spring outside, but the yard needs work, Iâ€™d love to get running and get off the rest of this stubborn baby weight, and my three year old wants me to drive trucks and run around the yard with him.

Heâ€™s probably sick of me saying, â€œMommy canâ€™t.â€ Iâ€™m in my 30s, not my 90s.

He also thinks that he can â€œtissâ€ it and make it all â€œbedder.â€ Ah, the innocence.

On The Eveâ€¦

amop — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:58:15 GMT

â€¦of turning 33â€¦I had to actually do the math to figure out how old Iâ€™ll be tomorrow. Not sure whether to blame that on lack of sleep, Mommy brain or Momnesia, or just getting old.

My other list of complaints including:

dry, cracked hands
split cuticles
dry lips
dry mouth
dry eyes
lovely gray hair that is beginning to overtake the brown ones!!
just under 30lbs of remaining baby weight
fatigue
and never enough hours in a day

On my list of things to be thankful for:

a wonderful, loving husband who is right now in the kitchen cooking dinner for 9
two energetic and lovable sons that make every moment enjoyable
my health (better back, overall good health, etc.)
my extended family who are always there for me
my wonderful friends who not only remember my birthday, but check in just because
my freedom (as one of our family friends sits in Afghanistan representing the US)
the financial stability such that I can stay home full-time with our two sons

Thereâ€™s many more things Iâ€™m thankful for, but I think you get the picture. The slight inconveniences of life (and life with Sjogrenâ€™s) are far outweighed by the joys of life.

I received the good new last night at my chiropractor appointment that Iâ€™m well enough to start joggingâ€¦YEAH. That will help with at least one of the things on my complain lists. I also donâ€™t need to go back for at least 2 weeks. Hereâ€™s hoping my 33rd year just keeps getting better. Iâ€™ll be buying the hair color once Iâ€™m done nursingâ€¦

Put Your Gloves On

amop — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:16:05 GMT

While it is cold enough where I am to literally freeze your tongue to a pole (see A Christmas Story), itâ€™s definitely cold enough for mittens and gloves. Which I wear every time I leave the houseâ€¦and also to bed.

I did make it through my best friendsâ€™ baby shower without any further damage to my hands (thanks to the gloves and LOTS of lotion). She then surprised us all by delivering nearly 3 weeks early, just days after the baby shower. Talk about timing!

My hands right now are just REALLY dryâ€¦makes me look about 8 years old. Iâ€™ve been sleeping with my gloves and lots of lotion at night and it does seem to help, except itâ€™s difficult to work the remote, change diapers, and nurse with those gloves on. Then as soon as Iâ€™m up in the morning and the gloves are off, my hands are under water nearly all day. Between dishes, laundry, diapers, potty time, and other household duties, itâ€™s nearly impossible to go more than 30 minutes without submerging my hands. Believe it or not, Iâ€™ve even held off going to the bathroom because I just put lotion on my hands. I usually wait and time it with a diaper change or trip to the potty for my older child.

I did have a follow-up visit with my rheumatologist the other week, and besides the dryness, we discussed a ganglion cyst that has developed on my left ankle. Turned up a few months ago and has gotten progressively larger as the days have passed. She didnâ€™t think too much of it, but did send me to xrays to confirm it wasnâ€™t anything other than a cyst (which it was). Her prescription â€“ to go to a special store about an hour away to get fitted for shoes with better arch support. Arg. I love my clogs. Iâ€™m in slippers most of the day. What kind of ugly shoes are they going to have for me? Not to mention Iâ€™m a 12m, so the selection at that size isnâ€™t all that great.

I did call the other day to confirm they actually carry my size before I make a trip there and find out that they canâ€™t help me. She had also suggested arch supports for my shoes, so maybe they can start there and we can see how that helps. I guess between the two pregnancies and the extra baby weight Iâ€™m still carrying (but whittling down thanks to another bout with Weight Watchers and some willpower) my arches have started to let go. I know itâ€™s only going to get worse, especially when Iâ€™m able to start running againâ€¦which is why Iâ€™d prefer the arch supports as I can tuck them into my sneakers. Iâ€™m VERY picky about sneakers as thereâ€™s just one brand (Nike) that Iâ€™ve found is the most comfortable/best fit for my long narrow feet.

Well, weâ€™ll see how soon I can get to that store as my weekends are packed and itâ€™s not something Iâ€™m going to try alone with two small children. Thatâ€™s a recipe for either a snap (wrong) decision or a complete and utter meltdown on all of our parts.

Quickest Cold Ever

amop — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:22:34 GMT

I went from feeling just fine Sunday morning to having a nasty cold in literally hours. I don't recall colds taking hold this quickly. Here's hoping it leaves just as quickly as it came.

After spending Sunday morning cleaning my house (oh, does it feel good to clean...well, maybe as you enjoy the final product), we left as a family for two birthday parties. First one was at 2pm and by the time we left around 4:15pm I noticed my ears were clogged and I couldn't clear them. I yawned and swallowed, and drank with no clearing.

We arrived at the second birthday party around 5ish, and by 6:30pm I knew I was in for it. My nose was clogged and I was blowing my nose trying to catch it before it ran down my face. Welcome the cold.

Usually I wouldn't be nearly as bummed (I'm used to this cold after all of my colds with the second pregnancy), but we were hosting a Halloween playdate for 10 of our playgroup families this morning. Alas, I spent about an hour last night calling everyone and trying to figure out when we could reschedule. I feel just awful it didn't happen today...and that people had already made their potluck dishes for lunch. Here's hoping they hold until Friday, as that seems like the best day for everyone.

My husband actually talked me into canceling last night. I was going to wait until this morning, but he made a good point: better to let everyone know...and to not spend any more time preparing for something that was just going to be canceled anyway. So I put on my pjs and we went to sleep.

On a positive note, I think the medication is finally working for my littlest one...he slept nearly 7 hours straight, got up for a change and a feeding, then went back down for another 3 hours. He sure picked a good night to let me sleep!!

So much for my return to the treadmill. I finally was in a groove of running nearly every evening before dinner and then this hits. Will probably be another few days before I can get back on for some exercise. Oh well, took me 9+ months to put the weight on...will probably take me 18 years to take it back off!

I'm Not Going to Jinx Myself

amop — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:07:17 GMT

Knock on wood...last night, for the first time our little one slept nearly 5 hours straight...in his own bed! Yes, that means I actually slept! He's been doing better the last two or three nights sleeping in his crib, and sleeping a few hours straight (2-3), but has still needed the swing to rock him to sleep around 4 or so in the morning. He's cooing on the couch next to me, what a happy guy he is when he's had a good night's sleep.

Since I slept more than 30 minutes at a whack last night, I'm feeling like a million bucks. When we woke up around 3:30 this morning after his nearly 5 hour bout I felt like I could have jumped out of bed and been good to go for the rest of the day. The remaining bits of sleep I got until about 8am this morning were just icing on the cake.

I've started running again now that my neck and upper back seem to be mostly better. Still a bit sore each morning, but I think I keep sleeping in strange positions without knowing it...hopefully this sleep thing will continue and I'll actually be able to sleep without sitting up in bed. The running has just made me feel that much more out of shape, but I'm sticking with it. Might not get out (or on the treadmill) every day, but I'll get my pre-pregnancy shape back in time. More importantly, I'll get the exercise I need to keep me healthy...oh, and set a good example for my boys.

I ran about a mile on Thursday night...up hill both ways. We live on a nice quiet street that is about 1/4 mile long. Only thing is that it isn't flat by any stretch. You go down a slight hill to get to our driveway, and then it goes down even more before it turns uphill all the way to the cul-de-sac. So, to run a mile, I have to run up and down the street twice...which means up 4 hills and down 4 hills. Great workout, but I would have really liked to run more the first time out. Yesterday my husband and I took the boys to the rails-to-trails down by the river which is really scenic. I ran with my older son in the jogger while my husband trailed behind walking with our youngest in the stroller (and his coffee). I probably ran 3 miles straight, and then walked another mile when I caught up to my husband on the way back. That was a pretty good workout...and it's mainly flat. Best part, I hit the farmer's market by the car before heading home, so we had nice fresh organic veggies with dinner.

I tackled a bushel of apples and made 14 containers of applesauce last night. Ten jars canned and 4 containers for the fridge and freezer. That makes a little dent in what I need to prepare for the winter. Another batch or two and I should have enough to get us to at least the spring. My son and husband loves the homemade sauce, as does most of our family...so we eat it all of the time. This however has caused my hands to worsen. The cracking is back, and the dry fingertips really got annoying as I was trying to change diapers and dress the boys for bed. Feel like I should wear gloves or something to prevent myself from sticking to everything I touch.

I have an appointment for a cleaning today, so we'll see what the dentist thinks of my teeth. Given the lack of saliva, Sjogren's sufferers are more prone to cavities and other dental problems (great, I don't love the dentist to begin with). Add in some sleepless nights where brushing teeth might be hit or miss...let alone the floss part...and we'll see what recipe we've whipped up.