Bllllrrrgh. And writing on oneself.

[cupcake_goth]

Today is One Of Those Days. My chronic health issue thing is being particularly onerous, I do NOT feel awake or clear-headed, the Body Image Demons are warming up for full performance with choir and interpretive dance, and some of the tools for my dayjob are thwarting me. Grrr.

Oh, wait. I didn't actually make a post about the health thing, did I?



So, remember how I was so sick all fall? Just round after round of the flu or something? Many tests and doctor visits later, it has been determined that I am dealing with Epstein-Barr Virus, Lyme's Disease, and Cat Scratch Fever. Any of which would make a person feel fatigued, fuzzy-headed, and in pain at various times. (My doctor: "Why didn't you come talk to me about the fatigue and constant aches sooner?" Me: "Errrm, I thought that everyone dealt with this to some degree, and I just needed to cope?" My doctor: ::facepalm::)

So. I am on some SUPER STRENGTH antibiotics 3x a week (ugggh), and a large handful of supplements and vitamins every day. The downside to this is that the antibiotics, in the process of dealing with these things, can and will cause flare-ups of the symptoms. Whee. So I'm having One Of Those Days.

Anyway, one of the things that I used to do, and have started doing off-and-on again (um, since Mom passed away), is occasionally writing things on my arms. I did that today ("buy yourself the motivation", and I know there are several of you who should recognize that line); when the Stroppy One caught sight of it, he was mystified. Apparently he is not the sort of person to write things on himself. But I know I'm not the only one - I know that at least four of my close friends do such things too. Which leads me to this poll!

[Poll #1711577]

Comments

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

It's been a long-time standing joke in our household, my "palm pilot," or my habit of writing reminders to myself on the palm of my left hand. Been doing it for as long as I remember.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

writing on myself...

writing on a notepad...

writing on other people...

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

Having someone write on me... preferably with a fountain pen.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the Pillow Book?

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

Of course. One of my favorite Peter Greenaway films. But being a very tactile girl, fountain pens or calligraphy ink/pens are awesome on bare skin.

[ozitonaranjo.livejournal.com]

ITA with this.

[dravvie.livejournal.com]

I do it occasionally. Sometimes I'll write a simple "It's okay" on myself. Or maybe sometimes more. I do take a lot of notes on my arm too.

I also sharpie on the name of my main medication onto my arm when going anywhere new. Why buy a med alert bracelet when I have ink?!

[staysonpaper.livejournal.com]

The other week I was feeling self-congratulatory about having accomplished something or other, and so I scrawled "I EXIST!" on my belly in red permanent marker. Noah was also mystified by this during our next skype conversation. And I had to do a whole lot of scrubbing to mostly remove it for my tubes-tying appointment. Because that would have been altogether too much explanation.

So yes, I do the same. Has a bit to do in my case with the fact that I don't cut myself anymore, as well, but I've done this sort of thing all along regardless.

Also: THAT IS A LOT OF DISEASES! THAT IS TOO MANY DISEASES! Good heavens, I hope the antibiotics work fast!

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Next time: just use some nail polish remover. Works like a spell on anything permanent. I know that because a colleague of mine painted a heart on my arm with red permanent marker.

[jola.livejournal.com]

inner left wrist = perfect place :)

[thugg1ns.livejournal.com]

I don't need to write on myself when you guys will both write on me for me.

[tiatsuchi.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. I'm even more amazed by everything you do now. I hope you feel better soon, or at least the antibiotics help to dull the symptoms.

[plymouth.livejournal.com]

I'm a lot more likely to draw doodles than to actually write words. I like to do little black flames coming out of the bottoms of my fingernails a lot.

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

Reminders on my hand only, nowadays, if I cannot find one of my many well-loved memo pads. I really like paper.

I did draw fine ladies and mermaids on the back of my hand in high school--and then on anyone else who liked them. These went over well at swim meets.

[miss-lisa-ma.livejournal.com]

Oh, my! The universe has been extraordinarily...efficient...in its efforts to frontload a lot of misery onto your shoulders. I'm so sorry. I say you write whatever you want on whatever PART you want.

If this helps at all, take solace in the fact that you're not Charlie Sheen's publicist.

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

How about: "No, but I understand why someone would."

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

It's amazing you get anything done. I do hope the meds do their thing and you come back to Full Strength.
I used to write on myself. Then I got Sticky Notes! Now I have Sticky Notes all over my computer. It's a desk computer, so this is easier than with a laptop.
One writer friend has the wall next to his writing space Filled with Sticky Notes! It is awesome.
Take care up there.

[alexandra8011.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I am so sorry to hear you are ill! I am a recent follower from cleolinda, and my mom also recently passed away (2/8) after a 3 month bout with pancreatic cancer. I'm having such a hard time, but I can't imagine also being sick. Interesting about the writing on the arms - I may have to try that, and maybe it will give me some strength too. *hugs*

[caleidescopeyes.livejournal.com]

What a relief to finally know the cause of what's making you bring out the leech urn so much! I hope your recovery's not too long and arduous. More violet creams will soon be on their way to you!

My body image hasn't been so great lately, either. It's mainly to do with being pregnant and *having* to gain weight. Being about 15 pounds overweight already, and now watching the numbers on the scale climb up, and up, and up... it's like watching a train wreck you can't stop.

[marc17.livejournal.com]

Oh my, that's a lot of diseases! Hope you get well and feel like a million bucks.

I also hope you're writing on yourself with a pen and not doing what I used to do. Actually, I'm sure you are, if the Stroppy One saw it and was just mystified and not ballistic.

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

Please load up on the type of yogurt that protects your dairy intact, otherwise milk products will stop being your friends.

Also, I will occasionally wear a piece of jewelry that is specifically to remind me of some mantra, such as "Trust my own judgement". I can just touch it and it helps me out.

[robespierrette.livejournal.com]

My daughter came home from school a few weeks ago with a note written on her by the art teacher. . . who has wonderful handwriting!

I will second the warning about looking for aftereffects of antibiotics. Someone explained it to me in rather gory detail, since my dear husband developed lactose intolerance after antibiotics: antibiotics kill off (temporarily) many of the little flora/fauna that usually protect your digestive system. Without them, some of your food comes in direct contact with you in ways it normally wouldn't, which can cause you to develop an allergic reaction. Boo. I can't think what one can really do about this, except maybe to avoid your favorite foods until the aftereffects wear off. And to be alert to any new symptoms that develop. . .

Take care of yourself, and get better soon!

[caleidescopeyes.livejournal.com]

Eating yogurt with live cultures helps restore the naturally-occurring flora in the digestive tract. :)

[snowcoma.livejournal.com]

I second this, and was told to do so point-blank by a doctor. He recommended non-fruit yogurt (something about the fruit acids not being great for the bacteria) so I got the brand he recommended, plain flavor, and mixed in raisins and/or bananas to make it yummy.

[caleidescopeyes.livejournal.com]

Indeed! Kombucha works well, too. :)

[marchwarden23.livejournal.com]

I write on my hands and arms all the time. At work, when I'm bombarded by a hundred things to do all at once, I have to prioritise and some things get lost on the way but they still have to be done. Writing it down on myself makes perfect sense, since I will lose pieces of paper and misplace notebooks. My arms are a little harder to just leave on a countertop somewhere. *grin*

[scarysammiekae.livejournal.com]

I write things on the back of my hand, I would not say it was anything motivational, I am just really forgetful when I'm busy.

Today is was Stamps and Batteries.

[boyastridgirl.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, grocery lists, sometimes, important phone calls. Sometimes, opening lines to short stories or poems.

Usually though, in the memo app on my crackberry.

But every once in a great while, the feeling of dragging a pen and feeling the ink dry on my skin, that's different in a wholly interesting way.

[ozitonaranjo.livejournal.com]

Definitely get some probiotics in. Super strong abx do... strange things to your digestive system.

I used to write on myself all the time.

[tauren-wardrums.livejournal.com]

Palms for something simple.
Arms for complicated Venn diagrams.
Forehead for inspirational message.

Fingers just because.

[snowcoma.livejournal.com]

I write on myself in the form of meaningful tattoos, though they do not include actual words. I have three tattoos at the moment, each deeply tied with a memory and a vow. I got my first after I survived near-suicide, as a reminder that I am a part of something bigger, and that I must keep fighting. I got my second a year later to mark my survival and the power I have to overcome seemingly insurmountable things. My latest is to mark my true family, both blood and found, and the actions (both by others and my own) that mean family.

I very much want to get my first text-tattoo soon; "When you're going through hell, keep going." It's my personal mantra. All evidence points to Winston Churchill as the author, but I still haven't gotten definitive proof.

As for your health issues, what you said reminded me very much of something I'm struggling with even now: http://snowcoma.livejournal.com/264913.html
It's the last paragraph that matters. I don't want to tell the doctors about the pain, because I know the likelihood of diagnosis, and I do not want another "invisible" disability.

[fyrdrakken]

I used to write notes to myself on my finger joints. Nowadays I have a PDA or Blackberry to make those reminders on, and anyway I wear too many rings, but it was a handy trick when I was using it. (Unless I washed my hands a few too many times before I could get home to deal with whatever and the note washed away. Had to re-do a few.)

[drummertobeat.livejournal.com]

what's your vitamin regimen, love? I'm curious.

[domestinatrix.livejournal.com]

Please tell me your getting all of your sickness out of the way and will soon be healthy as an ox every day for the next half of your life.

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

Goodness that's a lot to be getting along with! I guess I will take from this that I should not have felt stupid going to the doctor after having a sore throat for more than a week - better to check than to keep suffering when something could be done about it.

Might want to get some sort of probiotic to start taking while on the meds and plain yogurt if you can stand it.

Hope you are feeling much better soon!

[insigniaeclipse.livejournal.com]

Write on myself all.the.time. Usually in the inner left wrist and initials or acronym of what it is I'm trying to make sure to remember.

I hope you get to feeling better quick! Bless you! A lot of your symptoms remind me of one of my friends who had a real bad time of it being sick and having to go to doctor after doctor. He was diagnosed as having Lyme Disease, RA, and a plethora of other illnesses and diseases. After testing positive to a lot of these then later testing negative he found a specialist that diagnosed him with Sarcoidosis and got him on the right track to getting better.