Tag: health

Spastic.

Can you call someone a spastic? Probably not. Can you call yourself a spastic? Most definitely. Well, I’m a spastic! 🙂

I have a condition called hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). It affects the lower half of the body, causing the legs to gradually get weaker and stiffer over time. In my experience, I’ve found my balance is worse and walking is tougher than it was when I was a child. I’ve probably always displayed symptoms of the disorder through childhood, but the symptoms have just become more profound over time.

So, what’s it like living with HSP? It really does depend on your outlook. People with HSP are all at different stages and the disorder will be progressing at different rates. Unfortunately, there are no treatments at the moment which can reverse the disorder. Therefore, treatment is focused around managing one’s symptoms. These treatments can range from seeing a physio to discuss an exercise and stretching plan, to taking muscle relaxants to help with stiffness in the legs, to injecting Botox to the stiff areas.

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For a long time after being told by the doctor this is something I probably have, I was a victim. I thought everyone else I knew who could walk without thinking, or stand on one leg with no problem, or stand for long periods of time all had it so easy. Of course, it wasn’t there fault I had difficulties doing this things. The mentality I had definitely didn’t help me.

Also, during the time I found out I had HSP, I was in a very anxious and depressed state. I used HSP as an excuse not to leave the house, which (obviously now) didn’t help my mental health symptoms or my HSP symptoms. It’s easier for me to say now, but leaving the house is huge. If you can, always leave the house. It will help.

So what helps my HSP? Moving! HSP is a neurological condition so I believe (not a doctor) that keeping the neurological pathways between my brain and legs working is important. When I wasn’t as active, my symptoms were definitely worse. My legs were tighter, I suffered from more pronounced clonus (involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations, causing a shaking sensation) and when I tried to walk, it was harder.

Since February, (when I began playing Pokemon Go!) I’ve been going on daily walks. I used to tell myself I couldn’t walk long distances because it was too hard and my legs shook too much. Well, it’s amazing what the body can actually do. I now try to do at least 6000 steps a day, which is surprisingly easy for me now (I’m averaging 10,000 steps a day for June atm!).

What does the future look like with HSP? Well, there’s no cure at the moment, but DNA science is always progressing. It’ll probably involve me losing all dexterity in my legs, and needing a wheelchair. But at the moment, I’m focusing on moving and I’m not going to stop just yet.

There’s plenty of ramps around for the disableds these days anyway…     David_Brent

See you later.

Abstain.

As a human in today’s world, we have more choice than ever before. With that, a lot of diseases and illnesses that exist today are because of overindulgence. In developed countries, obesity is an epidemic, diabetes is on the rise and we are addicted to electronics. We are always looking to add something new to our lives, buy the newest phone, eat the newest super food. You go to a doctor and they prescribe you a new medicine to take.

Well, over the last the month, I’ve been trying to abstain from certain things. Unintentionally, I’ve always intermittently fasted for some period of the day; but I’ve been more strict recently, and now I’ll make sure I eat all my food within an 8 hour window (10 at the most). Aside from the health benefits everyone constantly bangs on about, logistically, my day is simpler and doesn’t revolve around food. I’ve cut bread out my diet. It might not sound a lot, but I was having bread for lunch everyday. I’ve replaced it with veggies, eggs and meat.

I’ve stopped playing video games. Should 24 year-old men be playing video games in the first place? I’ll let you decide, but I knew (deep down) it wasn’t a healthy obsession for me.

Nicotine. For the last 6 years I’ve been through various relationships with nicotine from smoking once every few months, to smoking once daily, to smoking a few times daily, to vaping, to giving up completely, to vaping, to smoking once a week, to smoking once a day, to giving up completely. This is where I am at the moment and it’s been a couple of weeks with no nicotine.

Caffeine. Similar to nicotine, but I allow myself to have one drink with caffeine in it, once a week. I used to be addicted to Pepsi and drink at least a can a day. I look forward to my can (as it’s a treat, I have Red Bull now) of caffeine once a week.

Alcohol. Never been a big drinker, prefer smoking, so only drink on occasion.

Huge Food plate with salad, French Fries and sauces.

So how do I feel? Better than I did, for sure. I sleep better, I eat healthier and I have more energy. Don’t get me wrong, trying something new can be exhilarating, scary and awesome all at the same time. But cutting back, or cutting out things in your life which might feel ‘nice’ that you know are ultimately holding you back can feel pretty awesome too. It also feels great to develop self-discipline which can translate into many other parts of your life.

In our cluttered world today, give something up and see how you feel.

See you later.