September 10, 2018, 1:30 p.m.
Today’s session is the halfway point of my allotted 10 sessions. I told Paul Simon that I’m taking Lyrica at a dose that is just under the amount to mitigate ALL pain, but just enough to allow me to be able to function in everyday life. “The greatest benefit,” I told him, “is that absence of brain fog! And pretty much no headaches.”
For some reason (that he must have picked up in going through my records), he asked if I was having trouble with my left hip. “Not anymore,” I answered.
We talked about side effects of Lyrica and the weight gain complaint came up. “Oh, I’ve been keenly aware of that,” I said, “and so I’m very focused on NOT gaining weight! I know how to do that–just keep eating low carb.”
He put needles only on the right side of my head and neck and on my right hand and wrist. He turned on the heat lamp. The music was the soft, relaxing piano genre, with selections ranging from “Clair de lune” to “Simple Gifts.” I intentionally practiced meditation with breathing, though it was difficult to stay mentally focused, knowing the website issues I had waiting for me at home. It felt like less time than one hour (and later Linda told me that it was), but it was sufficient. I felt my body relaxing and I so needed that today!
When he came back in at the end, he asked me if I was taking vitamins D and B1 (thiamine). He handed me a printout from McVitamins.com on nutritional deficiencies that can be caused by medications, especially neuropathy drugs. The list included gabapentin, Lyrica, and Cymbalta (which Linda has just started taking instead of Prozac). I told him I was taking B-2 and B-12, the latter because I had been eating vegetarian. “I identified as a flexitarian,” I mused, “which is mostly vegetarian with meat ‘once in awhile.’ Then,” I chuckled, “I don’t know why I call myself a flexitarian, when I have bacon and eggs every morning.” He smiled. “You’re a vegetarian after breakfast, then!” he teased. He said he has bacon and eggs every morning, too, and it’s great–he feels satisfied and doesn’t get hungry. I nodded. “And I put butter in my coffee!” He knew what I was talking about and his voice and body language affirmed my choices.
I told him I’ve been taking 10,000 units a day of vitamin D. I shrugged. “I think you’re covered!” he said. There was no mention of CBD tinctures or medical cannabis salve today. There was no need. That will never be noted in my official medical records. But Paul Simon knows. And I know that he knows.
