I decided to take control of my health, but may have overdone it

“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.” — From the film “Van Wilder”

I’ve been sitting a lot lately. I’ve watched every new show and movie released in the last six weeks. Ever since my sweet dog Princess Leia passed away last fall, I haven’t been walking much. She used to motivate me to get up and get moving. I lack self-motivation, but that’s not a new thing. My whole life has been the same story.

I don’t experience pain except for the heartbreak of losing my Leia, which was excruciating. However, I’ve had swollen lymph nodes in my neck for a few weeks, and they’ve started to become painful and concerning. The last thing I wanted to do was start another medication. Instead, I hoped to see if my body could heal itself. My doctor ordered a CT scan from my head to my pelvis to see what was going on inside.

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In addition to acupuncture, I called in the big guns. Like Mighty Mouse, my massage therapist, Luz, came to my rescue. She’s been treating me for two decades and knows exactly what I need. Her unique style of massage, which is more therapeutic than relaxing, is magical. It feels like I’ve gone eight rounds with Mike Tyson.

For the past few weeks, Luz has come by on Wednesdays to give me a two-hour myofascial release massage with lymphatic drainage. It’s painful but provides immeasurable relief. The sensation of tension melting away, along with the gradual shrinking of my lymph nodes, brings comfort. Miraculously, they are less swollen after a few weeks.

Last week, I retreated to the steam room to continue relaxing and to allow my muscles time to calm down from Luz’s deep massage. I took a breath and decided that six weeks of sitting had been enough. It was time to get moving. The next morning, I awoke early, motivated to go for a walk. It was my first long walk without my dog. It felt great to be outdoors, using muscles that had been dormant for a long time.

Columnist Bari Vapnek stopped going for walks when her beloved Princess Leia passed away last fall. She recently started up again. (Courtesy of Bari Vapnek)

I had also decided to eliminate toxins and adopt a healthier diet. My daughter, Drew, would attest that I “have the diet of a child,” eating only fried chicken and candy. So I took charge, stocking my refrigerator with healthy fruits and vegetables, reminding myself of my culinary skills. I walked 3 miles daily. I spent time in the pool. I don’t like to swim, but it was so refreshing. I forgot how much I love to be outside and how good I look with a tan! This motivation to take control of my health, to break free of old habits, and to embrace a healthier lifestyle has left me feeling empowered.

The changes made in my lifestyle resulted in a healthier me. When I went back to work, I was so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open. As someone who usually requires a sleeping pill to fall asleep, I was surprised at how exhausted I felt. I fell asleep afterward, feeling proud of my efforts and my determination to continue down this healthier path.

But at 2 a.m. that night, I awoke freezing. My Apple Watch was beeping, telling me I had a high heart rate while I’d been inactive. My baseline temperature increased by 4 degrees, and my breathing was disrupted. I quickly grabbed some Advil and took my temperature. It was 103 F. My whole body ached. I was scared and worried about what it all meant.

After that sleepless night, I realized that I might’ve pushed myself too hard this month. I went from 0 to 100 seemingly overnight, which probably wasn’t the best idea. I was happy to have given my body a chance to try and heal itself before turning to antibiotics. I was glad I’d walked a few miles each day. However, I’ll now go to my doctor, have some lab tests done, and see the results of my CT scan. This experience has reminded me of the importance of listening to my body, not pushing myself beyond my limits, and prioritizing my overall health.

My fingers are numb, so I’m taking some rescue calcium. It may be the walking, the time spent in the sun, the release of toxins from my massage, or simply that a fever can significantly drop calcium levels, leading to numbness and tingling. I don’t know. It’s just another day in my life on the roller coaster ride that is hypoparathyroidism.

This brave butterfly will continue to try to get moving each day, spreading her wings of hope, through the ups and downs, in sickness and in health. I am grateful for the hypoparathyroidism community, whose support during difficult days makes me feel less alone.

Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.