I always felt I came from “hearty stock” and was never much for physical maintenance routines throughout my adult life. Having said that, I find many of these routines have become necessary, if not mandatory, at this life stage. In fact, they seem to be taking more and more time and I am not happy about it. I am only in my 60’’s and hoping for at least three more decades of lively living. As such, I often ask myself how much of this do I just have to live with as opposed to trying to problem solve through the healthcare system. I feel sorry for the medical providers who have to listen to this litany of complaints and have to try to discern what is a priority for treatment or/or management. The question is how to write about this subject without providing too much information and/or sounding like a crazy person? Somehow, I think my misery might have lots of company out there who might feel better knowing they are not alone?
My first category of challenges revolves around “moisture management” which has become my biggest irritant and I am incrementally acquiring dozens of lotions and potions to resolve these issues. Of course, it doesn’t help that I live in a high dry place through the winter months. Let’s start at the top with the need for moisture enhancing shampoo that burns the scalp but is necessary to keep the itching and flaking at bay. Then there are all the facial body parts that need separate lubrication and/or medication management; eyes, nose, lips, mouth, throat, etc. to keep these important parts and senses functioning properly. I haven’t had any ear problems yet but I suppose that is coming soon. I will skip maintenance of privates but, suffice it to say, various potions are needed down there as well.
I have a cracked heel problem and several times a week I have to file off dead skin, lubricate and sleep in slippery gel filled heel socks to keep this problem managed. I loofa and lube my skin after morning showers and lube up my face, arms and legs again at night. I think the red bumps on my lower legs are related to dry skin but have yet to tackle this problem. My fingertips and cuticles feel like fish scales they are so dry and beat up especially with all the glass work I have been doing and the gardening season is upon us which, even with gloves, will provide more opportunity for beat up hands. I lube them numerous times a day and often sleep with gloves to keep them moist. On top of all this, I humidify my home, nose irrigate, use moisture enhancing toothpaste/mouthwash and drink tons of water every day. Yes, I take daily vitamin/mineral supplements but all of this makes me wonder if there is some kind of underlying systemic problem lurking. Of course, this has led to many late night internet searches but I have yet to unearth any potential diagnoses of significance I am willing to talk to my medical provider about, yet!
Compounding this dryness malady is some combination allergy/asthma problem I am still trying to get to the bottom of through numerous provider visits over the years. I take allergy medications and use both preventive and rescue inhalers but still have what I have self-diagnosed as chronic bronchitis even though I have never smoked. I now understand how our nightstands start looking like medicine cabinets as we age. Those readers a decade or two ahead of me are probably laughing their backsides off thinking; just you wait!
I know this is all garden variety stuff associated with aging but dang it’s irritating and time consuming to deal with. In the meantime, if anybody out there is in need of over the counter advice on moisture enhancing products, I’m your source. I had hoped to discuss my other two categories of necessary physical maintenance in this article but they will have to wait until next week. Did I mention the biggest bin we transport back and forth between houses is medications and toiletries and they are all mine? It’s ridiculous!