One shot reduces the shingles risk by 65%. Two shots has an effective rate of 95%. But the second shot has to be given within 2 weeks and it's been at least 2 years. So I'd have to do 2 shots. And there's no guarantee it won't make my sciatica worse because it's a nerve inflammation. Shingles aka herpes zoster aka chicken pox virus lives in nerve cells. I've had shingles three times, and each time it was more painful with less to show (almost non-existent rash).
My sciatica is noticeably and progressively worse these days. My doc sympathized with me not wanting to subject myself to surgery and suggested acupuncture. She even had a named provider the next town south. There's also the chiropractor. I might start with him and still make an appointment with the acupuncturist. The doc tells me that now health insurance covers those visits. Cool. The one good thing I got from my semi-annual exam is that my BP is 114/72 so we are all happy about that.
The doc took blood and urine, and ran a new lipid test for a genetic LDL issue. I doubt I have that but since my cholesterol shot up 40 points in a year, it doesn't hurt to check. I'm hoping that filtering my coffee, quitting half & half, most hard cheeses (still want parmesan in my pasta), eating lots of fiber and taking red ginseng will have helped. Only the tests will tell me if the efforts have been worth it.
The Aerobics Room was pleasantly chilled and I made it through my routine, although I skipped the Bird Dog planks because they make my foot go numb. The only other movement that causes me a lot of pain lately are the Dead Bugs: right side ache and the foot goes numb. I've considered skipping them until my sciatica is better, but then what would I do for core? I've already given up crunches and sit-ups.
Tomorrow we drive to Long Island to check out the house where my kid will have a room for the summer duration of the unpaid internship. It doesn't help at all that someone I know from the Dog Park started telling me what a horrible place the town is where the house is located. Never mind that this person is basing that on living there while in college 50 years ago. I tend not to put a lot of stock in this person's opinions based on their bigoted, sexist, racist commentary and them being an exceptionally poor judge of character. (Joe Mancin? Seriously?) But their dog is sweet and gets along well with my dogs, so... we all make allowances for our pets and kids, right?
No comments:
Post a Comment