Myspace blog

It's been a month since I made my last post mainly because I've been out of town a lot and getting tired as a result but also posting comments on other people's blogs (only ones I've met in real life though) as they get the old ticker going. As well as that I've just started up a blog on my myspace account (thanks to a friend who showed me how to do it - I need a course in myspace in order to make good use of it) where I will be posting my general chit-chat. It's at www.myspace.com/teresamlewis. I'm using my real name so that it will be easier for friends and contacts in real life to find but there is a risk in identifying myself on-line especially with the views and opinions I have. I have a lot to say on various issues such as the environment (climate change is a biggy at the moment), organic food, music, the cinema, complementary medicine and natural health, religion and celebrity culture so it's difficult keeping up a specialist blog. Hopefully, I will be using this one as a specialist blog at a later date so watch this space. I don't know what I will be doing it as yet; maybe write a book or make entries on the subject of mental health discussing various issues as they come up from the perspective of a radical survivor - too radical for even Mind.

Migraine Association Conference and AGM, London

That's where I was yesterday. I'm a member of the Association, just joined this year, and I was invited to attend the conference. Well I managed to get up in time to get the train to London; funny I get up early the rest of the time. There was engineering works on the line between Bristol and Swindon so the train was diverted through Gloucester and Kemble. Picturesque route but it added an hour to the journey. As the train was pulling into Paddington I made my way down to the front coaches and was ready to leap out as soon as the train stopped.

I made it to the conference at Centre Point in Oxford Street with five minutes to spare before the welcoming address. The conference was free but there was no reimbursement for travel expenses or lunch provided. You get spoilt in mental health but the Migraine Association struggles on a pittance. Us migraineurs won't be deterred by that unlike users in mental health who expect free lunches for every day event put on for their benefit. The first talk was not of any immediate interest since I don't get an aura and was about a study done where those who suffered from classic migraine were examined to see if they have a hole between the left and right venticles of the heart and whether surgery to close up that hole would make a difference. Next followed a very interesting talk on the London Migraine Clinic. I didn't know that it was a charity, that it was accessible to any migraineur in the UK and that you could self refer. The only downside is that a minimum donation of £50 is asked for.

At lunch time I found a cafe visible from the Centrepoint building that was serving some wholesome and very healthy meals for a reasonable price. I had a mixed salad with hummous and a little bit of feta cheese. I found that this was a Gay and Lesbian cafe but that's OK. They are usually better value. Peanut curry, Caribbean coconut curry and Greek meals were on the menu. Very hard to make a decision as to what to eat. After lunch I got a bit sidetracked browsing a in a bookshop and was a little late back to the afternoon sessions on migraine in the workplace and migraine and food. The latter session was a bit controversial and people questionned the nutritionist afterwards. A huge list of what not to eat was given out as well such as carrots and kale - apparently they cause pressure in the head. But the main fact I learnt was that migraineurs find it hard to make sulphates which are needed to break down amines in the body. There are some do's and dont's when it comes to diet and migraine but there are a list of foods that may or may not cause problems - it's very much an individual thing.

I dashed away at four to catch the 5.00 pm train from Paddington only to find that Lancaster Gate tube station was closed for a few months which meant walking through Hyde Park from Marble Arch station. The underground station was up the creek that day what with some lines being closed for the day as well as a few stations being closed all summer. I managed to get to Paddington Station just in time for the departure only to find that all trains were being delayed due to a security alert in Reading Station. The station concourse became more congested as more people arrived to catch their train. Eventually trains were allowed to pull out an hour later and I walked to the front of the train but found only space in a first class carriage. So roomy compared with second class and restrictions on second class ticket holders being in first class were lifted for that journey. Had I known that trains were being delayed I could have spent that extra hour in Convent Garden relaxing.

Feeling unwell and drained

My first post in days. I felt quite a bit drained by the colonic irrigation but it was worth it. I was extremely constipated and I'm going to make an effort to deal with it with diet and exercise. Yes even thinnies have to watch what they eat. Junk food makes you ill as well as fat. Been spending a lot of time writing lists of what I can and cannot eat from books on nutrition and cookery.

Saw "The Cave of the Yellow Dog" at Chapter Arts Centre on Thursday night. I'd been looking forward to that for a month. It's made by the same director who made "The Weeping Camel". It's a subtitled film set in the Mongolian Desert about a nomadic goat herding family whose daughter finds a stray dog and insists on keeping it. Quite a sweet pleasant film with some awe inspiring vistas though not much in the way of action but who needs that.

Spent the last week counting down the days til Cardiff Calling on Saturday night. It was while I was on holiday that I realised that it was only a two weeks away. Well it's been and happened but I've had a migraine with one bout of vomiting for two days since then so not in the mood for writing about it right now though it was a great night out.

Colonic irrigation

Well I had my treatment yesterday in Bristol. I caught the train to Bristol Parkway and walked the two miles to Downend rather than take the bus because I felt like the exercise. It was strange walking past those huge modern buildings belonging to the University of the West of England and the company AXA whose employees were sitting outside at lunch time by the lake in the huge but bare landscaped grounds. Nearly everyone who works there wears black; is that some kind of company uniform?

I had a bite to eat (cheesy garlic bread) in the Ember pub opposite the salon where I had the appointment. It was such a change being able to eat cheese now I've given up meat but not fish. It must have been the combination of meat and cheese that made me rather than the cheese itself though I prefer cheese made from goats and sheeps milk though I still have to remember only in moderation. The therapist was really nice and friendly (the other one was a bit aloof) and was playing Robbie Williams in the background. We talked a lot about music as Cardiff is seen as a good place for top acts. Bristol is much bigger yet the biggest artistes prefer to play in Cardiff as there isn't a stadium or arena to play only Colston Hall which is quite small comparatively. The treatment was quite successful and wasn't as uncomfortable as when I first had it two years' ago and I didn't have to ask for a break. Maybe because I'm used to it. I was so bunged up and needed to have had the treatment months before.

I was quite sore inside afterwards and I was told that the distended intestines will take 48 hours to get back into shape. After all I had the equivalent of over ten bowel movements. No wonder I was pretty fatigued and unable to concentrate beforehand. Was quite tired that evening especially after walking back to catch the train, taking the train and cycling home from the station. I've been in bed most of the day, sleeping and reading. It was raining so I decided to catch up with some reading but I soon fell asleep and when I awoke it was dry and sunny but since I still felt tired I didn't take the chance to go shopping and to the library. The bicycle needs repairing as well. When I took it to the shop an mechanic loosened the back brakes but the wheel is buckled slightly which means that the brake catches on the rim on every revolution. I'll need to clean it first.

Anna from Mind Cymru phoned to ask me if I wanted to speak to the media via the Disability Rights Commission about my experiences with GP practices in getting my physical health problems to be taken seriously and then I got a call from the Disability Rights Commission. I took part in a focus group over a year ago run by DRC and Mind Cymru and the report will be launched this October.

Constipated

That's what I suffering from at the moment and it feels like it's never been this bad. I've got an appointment for colon therapy today in Bristol; this first time with this particular therapist. My previous one moved to Cheltenham which is too far for me to travel though I love Cheltenham. I can hardly move and spent most of yesterday in bed.

The reason is probably dehydration (that and junk food) from the intense heat of this summer's heatwaves. Though I was drinking two or three litres of water and juice a day it wasn't enough as I was sweating a lot.

I know this is quite an unsavoury subject but it's an important one. Many health problems stem from a sluggish colon (not just bowel problems) such as depression, fatigue, migraines and bad breath. Other organs are affected such as the gall bladder, kidneys and liver. There is too much emphasis on stress in medical fields; the idea that everything seems to be related to stress and has no physical cause is omnipotent.

Will let you know how I get on. Hopefully will feel a lot happier and lighter with more energy to spare. There are therapists locally but I don't feel at ease about seeing them. Something about Cardiff that seems to be spiritually repressed. I found that heavy feeling in Gloucester (where I used to have colon therapy) too but at least Cardiff has a vibrant night life. There's something about the West Country, apart from some of the cities, which makes it pretty spiritually and ecologically attuned. There is a greater concentration of organic farms there, lots of eco-businesses and alternative therapists and of course not to forgetting Glastonbury and Totnes.

A shower at last!

Today was a big day today. I eventually had my shower installed though the hot summer heatwaves are over. It was difficult finding a plumber and when I eventually did find one through recommendation (thanks Angelo) he was about to go on holiday and then returning when I would be on holiday. Not only that I couldn't decide whether to buy a shower first and get an estimate done or the other way round. Well he did turn up an hour late (had I known he was going to come then I could have nipped out to Tesco for food) but he got the job done on time and well. I will be able to wash my hair without having to fill and refill a measuring jug and it will save on time as well as water and fuel. I was pretty tired afterwards and dashed to the DIY store to get a shower curtain and fittings and then to the supermarket to get food. Tomorrow I can have a shower.

I really cannot understand why showers aren't being fitted in social housing particularly in the light of climate change, droughts and water shortages. Having a shower fitted is a necessity these days whereas a bath is a luxury. A bathroom which contains only a toilet, basin and shower cubicle takes up very little space - you only have to stay in an Ibis hotel to see this. This means that more self contained studio apartments could be created rather than bedsits where the occupier has to share a bathroom and maybe a kitchen as well. Getting such ideas across to the public sector and even the voluntary sector is a huge mammoth task. They are so behind the private sector in providing what the people really want. IKEA is very successful because they have woken up to the reality of most people's cramped living conditions and manufacture and sell furniture and fittings that fit into apartments and modern homes on housing estates whose inhabitants often have to work from home.

Getting across to the public sector the idea that not everybody wants the same is near impossible. The council only take on board what the majority of tenants want and apply it to everyone without considering that what the tenants on one estate want is completely different to what tenants on another want. I've asked time and time again on survey forms to be contacted by e-mail and not by post (there is a question for that) but that is disregarded and it will be until the majority have a preference for e-mail and then everyone will be contacted by e-mail even if they aren't computer literate. Different strokes for different folks I say but that is an alien concept to the Council. Basic common sense seems to be lacking which is why they do everything wrong or have to stage endless consultations with users in order to get the simplest things right. I don't suppose they've even heard of global warming. Either that or they think we enjoy basking in temperatures of 30C upwards in our homes day and night.

I'm so glad Big Brother is over now. It's run its course and doesn't need to be played out every year on our televisions screens. Even if you don't watch television there's no escaping from it and why did it have to take up the entire summer when there are better things to do. Surely a six week run is enough. What was shown on Channel 4 before Big Brother? Films and documentaries that's what and now new channels such as More 4 and Film 4 have to be set up which are only available through digital services to show them.

On a positive note. My calendar is filling up for September. I've got a migraine conference to go to (must print off application form and send off) and this means that if I go I won't be able to attend the Permaculture Convergence. I'll have to fork out for train fare to London but since it will be a Saturday in September a supersaver ticket will be valid. There is also the Abergavenney Food Festival which is the key food festival in the UK and so much better than the Cardiff one as there will be talks and workshops as well as demonstrations and stalls. In my opinion the Cardiff one was concentrating on junk food and hardly anything healthy.

Plymouth and Cornwall

My first post since I've been back from holiday. Though I did have internet access in Plymouth (where I stayed after the organic farm holiday in Cornwall) it was dial-up only which is extremely slow and it took at least a minute for each web page to downl load. My friend claims he doesn't have the time or money to convert to broadband but it would save time and money in the long run. I went broadband nearly three years' ago. I had to as my telephone line was tied up and since my mobile phone wasn't working at the time no-one could contact me most evenings while I was on-line.

Feeling very tired today (had planned to spend the day shopping and getting my bicycle repaired) and spent some time in bed because of the loud thunderstorms last night. What a pity as last night was my first night in a bed for a week. I had had four nights under canvas and then arrived in Plymouth to find that there was no proper bed in the spare room and had to sleep on my thin inflatable camping mat. I was tired most mornings and didn't get around to visiting many of the places I had intended to. I might as well had come back Tuesday instead of Thursday.

Still I had lost a few pounds in weight while on holiday through actual dieting or healthy eating as opposed to stress or illness as is the usual reason. I ate only raw vegan food for four days but in Plymouth this was very difficult and I soon got sick of salads and fresh fruit. Eating raw food is a lot more interesting if you have access to a juicer and a blender. I have cheated since then as I have eggs to use up but I haven't eaten fish or meat since leaving Cornwall except when I had so-called posh fish fingers in Ha-Ha's in Plymouth which were worse than fish fingers from a packet from the supermarket. They were dry and hard and I'm sure came out of a packet. I'm beginning to hate eating out now but it's something I have to do when away from home as your own food only keeps for so long. Bristol is a great place to eat but I'm afraid I can't say the same for much of Wales and much of the West Country where heating up frozen meals is the norm in pubs, cafes and all but the most expensive restaurants.

I'm getting really tired as it's late and I've been on-line for a few hours now as I've not been able to access broadband internet for a week now.