-Published: Monday, October 7, 2019-
Our aching backs
By Victoria Torley
Well, there I was at the office of yet another doctor for the same problem – back ache.
If you are a gardener, you have probably had your share of aches and pains. You picked something up that you shouldn’t have and felt that terrible ripping in . . . well, somewhere. You turned too quickly and felt a deep twist in . . . something. You reached too high and there went . . . something else. We’ve all done it, but now that I am (mumble, mumble) years old – and ought to know better. It happens to me more frequently.
Metric Man took my wonderful gardener Armando aside and had a heart-to-heart, man-to-man talk with him. As a result, if I reach for a bucket of dirt or a shovel, there is usually a gentle hand in my way and a voice that says, “Let me get that.” Hmm. It’s a conspiracy, that’s what it is.
So, there I was at the neurologist’s office with computer disk results of an MRI, blood work (yuck), and x-rays all neatly organized to provide a profile of the problem. And what is the problem you ask? Bulging disks, bone spurs and the general misery they cause.
This is, understand, my forth neurologist in nine months. One was gung-ho for surgery, one sent me to a gerontologist (because I am mumble-mumble years old) and put me on medication (as did the gerontologist), one had me injected with a long-acting steroid (NOOOOOOO), and now number four.
Dr. Huertas at CIMA in Escazú is a quiet, thorough physician with a competent staff. He is also a cautious doctor and suggested a new treatment which is why I am giving you all this otherwise private information.
Platelet rich plasma injections are still being evaluated for effectiveness, but as someone who has already undergone treatment with PRP for debilitating bursitis, I have found it not just effective but miraculous. No more ice packs, codeine, and Neproxin (used together!) – the inflammation was simply gone. Now Dr. Huertas uses PRP for bulging disks, and I am going to try it. He is also a big proponent of dietary treatment and put me on a diet that excludes things that are most likely to exasperate inflammations. The outline for that diet is in the book, “Inflammation Nation.”
I am not fond of the diet. I like things like bagels, ice cream and mango, but I am willing to give it a go, and I am always suspicious of dietary cures. I also have to include Omega-3 capsules (that give me a fishy taste for hours) and turmeric (don’t care for the taste), but I’m trying.
The last word? As we get older, things catch up with us especially if we have “over-gardened.” I’ll let you know in a few months if things get better.
Plant for the Week
Here’s a little vine that really pops, Doxanthus unguis-cati or Cat’s Claw. It prefers elevations over 600 meters and heavy rainfall (we have both) to grow vigorously. This is a spreading vine suitable for a fence, as it can get eight meters long/tall so be ready to prune if it gets too large. A caution? Some people are sensitive to the plant, so wear gloves when pruning, transplanting or taking cuttings. Sunshine and rain will produce the best growth.
----------------------------------
For more
information on this article of request for
information about gardening, Ms. Victoria
Torley, gardener columnist, can be reached
at victoriatorley1@gmail.com
|
|
