Tag Archive for 'health'

Wisdom Teeth Update

Published
by
Wyatt
on March 25, 2008
in personal
. 0 Comments

I had my wisdom teeth removed exactly two weeks ago. Today is the first day I’ve woken up without a throbbing pain in my mouth. My right side has been OK for a while, but my left side has been giving me trouble.

They had to crack the bottom, left tooth to get it out, and I ended up with a bit of “dry socket.” I don’t remember if I mentioned that already. I went in last week and they jammed some nasty burnt-BBQ tasting paste in there. I could taste it all day and into the next. Not pleasant.

Throbbing pain can be a real bummer. It can be really hard to concentrate and get anything done. Mouth pain compounded with pressure from a sinus infection makes it really bad. The doc gave me Percocet, which creates somewhat of a dilemma for me, since I really prefer to not take drugs, especially narcotics, but I need to be able to concentrate and “get shit done.” I’ve been taking as little as possible while also wondering what effective alternatives are out there.

Narcotic pain relievers make you feel good. They don’t just take away the pain you’re taking them for. They take away or at least dull most or all of your pain, pain you might not have realized you had.

Maybe this is OK for very particular circumstances, but in most cases there’s certainly a better long term solution for chronic pain than popping liver-damaging pharmaceuticals (or swilling liver-damaging beverages). Perhaps examining the possible causes of pain and making some kind of work or lifestyle change would be beneficial. Hmm…

In my case, sitting up straight, adjusting my workstation ergonomics, taking frequent breaks, stretching (perhaps in the form of yoga), and getting daily exercise are key. Winding down and getting away from work is essential, even when work is fun. An occasional massage probably wouldn’t hurt either.

In related news, the drainage from my sinus infection is turning a lighter and lighter shade of green (it was pinkish-orange a week ago, like some kinda runny salad dressing). Instead of taking antibiotics, which the oral surgeon offered, I’ve been eating lots of garlic and sleeping a lot. It seems to be working.

Two Hour Walks

Published
by
Wyatt
on February 19, 2008
in health
. 0 Comments

About a month ago, I stumbled across a group called The Mazamas. More accurately, I stumbled across their web site. They are a “mountaineering education organization” in Portland and organize all kinds of hikes, mountain climbing, snow shoeing, etc.

The thing that got me involved are the Street Rambles. These are two hour walks starting in NW Portland that go to various places in the city. They happen every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm, rain or shine. Don’t be late! There are slow, moderate, fast, and super fast groups. I’ve done four rambles so far, and I feel like I’ve seen more of the city in the past month than I have in the past three and half years that I’ve lived in Portland. We’ve been all over Southwest and into North and Northeast. During drier weather, there are more walks in Forest Park and on other trails.

I’m really enjoying getting out and talking with (pseudo) random people. They are diverse, friendly, and inclusive and there is a sense of community, even if it only lasts for those two hours.

Today I did my first super fast ramble. It was super fun. It was about seven miles of hills, stairs, trails, and interesting neighborhoods. The midpoint of the walk was riding the Portland Aerial Tram down from OHSU (this walk is known as a “Tramble”). It’s like some kind of amusement park ride, and it’s free to go down. The view is spectacular, and the first time was quite a thrill–suspended by a mere cable (a long cable) hundreds of feet up.