Tecnu

This is more a reminder to myself than a plug to you for a product named Tecnu. I mention it because I'm now about 6 weeks into trying to get over a serious bout of poison ivy.

Yes, I've seen a doctor. Prednisone was part of my treatment. That got the worst out but more lingered. My doctor thinks it may have triggered shingles. Though I doubt that I can't argue with the success of the medication he prescribed: famciclovir; the remainder of the rash is retreating quickly now.

Phew!

Hence my advocacy of Tecnu. Had I used it within 8 hours of raking piles and piles of leaves for Mary, I could have been spared a lot of discomfort. The stuff is effective in removing the oils within poison ivy that bonds to your skin. It's even fairly good in mild cases of poison ivy once you get it.

Live and learn. :^)

Knee

I had x-rays taken of my left knee today. An odd, temporary pain kicks in at times. When it does, I'm forced to hobble along, trying to keep weight off my knee. After a few minutes, if I bend at the knees and get the left one to pop (very loudly), then I'm fine. I can jump up and down on it as if nothing was ever wrong.

Strange.

My doctor suspects that I likely injured it during a hike, where it's not uncommon for me to slip on a loose patch of rocks, even when I'm using my hiking poles.

For now, he prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug to see if that helps my knee heal. If it doesn't, then I'll need to see a specialist. Ugh.