Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Swimming Lessons

So I learned two things today:

First of all, my hair has become totally fried, dried, brittle and weird. I'm sure Sjogren's syndrome and it's dryness had something to do with it, but I'll bet age and my meds helped as well. But I think the chlorine in the fitness center's swimming pool was the latest and greatest insult. I woke up from my nap today and I swear every strand of hair was sticking up in different directions. I looked into the mirror in frustration. I shampoo with extra-moisturizing shampoo after each swim, and glop on moisturizer as thick as axle grease, but nothing seems to help.

Hm. Maybe I need to start wearing a swim cap. Maybe like one of these.

found here
Or.....maybe not.

The second thing that I learned today, also at the pool, was that when the warm pool water begins to feel cold, there's nothing wrong with the pool water heater. It means that I need to get OUT of the pool, put my clothes on, and get home and into bed.

I was in class, hanging onto a noodle floaty and dutifully pretending that I was riding a bike, like all of the other aqua arthritis class members. Usually the pool feels wonderfully warm, but slowly I noticed that I was feeling strangely chilled. Goosebumps appeared on my arms, and I felt that uncomfortable but unfortunately familiar sensation of my face becoming ice-cold, which always indicates that my energy reserves have hit rock bottom.

Dang.

I left the pool and stood under a hot shower, which didn't help much. So I peeled off my wet suit and stuffed myself into my clothes and headed for home and my fluffy sweatpants and cozy sweatshirt and schnauzers and BED.

What did YOU learn today?

7 comments:

Leslie at SugarAndSpiceADK. said...

I swear that Methotrexate has fried my hair, in addition to thinning it out, dramatically. Sigh. I also have blond highlights, so I use Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask (orange lid), at least every other day (supposed to be used only once a week). It really has helped my straw-like hair!

I, too, get colder than cold now....maybe from weight loss, maybe from Sjogren's, maybe from medications...who knows? But living here in upstate NY, it is a PROBLEM! Sigh.

Take care of yourself, Julia!

annie said...

That's why I don't take aqua fitness anymore....constantly feeling cold. I was assured of the water temp, but would start shivering, and by the time I would get home, I would need to lie down immediately and bundle up.

Anyone on any good meds for severe pain? I'm going through the worst flare ever (weeks and months)and none of my meds seem to work.

Laura said...

I learned that my bug report on another site helped them find and fix the bug. (And, the bug that was annoying me is now fixed!)

As far as hair - MOISTURIZING shampoo, or chlorine-removal shampoo? Chlorine is hard on your hair, and you want to get it off. Buy swim shampoo and use it at your after-swim shower, then moisturizing conditioner. Save the non-swim shampoo (however moisturizing) for a second or third wash, or for your showers at home.

If you can't find any in the adult section, there's bound to be some for kids, but either way - get that chlorine out, it's as bad for your hair as it is for your swimsuit.

And yikes and sympathy for the cold/energy drop.

Laura Strom said...

A hairdresser once told me to put a lot of cheap conditioner on my dry hair, then hide it under a bathing cap, and then swim to protect my hair. And that Prell shampoo is pretty much the most stripping one out there.

I think those bathing caps were great! ;-)

As a fellow SSer, I can empathize completely with the need to get bundled up in bed. Hope you feel better tomorrow, and I'm enjoying your posts.

Julia Oleinik said...

Leslie: weight loss? And a food blogger?? Girl. Share your secret...

Annie: I am so sorry to hear about your severe pain! Joints? Sending comfort thoughts your way. As far as pain med suggestions go, hm. Wish I could recommend a magic medication. Please let me know how things go for you.

Tricia said...

My doctor recommended I take flax seed oil to help my dryness. He said I would love what it does for my hair. I also take fish oil. I can identify with the cold issues. I often think my thermostat is broken.

Anonymous said...

Your hair is like a sponge. Once the pours of your hair get wet, they don't absorb more water. So rinse your hair good before you go in the water. It will absorb much less chlorine from the pool.

I've had issues with bad britle hair which I know is the MTX, but also coloring and a hairdresser burned it. I wash it less and honestly find it feels better since I have started using better products. And not too much product. Matrix makes my hair feel great. It's definitely better than it was two years ago.

Vicodin in the only thing that relieves my real bad pain. Fortunately I feel pretty good most days.

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