Aunty Bees First Post : Words for Wellness 2020 , words you can stick to , given with Love, Hope, and Thanks to All PMR/ GCA Forum Friends.

[Blearyeyed]

A New Year , but just a New Day like any other , yet this New Day at the beginning of a New Year reminds us that Every New Day can really be a New Start . Every New Day is always a New Start that offers us the opportunity to build a Brighter Future and Appreciate what we have learnt in the Past , and , no matter what mistakes we have made before , or how dark the Future appears , it allows us to make a Change for the better and brings New Hope .

Many of you will have already thought of , and begun, your New Year Resolutions and taken you first tentative steps into the first day of this New Year , steps on the road to a Healthier and Happier Future with Chronic Illness by your side.

With this in Mind I wanted to add a little set of Words for Wellness to help you achieve your individual goals. Words that I first penned last Year , but words that became an indispensible Tool that helped me Master coping with all the extra Burdens and Daily Needs that Health Changes brought me during 2019.

Last year , I said , " 2018 taught Me , I am not alone , so 2019 has to be Better!"

Believe it or Not , as I sit here thinking now , 2019 was Better ! Even though my Health Issues grew and my Abilities got steadily worse, I still felt better than before. I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and SaNRT , had Fibromyalgia , Dysautonomia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome confirmed , had to struggle with the Symptoms of badly controlled GCA because of the limitations that my other Health Issues put on my current Medication choices , and still had a way to travel along the road of Diagnosis and Treatment before Life can be even close to an enjoyable " New Normal" again , and yet, I still felt Better , Calmer , and More Confident about my Future with Chronic Illness than I had ever been in the 20 years before. Even the Pain lessened it's hold because I had conquered the things that affected my Health that were still in my Control ( like Stress, My Thoughts , Activity, Acceptance and the World I live in ).

By using these Words of Wellness Everyday , like a Mantra if you like that term , and having my Faraway Friends on the Forum in my Emergency Backpack to lend me a helping hand building my confidence in my choices as I went even the Hardest , Darkest Times were easier to bear.

On my Longest Days , in the Cruelest Hours , I could turn to the Wisdom in Words that I had created in Calmer times to get me through , and I grew in strength because I knew that if these words were not enough I could turn to All of you . A Forum full of Faraway Friends , all armed with different skills and different words of advice , or simple replies of encouragement and support, to help me find my way again . A constant and Caring Human Made Analgesic , whose doseage is never limited , and always manages to take the worst of my symptoms away.

So , here , with my deepest Thanks to you All , for helping me feel like a Real Person , with a Voice and Words that can still contribute to the World , even when I often can't spend a lot of time in it , here , an Acrostic for New Year and beyond :

Aunty Bees Words for Wellness in 202O .

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I Promise

Never to set myself unachievable goals or unrealistic deadlines.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will see

Everyday as a Blessing , even if I am living with a Curse.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will

Wait before I react to the World and consider how I will act because I realise being Pain Free is more important than the little things that may have Stressed Me.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will

Yearn to be Healthy but admit that I am unwell. I cannot expect Others to accept the limitations that my Illness puts on Me if I won't be Honest with Myself and accept those Limits too.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will

Enjoy the things I can do ; not grieve for the things I can't.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will

Aim to improve everyday ; but accept that some days I will not improve.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

I will

Remember that just because I have symptoms that affect what I can do it doesn't mean that I have no control of my own Life and my Choices in what I do and in the way I am treated both Medically and Emotionally .

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈⛅⛅🌅🌅🌅⛅⛅⛅🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

So there you go , l hope these words can help you this year in the way they have helped me. Print them off if you wish and stick them in your journal to help you through. Or why not try adding Art Therapy to your Resolutions and be creative with them . Adding your own Art around the words , highlighting the letters that Spell New Year , and place it somewhere that you can read it every day.

Here's to our Future , our New Year and our Health . Life will be Brighter as we work together and help each other to shine the Light from those Little Silver Linings upon it , and we will feel better from the Healing Hands of Friendship we can share here together.

Thank you All for making Life Richer for Me , Auld Lang Syne , Aunty Bee XXX

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Sorry the photo is sideways !!! Annoying !!! I will attempt to change it later , or you can just turn your screen around .

The photo is one that I took at Sunrise three or four years ago on Crosby Beach on New Year's Day of one of the statues in Anthony Gormleys public artwork , ' Another Time , Another Place'. I chose this particular photo because I chose to allow the light and air to create the image without adding in the usual Human Adjustments creating the Soft Focus you see before you ( it wasn't my Bleary Eyes this time!) .

I thought it says more about us taking on the world as individuals under unique skies , rather than my other more Professional efforts that just look like everybody's else's photos from that beach. So , thank you Nature !!

[jinasc]

Thank you.

I learned to walk with a different drummer, the trouble is s/he keeps on changing the beat, which is sometimes a little bit annoying. 🚶‍♀️🚶 I just keep plodding along.........🌟🌠⭐️

[Blearyeyed in reply to jinasc]

I love your saying for dealing with our woes. I have it written in my journal.

You have really made a difference to my Life this year and I cherish every moment I have been able to share a little laughter with you.

Good times ahead and give Joan a hug from Me , Happy New Year xxx

[Jackoh in reply to jinasc]

More than plodding you were dancing the other day!!😜😂🤣

[Blearyeyed in reply to Jackoh]

That's true , let's let Jinasc put on her sombrero and play the drum and we can enjoy our dance moves together no matter how wobbly . I am sure that together , even with Chronic illness , 2020 will bring more Fun!

Happy New Year xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackoh]

So were a few others ... In our dreams ; )

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I keep playing that eCard , my Family and I love it , we keep using it to have a little Dance to , perhaps we should call it , ' The Jinasc Jig"

[Jackoh]

A very apt acrostic- have saved it. When are you going to start a book? I’m sure many would benefit from your experiences. Xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Jackoh]

Feel like I might have just written one , perhaps I can consider using it as. Coping with Christmas , A Chronic Illness Guide or something.

Or I did wonder wether I could send it out as a free cure for sleeplessness !!😋😂😂😂

Thank you so much for your continued support for my posts , it really doesn't a lot to me .xxx

[Jackoh in reply to Blearyeyed]

Sorry had to laugh at “ it really doesn’t a lot to me” !! Well!! 😂🤣xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Jackoh]

I could edit it , but it reads like I took the advice from Jinascs funny resolution post and I've finished all the wine in the House , so I'm going to leave it in , even if it's autocorrect on my Tablet that always acts like it's been drinking !

Thank you , you support really doesn't alot for me , Hic!!!😋😂😂😂😘

[SheffieldJane]

You are a golden person. Big warm hugs! 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

[Blearyeyed in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh , thank you SJ , and so are you , I always get a lot of strength from reading your replies and hearing from you , Be Bright , Be Golden , Be You XXX😘

[Koalajane]

These are very wise words which I intend to follow. Thankyou

[Blearyeyed in reply to Koalajane]

Hope they help make Life a little easier each day the way they did for Me. Here's to a Pain and Stress Free 2020! Big hugs Koala J xxx

[Ranchero]

Thank you for making New Years Day a calm one for all of us. I am humbled by your words and yet stiffened in my resolve to follow your caring advice through this pmr journey. I salute you and send you and yours love and best wishes for a brighter new year. X

[Blearyeyed in reply to Ranchero]

I love it , a stiffened resolve! Just goes to show all Stiffness isn't a Bad thing when looked at from a Fresh Perspective. Thank you for your support and Friendship and I hope that those little words can help you through. Big hugs and Happy New Year to you and yours xxx

[Hidden]

Now, l hope we don’t all have to walk sideways this year?........

Thank You for All Your Words of Wisdom over the Advent & Christmas Season 💕🌷

A New Year, Nay, Decade ahead of Us All so to Better Health & Happiness for Everyone.

MrsN 🥂🙏🏼💕

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

😁😂😂😂😂 No but if we do find Life takes us a little Sideways , we will decide to take pleasure in it !

Our Life has been on a sideways tilt for so long now we are virtually crablike!!

Here's to a year of shaking our Pincers defiantly at our troubles and not letting our illnesses steal the smile from our faces.

Big hugs and kisses Mummy Nails , thank you for being my Friend xxx

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

My Pleasure 😇

[Cyclegirl54]

Always words of comfort and wisdom - thank you 🌸

[Blearyeyed in reply to Cyclegirl54]

Thank you for your encouragement and support , it really does inspire me and make me feel better with my Lot every day , big hugs xxx

[Blearyeyed]

UPDATE!!

My Resolutions are already being put to the test , especially the hardest one to follow of all , ' Wait to react to the World ..... And the things that Stress Me'.

I have just watched my OH walk in from the workshop with an 8 ft bamboo cane which is now used unsuccessfully to unblock the hose of the vacuum cleaner. I could step in , remind him that he could simply detach the hose from the cleaner and fix it that way , but I know from the look on his face and the general level of snarling that my input , although helpful , may not be reacted to favourably. So , I have decided to take a Deep Breath and write this to You in a quiet spot instead .

Trouble is short, it's the Tension it causes that lasts , here's to a Year of Facing Trouble whilst Avoiding Tension..... And maybe the purchase of a new hoover at the end of the January Sales !😋😂😂😂😘

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

You could have mine that I can't use...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

What OH or Vacuum Cleaner ?😋😂😂😂

Both may prove a little bit of a challenge to package up and send to Britain !😂😂😂😂

Big hugs and kisses and a very good 2020 to you , Pro , my Brains , my Lifeline , My friend xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Vacuum cleaner was what I was thinking of ... You wouldn't want another handless OH - who's probably even handlesser than yours ...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Vacuuming has resumed , and the tall , dark stranger whom has only just brought the luck for the New Year in the form of coal and bread has brought a whole sac of coal , just to hedge our bets , so with that much luck surely things will only get better this Year .

[Smokygirl in reply to Blearyeyed]

Oh Bee you are wonderful and your words are wonderful too. Everybody loves you and you always bring a shining path of light to help us on our way!

On another tack , my OH is trying to mend the tap in the bathroom ——- —- I’ll phone the plumber in the morning!😜😜😜

Loved the photo too and love Anthony Gormley . We have his amazing Angel of the North here , just up the road, which welcomes us back to Tyneside whenever we return.

Huge hugs & kisses and please please never change! 😘😘💕💕

[Blearyeyed in reply to Smokygirl]

Oh , Thank you Smokey , I always value your support .

I hope you get your plumber before your OH tests your resolutions to the limit 😋😂😂

I've seen the Angel in the Snow , a wonderful piece that must help to inspire you on those Dark days ,

Take care , hugs and health for 2020 xxx

[Rose54]

Very wise words form a very wise lady

Thiers a silver lining in every cloud

And a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

But no matter how far I walk I am never able to make it too the end of the rainbow

[Blearyeyed in reply to Rose54]

At least we get to enjoy the rainbow after a few days of rain.

I don't think I would be happy if I reached the pot of gold , imagine trying to carry that home with our shoulders and ,PMR/ GCA!😋😂😂😂

Note to self , if walking to the end of the rainbow with Rose , I must bring a few little helpers along with me to help us so that we can carry back our Haul!😋

Happy New Year , let's hope we both get to the end of that rainbow soon , hugs xxx

[Baileyw06]

Wishing you a better 2020.Being positive and counting your blessings really helps!You have a great attitude!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Baileyw06]

Thank you so much , it's great to have the forum to keep me going , here's to a great New Year to you and all xxx

[Freshmimt]

Such a wise and sensible attitude to life with illnesses like ours, thank you

And may 2020 blessings be yoursx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Freshmimt]

Blessings to you too , I'm sure we can all help each other get through the hardest days with these illnesses in 2020. Thank you for your kindness , hugs xxx

[Grammy80]

Amen....Amen....Amen Wonderful words to live by. I just can't articulate what a huge difference having all of you has made in my life....I will never be alone again.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Grammy80]

It is great not to feel alone . We are always there for each other in good times and bad , so we aren't ever alone with our troubles even if we live a 1000 miles away from the nearest living soul the Forum takes care of us All. Have a wonderful New Year xxx

[Grammy80]

Oh, the very same to you....many blessings xoxo

[Dukeyears]

Bless you for sharing, stay positive.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Dukeyears]

Thank you , and let's stay positive together in ,2020 xx

[Pixix]

Wonderfully written, oh wise lady. As you know, I’m still in complete defiance mode & fighting against it all! I’m aiming for acceptance soon as I realise overdoing it is futile and brings other issues. I hope you have a much better year, filled with happiness and laughter and not too much pain. Hugs, S xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pixix]

Have a wonderful holiday and fabulous New Year , I hope your back improves soon and doesn't get in the way of you having a Ball on your holiday , big hugs xx

[Pixix in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks so much! Sorry for late reply...struggling a bit with sciatica this week! Dr’s appointment yesterday...reduce to 15mg through January, then 14mg through February, but review mid February. He says he would like to aim to get me off Pred in a year, and reverse the diabetes. At present rate it will take 18 months, though. Was willing to give me a lot of time to discuss it all, & very helpful. I am lucky! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Does he not know that PMR/GCA calls the shots? Not much he can do to change its demands. Even 18 months is optimistic. You aren't reducing to zero - you are reducing to the lowest dose that works. That isn't the same thing.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

I know! But in fairness we had been talking for 15 minutes about it all...there’s the sciatica the oral thrush the hips X-ray the spinal X-ray...all in addition to the Pred reduction! I’m happy to fo 15 for a month then try 14 for a month and just see what happens! He’s there for me by phone 3 times a week and appointments are not a great wait, either. It will be interesting but I don’t feel he’s dictating just wanting to reverse the diabetes and get me off Pred high dose because I get all the side effects!! Weight gain too, I’m good at that! Thanks S xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pixix]

That's lovely for him , I love a Man with Ambition!😋😂😂😂

Unfortunately he isn't in control is he , the things in control of if you can reduce are , PMR , your other Health issues , Life, You and then Your Doctor , in that order , you can be very smiley and polite to your doctor but he really isn't in control and there is no real point trying his reduction plan and putting yourself through Flares for unnecessary reasons.

To be honest , you have sciatica , you are about to go on holiday , long haul , you have other health issues , I wouldn't be trying to reduce personally until a week after returning home and making sure all my body was in balance , which would already put me behind on his Timetable . Such is life , better than trying to build a snowman on a ski slope.

In terms of the Diabetes , there are other ways involving Diet changes , activity changes, medication and more that will bring it under control while taking steroids , you should not race of steroids to get something like that under control , it is one of those Doctor excuses to get you to do what they want when what they want isn't right anyway things .

When do you go away ?

Did the Doctor say what is going on in your mouth ?

Did you see my Baby it's cold outside post ? There are details on there for a clay back wrap , which if worn on the hips tightly during the day does relieve my sciatica when I have it at helps me get on.

Exercises wise . Try carefully rolling into your tummy in the morning and lying with hands at your sides or if you can under your chin , or by the sides of your head for added spine stretch ( starting at a 1 min the working up slowly to 5 mins over weeks ).

Breath in carefully using arms for support roll to your back . Lay with your hands up by your head and your toes pointed for 10 seconds then point your toes to the ceiling , do the pointing up and down three times. If you are already doing exercise you can try putting your arms out past your head or over your head , for added stretch.

Breath in deep , bring your arms down slowly and slowly raise your knees to your waist or if your can chest ( work your way up from were you can put your knees comfortably) . Hold your knees to your chest with your arms starting for 20 secs ( building up slowly over weeks to 1 min) .

You can do this in the morning before getting up , then put on joint or back pain lotion and a heat wrap or sciatica belt . You can do the exercise a couple of times a day or when you really feel the impinging pain begin to start ( with no belt or wraps on !!,) . Drink lots of water , take Omega 3 , stretch when you can , rest when you can with support for your back to maintain posture , hopefully it will come back into line.

Hugs ( at hip level to squeeze the sciatica away!! 😋😂😂😂) bee xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

"Breath in carefully using arms for support roll to your front . Lay with your hands up by your head and your toes pointed for 10 seconds then point your toes to the ceiling"

Is that right? Or should it be roll to your back??????

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you editing now , I should just make a film of these and put it on YouTube shouldn't I , I have explained the sciatica exercises quite often so it's seems quite common and may be helpful , what do you think ??

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Why not?

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I could cheat and just get Grandma to be the actor and do a voice over I suppose ....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Or vice versa ...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I was just thinking that seeing my ugly mug might put everybody off doing the exercises!!😋😂😂😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

They aren't doing them for their faces ...

[Pixix in reply to Blearyeyed]

Go for It I think it would be really helpful if others are suffering from it too. I got used to being in pain many years ago but sciatica is really lousy I think, so difficult to get comfy and a strong pain too! Not much helps except the exercises and warmth I think it would be great to show them! S xx

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

That one wasn’t included in my exercises so I’m not sure. Just going to reread the others now! Thanks S x

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pixix]

These are things that I have learnt over the years , I don't ever find Physio sheets 100% effective for any condition as they try to do a very non specific " one size fits all" exercise approach that in the end doesn't really work fully for anyone ( and in some cases , especially with Fibro or Neuralgias can trigger worse pain!) .

My Physio asked what I did and noted it to add to the books I'm helping him with so it got his approval .

With any new exercise you just take it slow at the simplest minimum level first then work you way up from there. If it gives relief you continue , but if it causes any discomfort or increase in pain upto 24 hours after you step back a level , or if you were on the minimum level you note that this isn't an exercise that works for you , you cross it off the list and don't keep trying to do it . If only try it again once you are stronger or on a good Pain level with your Health issues.

No exercise should be carried on regardless, even if it's on the Physios advice , in the hope that if you keep doing it or keep pushing it it will finally do you good. It won't , it just reduces your recovery and your ability to increase activity or exercise that actually works for you.

Any pain or Discomfort from an activity means you are doing too much or doing something too soon and you should step back from it. Any Physio that tells you just keep doing it , or do these first, you have to , without taking full consideration of your body as a whole , my Physio says needs a kick up the arse and a session of retraining or the sack!

He is a Chronic Pain , Fibro and Sports Injury Specialist but obviously also deals with Patients with severe Rheumatoid and Arthritic conditions and Sarcoidosis under that umbrella too.

He actually throws you out of a session if he thinks you aren't listening to your body and he works with your assessment of how exercise feels at every step.

He has sent me Home twice for turning up to a session when having a mild Flare if Pain and once for a Cold!!

It seems to work he has managed to get Professional Athletes , Triathletes and Footballers back into competition after injuries or diagnosis of Chronic Issues like Fibro when everyone else had concluded it wouldn't be possible. All from the Tortoise not Hare attitude being applied to Exercise Therapy not just to Medication.

It's the first Physio I have ever met that actually seemed to talk sense , I feel very lucky that we have met and get to work together.

[Pixix in reply to Blearyeyed]

Yes sounds like you have a good one! I was last referred as I have a benign haemangioma on my spine which causes trouble from time to time. They gave me exercises to strengthen my hips, and I did them for three months. I think you are right. It should be tailored to specific individuals really so that other medical conditions are taken into account. S x

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pixix]

Over the last 20 years I've had about 12 different Physios , two nearly sent me to A and E and had me in bed vomiting for weeks because if saying let's just try this despite my insistence that certain exercises are a major trigger to Neuralgia or Fibro .

I had one other good one before this person which I was only lucky enough to be put under because I pushed for Hydro , has researched whom did it in the Department and found he did both Private and NhS work . It's such a relief to find someone whom can not only help with Chronic Pain but also understands my Dysautonomia and Tachycardia issues and works Holistically.

[Pixix in reply to Blearyeyed]

Go away Thurs next week. I’ve had sciatica before and been to physio and taught the exercises so I’m doing those. Thanks I missed the clay back wrap will look it Up, using blankets and heated bed blanket, it’s improving today as weather is much better here. Think the sun and warmth will work it’s magic next week. I suffer badly from the sweating and when it’s pouring down your face feel quite embarrassed! Read the post and answers this morning...but think that may stop if I’m on lower Pred. Thanks again, S xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

I get lidocaine injections at an early stage to release the spamed muscles/attachments that would eventually aggravate the sciatica. Makes such a difference.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

That’s very interesting, thanks. I will see how the winter progresses and bring that onto the agenda at my monthly GP meetings if it continues! I hadn’t heard of this before, S x

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Never had the injections but I have got skin patches with lidocaine gel to add into them to use for it and other muscle / nerve aggravations that can happen when my joints pop out.

That does seem to help when I've gone to far and the sciatica won't die down with just Self Care .

I have a shower and massage the sciatic area with water from moving the shower head around near my painful area. Then I put the patch or other muscle lotion on as my pores are open so it reaches to the deeper muscle tissue. I put my heat back wrap over it as well as the heat keeps the pores open to help the lotion penetrate and the heat helps as well anyway.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Pixix]

Try the spritz bottle of water and a mini cloth method on the back of your neck , wrists and ankles . You carry the refillable bottle and cloth in a make up bag in your handbag . Leave the bottle in the fridge overnight to keep it cool .

As you feel the itch before the sweat , or the sweats come on , you spray the back of your neck , use the cloth to stop it getting on your clothes , wait a few moments spray again then ran off the excess .

The cold water on the neck is better than putting it on your brow or head , it hits the point of your Autonomic Nerves , this quick chill distracts the nerves and helps to get them to work at doing something other than making you sweat because it proves to you are cold enough .

The damp cloth can also be kept on the back of your neck or used to dab it if you are not and the sweats are hard to go away.

I also use a cooling neck scarf or wear a fabric head band or nice scarf tied 50's style in my hair to prevent uncontrolled sweating being embarrassing and running down my face.

[Whatgrange]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Whatgrange]

Happy New Year to you too , and thank you for your friendship xx