Health 2007
Overview
David Irving's health in 2007 was significantly affected by the lasting physical damage from 400 days of solitary confinement in Austrian prison, requiring ongoing treatment and adaptation to chronic conditions.
Prison-Related Physical Damage
Leg Problems (Primary Issue)
Right leg pain and weakness:
- Severe thigh and joint pain affecting mobility
- Muscle weakness throughout legs described as "prison-weakened"
- Constant limping and mobility limitations
- Pain described as "hurting badly" and "heavily painful"
Daily impact:
- Difficulty with stairs and walking distances
- Problems carrying heavy items (70-pound suitcase)
- Fatigue from limited physical activity
- Need for assistance with physical tasks
Muscle Deterioration
General weakness from solitary confinement:
- "weakened muscles that 400 days solitary confinement have left me with"
- Overall reduced physical capacity
- Difficulty with previously routine physical activities
- Ongoing rehabilitation needs
Treatment Approaches
Conventional Medical Care
Chiropodist treatment (November 2007):
- Michelle Yodts in Windsor
- Discovered and treated corn on right foot tip
- Immediate relief: "What a relief" and "totally comfortable"
- Professional foot care addressing mobility issues
Alternative Treatments
Chinese massage (November 2007):
- £30 treatment in Coventry for leg pain
- Menthol-based treatment leaving lasting scent
- Chinese therapeutic pads applied for ongoing relief
- Marginal improvement noted
Therapeutic planning:
- Arranged physical therapist in Eton (cancelled for Oxford Union)
- Recognition of need for ongoing therapeutic intervention
- Seeking multiple treatment approaches
Self-Care Approaches
Exercise and lifestyle:
- Walking for rehabilitation when possible
- Seeking environments beneficial for health (sea air in Belgium)
- Careful management of physical activities
- Adaptation of daily routines to physical limitations
Daily Health Management
Sleep Issues
Frequent sleep disturbances:
- "poor, wakeful nights" mentioned regularly
- Antihistamine use for sleep aid
- Disrupted sleep patterns affecting daily function
- 1:30-3:00 AM wake periods noted
Sleep aids used:
- Antihistamine pills from "prison hoard"
- Glucosamine supplements
- Milk consumption for sleep support
Nutritional Challenges
Eating patterns:
- Often eating "inedible" or poor-quality food
- Digestive issues from poor food choices
- Limited time for proper meal preparation
- Reliance on restaurant meals and convenience foods
Stress-Related Symptoms
Physical stress manifestations:
- Headaches from poor food and stress
- Digestive problems from irregular eating
- Fatigue from chronic pain and mobility issues
Environmental Health Factors
Beneficial Environments
Knokke, Belgium (June 2007):
- John Hastry recommended iodine-rich sea air for health benefits
- Peaceful environment for recovery
- Relief from London stress and housing pressures
Lake End House Windsor:
- Better sleep in cleaner air environment
- Space for gentle exercise and rehabilitation
- Reduced urban stress factors
Problematic Environments
London hotels:
- Poor air quality and noise affecting sleep
- Cramped conditions limiting movement
- Stress from temporary living situations
- Limited access to proper healthcare
Ongoing Health Challenges
Chronic Pain Management
Daily pain levels:
- Right leg/thigh pain requiring constant management
- Limited mobility affecting independence
- Need for pain management strategies
- Impact on professional activities (standing for speeches)
Physical Limitations
Activity restrictions:
- Difficulty with long walks (noted with John Hastry)
- Problems with heavy lifting
- Stair climbing challenges
- Need for assistance with physical tasks
Recovery Progress
Gradual improvements noted:
- Some activities becoming easier over time
- Adaptation to physical limitations
- Successful completion of demanding activities (Oxford Union speech)
- Learning effective treatment approaches
Healthcare Access
Professional Services
Regular healthcare:
- Chiropodist treatment proving effective
- Physical therapy planning
- Access to conventional medical services in Windsor area
Alternative medicine:
- Chinese massage therapy
- Therapeutic pad treatments
- Exploration of various treatment modalities
Self-Medication
Prison medication supplies:
- Continued use of antihistamines from prison
- Self-management of pain and sleep issues
- Careful monitoring of medication effects
Impact on Daily Life
Professional Activities
Speaking events:
- Physical preparation needed for public appearances
- Stamina management for long events
- Travel limitations due to mobility issues
- Need for rest periods and recovery time
Family Interactions
Physical limitations affecting family time:
- Difficulty with activities like walking with Jessica Irving
- Need for transportation assistance
- Impact on family activities and outings
Housing Considerations
Accommodation needs:
- Ground floor access preferred
- Need for comfortable seating and work areas
- Accessibility considerations for stairs and distances
- Space for physical therapy and exercise
Cross-References
Notable Quotes
On prison damage (2007-11-25):
"I had arranged a date at 5 pm tomorrow with a therapist in Eton, to attend to my damaged muscles from 400 days in solitary."
On chiropodist success (2007-11-30):
"excellent, she found a corn on the tip of second small toe, right, and fixed it. What a relief."
On Chinese massage (2007-11-14):
"Since I had half an hour before I spoke, I had my bad leg massaged (£30) and all evening I stank of menthol."
On sleep at Windsor (2007-09-08):
"Sleep here is very good. Different air perhaps?"
On mobility challenges (2007-05-19):
"my leg is hurting on and off during the day"
On pain management (2007-11-23):
"Only the right leg (thigh and joint and muscles) are heavily painful, so I still limp."
Notes
David Irving's 2007 health challenges demonstrate the long-term physical consequences of prolonged solitary confinement. While conventional and alternative treatments provided some relief, the year was largely about learning to manage chronic conditions rather than achieving full recovery. The success with chiropodist treatment and gradual adaptation to limitations suggest potential for continued improvement, but the fundamental damage from prison conditions remained a defining factor in his daily life and professional activities. The search for beneficial environments (sea air, cleaner housing) and effective treatments shows proactive health management despite significant challenges.