Let's face it,all this info is often not good news. Reading about or observing pain, is a trigger,for me. I hate that feeling. Anyone else feel like this,and wonder how to cope?
:) Lucky...........it is part of the cycle of pain, and is what probably causes our anxiety. Look it up on here as my memory is failing me right now. Meditation should help with the problem. There are also meds that will help. Go slow and take a break from the site if you think it would help. Rwilli
Learn a relaxation technique, such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Google that phrase & u'll probably find directions for it. Do something to get your mind off of anxiety about pain. U can't control what your body tells your brain about pain, but u can control your mind, what u think about & focus on. Stress is 5% of what happens to us, & 95% of how we react to it.
I find if I can find a TV program that really interests me, I can get my mind to stop thinking of all the pain. Or surfing the net for things that are of interest to me also helps.
Everyone is correct.
Find something to distract your mind but this is only temporary.
Relaxation techniques and meditation help but they are only temporary also.
It is a vicious cycle that only you can find the key to break it, but that is only temporary also.
Everything with this moving around the body syndrome is only temporary when it comes to finding any relief. It took me years in the warm pool and hot tubs to notice that I was able to gain a bit more range of motion. Costs became prohibitive so that too was temporary and I cannot keep up with it now so seem to be declining.
MANY people need to take a break from things around here and that is not the first time I have heard a statement similar to yours. Some are away for only a short time, others rarely return if at all.
It is not something to be ashamed of if you need to duck out. That is exactly why I stopped journaling, to much thought and talking about pain.
Reading the 'paths of coping' helps me at times, just to realize that SO MANY others are going through the same thing.
You MUST do what you can to avoid what triggers you pain no matter what the path that it takes you. If that means avoiding some posts or activities, then that is what must happen for you to feel better.
YOU must take care of yourself first to help others.
You are 100% correct Ronr and that's another reason why I post pictures and stuff of non Fibro related stuff. Just to try and get peoples minds off there troubles.
I found that high dose Neurontin did wonders to control my anxiety. It took awhile to tell but I'm pretty sure it helped. I'm now on Lyrica instead of Neurontin. I'm not sure if it controls my anxiety or I am simply past that phase. I have gotten quite a bit better. Mostly from treating my chronic myofascial pain.
db :LOL:
Once again I will recommend Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Their Cause and Cure by Robert Handly with Pauline Neff.
In this book there is a section on what the author terms 'self talk'. Often how we view a situation and what we tell ourselves about it will determine what kind of response we will have. What we need to do is actively train ourselves to think in a way that will not cause more stress and anxiety.
I hope that this does not sound uncaring but when I am reading something here about another's pain or other problems I try to remain as detached and clinical as possible. If their pain is something that I have experienced and found a way to control I will share my experience with the person hoping to help them control it too. If I have not been in a similar situation I will offer help if I think it might do some good but other than that I will learn what I can from the posts.
What I never do is try to imagine myself in the situation being described. I have enough problems of my own without taking on those of others.
And if you are feeling down read the posts in Optimism or Jokes. Look for something to make you smile or laugh. When your mood is better go back to the other forums.
Hi guys,
Just jumping in here,I just realized that this is the same thing I go through except I worry about what if my meds quit working also, which makes it an ugly cycle.
Typically I only really seem to notice this either when I am startled in a close call in the car, and I barely scrape by, unscathed.
I have had a few times where I had either forgotten to take my pain meds, or purpouslly not taken them trying to "show" others how bad I am really hurting , only to have them turn and badger me in my already weakened state.
Lucky1, in reviewing this thread, it seems we've given u lots of advice, but not much understanding or encouragement. I want to add that I've gone thru times of worrying my pain was going to get worse, or if it was summer (my good season) & I had a flare-up, how was I going to survive when winter came. Fortunately, a chronic pain psych coached me to be careful about how I thot about colder weather, etc. He was the one who taught me Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
Ocassionally I listen to relaxing music too, classical or other instrumental. Read the comics in the newspaper to chuckle. Read a good book or watch a movie are also options. I'm sorry it's been difficult for u & hope things get better. Best wishes.
:) Randell..........the progressive muscle relaxation is the form of meditation I use. Maybe I should use that term because people seem to think meditation is some weird thing. rwilli
I think the pain causes stress and the affects of pain on relationships, jobs, you name it. Even after meds and ambien I would be tense trying to sleep.
I explained this to my doc and straight up asked for xanax, they recommended volume-relax the mind and still get a little muscle relax too. The only drug they verbally warned against taking on a regular basis so I am careful.
A couple days go by and the life with chronic pain starts getting to me, I take a volume and chill out into a nap or bedtime. Next morning or when I wake up, I feel a little more relaxed. I wish I had spoke up a long time ago.
There are people taking xanax or volume for a lot less reason, I can see why being in pain 24 hrs a day and having your life fall apart might be a good time to consider some prescription help.
never heard of volume, what does it do?
Mine is Diazepam-I would describe it as a mild sedative that not only relaxes your muscles, but decreases anxiety.
The same drug they give to patient's befor procedures like surgery, sometimes the dentist will use it to.
Even though all our drugs can cause dependency, it is the only one that I was directly told not to use on a daily basis. Once in a while is fine with me.
Hey Lucky, it sounds like the research is getting overwhelming. That happens to me sometimes too, best to take a step back and focus on something that distracts or makes me happier. Temporary respite is all we can expect, but it's often enough to move into a slightly better mood. Sorry this is so hard, and I hope you can find a way to give yourself a well deserved break.
:) Popeye are you talking about Valium? Diazepan is Valium or is just similar? rwilli
Ha,ha,ha-even with spell check I cant spell, yes valium as in a drug not volume as in stereo....maybe I should slow down on everything.....sorry.
OK, now i know what you mean. that happens to me all the time. i call them "brain farts".
Yes, I also find that these help - Meditation, Yoga, and "staying focused on the present moment" instead of thinking of all the horrors the past and future contain makes you realize that "right now", things are not as bad as your anxiety implies [yes, you are in pain right now, but that pain does not cause as much anxiety as "our thoughts" do!!]
BUT - a new thing I am just finding out about really did wonder for me. It is called "tapping", a way to force your mind and body into a different place, like when having an anxiety attack.
It works by tapping a spot on your hand [one of several spots they use] while saying certain things, and then rolling the eyes in a certain way. This re-arranges the patterns set up by stress and pain.
For me, it has helped every time so far. It is not "stunning" in it's effect, it is barely noticeable until you realise where you are after as compared to before.
There is a bit to learn though... a book called "Emotional Freedom Technique" {EFT}, and here is a link to a video with an instructor to follow for one simple exersize in "tapping".... a good way to try it out,
here> http://www.tapping.com/
Just a thought...
if you have chronic myofascial pain you may be better off getting your trigger points released. Sure you can try to relax you muscles but in my experience, it never is enough to get rid of trigger points. The TrP's are primarily what makes my muscles fatigue and tense up.
Of course, if you don't have CMP, relaxing may be just the thing.
db :LOL:
So far just a little CMP. Thanks for all replies. Yoga & meditation are great,but much more difficult when in severe pain. But ,everything is more difficult. Get used to it!
I don't know if "getting use to it" is what I would do. If you have CMP, get it treated. If you let it go, it can get worse and you may have to get use to something that is much worse.
db :LOL: