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Treating for stress?

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Posted 11/26/2008 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning everyone.  I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving one day early.  I intend to have a great time.  The hubby & I are going to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Suits me right down to my toes.  No cooking, no clean up, no leftovers to deal with.  I don't even like turkey. smilewinkgrin

Now down to my subject.  Next month when I go to my doctor I am going to ask her why doctors don't treat us for one of the biggest problems: stess.  They give us meds for depression, pain, to help us sleep, but don't really address the problem of stress.  It is just my opinion, but, I think that if we got treated for the stress and therefore reduced that stress we would all be better off.  After all we all know that pain causes stress, stress causes pain and round and round we go.  It's like an endless cycle.

What do you think?

Posted 11/26/2008 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Well the closest thing a doctor could do for stress is give you anti-anxiety medication. Other than that I'm not sure what else they could possibly do to help with that.

You can try working with a therapist. They might be able to help teach you relaxation exercises, but you could probably learn that for yourself for free by researching online. You could also try meditation, yoga, or tai chi.

Or you could simply get some relaxation music to listen to. There's something called brainwave entrainment in which there are certain soundwaves that are used in order to adjust your brainwaves. Alpha brain waves are present when you are relaxed so if you got a brainwave entrainment CD that focused on alpha waves, it would be very relaxing. Just don't try to drive while listening to this stuff, it's very potent. smilewinkgrin
There are lots of brainwave entrainment CDs out there, but the only ones I've tried so far are by a Dr. Jeffrey Thompson and I found them to be very effective. You can google him for his website or look him up on amazon.
Posted 11/26/2008 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Gamma, and happy Thanksgiving to you too!

 

Kythe had some good advice.  Actually, you need to learn how to control stress.  Besides, do you really want another pill to take?  Unfortunately, it seems that when we go to the doctors, that's always their answer...more meds. 

 

But, you do have the power inside you to get a grasp on the stress.  The stretching exercises to help loosen the muscles is a start.  Focus on doing something that you enjoy.  You will be so busy doing what you like to do that the stress is forgotten for awhile.  I love to have a cup of hot tea and read or watch a good movie and that takes my mind off my worries and I can relax.  Yes, that does help the fibro.  Breathing exercises and, actually, any exercise like walking does help relieve stress, too.  You need diversions so you can relax.  Don't let stress overtake you.

 

Sherrine 

Posted 11/26/2008 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

Believe me, in the last 52 yrs. I have tried everything imaginable.  They all work, but for a limited amount of time.  I simply can not make my tense muscles relax full time.  I have even gone so far as to teach myself bio-feedback.  The closest I have come is when I took neurontin.  I couldn't believe the difference it made for me, you couldn't rattle my cage with the worst crisis.  I was always calm and collected, and what a reduction in pain.  The problem was, it caused me to gain 15lbs. in 2 wks, and it didn't stop there.  Never had a weight problem before that and now it is a constant battle.  The withdrawal was something I never want to go thru again.  Besides making me very calm, I was actually able to cut way back on all the other meds.  So yes, if I could subtitute one pill for several pills, I would do it in an instant.

I also haven't been able to find out from any of the many doctors that I have been to if the stiffness in my muscles is from stress or something else.  The muscles in my arms and legs are literaly like concrete even when I am relaxed.

Thanks for the advice anyway.

Posted 11/26/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Gamma, I wish there was a magic pill for stress but stress is a part of life. I take xanax for anxiety caused from stress but it doesn't take the cause of the stress away. I work daily on how I react to stress but I haven't had much success in how my body reacts no matter how I talk to myself. If there is something on my mind, distraction nothing seems to work as far as the physical reaction my body has, my BP goes sky high. I feel like my nervous system is shot. I will be a mess til Sunday when everyone goes home and this is good stress. So if you figure this out let me know.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 11/26/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Gamma , when I go for massages my muscles are rock hard...even in my arms.  I don't realize it until she starts working on them  I have hard knots in my arms and all over my back and sides.  I just think that goes with the territory and you just try to move on.

 

I wish I had some words of wisdom to help you.  I'm in the same place but I know there is nothing to help except to help myself not think about it.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/26/2008 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Gamma. . . I wish they would also. There is so much a "good" doctor can do if they actually care :) Around these parts (farm country Missouri:) the old fashioned docs are retiring and passed away now, and the new generation we have want to fix everything with a pill and charge $100 for a 10 minute visit. It's pretty sad and very steep prices considering we are one of the lowest income areas in the country. . . Anyway, lol, I agree with you.
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