Tips

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN PAIN

1. People with chronic pain seem unreliable (we can’t count on ourselves). When feeling better we promise things (and mean it); when in serious pain, we may not even show up.

2. An action or situation may result in pain several hours later, or even the next day. Delayed pain is confusing to people who have never experienced it.

3. Pain can inhibit listening and other communication skills. It’s like having someone shouting at you, or trying to talk with a fire alarm going off in the room. The effect of pain on the mind can seem like attention deficit disorder. So you may have to repeat a request, or write things down for a person with chronic pain. Don’t take it personally, or think that they are stupid.

4. The senses can overload while in pain. For example, noises that wouldn’t normally bother you, seem too much.

5. Patience may seem short. We can’t wait in a long line; can’t wait for a long drawn out conversation.

6. Don’t always ask “how are you” unless you are genuinely prepared to listen it just points attention inward.

7. Pain can sometimes trigger psychological disabilities (usually very temporary). When in pain, a small task, like hanging out the laundry, can seem like a huge wall, too high to climb over. An hour later the same job may be quite OK. It is sane to be depressed occasionally when you hurt.

8. Pain can come on fairly quickly and unexpectedly. Pain sometimes abates after a short rest. Chronic pain people appear to arrive and fade unpredictably to others.

9. Knowing where a refuge is, such as a couch, a bed, or comfortable chair, is as important as knowing where a bathroom is. A visit is much more enjoyable if the chronic pain person knows there is a refuge if needed. A person with chronic pain may not want to go anywhere that has no refuge (e.g.no place to sit or lie down).

10. Small acts of kindness can seem like huge acts of mercy to a person in pain. Your offer of a pillow or a cup of tea can be a really big thing to a person who is feeling temporarily helpless in the face of encroaching pain.

11. Not all pain is easy to locate or describe. Sometimes there is a body-wide feeling of discomfort, with hard to describe pains in the entire back, or in both legs, but not in one particular spot you can point to. Our vocabulary for pain is very limited, compared to the body’s ability to feel varieties of discomfort.

12. We may not have a good “reason” for the pain. Medical science is still limited in its understanding of pain. Many people have pain that is not yet classified by doctors as an officially recognized “disease”. That does not reduce the pain, – it only reduces our ability to give it a label, and to have you believe us.

Author Unknown

♥ Cindy

Release Therapy

MyoFascial Release Technique....
Have U had this done?
I have and it is quite painful at times BUT very beneficial!
This is very informative!
♥ Cindy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQomSkjxxU

TENS Unit

Do U have a TENS Unit.
IF U do does it help U?
IF it doesn't what are some of the issues?


EXPLANATION OF PAIN:

Pain is a warning system and the body ’s method of telling us that something is wrong. Pain is important; without it abnormal conditions may go undetected, causing damage or injury to vital parts of our bodies. Even though pain is a necessary warning signal of trauma or malfunction in the body, nature may have gone too far in its design. Aside from its value in diagnosis, long-lasting persistent pain serves no useful purpose. Pain does not begin until coded message travels to the brain where it is decoded, analyzed, and then reacted to. The pain message travels from the injured area along the small nerves leading to the spinal cord. Here the message is switched to different nerves that travel up the spinal cord to the brain. The pain message is then interpreted, referred back and the pain is felt.

EXPLANATION OF TENS:

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive, drugfree method of controlling pain. TENS uses tiny electrical impulses sent through the skin to nerves to modify your pain perception. TENS does not cure any physiological problem; it only helps control the pain. TENS does not work for everyone; however, in most patients it is effective in reducing or eliminating the pain, allowing for a return to normal activity.

Pelvic Pain - TENS has been used to treat several sources of pelvic pain, including interstitial cystitis (also known as painful bladder syndrome), menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) and prostatitis. With interstitial cystitis, TENS has been most effective in helping patients who have painful sores known as Hunner’s ulcers, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). TENS might reduce pelvic pain and urinary frequency by increasing circulation to the bladder, strengthening pelvic muscles or causing the release of endorphins, according to the agency.

In some cases, TENS has been used to relieve labor pains. However, this use remains controversial because of the lack of research on how the fetus is affected by the electrical impulses. In general, pregnant women should avoid using TENS unless under the strict supervision of their physician.

Back Pain - TENS may relieve the severe pain and muscle spasms that sometimes develop after a vertebral fracture caused by osteoporosis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). It has also been used for conditions including spinal cord trauma, spinal stenosis, sciatica and herniated discs.

Shoulder Pain - TENS has been used to reduce pain associated with conditions such as frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and rotator cuff injuries.

Post-Surgical Pain - Some evidence suggests that TENS may be effective in treating post-operative pain, including in open-heart surgery patients. It may also help control mild to moderate acute pain after an operation such as arthroscopy or arthroplasty.

Tendinitis and Bursitis - TENS may help patients with these and similar inflammatory conditions, such as tennis elbow.

Arthritis - Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other types of this disease have been treated with TENS.

Other forms of Joint Pain - TENS may, for example, benefit patients with neck pain caused by whiplash.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - TENS sometimes relieves the chronic pain of this condition.

Peripheral Neuropathic Pain - TENS may be a treatment option for neuropathy caused by diabetes or other conditions, in which nerve sensation remains intact or sufficient. It may be possible to use TENS in cases of sensory neuropathy by delivering it through an intact nerve of the peripheral nervous system. For example, TENS applied on the thigh may relieve pain in a foot that has neuropathy. TENS may also be used in this way to avoid placing electrodes over areas with skin impairments such as a diabetic foot ulcer.

Postherpetic Neuralgia - This complication of shingles causes nerve and skin pain that TENS sometimes relieves.

Phantom Limb Pain - Techniques including TENS have been used to prevent or control chronic pain that may occur after an amputation.

Cranial Neuralgias and Facial Pain - Conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and TMJ disorder have been treated with TENS.

Headaches - TENS has been used as a treatment for tension headaches, migraines and other types of headaches.

Dental Pain - TENS has been used a form of dental anesthesia.

Cancer Pain - According to the National Cancer Institute, TENS is a low-risk treatment that might benefit cancer patients with mild to moderate pain.

Costochondritis - TENS may help relieve costochondritis, the most common cause of pain in the chest wall.

Fibromyalgia - The National Fibromyalgia Association reports that some fibromyalgia patients have been treated with techniques such as a pen-like metal roller that produces a mild electrical current as it is rolled on the body. In addition, stroke rehabilitation programs sometimes use TENS to stimulate nerves in weakened or paralyzed limbs. Healthcare providers may also use TENS to reduce edema (swelling due to fluid buildup), and it may have a role in treating pressure ulcers or other wounds. The role of TENS in treating neuromuscular conditions such as multiple sclerosis is being investigated.

Hope this info helps U make a decision on a TENS Unit.
<3 Cindy

Costochondritis

Have U had this?
Is this something U have suffered with?
I have and it is painful.
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum) 

The sternum is the hard bone that goes down the center of your chest, from the bottom of your neck to the top of your abdomen. Your ribs are connected to the sternum by rubbery cartilage at points called costosternal joints. These joints are where someone with Costochondritis feels pain. Costochondritis can affect one or more of these joints.

Although the pain is likely to feel sharp, it can also feel gnawing and dull. U are more likely to feel the pain when performing actions such as taking a deep breath or coughing, but U can also reproduce the pain by pushing in on the area that hurts when U perform other aggravating actions.

The main signs of Costochondritis are pain and tenderness on one side of the chest. The pain is usually sharp. It's often on the left side of the sternum (although it is possible to have pain on both sides).

Costochondritis is believed to be caused by hard exercise, lifting heavy objects, viral infection, trauma or stress to the breastbone and coughing.

There is no cure for Costochondritis, but medication can help manage symptoms. Treatment sometimes involves muscle relaxants to relieve pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are anti-inflammatory options. If U are having trouble sleeping, your doctor may prescribe Tricyclic antidepressants.

Gentle exercise is beneficial for Costochondritis, such as swimming and walking. Physical activity makes U feel good and helps U stay healthy. Stop and rest any time U feel pain. Avoid repeating any exercise that increases pain. Exercise and rest are two ways U can improve Costochondritis on your own. Also, use a heating pad on the part of your rib cage that hurts a few times each day to relieve pain.
Use a low heat setting.

 

Costochondritis usually goes away on its own within a few days or weeks, but in some cases it can go on longer.

IF the pain is too intense please SEE a DR to make sure everything is OK!

<3 Cindy

Nerve Pain

Do U have Nerve Pain?

Have any of U had an EMG or Electromyogram Test?

I have and I absolutely beyond anything I could possibly think about HATE this test.

An EMG is often performed when patients have unexplained muscle weakness. The EMG helps to distinguish between muscle conditions in which the problem begins in the muscle and muscle weakness due to nerve disorders.
They do the test by inserting a needles into the muscle.
This test for ME was incredibly horrendous. This test does find out IF U have nerve damage. I have had this 4 times maybe more and each time sent ME into a severe flare which ended up with ME in physical therapy.

IF U are having issues with your nerves such as tingling and burning and severe pain this test is a good test to have done.
WE do get Paresthesia and this does cause burning, tingling etc.
This is common in Fibromyalgia.

As always please take some time and think!
♥ Cindy

Stomach acid

Did U know...

Excess stomach acid production can lead to upset stomach, acid indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating or intestinal problems. Many people experience acid reflux or heartburn problems when the stomach produces too much acid. It can become a serious problem when gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, develops, causing frequent bouts of heartburn or acid indigestion. Changing YOUR di et or lifestyle can help reduce or eliminate excess stomach acid.

Things that help contribute to excess stomach acids are.

Large meals

Milk

Caffeine

Stress

Weight

Alcohol

Food

Common foods that cause excess acid production include fatty or fried foods, tomato-based products, citrus fruits, garlic and onions.

WE need to be aware of what WE are eating and when WE are eating. I guess what I mean is do NOT eat and then lay down!
Remember to wear loose clothing this will NOT put pressure on the abdomen.

Remember the picture I put up about Acidic/Alkaline?
WE need to eat more alkaline!
Push the vegetables especially the green ones!

I was diagnosed with GERD and IBS when I was 20.
I took the pills only about 2 months before I realized I was NOT taking a pill everyday for something I could change with diet.
So I changed MY diet and got rid of the pills!
I am 44 now and I still do NOT take stomach pills!
Please be aware foods are causing health issues!
Change is hard I know... but small change is better than NO change! And IF pain and discomfort is less or gone isn't it worth it!

U are worth it!
♥ Cindy

Procrastinate

Hello EVERYBODY!
I hope Today was a good day for ALL of U.
For ME... I have been putting off going through things that need to be addressed or dealt with... It seems I tend to procrastinate when papers need to be sorted and dealt with. I always use the same excuse! I will do it as soon as I can focus better because I want to read some of the paperwork. So MY way of dealing with these papers is I put them in a big rubber maid container which I forget to dump over and look through. I find when I do decide to go through it I get overwhelmed and don't want to do it. I never use to procrastinate but since Fibromyalgia everything has changed as far as structured discipline. So I play a continuous endless cycle with myself. I dump the container, I look through some information, I get overwhelmed, I pick the stuff back up and close the container. YES! U might be thinking why don't U put it in a file cabinet? Good question because I do have one in MY bed room. The problem is when I file stuff away it goes literally away. I forget to ever go back and look at it again.
So important things are forgotten and then discarded when retrieved. I have an endless assortment of organizational products but they do NOT seem to help this issue! I have the greatest of intentions but I always seem to forget to keep going back through MY papers!
Do any of U have issues with sorting papers!
I use to be so organized that I couldn't allow myself to have anything out of order and NOW... let's leave it at NOW
I am curious to see IF any of U are as scattered with papers as I am! ♥ Cindy