apple
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Post by apple on Jan 23, 2007 13:15:30 GMT -5
After some insisting work from my side to my doctor I finally got a referral to pain clinic that is quite new in my area. This clinic is under my health insurance and it has a holistic approach. This is a non-drug management of pain approach. I only had a couple of appointments but I would like to share some of the info since it may help some of you in managing pain. Some information below about this approach: Individuals are encouraged to re-think their illness and health as part of their personal bodily experience. Our goal is to help individuals find their bodies through somatic awareness. Psychobiological means the union of mind, brain and body. Individuals with chronic physical symptoms feel that the symptoms are foreign to their overall being - they describe the conditions as <it> as in <I wish it would go away> or <I wish it would end.> In our mind-body world, <it> is part of who we are and must be experienced as such. The self-talk and relationship that takes place with their body needs to change if they are to successfully manage the condition.
Individuals are encouraged to generate self-soothing through conscious somatic awareness. Somatic awareness is a familiar inner experience and available through normal consciousness.
We use a limited set of <tools> to increase somatic awareness and self-soothing experiences. Autogenic relaxation, biofeedback and gentle breathing are utilized to counter symptom processes and increasing healing sensations[/color] Well on my case a got a couple of relaxation CDs from this doctor that teaches you how to relax your body. Your arms, legs, neck, shoulder, etc. You feel aware of every part of you body. Breathing is very important. You need to make sure that you breathe with your tummy not your chest. I tried this technique when I got my last period and it was quite scare to not take as many pain killers but I gave it a chance. It takes time to train the body but you can try with any type of pain. You start breathing deep <to the tummy> and then you relax and locate where is that you have the most pain or tension and start breathing to <this area> and relaxing the area and talking to your body, like saying <I know you are hurting, I am aware, etc> like soothing yourself (self soothing);You may think she went crazy talking to her body!! Endo finally got to her! Haha ;D, but I have to tell you I did feel a change and in control of the pain at some moments, I couple of times I was close to get the pain killer but I went through the process describe above and I was able to manage (It is important, my doctor said, to once you take the choice of not take any pain killers to stick with it otherwise this creates a lot of stress in the body. Take the pain as long as you can is NOT the idea of this treatment). I have to also say that I did miss work since I did not feel confident enough to be able to do all these in my working environment! But on my case I was already missing a day work even when taking pain killers so that way was not a big difference. The big difference is that this last time I took 2 ibuprofens instead of 10 or 6 as I was taking lately. But my doctor said that with practice I should be able to apply this even on my sleep. I will keep you posted, and any info I can provide that may help you to reduce the amount of pain killers let me know ( that was my main objective going to this appointment)
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Post by camille on Jan 23, 2007 14:55:18 GMT -5
Ahh, this is lovely apple, thank you for this. The info from the clinic sounds very much like the approach to Body Psychotherapy which I talked about in a different thread. BP has a psychological/emotional side to it as well but its the mind-body connection that I am searching for too! I didn't take any pain killers during my last period, just took time off work and applied what I was learning. The pain was intense, but different. My regular doctor suggested that I take a few ibuprofen even if they don't touch the pain, just as an anti-inflammatory. I took two this morning when I started to feel cramps but didn't bring the bottle with me to work!
SO FAR SO GOOD LADIES!!! I am in pain, I am very tired, but I am neither throwing up nor crying! This is good good stuff.
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monira
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Life is always exploring something new.
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Post by monira on Jan 24, 2007 17:18:57 GMT -5
Thanks Apple for sharing ur pain mgt. I also try to avoid pain killer. If not possible, I use ibuprofen like u. In period time I took like 12-200mg a day. If not, I got scared of unbearable pain with no sleep at night. But, sometimes hot-pad do work for pain. With my sever endo, still not taking any other treatment yet. I like natural way. Also worry about not getting pregnant. I cann't think that I won't have any baby! We r trying to get preg. for 1 and half month after my lap. Still no luck. Anybody know any natural way that I should try??? Thanks.
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Post by ouchy on Jan 24, 2007 17:25:03 GMT -5
Hi, monira. Please search/post fertility-related questions/posts in the "Infertility/Fertility" forum--there's lots of info on that there. Thanks.
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Post by cherry on Jan 25, 2007 4:11:44 GMT -5
Wow that sounds so good, I've tried thinking about my pain differently but never the way I refer to it as 'it' I have just got back from seeing my doctor, who has referred me to new gynaecologist, cos i have mystery pains that he thinks is just untreated endo. When I said I didn't want more different painkillers he looked at me like I was a nut job, and more so when I refused to have more hormonal treatment for the rest of this year so I've gone off him a bit. Hope the pb works well for you apple, if it does I will try it too! xx
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apple
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Post by apple on Jan 25, 2007 12:13:59 GMT -5
Camille. That sounds quite similar to what I described, this clinic has mind-body approach as well. I must missed your post, I will search/read it since it sounds interesting. Yes I know what are you saying I also took two ibuprofenes when my period started but those were the only one during my last period!!. Good for you! it seems that your mastering this method! Do you feel tired with this approach? I felt quite tired the following days, but I was not having a good week either so not sure. Also my doctor said that the fact of taking a pill to our mouth produce an effect of relief itself (like a placebo reaction) so that is why it is hard to not take anything. But I'll keep trying and I'll let you know. So how was your day at work? Keep us posted! Anything that will help to reduce amount of pain killers we take is always welcome! I know what you mean Monira, I also take ibuprofene, that is the only thing I take for pain, is not that strong anyway. I also have a severe case of endo (Phase IV) and I am not under any hormonal treatment at the moment, just trying natural approaches. I also get scared when pain is coming, my doctor (at the pain clinic) said that my whole face expression changes just talking about my pain! But this approach is not that easy since our pain took over our body as well as mind. Trying to make that connection and soothing yourself it seems to help. Same as you I am worry about my fertility. Maybe to much. At some point I felt like desperate but I do not lose the hope.I did share this worry with my pain doctor and he believes that this technique should help on this area as well. I'll see. To soon for me to make a fare judgment. But I got some good results regarding my pain on my last period. So I'll keep you posted. Also I am not sure if you already made changes on your diet, since I found a good help with this as well and may make your body better and prepare for pregnancy. Cherry, on my case I used to think about my pain as something attacking me, not been part of me and I wanted it to leave. But I guess it is part of us (but I still wanted to leave!! ha ha) and we need to find a way to communicate with our body-mind and maybe on this way able to take our pain in a different way. Yes regular doctors are like that. My gynecologist did not want to give a referral for this clinic, he was just saying this is not for you, they will not give any drugs at all you know? nothing!. Like my idea of improving my health was getting more of that staff!! he was also not quite happy when I told him that I did not want to try other hormonal approach, but I still see him since he is a good person and cares for me (I believe) he is just not quite open minded about these approaches. If there is something I have learned with endo is that you do have to take charge of your health and keep searching for your healing path. I'll keep you posted. I am also taking some new supplement and herbs so I'll keep you all updated about that as well.
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Post by camille on Jan 26, 2007 10:11:30 GMT -5
Well Ladies, I have to say I have had the happiest period maybe since I was 15 years old. I only missed three hours of work, compared to the three days that has been my norm. G-d forbid this was just a fluke but I have felt each month since my lap that there have been significant changes so I do believe there is a lot of healing taking place so maybe next time will be even better! I believe that it is the combination of first, the lap, clearing out as much as possible, then the acupuncture. I go every other week and for the past month have been receiving these strange heat treatments over my abdomen. My acu doc first used the "remote" locations" right after my surgery then moved to my belly. My diet is nuts and berries and organic vegetables. I found a good website for healthy eating. I don't know if I have included this in another post or not. JIC, here it is: www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=28Also, and maybe most importantly for me is the Body Psychotherapy, learning to listen to my body, observe my body, and accept my body. My Primary Care doc believes that endo is like a birth defect, we are born this way for some reason. I know there are a million theories out there, but along with the work I am doing with my therapist, which has a lot to do with how my body and self formed in the womb, this makes a lot of sense. I am so happy, I have been singing "I've Got No Strings" in my head for three days! I feel like a near normal girl! My sister (who told me that if she didn't actually bleed she would never know she has a period - go figure) said that a "normal" girl would keel over at what I consider normal! Haha. We are tough women. In any case, the advil gave me my requisite stomach ache even only taking two (down from my 30) so I even opted out of those. I just feel so good! I actually RAN TO CATCH MY TRAIN ON THE SECOND DAY OF MY PERIOD! Halalalala!!
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Post by camille on Jan 26, 2007 10:32:52 GMT -5
I forgot to mention my Chinese herbs called "women's chamber" !! The first ingredient is cinnamon which my acu doc said is good for the uterus as are cherries eat frozen and drink as a 100% juice.
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Post by ouchy on Jan 26, 2007 10:37:17 GMT -5
Congratulations, Camille!!!! Sounds great!!! Running whilst on your period? 'Tis a new concept entirely! lol 0 Keep us posted!
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apple
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Post by apple on Jan 29, 2007 11:12:33 GMT -5
Way to go Camille! I am so happy for you! Great encouragement for all of us
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monira
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Post by monira on Feb 1, 2007 23:10:02 GMT -5
Today I went for another Ultrasoud. I still have one cyst in the left and another small in the right. She also suspected polip on the lining which is causing spoting between periods. I am feeling lost. Two months ago when I had my lap and dr. let me know about endo, I Cried for few days. Still some time. I am trying to be strong to fight it but... I changed my diat already. But, Still needs to change more. I did select some suppliments but need to buy those. Apple, I found that u'r approach is similar to mine. It gives me a strong feeling that I may be in the right track. Two months ago I had no idea what this endo is! I am planning to do one HSG to see hwo mu tubes are doing next month. Please pray for me...Thanks.
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apple
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Post by apple on Feb 2, 2007 10:33:06 GMT -5
Keep positive monira! I know that is hard but positive thinking will help a lot. Positive Visualization is good for you as well so when relaxing you can visualize yourself with no pain and healthy and your tubes open! I am glad your trying a similar technic and that it seems working for you I'll pray for you and keep us posted.
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Post by camille on Feb 2, 2007 11:24:16 GMT -5
Something I work on with my body psychotherapist that has worked for me (for the smaller pain, rather than the stabbing-puking pain - haven't mastered that one yet!) is similar to the visualization of a healthy pain free body and similar also to the acceptance Apple was talking about earlier in this thread. It has to do with developing the ability to experience the five senses all at once, rather than one at a time, which I tend to do, probably because of the pain. What I am supposed to do is acknowledge both the parts of my body that are in pain as well as the parts that are not, however few they may be at any given point during my period. It has helped my body not "panic" and stop breathing, go fetal, etc. because I know that my uterus, ovaries, bladder, and intestines are in pain and that pain radiates into my back, thighs, feet and head, but my hands are OK, my nose is OK, my elbows are OK, and as silly as that seems (especially now when I am not in any pain) it helps me to relax knowing that although I might feel like my entire body is under attack, in reality, the pain is isolated to a few areas of my body. It helps me to stay present and know that it will pass. And that I am healing.
I am also learning to care for my body the way I would care for an ill friend - I have never considered myself "ill" before and I think I expected far too much out of myself - thats what the diagnosis was good for - allowing myself the care I actually need. Rest, food, supplements, help from friends and coworkers, medical treatment not covered by my insurance, etc. And talking about it. I know we don't all have people who are willing and able to listen and understand but since my surgery, I have become very open at work about my pain and exactly what it is - without shame! My boss now won't even let me pull out a chair when I tell him I have cramps! (he's one of a kind). I can no longer either fixate on the pain or ignore it - and the message that I am sending my body is that I can heal, and am healing.
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Post by kb on Feb 22, 2007 21:47:16 GMT -5
Just been reading through old threads and i found this one interesting.
Its wonderful to hear that people have been able to work through their pain.
I must admit, it was a big step for me when i accepted the pain. I did this on my own, that was when i stopped relying on pain relief, i rarely take it anymore, though im always in pain. I started accepting that the pain was part of me, and most of the time i barely notice it, unless its particularly bad. Though i also restrict my activities significantly, cause i know what aggravates the pain.
The problem is this thinking has worn me out, and my fatigue levels are incredible, the doctor is thinking now i may have chronic fatigue from chronic pain. While i have adjusted to it mentally, my body still cant take the strain. And no matter how accepting and use to it i am, i still get bad days i cant tolerate, and i still break down crying from it occasionally.
While i have always practiced yoga, ive decided to include regular meditation as well, to help deal with the pain, as therapuetic as yoga is, i find im not regular with it cause if im unwell i dont do it.
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Post by denna on Mar 31, 2007 7:22:58 GMT -5
hi kb
yes this is interesting, i am very focus on ttc and i almost forgotten that i have endo..hahaha. i also do believe treatment without drug, and so far i'm doing fine.
do you do yoga because of your endo or just exercising?
hi apple, we miss you in the infertility thread,how are you?
monira do join us at the infertilit thread..nice knowing that you too are trying to get pregnant..
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