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DiMarie · 11-16-2006, 01:19 AM

Hi PEg,
Life with TOS even if it is in remission is a day of balancing and trying to know how to not over due.

That is a huge order! IF you pace and do a little typing, no more then 15 minutes at 4 times, then staying an hour in front of computer. No longer ironing, hang things when they dry. Try to do a small load of laundry instead of 5 on the weekend. Don't do floors on the hands and knees, put rags on the feet instead.

No lifting over the weight of a gal of milk more then once, and a quart size infrequently. USe a stroller or cart to get thigns from room to room, including children and pets. No painting wall, it is going to kill you, get help. I remember a few months after De's surgery she eanted to make apple pies from scratch for Valentine's day. She was never the same after peeling and cutting apples, a few bags of them.

When walking dogs, put the leash through a belt on your waist, not pull your arm. I have Clean-up wipers in the Bathroom to wipe everyday instead of scouring on the weekend. I use the pledge cleanups for all surfaces. I have the Mr. Clean mop and scrub for the bathroom for when I do clean.

Burn candles, hide clutter...sorry, house is not at all preinjury, can't do it. Between the hurting and no time with many family obligations and appointments. I always have help to change the sheets.

Also, I take meds, I will never stop my valium 5-10 mg for spasms and migrains, topomax, two darvocette or one percoette at night. I did not have surgery, nor am a canadate now for surgery. Just because you ahd surgery does not mean you were cured, you are better hopefully. Baby yourself to not have an increase in symptoms.

I use tons of Biofreeze, where the dagger is in my upper back and wings; ice on my neck when it is knotted. My bed buddy in the micro wave for across the traps.
Trigger point injections about three times a year.
Epidural spine injection in the C5 for long term nerve calming (lumbar too).

Use a cart, small grocery orders, not huge ones, Don't drape the arms with tons of bags, push the ones you do have. Applying for a handicap parking placard if it applies to you.

Keep a pillow on the lap when sitting, at the computer, even in the car to keep arms up not dragging. Oh, a hot tub or going to someplace like a health club that has one, or tanning booth to get the deep heat. A massage, if from the hot tub, or a great PT. Some use a infra red lamp with a clap light holder for aiming on their sore back.

Bio-feedback, many of us from the stress of daily TOS restrictions can have a form of anxiety much like post trumatic stress syndrome. Heart ache at not being able to be like we use to be. SHortly after the car accident I developed anxiety-panic disorder. When I am real bad the forum suportive family helps me through, I do my bio-feedback, and a few days it is much releived.

I think in most cases of tos, the rule is going to be to take care of yourself to manage TOS and not let it manage you. If your day is in a high level of anxiety, trying to get everything done that you wanted taht day (type A personalities) it is taking it toll on your body and mind.

I have a huge type Z personality as I call it. I can and will go away on vacation and know there is laundry to put away, the bathroom floors not done, can't remember if I swept in the last two weeks, Don't care if I remembered to make the bed, and think I had someone put away the dishes.

If the house burns down or burglers get in the cops and firemen won't know if it was me, the bad guys or fire that left a mess, lol. (although as cops we love when people leave things well cleaned and dusted, polished. Best for picking up finger prints!)

I highly suggest learning bio-feedback, the deep tummy breathing yoou feel your low stomach rising with breaths NOT your chest; Learn how to tell each inch of your body to loosen up and be floppy. Do this every single day!

Treat yourself like you are far into a pregnancy. Even if my body fails me, I like to have my mind active. Even if I will never work full time in my firld or social work, I will never have my degree taken away from me.
I did scrap booking, geneolgy, serve on committes in the town and support groups.

I have to take a nap, I get exhausted. But, I am now over 50.
Hope you can find something that helps you feel better.
Di