I have wanted to share something with everyone. It's actually just a personal experience but a very intresting one. Back in early November I had a family member who was ill, and it sent me into a bit of a shock. During the months of November & December I was focusing on helping this person & all my attention and energy was shifted towards them. I was not active on the forum due to all of this going on.

Health wise I felt very good with little discomfort. No anxiety, and good BP numbers. This lasted for nearly 2 months. Then as all of you remember the Ultram problem I had over Xmas. I was in more pain than ever and having panic attack after panic attack. I was afraid to go to sleep and my BP was high. I had convinced myself that the Ultram changed my brain chemistry.

Over the last 10 days I have had a family member staying with me and we have been shopping,talking,having tea everyday, and trying to enjoy the time we have together. Again my focus has shifted from my illness to enjoying the time with family. My anxiety went away,I have slept 10 consecutive nights with no help from xanax or antihistamines. I have felt serene... better and happier.

They left yesterday to go back home. Last night I was feeling a bit down and I could sense the anxiety coming back. I fought it off.

I have always disregarded the strength of our minds to help us conquer this illness, but now I am convinced that the illness may even be exaserbated by our minds.There is nothing worse than focusing on an illness 24/7 with no intermission.That would give any illness great strength over us. I think that it is almost like slow torture in many ways.

I am not saying that we shouldn't discuss our health nor am I saying that we shouldn't seek support. But I have to say that all the time I personally spend focusing on my illness and probably even obsessing over it probably caused my health to worsen. When I shift the focus and occupy my mind with something else besides my PN, my pain lessens, I am calmer, & happier.

How many of us choose to stay home all the time instead of calling a friend or family member and asking for some company or to go out for a while? How many of us spend countless hours on the net reading the same things over and over and over about PN?

My story ends here because although I have PN, I don't want it to have me anymore. I would just like those who are not aware of the mind/body connection like I wasn't aware, to consider it. Possibly even invest a little of their time that would be otherwise allocated to PN and PN related activities on having some fun,or spending some time with a relative they love. Doing something different to break the routine.

Anything...

Hugs to all

Cheers