Any tips on keeping ones sanity?!!
 

Because at times, I feel like I am loosing mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only tip I have is: keep your chin up! We all go through these days. You are strong, you deal with this on a daily basis, it's ok to have those insane days!

Well, I may not have the best advise, but I know how you feel. I think that I'm coming closer to not caring what I have and trying to focus more on symptom relief. Tonight I told my husband, "They can call it what ever they want, I just need some better meds, and that is all I care about now." So, I'm researching what med to add to the Lyrica. My Dr. has given me suggestions and now I have to decide.

In the meantime, I allow myself to have a good cry if needed, and then get back on the horse and carry on. I try to keep busy and stay out of my head....sometimes its easier than others.

Stay strong, and keep remembering you aren't the only one, lots here understand what you are going through.:hug:

I lost my sanity--
 

--a long time ago. Interestingly, some claim it was well before the onset of my medical problems. And, in contrasting the two states, it could well be argued that the sanity wasn't worth keeping anyway. :rolleyes:

Seriously, besides the other suggestions, I've discovered that attempting to give aid to someone else--whether it's phsycial help (within whatever limits one has) or even just information, or an ear to listen, is one of the best mood brighteners there is. Something about trying to help another allows us to minimize our own suffering for a while; we get those endorphins released and feel we've accomplished at least SOMETHING (and the sense of not being able to get stuff done we used to shrug at is one of the nastiest parts of the spiral).

It's much of why I come to these boards--I get at least as much out of it as I put in. It's nice when self-interest and altruism combine.

I totally agree with Glenn. I've spent my life helping people and it certainly does give one gifts, in return.

Stress and focusing on the self are both magnifying agents of pain and discomfort.

Just petting a dog or cat, or watching fish swim around, is calming and lowers blood pressure.

We just have to learn to self medicate with behaviors, instead of drugs.

i moved into wig city a long time ago

Any tips on keeping ones sanity?
 

Hi invisable,

Is your question about coping - with PN, pain, stress...? If so, there are a ton of good articles and ideas out there in googleland. Many/most have to do with distracting ourselves from the bad, and trying to focus on/do something that creates/brings us joy/peace. Helping others is a good one. So is communing with a pet/nature (as have been mentioned). Many people do it by way of a creative outlet - writing, music, arts/crafts, hobbies/interests.

Rather than focusing on what we cannot control, it helps to focus on those things we can control.

Doc

I babble a lot, as well. Releasing pent up frustration in many ways.
My doc sent me to a 'counselor'/psychologist because she felt that the amount of stress in my life at the time needed 'evaluating'. She felt that I was self-serving, and anxious, and jumped on everything- including conclusions.
We both agreed that I was a bit hyper, but I said I felt OK ... she was leaning more towards manic...... so off to a counselor I go.
I had more education, more life experience., and more success dealing with stress - than any patient he had dealt with in a long while. He felt my coping mechanisms (playing & singing music, acting, volunteering in the community) were adequate for my needs and after 3 visits, we both decided that it was a waste of both our times... and my co-pay money. When a psychologist says you don't need to visit with him, you're either OK, or so far off the radar that it doesn't matter anymore ;-)

I use to be able to relieve stress through sex with my loving wife but since I am unable to because of my disability I fear I'm on the same bost as you. But, I've recently found a local movie channel that shows all the older movies that I either seen and wanted to see again but never could or movies I never saw but want to so that helps me cope!

Easier said than done sometimes, but distraction can work. Pick the things you want to use as mechanisms, be it being helpful in whatever ways you can to somebody else, replying to posts here, doing things you're able that are enjoyable, thinking of new things to do - whatever it is.

Remember that old Internet plug that said something like "where do you want to go today?" You can go anywhere you want.

Bon voyage,

Sheltiemom18

For sanity, I watch funny European commercials on youtube (banned in the US), and demo my house for stimulation (under the guise of remodeling)....oh, and I took up animal husbandry. (I am cuckoo...it's fine, it happens.):o My lovely colored eggs cost me $15 a dozen to raise, and I give them away.....

Coping reminds me of an old bee gee song....'uh, uh, uh, uh, stayin' alive, stayin alive, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.:cool:

Yes, the best thing is distraction. Reading a good book series helped me. I even read the popular "Twilight" Series and those were a great distraction. I almost forgot who I was I was so into those books. Its all about finding a way to get out of your head. It takes practice and persistance.

Hello Invisable
hope you are feeling better today. I agree with ALL advices given above from our friends. Thank you all :grouphug:. I would like to add few more here, some can sounds strange :o but can relieving stress a bit in my opinion.

*** SHOUT*** :Soapbox:
Go to somewhere far from people ( :OuttaHere: be invisable ), if there is no quiet park around your house, explain to those whom live with you, go to a room, and SHOUT loud :hissyfit:, even if its under blankets or inside a wardrobe. It feels good! its like take from deep inside and free ourselves :vomit2: , mind not disturbing the neighbors to avoid more stress, Shout at day time:wink:.

My old psychologist adviced me a Bioenergetic Exercise :confused:
Basicly I had to use a cushion and punch to relieve my stress and anger (my ex-husband was the subject). Punching is a bit tiring, so on that time, i got a piece of wood, nails and a hammer (and few pictures of him). :deadhorsebeat:
It was very good. For long i blame him for worsening my health and all that lack of caring was as painful as my foot.
I forgive him, Today im free! and got a very supportive partner :Heart: .

To keep calm is much healthier, but seems impossible sometimes!!! i know what you mean Invisable, it feels like we loosing sanity, with this unbearable pain that never goes away!!!! :mad:, and the last thing we think is about inner peace. I believe that is possible to reach, after a long journey....

Have you heard about EFT? Emotional Freedom Technique. I found this video other day, i did it once and it was good, i should put in pratice more often because helped a little, maybe with time can be more effective. Click it on the link bellow and try it. It wont hurt you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH_uC...eature=related

Hope i helped you somehow
Thank you so much for this thread, You are not alone
Have a pain free night
lots of love
:hug:

I also talk to myself.:eek:

as long as you dont argue with yourself and lose!

Eh, I never know what side I am on, so it's a win-win.....or maybe a lose-lose...

The exchange between you and echoes is funny~ thanks both.

Sheltiemom18

Two key signs of 'stress' are:
 

When you have 'discussions' with yourself? As long as it doesn't get to a knock-down drag out fight? You're likely OK, just working things out.
Worse? IS when you STOP for GREEN lights. THEN know you have a problem.
Especially when you can justify it..somehow.
Nuff said.
As for sanity? I outlet my violent streak by screaming at the top of my lungs when alone, and Throwing all those pens that never write more than a word [the kind that have sorta dried up?] DOWN on my driveway ...with all the anger in the THROW! Not much to clean up, and you get rid of those pens and energy!
Learn to know when you are getting tense and/or upset...then find a constructive or less harmful outlet [like getting rid of old pens] to let it OUT! Then, what I've found is to LEARN about my neuropathy and learn as much as I can! That has been my best motivator [saving my life] and a revenge on the nay-saying docs I've seen.
I've also found the folks here, to be kind, patient and caring! We have all been thru the 'medical food processor' a few times plus. Tho for different reasons we all have that end result: PN PAIN.
There is stress in any long term pain situation...go read about the pain the chronic pain folks have to live with! Keep things in perspective too. At least you can walk and function somewhat well...it's when you can't? It CAN get to you!
Hugs and hope and patience! Think positive can come out of the pain? Nerves healing hurt as much as those dying at times. :hug::hug::hug:'s - j

You are all lifesavers........
 

I love everyone's unique ways to keep sanity, thanks for sharing them and coming to my rescue.

I'll dabble a little in all of them.

Nice to see there are so many animal and nature lovers.......as that is where my passion lies.

Well, it's better?...
 

Thank beating your head against a wall? Yeah it feels good when you stop? But then? Ya got that durned dent in the wall!
You have to LEARN how to distinguish between your 'frustrations from pain' and the 'pain' itself. Easier said than done, but lots of self-'investigation' helps you to be able to sort out when it's the PAIN of 'Frustrations of Living' which are causing the problems. It all IS very much, a Self-INTROSPECTIVE process ab out your pain and how you are and can DEAL With it!
Web up various 'pain' web sites? or, go here and READ about those with Chronic and undiagnosed pain. We all hurt in different ways, and it [at least for me?] has helped to learn about others and put MY situation in perspective. In that doing, I've learned better to speak more articulately to MY docs about MY PAIN and thus get better treatments.
Don't forget?: "There are two people on this earth who are sane, At times I doubt thee?" Get my drift? THAT is how docs see US! Unless you are cool calculated and collected, not to mention have FACTS of super legit web sites such as the NIH, Super smart Teaching Universities and such to let the DOC know you aren't playing with the fringe elements! I Never bring 'printouts' to my doc? I simply mention the NIH 'trial' on this and that, or the NIH or whatever super medical researchers are showing now...and citing sources DOC has far better access to getting the good stuffs on. IF they bother. Different step in the process?
Staying SANE is focussing in on your problems and finding GOOD ways to get you better! It CAN take a lot of work? But, does pay off, often big time! Keep faith and hope! without them, We wither! Hugs hope and a diagnosis!
:hug::hug::hug:'s!!!!!!!!!!! - j

I watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. Laughing at the moronic double talking self serving politiicans we have in the USA makes me feel better about myself. At least i aint them.

One thing I do is start seeds for my garden and friends, in the winter, and by spring I have baby plants all over the place!

I just received my Park Seed catalog, and I've been going thru that each night. I picture in my mind where I could put what, and maybe try some novel new varieties of flowers. This year I'll be doing more ornamental grasses! ;)

I've already bought some nice seeds at Ebay. In January I will start the earliest ones, and by April the annuals. Many perennials can go outside early, since they tolerate cool conditions. I have 2 cold frames for them also out there. I have to shuffle them because I have limited grow-light set ups. Last year I did a tray of Cosmos pretty late in spring, and gave them to my son, and they did really well where he put them. So, I'll be doing more for him this season.

I recycle some carry out plastic containers for this, and also plastic yogurt cups! ;)

Doing all the mental planning seems to take me out of myself and my pain issues very well.

I did alot of Gazania daisies this spring and they came up very well.
I have a picture of one of them with water droplets in my photo album here. I put them in containers and take upNorth. They seem to do well with the stressful weather and wind up there. I collected seeds from them this fall, so I don't have to buy those seeds this year. I also collected some seeds from a hybrid black eyed susan that was just fantastic in my containers!

Pardon my long post, but I am getting antsy to start already, because of our terrible cold icy weather.

Here is a picture of some seedlings from this past Feb.
Some ornamental grasses, and some catmint. The plastic containers are from scones at the grocery store, and they were deep and handy for starting the seeds. I move them up to cells when they are large enough. Some varieties don't like this and it is trial and error when they die on you! The plastic mini greenhouses are handy for perennials which may take 20 or 30 days to germinate. They are small and fit under the lights well that way

I'd like to elucidate on this a bit. Some distractions are what I'd call "passive" - watching movies, listening to music... While these are good for some things, I've found that more "active/interactive" distractions - those requiring significant mental concentration - are better for taking my mind off of pain. I couldn't tell you if it's the degree of concentration itself, the parts of the brain being utilized, the brain chemicals at work, or what the specific mechanism(s) are - only that if I'm concentrating very hard on creating/designing something, time passes quickly (like being busy at work rather than waiting for quitting time on a slow day) and I either don't notice (as much) pain/discomfort, or I forget about it.

There have been times I've been working on writing an article, creating a presentation, designing a quilt, etc. that I suddenly come to a stopping/break point, look up, and realize it's 2+ hours later than I thought it was and I haven't noticed the time, the pain, the starving dog expiring at my feet...

A secondary(?) benefit is that I've accomplished something and the gratification that comes along with that.

Doc

I applaud you for not noticing the pain but..............
 

[QUOTE=Dr. Smith;726569]I'd like to elucidate on this a bit. Some distractions are what I'd call "passive" - watching movies, listening to music... While these are good for some things, I've found that more "active/interactive" distractions - those requiring significant mental concentration - are better for taking my mind off of pain. I couldn't tell you if it's the degree of concentration itself, the parts of the brain being utilized, the brain chemicals at work, or what the specific mechanism(s) are - only that if I'm concentrating very hard on creating/designing something, time passes quickly (like being busy at work rather than waiting for quitting time on a slow day) and I either don't notice (as much) pain/discomfort, or I forget about it.

There have been times I've been working on writing an article, creating a presentation, designing a quilt, etc. that I suddenly come to a stopping/break point, look up, and realize it's 2+ hours later than I thought it was and I haven't noticed the time, the pain, the starving dog expiring at my feet...

A secondary(?) benefit is that I've accomplished something and the gratification that comes along with that.



Not the starving dog!! Have to draw the line there!

I am an extreme animal lover and that hit a nerve (no pun intended!)

Investigate as many things you can that help .. so you never have to rely on one thing to help you.

Save the mot effective thing if you can till last

Try to remain detached / objective as you can

Find someone else who can relate to your pain you share interests with.

Avoid self pity at alll costs.

Find something that captures you imagination , beyond getting well that motivates you .

m