Baggy is here....sort of.....

[bagpussinamerica]

Hi everyone. I am back. Still kicking...well maybe not kicking. I tried to kick the dog the other day for peeing on the lino and that didn't go down so well.

I am feeling much better. Still not laughing as such, but I know for sure it was the steroids the doctor had me on. Fortunately I was only on them for a week to see what would happen.....so I am feeling a wee bit better now.

Having said that I am now in more pain than I was before the steroids and that seems to be confusing everyone. My doctor asked me if I was doing anything. Like what? Walk. Am I not allowed to walk? I am very careful about what I do, but it still hurts. I am now waiting for a call from the surgeon to talk about what next. Apparently he does not believe in pain killers, so I am without. Trying tylonol with no effect. I am on Arthotec? Don't know how to spell it and don't want to go upstairs to find out either. Was told this is only an anti-inflammitory.

I am feeling a little bit old these days. I was so ready to fight all of this pain, etc. I don't want to feel so old. My age has never been a factor.......only my mind. My mind feels old.

I want to thank you all for being there for me. It really means so much since there hasn't been much in the way of support out here for me. I mean outside of cyberspace. Now I've the time to be with friends.....I find I didn't make time to make friends in the first place. Oh well.

I do have one friend who is a healer......her husband is as well. They are both convinced that you can be healed of anything........as long as you are willing to make lifesyle changes. Does anyone here believe that? I do, to some extent, which probably means I don't.

I did notice there is another brit on the site. I am glad for that.

I am hoping to be on-line much more often. Before I didn't want to talk......now it hurts to sit for very long! Whatever next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CRABBY]

So glad your back, take your time friend, we'll be here for you always....read some of the posts they're hilarious...that might get you to laugh...still saying prayers for you...one day at a time...

[Pooh]

Baggy

arthotec is a med I was given - my understanding is it is for arthritis. I can't tell you much more about the medication has I took it once and broke out in hives and that was all that I took it.

I will agree with your friend that your mind has a lot to do with your body. This includes pain levels, etc. Some days it is hard to keep a positive attitude when your in pain, but it does help if you can keep one for the most part. I wish I could give you mine or part of mine.

I have started soaking in epsom salt baths - something I was told that I could do because I don't have high blood pressure of diabetes. Also my PCP will re-evaluate my thyroid in a couple of months and see how that is doing. But like with everything, I always suggest that you talk with your doctor before doing something that is new - because magnesium and sulfur is absorbed through the skin from my understanding. How it works I don't know other than your body needs both.

As you said some of it is life style changes - I am not looking for a cure for my nerve damage, but just a relief from the daily pain levels and so far this is helping. Even with the cooler weather, I have not had the increase in pain like I normally do - so for me that is a plus. So back to the old basics for me on some things - since I don't tolerate pain meds that well.

[monster]

Baggy - I was feeling very old too and I am only 43 although soon to be 44. Felt like I was about 80 in both mind and body. THEN I decided I was going to get my life back. I don't recommend doing what I have done but it is what got my spirit back...I now do all kinds of things that makes me hurt worse, but mentally I am better if that makes sense. MY IC isn't going to fix me so I have finally decided that until I get private insurance again that I have to learn to live with it. I can stand the pain better when I know I have done something productive during the day rather than sit on my behind.

Now last night the pain was really bad, I would say a 9 (I fell for the first time yesterday morning and then just about an hour ago I tumbled into the ditch I had dug for the electrical to my greenhouse...yep, I'm a dork, LOL) ... but I came here and posted a thread that I needed help could someone please post funnies for me as they take my mind off the pain The response was incredible and I owe a big debt of gratitude to several who kept the funnies coming and also gave me hugs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is try to find something that makes you feel better mentally without hurting your body any more than it already is. I am one who has to be doing something all the time to feel good mentally so that is what I have been trying to do. I have payed dearly for it, by the end of the day I hurt like the dickens but I still feel better mentally although my body is in much more pain. I guess I am kind of learning to trick my brain to some extent...my brain is happier when I am productive even though I feel physically worse. I would rather have the mental stability than the depression I was going through when I was getting nothing accomplished. In a nutshell, if I am strong mentally then I can for the most part deal with almost any amount of pain.

This doesn't mean go out and run a marathon, only to try and find something you can do that will help to take your mind off the pain. I hope they will find something to ease your pain soon. In the meantime come to your online family and we will do all we can to cheer you and try to at least take your mind off things

gentle hugs,
monster

[red1030]

Hi baggy...I am so glad to see you here on line again. I missed you a lot and we were all concerned. I need to express to you that you are not a lone. I know that you feel that way being in the home a lone without any friends per sey, but all you have to do is turn on your computer and come to us. We are here and we want to be your friend and family.

There is another brit as you say, on line. Her name is Liz, and she goes by bagel. She and I have become very good friends. She came here because I told her about the people here and how supportive and caring they are, but also because I told her about you. I know that she would love to chat with you sometime. I believe she lives in Yorkshire...did I get that right? She was a criminal lawyer and then was diagnosed with MS which appears to be advancing somewhat on her at this time, and she had to stop working. She has three wonderful and intellengent boys age 14, 16, and 17 I believe. They are great interms of thinking of careers etc. I know she would be lost without them. They are very close. We talk on the phone a few times and she has a beautiful accent. Do you have the same accent still with living in the states? I love her accent. And I love the way she says "lovely" or "Mum" etc. Are these words that all people from England use a lot? I was going to ask her and keep forgetting when on the phone, becasue we jump from one topic to the next. She is planning a trip here in May. I can't wait to have her in my home. It will be very exciting for both of us. I just love her so much. She calls me her big sis... she is 38 and I am ...well I am toooooo old. I know that she wants to meet you. I have not seen her on either chat for the past couple days so I fear she is back in the hospital. I have sent messages and no return as of yet. Hopefully she will return and soon.

In terms of your question about mind over matter philosphy's. I do believe that the mind controls a lot about your body. I believe more than anything that the mind controls your perception of the events occuring whether it be pain, loss, or sickness. From a healthcare point a veiw there is a theory that discusses the internal versus external use of energy. The internal energy use has to do with illness and it continual need to draw more strength and will power to keep going from your Adrenal Gland..hince the adrenal rush. The reason an illness creates a need to cope with the adrenal gland is because we have not learned how to control our thinking and perceptions about what is happening to us. I can use me as an example. I have MS. That is well known. There are some days that I can only walk with out falling about 50 feet. Sometimes on these kind of days I can find ways to mop a floor, do the dishes, put in a load of wash, make my bed. Then other times when the same events are occuring I can't do any of the above. Why is that? It is because my brain has taken over to say, it is not fair, you should not have to work so hard to do the little things, you never did anything wrong..then my whole day is shot. The last example takes a lot of internal engery. The more a person feels deprived, the worse or exacerated the symptoms. I told all of you something very personal about me, but it is not about me, it is just using me as an example of this theory and how it works. So my answer is no and yes. Our brain can interpret an event in a negative way which will consumn more engery than if you saw your glass as 1/2 full versus empty. I am not saying that that is easy to do, it is not, but it is less stressful on the body and there fore on you.

I hope you will come back often and let us know that you are ok. We started a BINGO game and we should have picked some words for you..so that you could now play. Check out the BINGO game and all the fun they are having over there. Laughter is very good for the soul as they say... love Red

[ksgirl]

Bags, I am so glad that you are back! I, along with everyone else has been so worried. Please, if you need to talk, send me a pm with your phone number. I know what it's like to be alone. I get excited about going to pt just so I can talk to someone!

[sweet tooth]

sure am glad to see you again you have been missed