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~~~* 2 DAY ALTERNATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT GUEST THREAD* ~~~
by avisg, Jul 02, 2008 08:41AM
, Jul 02, 2008 08:41AM
Please welcome TooManyAdvil she is one of the community leaders of the pain management forum . She will be answering questions today and tomorrow about Alternative Pain Management and Medicines . She will be here for the next two days so we should all have time to ask our questions...........
I am very happy to give any new suggestions or ideas in treating pain without the use of opioids or narcotics that I can.
I'm definitely not a certified herbalist, homeopathic or DR. I have been using alternative methods on myself for years and through counseling others with addictions that needed to come up with new ideas that they could possibly try.
I avoid giving any advice on homeopathic medicine or certain herbs and essential oils I have not used or know too little about myself.
Like everything else you should always let your DR know if you would like to start using even something as simple as a Chamomile compress so they are aware of your treatment preferences and can alert you to anything they don’t think is appropriate for you.
I also suggest doing research on anything you would like to try so you can know all that’s possible to know about it.
If you are pregnant, have epilepsy, hypersensitivity or manic depression you should not use essential oils or herbs without talking to your DR, certified herbalist or a homeopathic.
But I do have suggestions on certain everyday foods that can be eaten on a daily basis to combat certain ailments which are generally safe unless you have a food allergies. And alternative practices like acupuncture and ancient healing exercises.
I will make sure to suggest generally safe alternatives and give warnings , best as I can, as to who should avoid certain things.
So with my bit of an obsessive compulsive disclaimer,,,lol:), if anyone has any questions I would be more than happy to give some new possible ideas or suggestions you can talk to your DR or a homeopath about.
TMA
I am very happy to give any new suggestions or ideas in treating pain without the use of opioids or narcotics that I can.
I'm definitely not a certified herbalist, homeopathic or DR. I have been using alternative methods on myself for years and through counseling others with addictions that needed to come up with new ideas that they could possibly try.
I avoid giving any advice on homeopathic medicine or certain herbs and essential oils I have not used or know too little about myself.
Like everything else you should always let your DR know if you would like to start using even something as simple as a Chamomile compress so they are aware of your treatment preferences and can alert you to anything they don’t think is appropriate for you.
I also suggest doing research on anything you would like to try so you can know all that’s possible to know about it.
If you are pregnant, have epilepsy, hypersensitivity or manic depression you should not use essential oils or herbs without talking to your DR, certified herbalist or a homeopathic.
But I do have suggestions on certain everyday foods that can be eaten on a daily basis to combat certain ailments which are generally safe unless you have a food allergies. And alternative practices like acupuncture and ancient healing exercises.
I will make sure to suggest generally safe alternatives and give warnings , best as I can, as to who should avoid certain things.
So with my bit of an obsessive compulsive disclaimer,,,lol:), if anyone has any questions I would be more than happy to give some new possible ideas or suggestions you can talk to your DR or a homeopath about.
TMA
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Is acupuncture helpful and do you know if it hurts ?
Acupuncture has shown to be extreamly helpful and successful for many people.
Its used to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points throughout the body. The practitioner uses thin, solid metalic needle and manipulates it by hand or electrical stimulation.
Finding a really qualified practioner is really important because while accupuncture is known to be safe for most people, if an unqualified practioner is performing it there can be serious side effects.
A practitioner should have no problem how long they have been practicing and what there success rate has been. If someone doesnt want to answer those questions, high tail it to someone else.
Accupuncture is actually known to be very soothing after you are able to calm any anxieties you have about the first appointment.
It can be really nerve racking thinking of how accupuncture is done. But with a good preactitioner you should feel no pain and very little sensativity. Some say they dont feel anything put a little sensation.
Being tense and anxious will feel worse than anything. And most people leave feeling renewed and calm.
Hope that helps a bit
Your right, the practitioner matters when it comes to success rate!
I hope you keep getting them and find that the same results you had the first time come back:)
TMA
Sorry if I am putting you on the spot here, but I am confident you will have the answers I seek:)
I do not know much about alternative medicine and herbs but my husband gets migraines and he uses peppermint oil. They make a cream and you rub it in the temples, he likes it and says it works pretty well.
TMA will be able to offer more advice.
Alternative medicine works in so many different wats depending on which route you would like to explore
Oral applications like chinese herbs, herbalism and homeopathy work within the body like a regular medication would without the chemicals.
Certain herbs can work on nerves, the circulatory system, intestines, urinary sysytem, reproductive system,,.there is an option for every ailment you can think of.
Homeopathy works in a little bit of a different way. Though homeopathy is an oral application and does work within the body. But the principal is to take those things that have been found to benfit the body is vey small amounts and doses. Many homeopathic applications are toxic or poisions in full dose..like snake venum, bee stings, squid ink(though squid ink is not toxic) The idea is similiar to a vaccination, using something that may cause illness in large amounts and using it in such a low dose that it actually benefits the body.
But for homeopathy it is not safe to take anything without a certified professionals moderation.
There are certain requirements when taking herbal suppliments and aromatherapy like pregnancy, epilepsy, manic depression and hyposensative skin. Of course allergies can also play a part in who sjould or should not take certain herbs and use certain essential oils.
In hebalism and aromatherapy there are many many generally safe options as long as you do not have any of the above and use them in the doses requied.
Some safe options are chamomile, pepermint, licorice, orange blossom(melissa), yarrow, marshmallow...ect
But there are things like White Willow barl that you would absolutly want to mention to your dR because it has asprin qualities.
Usually you can find these generally safe options in health food stores, grocery stores and specialty herb stores. Many are already pre made into tea bags and essential oil, lotions and message oils.
Aromatherapy works in a different way. Aromatherapy both works pharmacologically, psychologically and mentally.
Different essential oils get absorbed into the blood stream and are able to help in a physical manner, but they also play a part in smell which effects someone psychologially and mentally.
For instance Lavander can be messaged into the abdomen for PMS and become absorbed and it is also inhaled calming the nervous system. Lavander is known as an adaptogen because the body uses it in whatever way it needs it.
There are many DR thats know the basics about alternative medicine...things like accupuncture, lavander..very commonly known things.
To see someone who really understand it fully you would need to see a certified herbalist, homeopath or accupuncturist.
It really depends on the type of commercial store you use to buy natural remedies.
stores like Mrs. Greens will know alot more than GNC. But a speciality store would be able to give you alot more info.
Its really important when buying herbs that you use a reputable store that is knowlegeable.
You can but things like chamomile, clove tea, and many others saftley from any grocery store. But a Mrs.Greens Carries many ore oral and essentail oil remedies.
There are folk remedies that involve food which are safe unless someone has aknown allergy to the food.
Alternative medicine has had wonderful effect on people as its been practiced for thousands of years. The Greeks, Romans used many of earths natural resources to cure and treat ailments.
It does depend on the person .
Like everything else someone may find it very beneficial while someone else doesnt.
But we use these things everyday without even realizing. Bath salts, salad and dressing herbs, meditation...its just doing it on a regular basis that can have a more pronounced positive effect on health.
TMA
There are many options to help treat migrains naturally.
You can buy essential oils of Peppermint and Lavander to make a cold compress. Fill a bowl of water, add 5 drops of whichever you prefer(I like pepermint becuase it leave a great cooling sensation) soak a cotton cloth, ring it out and apply to the forehead and temples.
You can also use Lavander, Rosemary and Sweet Marjoram essential oils in a bath, vaporizor or message oil.
At the first sign of an attack putting a dab of Lavander essential oil at the base of the nostrils.
It's important that with any essential oil your going to you directly on the skin be combined with something called a Carrier Oil to dilute it. You can buy grapeseed oil or another lightly pressed oil to blend them.
Just use the grapeseed oil as a base and slowly add a drop of essential oil until its at the desired sent. With 1tsp grapseed oil you would add 1 drop essential oil and so on.
You may also want to combine the ones you use in the bath so they disperse better throug hyour whole bath.
For a full tub you would use 5-10 drops of your prefered oil.
You can also use a euculyptus and spiriment lotion to message into the temples. Places like Bath and Body works sell great aromatherapy lotions. Or you can always make your own with unsented lotion and a few drops of essential oil to desired strength. You dont need a carrier oil for those bacuse they are diluted by the lotion.
Accupuncture has shown to tremendously improve chronic headaches. Also things like Reiki that involves the principal of healing energy through the hands. A Reiki master would use there hands just upove your body to pass through energy which can help with pain and illness.
You can do a search on the internet or look in your phone book for practitioners.
But with all OIls make suer you do not have hypersensative skin or are allergic to the above herbs. You can test the ines your unsure of on a small patch of skin.
When it doubt always always consult a professional
I hope this helped a bit! and you feel better soon
TMA
I should slow down my typing(not the greatest at it)
Pepermint is cooling on the skin and a calming scent.
But Lavander is an all over awsome essential oil. It relieves pain and calms the nervous system.
I use alot of different essential oils
Bath and Body works, LOccitane and Triloka. You can find alot of good brands at Mrs.greens also.
You just want to make sure that you see on the label that they are pure essential oils or ones diluted in a carrier oil.
I suggest making your own blends at home with grapeseed oil as you become more familiar with using them.
Its cheaper and nicer to know you put them together.
There are many books on aromatherapy you can get from the bookstore or internet. And learn how to make tons of handy stuff!
A medication that is known to benefit nueropathic pain is usually used for Chronic Pain.
Anti depressants like Cymbalta and Effexor have been designed especially to take advantage of pain relief by blocking norepinephrine reuptake.
There are patches like Lidoerm that are put directly onto the skinwhich are known to reduce pain.
There is a cream called Capsaisin that can be rubbed into an effected area to inhibit the release of a substance known to add to pain.
Avoid aspertame as it is a stimulant of the AMPA receptors which can also increase pain,
NSAIDS to reduce inflamation (inflammation) like Celebrex. They inhibit Prostaglandin which is an up regulator of inflamation (inflammation).
In the last attempt by DR's to help reduce pain there are nerve blocks with include injecting a mixture of cotizone and a local anesthetic given through the back( I think the Facet joint) They can decrease inflamation (inflammation) and irritated nerve routes.
But many people dont find relief so it is the last option usually used after medications have failed.
Maybe make an app with your DR to chat about these options. You cam also visit a psychiatrist who understands chronic pain as they can use certain medications they specialize in to help treat you.
I hope that helps a bit.
TMA
You can fill a bowl with hot pepermint tea and inhale the vapors, there great at decongestion.
You can combine the juice of a peeled and pulped horesradish with 2 or 3 fresh lemon juice and take a half tsp. between meals.
You can use that daily for up to several months to clear the mucus in the sinus.
You can use the steam of lavander essential oil which is antibacterial and an antinflamatory and can ease symptoms.
Hope this gives you a few more ideas!
TMA
Till tomorrow..YAY
Its not something thats defenite but is a possibility.
I'm so glad I am able to help with new suggestions in anyway. It does alot to help me too!
TMA
My short answer would be that I dont know if that could have had this wonderful affect on your pain.
But my long answer(more of a thought actually) is that there are tons of nerve groups in certain areas of your body. The needle moves against hundreds of nerve receptors in your skin and into the muscle.
I'd say thay depending on how big the area was and how heavy handed your tattoo artist is may have had some effects on your nerves and muscle.
Tattoos are a localized experience so as soon as the artist stops the intense sensation does. But the burning and stinging sticks around.
I would say that if this did infact help your pain in some way you are lucky, lucky and I hope it stays this way for as long as possible no matter what the reason for how your feeling!
I am so glad that you have had his miraculous break(I dont want to insinuate it is only a break..I have no idea)
I guess this is something to research!!
TMA
Accupuncture may be something that will be invaluable for you!
I also am a Silicone Breast Implant Rupture survivor. Both of my 16 yr olf implants ruptured and I required numerous surgeries to get the stuff out of me. Everything you read about women getting sick from those implants: Are TRUE. This silicone created a whole new disease for people who had ruptures. What it does is mimic other diseases and 50% of the time all the lab tests come back negative. So the doctors slap every condition with the word "syndrome" on you. Right now, I have many Lupus symptoms, yet the tests come back negative.
In the meantime....LOL...I need to deal with this pain. I bought a Gazelle to excercise on (suppose to be easy on joints and it is) and I do limit my activity for the most part because if I overdo it, boy do I feel it. And when one things flares it's snowballs.
I was Rx'd Norco's as needed...but that went up to 8 a day..then I cut back to 6 a day. That dosage lasted almost 2 years. At first they worked like a miracle drug. But then I noticed that it did not relieve the pain as well as in the beginning. Then when I did take 8 a day, I would either have nightmare dreams or feel totally exhausted the next day. After much research on tolerance of this med I kept reading addiction. Well addiction can go hand in hand with building a tolerance. I found this forum. I printed out a few things and took it to my doctor.
He said he was not worried about any addiciton because I did cut back to 6 a day. He wanted to give me something stronger ...Oxy. I refused because I read about that drug too. Then he wanted to give me a 12 hour Oxy pill or some other 12 hour time released Narcotic. I explained to him I was worried about 2 things here: Lastly addiction but first, I was scared that suppose I have to have another surgery, what will work if I am already building a tolerance to these strong medications. He assured me there was always something stronger.
I am not an old person. I plan on living as long as I can. I am 49 right now. If I was about 65+ I would say OK, give me the strong stuff. But these narcotics, while they did work at first, do have some setbacks. Like I cannot enjoy a glass of wine. I never ever drink anything while on a narcotic.
Then he offered Ultram. Most of the silicone sisters were on this one. They all said it was a dirty drug and to stay away. So I refused that one too.
So he gave me a generic version of Voltaren. He told me to taper off the Norco. I did that successfully. I did a step down program of taking one less pill ever 2 days. I still felt a little w/d..but I did it. I may also add, I really never got high from those pills. And I have taken almost every form of hydrocodone & codiene for a good 23 years on & off. This was the first time I took them for 2 years straight. Normally I would only take right after surgeries...for like 2-3 weeks. Then I stopped CT.
So I took the Voltaren during the taper and after. It worked pretty good. Then I started to feel my chest real tight. And my stomach hurt. So I went down to only one Voltaren a day instead of 2. Still had the chest tightenss. I got scared. So I quit taking those. I started taking jut extra strength Tylenol. About 1-4 a day. I still hurt. I know I am not going to be totally pain free....but what should I do for this stiffness in my fingers...the burning in my legs(thighs) even after minimal excercise. I am afraid of getting fat too from lack of excercise.
WE tried Neurontin about 4 years ago and it made me sleepwalk out of my apartment. I live alone...that is not a good idea.
My doctor also tells me this: He liked me on the narcotics because most anti-inflammatories have to be stopped before surgery. Adn I was having a lot of surgeries. And also because they hurt your stomach.
I thought Celebrex was real similiar to Voltaren so I am kinda scared to try that.
My cousin is going to school right now for reflexology and wants me to be her practice person. I'll try anyone once. and if I like it 2 or 3 more times..LOL
Any suggestions?
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to get the clear picture.
SJ
also the lack of energy is lingering around and i am so sick of it..I try to eat healthy as possible..I could use some more exercise lately..but no matter how much i sleep it doesn't seem to matter.
TMA will be back later but I wanted to say that you should not be afraid of taking the meds you need to have quality of life. I think it is great you are willing to try whatever it takes to be pain free I just want you to know your not an addict or you should not label yourself because your taking meds that you need. Have you ever tried the ER or SA formulas they are really good meds for pain and you can start on a low dose and only take them twice a day. Living in pain because of fear of addiction is awful and I know it is a very real reason to want to avoid opioids but you have clearly demonstrated you do not have addiction problems so if your unable to find suitable relief by other means and wish to think about taking the long acting Opioids please don't be afraid to do so. There are many reasons why these drugs are labeled and stigmatized and it is sad that some people live in pain because of it but research shows most pain Pt's do not become addicted but get pain relief. You said you don't get high off the drugs well that means your taking them for pain and they are doing their job. I am not trying to push you into taking these medications I just want you to know you are not an addict for having to take medications that you need. The Dr can monitor you and as he says during or after surgery they use strong drugs. I stayed on the same dose of meds for 6 years because I was afraid of ending up with no where left to turn for relief because of tolerance issues, My Dr assured me he would not let that happen and he hasn't I went up 10 mg a day and have been on that same dose now and still get adequate pain relief. I started out on 20 mg about 7 years ago and went up 10 mg a few months ago and I am doing fine. My point is you can get relief and still have pain control later too.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone...layed down to take a rest and its sudently 1am. I hate when that happens!!
So I'm going to start answering any questions that are here and that someone may have for a little while!!
TMA
I'm sorry about the delay in getting back to you!
It soubds like you have been through alot and I imagine your extreamly frustrated that you havent been able to find anything that has worked.
I completely understand your concerns with taking opioid medications. There is one thing I'm not clear about...do you consider yourself to have a substance abuse problem?
I know your DR was not worried about the possibility but I didnt get a clear picture as to what you think.
The reason I ask is becuase there are some tea's that work on the central nervous system that I woulnt suggest to someone that may have an addiction to mood altering drugs.
I will leave those out for now and if you feel they may be of benefit to you and that you arent adicted to opioids just let me know and I'll tell you about them.
Firstly, I think you should defenitly let your cousin practice on you. Reflexology invoves pressure points on the feet, hands and sometimes ears which have been shown to benefit the whole body.
It may be of great benefit to youcirculation also which is shown to reduce inflamation (inflammation) and may help your joints and muscles affected by the Fibro, OA, CFS and some Lupus symptoms.
Another thing you may get great benefit from is accupuncture. Accupuncture has shown to really improve symtoms of joint and muscle pain and inflamation (inflammation).
It can also improve your circulation which again may improve your symptoms.
I can understand that non-opioid medications havent worked. They can be of great benefit but arent successful for everyone. NSAIDS can irritate the stomach. Celebrex is thought to be the better NSAID by alot of DR's. But it is still an NSAID and does still come with side effects.
Have you tried anti-convusants besides nuerontin or an anti-depressant? Both have been shown to help with nueropathic pain. The new anti-depressants like Cymbalta and effexor have been specially designed to have a positive effects on pain. Anti-convulsants like Lyrica are known to provide a stabalizing effect on sodium channel openings reducing pain. You may want to talk to your DR about trying another option besides nuerontin.
You do want to avoid the sleep walking out of your apt though! I used to sleep walk to and did all sorts of things. Once I started my car but woke up before I pulled out of the driveway. Thank goodness!
There are some herbal and aromatherapy alternatives you may want to try.
With inflamation (inflammation) and pain in your joints and muscles, warm or cold herbal compresses can help reduce symotoms.
Chamomile compress may benefit any of the joint and muscle symtoms you have.
What you would want to do is fill a bowl with water(either hot or cold and you can defenity do both and rotate heat and cold) and add 5 drops of Roman chamomile essnetial oil. Soak a cotton cloth and ring it out. Place over the area of your body that is bothering you the most.
You can also get Chamomile tea and make something called a poultice. Which involves adding water to the actual chamomile flowers that you would find in a tea bag and stir until it becomes a paste. You them put that paste in a cotton cloth wrap it up and apply it to the area that needs the most relief.
Chamomile is a great herb and essential oil and it can reduce pain and spasming.
Another great external treatment is to cut a lemon in half and rub on the joint. Lemon is known to help reduce nerve pain.
You can also make a heat rub yourslef.
If you buy mustard, ginger or peper essential oil and add one drop of your preference into 1-2 TBS grapeseed oil you can get in the grocery store and blend, you can message that into muscles and cover with a warm cloth.
You want to make sure you dilute those oils in the grapeseed oil because they are extreamly strong . And use it in small amounts so it doesnt get too hot on your skin.
You can take apple cider vinegar and add a few cups to a warm bath or put a cup of Apple cidar vinegar into a bowl with some water and soak a cotton cloth and apply that to your muscles and joints.
I may suggest using the bath first as your conditions all effects your joints and muscles which makes it more difficult to treat the whole area with just a compress.
You can also add Chamomile, Lavander or Rosemary to a bath or use as a message as all of them have anti-inflamatory and pain relieving properties. If you use them as a message you'll want to either buy an already prepared message oil or dilute them to the strength your prefer in grapeseed oil.
As for oral options. Chamomile, clove, pepermint and ginger teas help relax the body and reduce pain and spasms. You can buy any of those teas in the grocery store or a Mrs. Greens type store if you cant find them in your normal grocery shop.
You can also try mixing a honey and vinegar drink.
put 1 TBS of honey and apple cidar vinegar into a cup of hot water and drink like a tea. Honey and vingear have many natural properties that can reduce pain and inflamation (inflammation).
There is a herb called White Willow Bark that has asprin qualities to it but is gentler on the stomach. You can usually find that is a GNC or in the suppliment section at walmart. But with this option you will want to absolutly tell your DR your using it.
Just follow the instructions on the bottle and make sure you tell your DR so that he can give you his thoughts on whether he thinks its appropriate for you.
You can also talk to your DR about taking extra calcium, maginsium and Vitamin C to encurage the health of your muscles and joints. You can do that through food with some of take a suppliment. But again with anything you take orally please talk to your DR.
The Chamomile, clove and pepermint tea and generally safe as is the honey and cider vinegar. But if you do have an allergy to any of those things or are pregnant you need to mention them to your DR also.
I hope some of these optionns do help you.
I know the fear of not being able to be as active as you would like and gaining weight.'There are great exersizes you can learn to do at home through getting an instructive DVD or finding out if anyone in your area holds classes.
The first is Thi Chi. It isa low impact exersize of movement and using something called 'chi' which is thought to be the life force of energy inside of all of us.
Chi Qong is another exersize that follows the same principal thoug his just starting to become popular. It's and ancient asian exersize which is known to greatly improve all over health and illess. Chi Qong masters are known to live well into there 100's.
You would probably need to but an instructionally DVD to learn but I would highly recommend it as I have gotten great effects to it.
The easiest way to feel 'chi' is to place your hand infront of you with your palms facing tword eachother but a few inches apart.
Hold them there until you feel a bit of resistance when you move them closer together.
This is what they call the 'life force' and it is something that is believed can be harnessed throughout our universe and brought into ourselves.
With practice the feeling between your hans will become stronger and you will feel more risistance.
It's pretty neat to try.
There is also an alternative healing called Reiki in which a 'Reiki Master' will have you lie down as they move they hands above your body. It is thought that healing energy or 'chi' through the masters hands enters your body and begins healing it.
These are all ancient eastern practices that are becoming more prevelant over here in the West. I have treid each one of them and have benefited from all even if they werent able to improve my pain to the level I wanted.
I felt renewed, calm and at peace after each session and began to get fewer colds and muscle aches.'They really can be benefitial.
.
TMA
Used on a regular basis they can be exreamly beneficial to how your body is feeling.
We unknowingly tighten our muscles when were in pain as our bodies defense against feeling such severe sensations. All of these options can help against that and improve your symtoms and the inflimation.
But remember to talk with your DR before your take anything orally and do any exersize regimine. Even the very safe options like tea as you can use them throughout the day on a daily basis and its just nice to know a DR knows what your doing.
TMA
I have heard alot about oil pulling though have never done it myself.
It is thought that there is a large correlation between the mouth and the rest of our body.
The toung is said to be an indicator of all over health. Sort of like a map which you can elimnate the bodies toxins from. And swishing the oil eliminates those bodily toxins from your toung improving all over health and ailments.
There have been alot of people that say that having it done has been a great benefit to them.
Have you been to a practitioner or have used the technique yourself?
For those who have never heard of it, It is a simple technique involving no toxic chemicals using only oils like seasame and sunflower(which are the most commonly prefered) and swooshing it around the mouth for about 20 minutes until it turns to a white and foamy consistance. It shouls be done on an empty stomach and not swallowed or gargled. the mouth is then rinsed out and is usually followed by numerous glasses of water.
Eating healthy is defenitly a way to keep your body with as much energy as possible throught the day. But you can also try ginsing teas and drinks to help with that.
There are alternative exersizes like Chi Qong which involves the harnassing of 'chi'(the life force energy) into your body.
You can get an instructional DVD on a store or buy one over the internet.
I completely vouch for Chi kung in not only balancing out your body, reducing pain and improving all over health, but for reviatalizing your body.
Chi Qong(which I think I spelled Chi Qong is an excersize that does whatever your body needs it to do.
As I explained above the easiest way to fel 'chi' is to put your hands infront of you with your palms a few inches apart but facing eachother. After a few minutes attempt to move your palms closer together. The resistance you feel in called 'chi' which is thought to be the life force energy.
With practice it will feel stronger and you will be able to feel it with your hands as far apart as the width of your body(and further).
The exersize works by collecting this energy with your hands and moving it into your body.
Its a wonderful exersize and has just recently been gaining popularity in the West.
You wold really suggest getting an unstructional DVD. It's absolutly worth the practice.
You can also try Thi Chi, which involves the same pricipals in a different way. Thi Chi is like a dance of body movements which harness the life force or Chi and like Chi Qing strengthens the body.
You cam look in the phone book or on the internet for possible classes in your area. There may even be classs in your area for Chi Qong, though its an exersize that isnt quite as commonly taught yet. But it is rapidlt gaining popularity as the other alternative exersizes have.
Hope this gives you some new ideas
TMA
I hope you enjoy your holiday!
My main concern with the narcotics was building up a tolerance. At 6 pills a day spread out I was not getting the same pain relief I did before. At 8 I hated I felt (nightmares & then exhaustion.) I never got that energetic feeling everyone else talked about. Guess if I did , I would have taken more!
I came here because I saw the best advice from people here + they too were sharing the same concerns I was. Just because someone is an addict doesn't mean they are a total loser and screw-up. Many people here got to the addiction level from REAL PAIN issues. So I respect that. Now it's the ones that keep doing the drugs and then end up stealing or doing criminal acts to get them are the ones I don't respect until they come clean and admit they have a problem. And if they don't come clean and admit it and continue on, I would think they would not live very long because you gotta get to the point/level where your body will just shut down.
So for the people here seeking answers and those sharing what they went through: I thank you.
This was not meant to offend anyone.
I also have a chemically sensitivity issue. So far the scents that cause pain to flare are Vanilla, Cinnamon, Lavendar, Everrgreen, Xmas Scents...Avon perfumes and a host of other perfumes, some cheap, some expensive. So I have to watch aromatherapy. Almost all candles really flare me up too. What a life!
Thanks again,
SJ
With such a sensativity you do need to be careful with which sents you do use.
I will do some research for you and PM you with some other suggestions. I have a huge book of alternative healing I can pull out and I'm sure I can find something more to benefit you.
I think the Willow bark is something that would really benefit you as it was the first asprin used as far back as the greek physician Hyppocrates in 400 b.c!! It's been used ever since but doesnt have the same side effects like stimach upset like reular asprin. Of course it wont take you out of all your pain, but I think a combination of anti-inflamatory options and increasing your circulation could reallt help control your symtoms over time.
I hope you dont think from anything I said that I believe anyone who has an addiction is a total loser screw up. Thats not what I think at all, not even close.
I have a great respect for anyone battling addiction and maintain recovery. I also have understanding for those who are still caught in the cycle or addiction and havent found a way to stop yet. Its not easy taking that first step.
Having Chronic Pain and not being able to use the options that are known to be a quick fix is so unbelievably hard. And everyone who is able to stay clean while dealing with pain has a strength I'm not sure I can even comprehend.
So I just wanted to say I'm sorry if you got anything out of my post that made you feel that I think badly of anyone with addiction.
The only reason I said I wouldnt suggest certain things is because some herbs can have an effect similar to a narcotic.
TMA
Lucy
I understand exactly what your saying. It's even harder to taper when chronic pain keeps rearing its ugly head.
Thats a good question about the diclofenac. I'm not sure how an NSAID would work as an external rub for inflamation (inflammation). You may want to ask your DR about that. It would be great if you could use that kind of thing externally instead in internally! I know it would help me too.
You can use Lavander in alot of different ways for pain and inlamation.
You can fill a bowl with warm or hot water add 5 drops of Lavander essential oil. Swoosh around and soak a cotton cloth in it. Then wring it out and apply to the area. If you use it as a warming compress place a towel or other cloth on top of it to help keep the warmth in.
You can also use Lavander as a message by buying an already prepared message oil or making your own by buying some grapeseed oil and droping Lavader in to combine the two until its at the strength and scent you would like.
Another option would be to run and hot bath and add between 5-10 drops and soak in it. I myself add 10 because Lavander is my favorite essential oil!
Lavander is an herb thats called an adaptogen because your body uses it in whatever way it needs it
Making a compress like the Lavander one above with Chamomile or Rosemary can have the same effects on pain and inflamation (inflammation) and can also be made into a message oil or bought already prepared.
when your ready to stop taking the norco you may also want to look into using White Willow Bark as it has properties similar to asprin and was considered to be the First asprin used as far back as 400bc, but is gental on the stomach. That is something you would defenitly want to talk to your DR about before using because it is an internal option.
There is an old remedy used to treat different types of arthritis. Its called Nettle Tea. I myself have never used it but have heard some good things about it. It contains a hystamine which is known to help lower inflamation (inflammation).
You can look for it in stores like Mrs.Greens or GNC. It is usually made in a tea bag with a blend of fennel and aloe vera both of which are known to help lower inlamation and improve spasms.
Making a drink of 1 TBS honey and 1 TBS apple cidar vinegar into 1 cup of hot water and drinking it like a tea has also shown to help inlamation and pain.
Putting a couple cups of apple cidar vinegar into a hot bath is nice also.
Juniper essential oil is an anti rhumatic and can also be added to a hot or warm bath.
Also copper has been shown to improve rhumatic symtoms so many people wear a copper bracelet.
You may want to also talk to your DR about magnisium as it forms something called synovial fluid which surrounds the joints.
Also making sure you get enough vitamin A, C and E have been shown to help with symptoms.
You may want to look into the benefits of cod liver oil.
Basil and corriander have also shown to reduce pain so maybe making some basil tea or finding ways to use it on a regular basis may help.
I know you only asked about the Lavander but thought I'd throw in a few other options just for good measure!
I hope you find something here that may help improve your symtoms.
Just remember to talk with your DR before you take anything internally, especially if your taking medications, are pregnant or have epilepsy or manic depression.
TMA
Thanks for all your advice. I appreciate it.
It's an anticonvulsant that was studied by UBA researchers in 2007 as a nonnarcotic medication that decreased peoples requests for narcotic pain meds by 50%.
So although from what I've found being on the non narcotic list anyone who looks into taking it may want to make sure and ask there DR about what it really is and what side effects it can have.
TMA
Lucy
Sajonna- I'm glad you have a pharmacist you feel you can trust, thats really important!
I've been filling my prescriptions with the same pharmacist for many years and feel like they really try to watch out for me also.
I hope everyone has a GREAT 4th of July!!!
TMA
Avis
This has been great and I hope we can do it again at some point.
I just wanted to add that if anyone is ever looking for some new ideas that are all natural please feel free to stop by the PM forum or message me anytime, I would love to hear from you!
Huge to all
TMA