Stressed more than I thought I was

[hallenbeckfamily]

Well, I thought and still think I'm coping with Chris' dx a month ago pretty well. However when ever I get stressed my back tenses up,like I absorb all my stess there. I have had 3 days with horrid back pain -up almost 2 nites straight -and could not even hold my arm up to dry my hair it hurt soo bad. So waht that tells me is that I'm doing what needs to be done and moving thru it but I guess not dealing with it as great as I thought? Anyone else go thru this? Have any tips on getting the tension out of my back/neck? I have made it a point to take time out from D, a bath,reading, even just painting my nails. So why is it not working? I went to the Dr. Fri and got a muscle relaxer but no go soo far. All I know is I don't have time for this on top of it all~ Jennifer

[MrsBadshoe]

My back has taken most of the pounding from D stress. Though my D stress has been a horrible school stituation. What worked best for me was a number of appointments at the Chiro. About the third visit I am able to move my back again.

[Treysmom]

I've always had trouble with my neck to down in between my shoulder blades.
But since D it has definatly gotten worse. That week in the hospital after dx was just about the worse I have ever had.

Motrin, MOtrin, MOTRIN. HEATING PADS AND WARM BATHS, MYOFLEX CREAM, and the occasional back rub.

[muddymessalonskee]

...I go to a yoga class twice a week; totally de-stresses me and makes me feel great all day...

Deborah

[EmmasMom]

I've had the same thing happen twice when Emma was a baby! I ended up in so much pain that I literally couldn't lift her at all. My back was in a horrible knot for days. I got pain meds and muscle relaxers at the doc and then used the stick-on heating pads 24/7 for a few days. It did get better by the end of the week, but every time I turned the wrong way or lifted something wrong it was awful! The second time I actually got an injection to help the muscles relax, but it still took days to feel better.

Once I started exercising regularly it stopped happening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it wont happen again!!

[hallenbeckfamily]

Thanks for the tips and its nice to know I'm not the only one it happend too. To Emmasmom- I have also been making sure I take walks. Raining now (gee go figure rain in Oregon?) so I have been using my stair stepper but its not helping. We just moved here last yr and I didn't have a Dr. here yet apparently the one I picked to see fri is an anti pain med dr so just taking the Robaxin. Its only been 2 1/2 days on that maybe it will kick in soon.
I just had my hubbie go get me some of those heat pads you stick on your back so I will try that and see if it helps. Thx all for the advice, keep it coming!~Jennifer

[TaeandTiff]

One thing that is for sure, is that D is going to be there. No way around that until they find a cure. Now what you need to do is take those moments to yourself. Have the bath every night after the kids are asleep. Find a hobbie or something. Anything that you can think of that takes your mind away from things. Me, I take my frustrations out on the basketball court. My whole mind clears. Maybe a movie. Sometimes a good movie can take you away from the world for an hour or two. It's easy for me to say because I don't stress easily, but hopefuly something I said can help, along with a massage for that back ache. Good luck.

Tae

[allisa]

I think it is great that you recognize the signs of stress and are taking steps to help alleviate it.

And it is normal to feel the stress that accompanies this responsibility.....stress and depression have been mentioned numerous amount of times on this board....

Hope your back is feeling better.....oh, I know....you MUST be due for a massage !! Let me live vicarioulsy through you !

[Twinklet]

Happens to me, too--about 2-3 times a month. My back and neck are in extreme pain, and I also get really sore feet. Go figure that one! I use heating pads and motrin. Occasionally I'll take a half dose of Ativan my doctor gave me when Emily was first diagnosed and I couldn't sleep, but I only do that if my husband is able to respond most of the night.

No other suggestions, but just know you're not alone! I'm hoping these pains will come fewer and farther between as time rolls on.

[Momof4gr8kids]

Rolling your shoulders, and head, and doing arm rolls (not at the same time) will help ease some of the tension. Pilates really help strengthen the back, and stomach, which supports the back. Theory is that if your muscles are toned the pain wont be so bad, and you will have better posture, and wont build up so much tension in your back. You can take classes, or if you are like me and hate to exersize with people videos are cheap, and most have a rating scale on how hard they are. Ellen Barrett is a great instructor. Her website is www.buffgirlfitness.com Also the caribean workout is cheap at walmart. It is usually found in the big bin of dvd's at walmart. Band workouts are great, too. They will help with upper body, like arms, and shoulders, and upper back along with legs. Again video's, or classes are avalible. I have an exersize ball. They are kinda fun. One of the arobic things to do with the ball is sit on it and bounce, lol. I try to take a few good walks a week weather I get up at 5am, as I like, or just walk Julia to school, and then take the long way home. DH gives me back rubs, or where ever I need it. Sometimes I over exersize when stressed, and kill myself, but motrin helps for a little bit. I started therapy in May. I completed it a few months ago, but it really helped. Like you, I went to the doc for the problems I was having, but I was given a wide array of meds. A sleeping pill to get me asleep, another because the good old doc (actually he was fresh out of school) thought I wasn't hitting stage 4 sleep so this one was a 70's anti depressant to boost seritonin, vicodin to help with the pain, and some 800mg ibprofine. With the exception of ibprofine all made me worse then before. I never took the sleeping pill because I was scared that I wouldn't wake for middle of the night checks, or if Julia came to get me, and needed me (DH sleeps like a rock) I wouldn't wake up. The one to boost seritonin made me so lathargic that my therapist sent me to the phych that practices in the office. He took me off of them because I was overloaded on seritonin. I don't have that problem. He sat with me and discussed what I was going through for a while with me. When I explained why I can't sleep, and why I don't sleep, like tonight I am staying awake for a b/g check because if I do sleep I will sleep right through the alarm, but I gave a correction about 1 1/2 hrs ago, so I will check in 30 min he understood that stress + lack of sleep = pain. He suggested my therapist teach me meditation. I was already doing yoga so it wasn't hard to learn. We worked on a few different types, and worked on quick relaxation techniques as well. Those have really helped. DH also gives me a good rub down when I need it. Something else is also a good stress buster, if you know what I mean:eek: The meds never really have helped. Even when I take the vicodin I feel like I have been hit by a train which is ten times worse then the pain before taking it, and I always worry an emergency will arise, and I wont be clear headed enough to handle it. Anyways, that has been my expirience with dealing with all of the stress that having your precious child dx'd with a chronic illness can lead to. It's hard. There is no doubt in my mind that our peers who have healthy children have less stress, and feel better then we do some days. However, you are taking time for yourself, you are exersizing, and you will get through it. If it gets horrible I would really suggest therapy. It is really nice to go in, and vent for an hour on anything you need to. Even if you just rant the whole time. That is ok, and acceptable.
Good luck, I know you can get through this. Jamie

[Lys]

I agree with all of you!!! I have terrible neck pain........... and all this after diabetes.............!:confused:

[hallenbeckfamily]

Thank you everyone!! I am going to work some of your tips into my daily routine. Sometimes when your so involved in things you forget the stuff right in front of your nose. Like the chiro, heating pads, and meditation. This site has been ( and yes this sounds corney) the shining light in all this. I don't feel so alone when most don't get it around us. And I always get the best advice, info, my venting out, and total and complete understanding. It truly means alot to me. Isn't it funny people you have never met can become your closest friends and supporters. I was telling a friend the other day about something someone wrote to me in a post and I said" my friends wrote this the other day" I had to laugh, well I've never met em but its like we are all connected-Does that sound to goofy? I must be headed to "that time" getting all sappy LOL.
And Jamie thx for the great advice,understanding and reminders.
So here is a great big cyber hug to everyone!! Hope you all are having a healthy and happy Monday! Jennifer :cwds: