Mind Over Matter

Well your doctor can say what he wants. I have never been able to think my way out of pain. I have been disabled for over 22 year because of degerative disc disease. I have had 4 back surgurys for ruptured discs.I have nerve root damage to all the siatic nerves in my legs. I can not walk long, sit or stand long. I have cronic pain 24/7 i take neurontin,cymbalta,muscle relaxers, pain pills,do all sorts of things for pain, nothing helps.I have tried telling myself it did not hurt, it sure did not work for me..

It might be a bit more complicated than that. Here's a question - have you ever tried yoga? Now don't let me act like I know anything about it, because I'm only experimenting with it myself, but my partner is completely into yoga and she swears up and down that it is nearly the cure for everything. She started yoga several years ago after a shoulder injury was giving her a lot of continual pain. She swears by it.

I'm trying to get into it myself, slowly but surely. I can feel a difference with it (when I*do* it) And it isn't really about twisting yourself up into a pretzel shape or anything - if you do something and it*hurts* don't do it!

http://www.yoga.net.au/what_is_yoga
http://yoga.about.com/od/...

But I think this is probably a more involved way of looking at the "mind over matter" issue. It's not simply thinking your way out of pain, but rather attuning your body and your mind to where you are more mentally attuned to whats happening physically.

And whats neat is, there is yoga for EVERYTHING that ails you, just look it up, "yoga for _____"

However, I'm still trying to find "yoga for round bodies" lol.

(although, it IS out there!).

peace - and good luck.

Fibro is neurological but not in that way. It is more a sensitivity of all the senses. You are going to be more sensitive pain, your stomach is probably more sensitive to certain foods, your eyes are probably more sensitive to light and you could be seeing floaters, your sense of smell is probably heightened, you probably can't stand loud noises and may even have constant ringing in the ears. And obviously you are sensitive to touch, hence pain. I know people who can't have a massage therapist touch them because their skin hurts. I like my massage therapist to work through the pain in my muscles. It hurts but the muscles need to be loosened up.

Stress causes all your senses to react.

If there was one simple answer in the brain to this illness then you would think they would be able to fix it. But diet, the weather, stress, they all play a role. How can miscommunication of the nerves in your brain be the main factor? Mag-Citrate (Magnesium/Malic Acid) helps relieve pain but I don't think it adjusts the brains nerves.

I have had fibro for 11 years and it is not easy in the beginning but if you do your research and you become proactive, learn your limitations, pace yourself, exercise, eat well and drink lots of water, you can manage your illness. Don't let it manage you. Don't let it stop you from doing what you want to do. You main pay for it in the end but what you do is probably worth it. We had relatives with us this weekend and after two days I was wiped right out. So tired, so much pain, but I had a grand time. I didn't go to the dance because I knew I could not handle the loud music and it would be a late night. Besides, hanging out with a bunch of drunks is not fun for me so I stayed home and had a good night's sleep. My husband agreed that it was too loud for me.

Many doctors will tell you many different stories. The fact is, no one knows what causes fibro, no one knows how to cure it. So anything they say is just their opinion or theory. Do your own research and find something that makes sense to you.

Good luck!

I was diagnosed with Fibro in 1999. I have often wondered the same thing, but no I don't think you can think your way out of pain. I have terrible trouble with my Fibro and have not been able to get it under control. It seems as I get older, the pain and fatigue are getting worse. If I could think my pain away I would probably be meditating 24/7...lol, anything that would help.

I don't think that most doctors truly understand this disease (or syndrome as they call it) and how it affects us physically and mentally. I have never been able to think my pain away. I do think that I have misfiring pain signal and therefore hurt more than the normal person.

Hey,
I was recently diagnosed w/ fibro. OMG....I used to be so active...now there are days when I feel 52 going on 92! Thinking your way out of this? nope...it just plain hurts. I just had 2 very bad days...following about 3 hrs in my flower gardens. You sometimes have to wonder if it is worth it!!!
At least I can work 40 hr weeks again...it has been a long 2 yrs getting a diagnosis!!! I agree w/ everyone else...you have to learn moderation.
But, damn it is tough. My doc told me to read, read, read,...the more different things you try...the better your odds of finding what works for you...
hope I find it soon!!!LOL!!
God bless you love...hang in there!