Surviving the Holidays This Year

Well it's that time of year again when folks are out in full force, pounding the pavement searching for that special gift for the holidays. With the economic crises being felt by many this year, the stress of maintaining the level of festivities one is accustomed to may be unrealistic.

With the colder weather and damp chills that come with the changing seasons, arthritis and other muscular-skeletal conditions can wreck havoc with normal everyday functioning. So how can folks get through the holidays this year?

Prioritize. Sit down and map out the important and necessary issues that need to be addressed. And spend money wisely. Paying on a bill is more important than buying holiday gifts. Consider cutting back and spending less. Shorten your gift-giving list if necessary. And limit the number of gifts purchased per person. Remember it is the thought that counts.

Some of the best gifts are those that were crafted or made by hand. The thoughtfulness and time that go into creations is a priceless gift. You can't put a price tag on the amount of kindness and love that is shown by the efforts put into making a special gift for that special loved one.

Another idea might be to offer your services to someone. Create your own gift certificates such as 4 hours of baby sitting to provide relief for a new mom. Run errands, assist with light house cleaning for a busy friend or loved one. Helping others in spite of personal pain and limitations can feel rewarding in itself so you benefit in more than one way by sharing yourself with others. And most important of all, remember the reason for the season. That should help you put things in proper perspective.

When you prepare to go shopping, plan your trips carefully. Don't overdo. If whatever you plan to purchase is big and heavy, bring someone along who can help manage the item. Make sure to have assistance from the store employees when necessary.

If walking is a problem for you and the trip will require a good deal of it, consider taking some medication before leaving the house. This will help keep you comfortable while you are out and about. Be careful however if you plan to take a medication that could cause drowsiness. Be sure to have someone else do the driving. And plan to take a little time when you get back home to rest for a short while with some ice or maybe some heat so that you can get a jump on any possible inflammation that might have occurred with the activities of the day. For acute conditions, one common course of treatment is to start with ice and then introduce heat after at least 24 hours. And perhaps one of your family members can provide a short massage to help relax tired and achy muscles.

These are some coping strategies that might help folks get through the stress of the holiday season. I encourage folks to share some of their survival tricks with us. Post them on either my Pain Management or Migraine board. Refer to "Surviving the Holiday Season" in the subject field so I will know your post is linked to this blog. Happy Holidays!

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• 25 Ways to Find Joy and Balance During the Holidays
• Home for the Holidays

Use of Placebos: Is It Ever Appropriate?

I just read an article that said that nearly half of the doctors in a survey prescribe and give their patients placebos. "About half of the 679 US internists and rheumatologists questioned reported prescribing placebo treatments to their patients on a regular basis."[Tilburt, J.C. BMJ, online first edition, Oct. 24, 2008] And many do not tell heir patients they are doing so. I figured it happens, but I was shocked at the number of doctors who admitted to doing it.

I feel it is unethical for professionals to do this. There is a great focus on pain patients being labeled as seekers when they take meds that provide no relief and continue - in desperation - to try to find someone to help them. Now I am curious - how many of those instances can be tied to a patient being given a placebo? No wonder it wouldn't work! And yet the first to be scrutinized is the patient, not the prescriber. This would make for a very interesting and important research study.

Now these are my own personal comments and opinions on the issues around placebos. If you would like to share your comments, please visit either my pain management and/or migraine message boards and share your thoughts. Put the word "Placebo" in your subject line. Let's hear what people have to say about this controversial topic. Look forward to hearing from you!

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: How Do Placebos Work?
• 50% of Doctors Prescribe Placebos

Changing Seasons - Comforting Images

Well the summer is gone and fall has arrived. Some areas are experiencing that all too unsettled feeling when the seasons change and winter is around the corner. For some the temperature fluctuations can bring on cluster headaches. And the cold can often be felt right straight to the bones of folks who suffer arthritis.

During this time of added stress for many who have experienced financial upheaval and other stressful times, it is especially important to take care of yourself. Be sure to eat right and get rest. And if you begin to notice symptoms of a cluster, see your doctor and get on your meds promptly. It is easier to break a cluster if it hasn't lasted too long. Be kind to yourself. Take one day at a time. Seek out the help and support of others if you need to.

During this time of year many folks are preparing for winter - plastic on the windows, furnaces checked and fireplaces stoked. Thinking of images that bring comfort and warmth can be soothing during cold or stressful times. Maybe you can create some comfort images to add to your pain management tool box. Let's see how many we can gather. Post your comfort images on either my pain management or migraine message boards here on WebMD and let's see how many we can collect!

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Guided Imagery - Greet a Great Day
• WebMD Video: Relax and Restore

Stressed and Worried? Build a Tool Box to Cope

Whether it's reading the news or listening to frequent discussions around us, we can't ignore the state of our current economy. People reviewing investments feel the urgency and panic that go with the realization of hard-earned money being lost. People who live on those financial resources realize they are quickly reaching a point of "no available funds."

Retirement plans dwindle and Social Security funds are being eaten up quickly, leaving those who have yet to reach retirement age wondering if we will have anything to count on when we do. The most strategic retirement plans continue to leave people ill-prepared for retirement during the financial crisis. People all around are filing bankruptcy, losing their homes to foreclosure, and wondering where they will go and what they will do.

Coping with the stress and worry of life is hard enough for people in relatively good health. For those with chronic pain and physical limitations, it can lead to increased pain symptoms and decreased ability to cope with them.

I strongly encourage you to reach out to someone to discuss concerns. Find a close friend or join an online chat group of people experiencing similar situations and support each other. Start writing a journal, either online or in a notebook. Sometimes it helps to get your thoughts and concerns out on paper so you can visualize them. It helps to keep them from swimming around in your head all night long.

If you find yourself in a crisis situation, find a counselor to speak with. In the meantime, list your situation in your notebook. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do to help the situation. If so, start writing down the steps you can take. If not, then the issue becomes locating someone who might be able to help or some how realizing the situation for what it is and work with it. Call on family and friends for support and brainstorm with people about things. Sometimes people can suggest options we might not consider on our own. Try not to be hard on yourself. The economy is not your fault. It is what it is. The important thing is to do the best with what you have.

Photo Credit: German Meyer

To help with the physical pain and symptoms, try to be kind to yourself. Take a bubble bath. If the doctor says using Epsom salts is ok, add some to your bath water to help with inflammation. Pace yourself. Try not to overdo. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. This is not a time for being proud and ego-centered.

Are there anythings you have found helpful in coping with the issues of life? If so, please share them on either my Pain Management or Migraine message board here on WebMD. Start your post with "Coping Tool Box" so we can find your post and respond. Let's see how we can add to our pain and stress management tool boxes together.

Most respectfully,

Indie

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• WebMD Video: The Link Between Chronic Pain and Stress
• Stress Relaxation and Natural Pain Relief
• WebMD Video: The Difference Between Therapy and Counseling
• WebMD Video: Relaxation Breathing

The Value of Change...Getting Outside

For folks who suffer chronic pain and limitations, the tendency to stay home and remain sedentary can be more harmful than good. The fear of making pain increase or symptoms intensify is very real and the fear in itself can be crippling if we are not careful. On those days when it is nice outside and you can manage, consider stepping outside into the sunshine. Sit on your porch, walk about your yard or grounds, take a short ride. The change of scenery, the feeling of fresh air, and the change of pace can change the way you think and how you feel.

Today I took my first trip to the ocean. My husband drove me down to Seaside to take a short walk. Just to be sure, I took a couple NSAIDS before we left and by the time I reached there I was doing fine. We took it easy, walked a little, sampled the boardwalk fare by having some ice cream and a slice of pizza, watched some sunbathers and took in the sounds and smells of of the surf and then headed back. We weren't gone more than about 3-4 hours tops, but it felt like I had taken a little mini escape and boy, did I need that!

The walk did me good. I recently had neck surgery so I focused on my posture, which not only helped that but also helped keep my low back in check as well. I used a fanny pack and carried little in it. So my shoulders and arms were free of any weight. I made sure to enjoy the ocean air and focused on relaxing as I sat briefly on a bench and I enjoyed the present. I didn't think about the stress or the worries that have occupied my mind. My husband and I shared nice light conversation about the ship traveling down the coast and the kids we watched building sand projects. And we saw some daredevils riding on a skyride and knew that would not be either of us...lol. It was an important time of sharing and relaxing - just living in the moment.

It is important to allow ourselves these times. They are important - they lift our spirits and help us through trying times. Fresh air and sunshine can help us feel better and cope easier. When was the last time you went outside, took a short trip, or enjoyed a change of scene? There is still some time... think about it. And when you get back, write and tell me about it on either the pain management or migraine boards. Label it "My Day Trip" or "Change of Scene" or something like that and I will know you are responding to this blog. I look forward to hearing from you.

~Indie

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• 11 Tips for Living With Chronic Pain
• Depression and Chronic Pain