Laughter is the best Medicine

Laughter is a healthy experience. Laughing feels good! Everyone deserves to have some laughter in their life. The act of laughing encourages the release of the body's own pain killers called endorphins. Have you ever experienced a real good laugh -- a laugh that brings tears to your eyes or a laugh that causes your belly muscles to ache? Do you remember how relaxed it felt after you finally caught your breath and heaved a big sigh? It can be very cathartic and leave you feeling very relaxed.

When was the last time you enjoyed a good laugh? Do you know someone who has a great sense of humor? When was the last time you enjoyed a funny conversation with them? Don't underestimate the value of laughter. Perhaps you don't know anyone who has a gift of humor. That's ok...How about watching a funny movie or enjoying a sitcom? I encourage you to consider renting a movie or a DVD.

Bring the gift of laughter into your own life! Don't wait for someone to bring it to you! Seek it out and enjoy it!

Related Topics: WebMD Video: Actually, Laughter May Be the Best Medicine, Finding Joy: A Mind-Body-Spirit Guide

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Drumming

Have you ever heard of Drumming Away Stress? As a musician I link drumming to music...I really haven't given it much thought as a great tool for stress and pain management.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a workshop led by Robert L. Friedman, MA and President of Stress Solutions, Inc. He led our group of about 8 folks in some exercises using hand drums.

We recited our name while tapping the syllables on our drums. It was really cool to focus on this while others in the circle did the same things. What could have sounded like a mish mash of rhythms, turned into a chant of multiple drums played in harmony.

The exercises were exciting and I found closing my eyes enabled me to really focus on the rhythms and sounds. It had an incredible relaxing affect that really amazed me!! I came out of the workshop feeling relaxed.

Listening to the different rhythms of your body can help you to relax and reduce pain. I encourage anyone who suffers pain to check out the healing power of drums. Drumming is one more tool for your pain management tool box.

Have you ever used drums? Did you find them to be affective in reducing stress or relieving pain? If you would like to share your experiences with us, please do!! You might want to create your post in a word processing program and then cut and paste into your presentation. I look forward to hearing and learning from you!.

Related Topics: Making Music Switches Off Stress, Creating a Pain Management Toolbox

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Social Support Matters!

People were not meant to be alone. We are social creatures. When a person suffers from pain of any kind, they often realize that need more than ever. Coping with stress and disease can be exhausting and debilitating. Depression is common and the threat of withdrawal a common reality. People benefit from developing a social network to gain strength and support from. It is better to develop a network of friends before you need to fall back on them.

It is possible you have friends but you have been too busy to reach out to them. In fact you may have relatives that fall into that same category. There is no better time than now to consider taking a couple minutes to reach out to them. Give them a call. See how they are doing. Consider planning a meeting or an informal get together over a bite to eat. Share a genuine desire to keep in touch with them and make sure you do so. Maybe put a reminder on your calendar to take some time to make a brief call to your social network.

If you are a member of a household of faith, make a point of getting to know some of the folks there. Consider attending social programs or special events so you can mingle and develop relationships with a few of them. Perhaps you might offer your services to help someone. Perhaps there might be a shut-in who would love to have a phone call from a caring soul! Why not consider being that special person who reaches out to that person!

If there are folks in your church family who suffer similar physical limitations, consider starting a prayer group and lift each other up in prayer on a regular basis. Offer the opportunity for folks to call when they feel the need for additional strength and support. What a neat way to care about self and others!

About 25 years ago, my dearest friend Pam and I developed what we called the Code Purple Hotline. And that hotline has been busy and active for all of the 25 years.

I encourage everyone to consider developing their own code purple hotline! It is not hard. It just takes at least two people, a phone, and the commitment to accept phone calls at any time of the day or night in order to support a friend in time of critical need. The Code Purple hotline has seen us through some of the most painful life experiences and it has created for us a bond of friendship that will last a lifetime.

Have you created a social network of your own? Would you like to share stories about it? Feel free to read my blog about Code Purple and share your own story. Post a comment here, or visit my Pain Management or Migraine Board.

Related Topics: Toxic Friends: Less Friend, More Foe, Praying for Health: Study Stirs Debate

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Coping with Medication Side Effects

Do you take pain meds on a regular basis? Do they cause side effects that make you uncomfortable? Do you get discouraged when it seems you have to take more meds because of the meds you have to take? Now if you read the last question really fast you are probably saying "Hey, wait a minute...what does this mean?"

I get cluster headaches. In fact this spring has been a bad one for me. I have suffered cluster headaches since April 3rd. And I am tired of the pain attacks and the meds I need to take to be comfortable and continue to function. Sometimes I ask myself if the meds I need to take really make me feel better or if they just create a distraction from the pain by producing dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances or dry mouth and sedation? Because of these side effects, I end up taking other meds to calm the side effects down.

The medication I have to take causes me to feel dizzy at times if I stand quickly. My mouth is often dry to the point that carrying on a conversation can be uncomfortable if there isn't a beverage or hard candy close by. But I think the worst feeling is the GE reflux that comes with taking these meds. I often get extreme cases of regurgitation and heartburn that often hurts significantly after the headache pain is gone...The only way to resolve the symptoms is to take an acid reducer or antacids on top of the other meds.

I keep telling myself I won't have to be on these meds for long. The last cluster I had started the last week in September and ended the first week of November, meaning I was able to wean down and off the meds by that time. I figure I will stick it out and maintain these meds as long as they stop the piercing, throbbing and agonizing pain of the clusters. I will trade the need to stand a little slower for the extreme nasal pain and sinus-like pain any day. I will gladly take the antacids if it means the pain will resolve quickly and I can go on with life in spite of these horrible attacks. Hopefully this cluster will resolve soon and I can stop taking these meds.

Related Topics: Acupuncture, Drugs Both Help Migraine, Kids' Headaches: Link to Bad Behavior?

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Allergies and Pain

Allergy season is upon us with pollen levels skyrocketing. Blossoms that are so beautiful and fragrant are causing some people significant suffering. It is very hard to handle pain when you have to fight allergy symptoms. Allergies are a strain all their own. But to compound the problem of chronic pain with these symptoms can become more than some folks can withstand.

Headaches are a common complaint during allergy seasons. When a person has a problem with headaches, it is hard to identify what is causing the headache. Treatment becomes a bit more complex as well. Usual meds for headache control may be ineffective against allergy headache symptoms.

It might be beneficial to see your doctor if you are having a major problem with headache and allergy symptoms.

Related Topics: Sinusitis and Allergies, 3 Herbal Medicines May Ease Back Pain

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Change of Scene

Do you find yourself spending the majority of your life inside? This can become depressing. Finding a change in scene can be very therapeutic.

Consider your desires and your options. You shouldn't need to travel far. Does your town have a park? How about a nature center? A public beach can also be nice if there is an accessible boardwalk available to make walking easier. Think about it and consider sharing some of these with me. I will start by sharing a couple here.

I have also found it fun to drive to an area overlooking the ocean and sit in my car, relax with a book with the windows down and sun roof open, radio playing. Smelling the ocean breeze and hearing the screeching gulls can be very relaxing.

Do you like the woods? I do! I love the smell of pine. I enjoy going to my brother's home as he is nestled in the pines. I usually get out of my car and take a nice deep breath of fresh air, listen to the sound of the breeze in the high trees, and after going into this home, I start relaxing and often take a nap. When I wake I often feel refreshed and strengthened.

Is there some special place you like to visit? Please share with me!! I look forward to hearing from you here, or on one of my message boards here on WebMD.

Related Topics: Live Well with RA, Alternative Treatments for Pain


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Magnets

Non-traditional medical treatment comes with a variety of labels. Some call these complementary, alternative, or integrative, options. On the negative side, they have been called quackery, fake, and useless alternatives.

Magnets are one of these alternatives. They have received mixed reviews. For some folks the use of magnets have led to much relief and improvement in their conditions.

Magnets have been used by veterinarians for years to aid in quick recovery of animals who have injuries or who have undergone surgical procedures - and with surprising results. I have had positive experiences with some magnets and magnet products - but not always consistent results.

I decided to look at magnets as a non-invasive alternative. I figured since magnets were used successfully by veterinarians then they must have some value. After all, there are no placebos with animals. Either something works or it doesn't. There is no room for faking a result.

I had a severe back injury with residual permanent damage that would not respond to traditional treatment. I tried a variety of products and found some of them useful and effective. Some of my family members also tried them with some positive results as well. There was a small research project out of NY that focused on the use of magnets by patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy. This double-blind placebo study revealed a positive outcome supporting the use of magnets.

Like anything else, there is no treatment that will be 100% effective 100% of the time. That doesn't make it a fake or a useless alternative. It is true that the results of traditional treatments are also less than perfect alternatives. Therefore, I feel comfortable saying it might be worth exploring before deciding to have invasive surgical procedures.

The only considerations that would keep a person from giving magnets a try would be if the person had a pacemaker or was pregnant. There isn't enough research to determine if they are dangerous or not. Before anyone decides to try them, like anything, I suggest they do a little research and learn a little about them.

There are different types of items on the market - some more effective than others. It would be important to understand at least some basic characteristics about them so you can make an educated decision when it comes to purchasing them. It is true you won't know if something does or doesn't work unless you give it a try. Magnets may be a great pain management tool for your pain tool box!

Related Links: Pain Relieving Magnet Gadgets Could Spell Trouble for Your Heart, Should I Use Complementary Medicine?

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Cluster Headaches

I can appreciate the difficulties and pain associated with Cluster Headaches. My most recent cluster started April 3rd. and since then I have only had one day without a headache.

When I see a pattern developing, I start on Inderal LA and Elavil. I increase my dosage over a period of days until I reach a point when the episodes level off in frequency, intensity and duration. I usually have more a break by now which means I have probably developed further tolerance to the meds. I may need to see a neurologist and discuss an alternative approach.

One of the things I need to be careful about is diet. When I am having clusters - which seems to be around seasonal changes - I need to be careful about my diet. Aged cheeses, fresh bread, processed meats, caffeine, red wine, etc. These foods contain tyramine and are known to act as triggers in people who are susceptible to cluster headaches.

These headaches are debilitating and more distressing than common or classic migraine headaches. Have you ever felt like you had to sneeze? You know that intense feeling that can build inside the nose? It feels like you have to sneeze really badly but the sneeze doesn't actually occur. Consider that sensation and multiply it extremely to the point of agonizing pain in the affected nostril. You might feel a cool stabbing pain around the eye socket. Tearing may be noticed along with blurring, drooping of the eyelid, and twitching on the affected side.

Cluster headaches are often mistaken for sinus infections or severe sinus headaches because of the closeness in symptom characteristics. The pressure in the area of the eye, scalp, face, and temple can be extremely painful and persistent. I find it even hurts to talk and breathe sometimes. Light sensitivity can be significant and some folks feel nauseated to the point of vomiting during the most severe ones.

The really severe ones make you think you are going to die and quite frankly not caring if you do. They are that painful! If a person has never experienced headaches, they have no clue what one of these are like and how debilitating they can be.

When I have clusters, it takes a lot out of me. I need more rest. I need to cut back on stressful events. I need to step back and remove some of the demands and pressures that keep me running on adrenaline.

It is not always easy but I find that even a little bit of change on my part can make or break the cluster cycle. A couple of years ago I had a severe cluster that lasted 3 months. I had headaches predictably during that time and once I got my meds up to therapeutic blood levels, things calmed right down.

I stay on my meds until I am without symptoms for 7-10 days. Then I slowly cut back on my meds until I am off of them. And when I am fortunate, I will go months or years without any significant problems and no need for meds.

I hope you are having a pain free day!

Related Topics: Preventing Severe Migraines, Herbs, Stress Reduction and Other Alternatives

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