SeekerSue

Open Chronic Pain

I have had widespread pain from Fibromyalgia. I also have a history of migraines, and I get some back and neck pains that may not be part of the fibro.

Treatments

Breathing Exercises Somewhat Helpful

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

Marijuana Somewhat Helpful

Massage Somewhat Helpful

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Stretching Somewhat Helpful

Can provide relief but sometimes aggravates or triggers more pain.

TENS Somewhat Helpful

Yoga Somewhat Helpful

Can relieve pain but can be very painful during the process.

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I experienced a deep lasting depression in my teens that lifted with very intensive psychotherapy, support groups, meditation, and the resolution of some major health and family issues. I am now experiencing another chronic illness and have found as a result that some of the time I feel depressed again. I expect I will be able to overcome it again, and thought it would be a good idea to have a little support.

Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

Elavil Not Working

Took it in the past; wasn't helpful.

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Paxil Not Working

Took it in the past; it didn't help.

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

Prozac Not Working

Took it in the past; it didn't help.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful

Writing Somewhat Helpful

Zoloft Not Working

Took it in the past; it didn't help.

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Open Financial Challenges

Treatments

Budgeting Somewhat Helpful

Holding a Garage Sale Somewhat Helpful

Reading Somewhat Helpful

Just like alot of us I wasnt taught much about money management growing up. Reading helps me get some ideas about how other people manage money even if dont do everything they suggest.

Open Career Changes

I have been unemployed since 2007 due to health issues. I was a massage therapist for 8 years and really enjoyed working with people but the physical demands of the job were too much for me. I hope to become a social worker.

Open Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibro pain has been the more obvious symptom of my illness than the chronic fatigue part, but now that my pain is receding, I am finding fatigue to me my next biggest obstacle.

Treatments

Pain Management Clinic Somewhat Helpful

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Somewhat difficult to do on alot of days due to pain, but when I can it helps me get better sleep.

Sleep Somewhat Helpful

I have found that waking naturally (no alarm or outside thing waking me), and putting myself to bed before midnight have both helped me to feel more rested. Not always easy, but they help when I can do it.

Open Migraine Headaches

I rarely get migraines now, but had very frequent severe migraines as a teen. I would be happy to support others in any way I can.

Treatments

Breathing Exercises Working / Worked

Diaphragmatic breathing allowed me to release. After learning this technique, combined with meditation/attention to how the body felt, I was able to break the cycle of frequent recurrent migraines.

Fiorinol Not Working

Imitrex Working / Worked

Inderal Not Working

Meditation Working / Worked

Learning to pay attention to the sensations in my was a key part of getting rid of migraines. With the help of a mentor I was able to stay present during a migraine rather than trying to block them out. As a result the repetitive cycle of migraines was broken and I only get them very infrequently now.

Music Somewhat Helpful

I have danced myself through more than one migraine. Both Nine Inch Nails and New Order have been soundtracks to the massive energy coursing through my head.

Naproxen Not Working

Physical Exercise Not Working

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I thought it would never work but my therapist had experience with migraines and helped me to work through the psychological issues that were contributing to the migraines.

Tylenol Not Working

Open Bisexuality

I am here to support others in coming to terms with bisexuality, and to get support if I need it. I am quite comfortable with being bi, and belonged to a great bi support group in Toronto.

Treatments

Support Groups Somewhat Helpful

I dont really consider bisexuality as something that needs treatment per se but I have found meeting other bisexuals to be very validating.

Open Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

I've had bad cramping and abdominal pain since my teens. It became much worse in the last 5 years or so.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Somewhat Helpful

No gluten for me! I limit other foods as well, including yeast, dairy and soy.

Magnesium Somewhat Helpful

Helps relax muscle tissue which can relieve constipation.

Probiotics Working / Worked

Primal Defense helped me from the very first day I took it. I will probably take a low dose for life. It's worth it!

Psyllium Somewhat Helpful

Open Hypothyroidism

Eltroxin helped to lift me out from feeling mentally "underwater". I had no idea I had hypothyroidism until I underwent various testing and was diagnoses with fibromyalgia.

Treatments

Synthroid Working / Worked

Open Anxiety

Treatments

Ativan Not Working

Breathing Exercises Somewhat Helpful

Inderal Not Working

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Paxil Not Working

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

I would say for me the positive thinking that works best is focusing on what I want to create rather than on what I don't want. Just thinking happy thoughts has never worked for me.

Valium Somewhat Helpful

Writing Working / Worked

Zoloft Not Working

Dancing Working / Worked

Often helps me stop obsessing and loosens me up!

Music Somewhat Helpful

Fairly good on its own but can be even better when combined with DANCING!

Open Diets & Weight Maintenance

Treatments

Eating Healthier Foods Somewhat Helpful

Eat Less Somewhat Helpful

Weight Watchers Somewhat Helpful

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Personal Trainer Somewhat Helpful

I generally found personal training accelerated weight loss, but have also exacerbated my fibromyalgia and triggered black-outs and muscle spasms.

Open Environmental Allergies

I am uncertain if I have any allergies, but I do find I react to some shampoos as well as some things in the air.

Open Lesbian Relationship Challenges

Have been in a relationship with a wonderful woman since January 2006. I've joined this group to get support in rough times, and to support others if I can.

Open Loneliness

On occasion I feel isolated or lonely. I enjoy my own company - being alone isn't the problem. What I want is to have more connection with people that I can relate to.

Open Food Allergies

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Somewhat Helpful

Removing foods that I know I am sensitive to has helped. There are still some things that can make me sick though that I haven't been able to identify.

Open Obesity

I'm looking for ways to get healthy, including losing weight so that will be in a healthy range.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

If I follow the Weight Watchers core plan (which mostly eliminates a number of foods), I lose weight fairly reliably. My difficulty is that usually I want to eat those foods again after a period of time without them.

Physical Exercise Not Working

Working out and using a trainer have helped me to lose weight in the past, but I have alot of trouble doing that now due to health issues. At present I can walk and do yoga, but I haven't found that they help me lose weight.

Weight Watchers Working / Worked

I have successfully lost weight using both Flex and Core programs, but I have always gained it back and more.

Open Healthy Eating

I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my health through diet. I am gluten-free.

Open Food Addiction

I turn to food at times to decrease anxiety or mute negative feelings. I want to learn how to eat in a way that is healthy and satisfying. I would also like to enjoy my food and have it be a pleasant part of my life, not something that I need to obsess over.

Open Anger Management

I have been getting angry frequently, mostly with my partner. I want to learn to deal with the issues beneath the anger, as well as learn what to do with my anger when it surfaces. I don't like being an angry person!

Open Codependency

I am exploring codependency in the hopes of creating a fulfilling life for myself.

Treatments

Reading Somewhat Helpful

Talking Somewhat Helpful

Open Arthritis

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, but x-rays show no joint damage. I'm hoping to prevent that from happening.

Treatments

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Too Soon to Tell

I have read alot about anti-inflammatory diets, but haven't done one on it's own. (I did a candida diet that I think included elements of this.)

MSM Working / Worked

It has decreased the aching in my joints alot.

Naproxen Somewhat Helpful

It helps somewhat. I don't take it often because I am unsure of negative side-effects.

Open Physical & Emotional Abuse

Treatments

Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Leave Somewhat Helpful

Music Somewhat Helpful

Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful

Open Back Pain

Treatments

Bedrest Working / Worked

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

Ibuprofen Somewhat Helpful

Naproxen Somewhat Helpful

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Relaxation Somewhat Helpful

If I can't "come down" from the stress of the day, my sleep just isn't as good. Deep breathing, music, or reading a good book can both help.

Stretching Somewhat Helpful

TENS Somewhat Helpful

Yoga Somewhat Helpful

Ive found Iyengar Yoga very helpful at times although sometimes it aggravates my problems too. I had one program that was designed for my specific needs and it worked best. The general programs are usually too much for me.

Open Insomnia

Treatments

Trazodone Too Soon to Tell