The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Yes, I have been dealing with more than the usual health issues recently, and have taken action. I'm being gentle with myself in that area. I have an appointment with my pain management specialist next week for a referral on to a surgeon to at least discuss options in regards to the bulging disks that are starting to affect my quality of life.
Chronic pain does eventually affect my mental health, and I am aware of that. I'm also experiencing more pain with my receding gumlines, and I do need to make an appointment with the dentist. There's nothing more that they can do for that, and I am going to need dentures, and that's a hard pill to swallow for me.
I've come down with a nasty head cold, and last night I decided a good night's rest was more important than trying to pour over school book's so I went to bed early and slept like a log.
Yet I still feel stressed to the max with semester's end rapidly approaching. I have my 3 finals scheduled, and the last final I intentionally gave myself an entire weekend to study before the exam.
I just feel edgy, grumpy, not well physically, and antsy, for lack of better descriptions.
When I had therapy last week, it came to light that somewhere along the way in this semester I had quit celebrating the little goals and had let that awful perfectionism creep back in, so I have also been working hard on that.
I guess I just needed to vent, and if anyone has any suggestions, I would be so grateful.
__________________
"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." - Woodrow Wilson
Right on! You are aware of somethings that are ailing you and you are aware that how you react is part of the problem. One of the things I do is "don't resist the pain". The resistance makes it worse. My body, mind, spirit and emotions tighten up making things worse. I've learned to accept the pain and relax when it comes and whallah!!
My dogs sleep well. They mentor me in the sleep area just wish they wouldn't sleep soooo close; one at my spine and the other at my chest. I'm loved.
Take time to look up alternate therapies for your condition rather than just gravitate to the historical ones. Personally my doctor and dentist haven't seen alot of me because of this. Yes I have a spine problem from a head on accident (drunk of course) and Metaphysics, yoga, Al-Anon of course and meditation have worked wonders. No drugs and a surgeon that "refused" to operate...how miraculous is that?
Besides MIP how is your program family contact? Coffee or Tea or whatever and conversation with a person you identify with is very healing. Meetings always help.
Let the school/perfectionism lesson do it's work. If your trying to do too much too well...maybe you just made a mistake. Mistakes can be corrected down the line.
Take care of yourself not just as a thought. (((((hugs)))))
Remember that worry doesn't help, so try to let go of that. Get more sleep if you need it. Jerry's suggestion of alternative therapy works for me, too. Sometimes I just have to ask HP for help thinking outside the box. Also, lack of sleep, worry and perfectionism are some of the worst things for your painful conditions. Perfectionism is one of my problem areas, too, and has a knack for sneaking back up on me at inconvenient times. LOL
Try totake this weekend to relax and study some, but trust that you know your stuff. You'll get through just fine.
In recovery,
__________________
~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
TSK, When your body says it is time to pay attention to ME you hve to do that! Take it from an expert here on that very topic for the past two years. So I think your physical needs must be forefront. You cannot, as you said, protect your mental health if the physical side is giving you pain. Hoping that rest and consultations will get you going on the path forward again. Thinking of you, my friend.
when you have those finals behind you, its gonna feel pretty darn good. I know how stressful it can be (and how that stresses our bodies) to push yourself this way but the results are incredible and NO ONE CAN TAKE THESE RESULTS AWAY. They are permanent. Hang in there, stick with one moment, one day, one hour. Whatever increment you need to. Your program is in place, its just expanding to accommodate a new situation and thus may need a bit of adjusting/re-shaping. Hugs, J.
Wow, your life here lately has been mirroring mine with college courses, not feeling well, etc.
I can't tell you how much I used H-A-L-T-S. Maria chuckles as she adds another letter to our Halt. I try not to make any major decisions when I am Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired-Sick. I try to take good care of me and be gentle with me because when my defenses are low, everything seems out of proportion.
I've been using "keep it simple" and "first things first" a lot these past few months.
So glad you posted and hope your feel much better.
love in recovery, Maria
__________________
If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
As always, I come away with many good things from each and every response here. I'm so grateful for a loving God, the fellowship, and guidance from my peers!
__________________
"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." - Woodrow Wilson
