Comments on: Pain—emotional or physical

By: giannakali

giannakali — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:23:57 +0000

Hi Jennifer,
thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found something that helps you.

I personally won’t touch hormones…had too many nightmares on them in the past. I did research YAZ out of curiosity. Some people do well like you and others get much more out of control or out of control for the first time.

Just not willing to go there. Been burnt too many times by pharmaceuticals.

I’m trying to learn as many natural methods as possible and I think that meditation and acceptance can change the nature of how we experience something like PMDD. It’s a very powerful time, with powerful energies. I believe if I learn to use them positively it can be a creative time rather than a painful time.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:55:34 +0000

Hi,

I came across your site from Life with PMDD. I’m sorry about the PMS and the pain. I guess I’m commenting because I also have endometriosis and PMDD (I transitioned from severe PMS to PMDD about two-three years ago around age 32 or 33). Before I was correctly diagnosed with PMDD the label Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified was tossed around and I was given much medication until I put my foot down and insisted the meds were making depression worse and creating new symptoms. One last try with an anti-depressant made me suicidal to the point of planning so after that I started tracking my cycle (I’d been wondering about it for years but nobody would listen). My wonderful GYN listened. Now I am on my third month of YAZ (birth control pill) and have been PMDD free since starting it. For the first time in years and years I am not having to deal with depression or mood fluctuation. Other birth control pills made the mood stuff and the endo pain worse. So, taking YAZ has given me back my life, basically. I take it non-stop, both for the endo and for the PMDD. Just wanted to share that in case it’s useful to you.

Take care -

Jennifer

By: Jazz

Jazz — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Yes…this idea has helped me through tough times, too. I tell myself, “I can make it through another minute. Maybe not a whole day, but I’m not going to think about that, I’m just going to focus on the next minute.” Shifting your focus, your perspective, makes all the difference.

By: naturalgal

naturalgal — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:56:17 +0000

“Then, suddenly, my experience completely changed when I heard a quiet inner voice saying: “You don’t have to get through till morning; you only have to get through the present moment”. It was like a house of cards collapsing, revealing the space that had been present all along, if only I could have recognised it. ”

As much as I complain about my past psych-docs, this is a bit of information that they gave me that got me through my really, really rough times.

Maybe it was acutally a worker at the hospital who told me. You don’t have to worry about the future. Just make a pact to live through the day. If that is to hard just an hour at a time. If that is too hard, then just a minute at a time.

That’s how I got through my worst depressions…..a minute at a time.

By: Coco

Coco — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:56:57 +0000

Hi Gianna, I’m so sorry you’re in physical pain. I’m glad that helps you, focusing on the present. I’ve never suffered with much pain so I don’t know what pain management entails or feels like (besides labour of course) The thing that comes to my mind when it comes to ‘making it for this moment’ kind of thing was when I was in high school, jogging for P.E. class. I detested it, and was always one of the last stragglers in. UNTIL I discovered a little trick. While running, with my lungs burning, and legs falling off, and often thinking what a loser I was, I was also often overwhelmed to think how much FURTHER I had to run. It one slowly dawned on me to change my focus. I told myself, that I did NOT have to run any further than the next telephone pole. And as soon as I got there of course, I would think, ‘ok, let’s just take it till the next one, and then I swear I’ll let you stop if you need to’. That’s what got me through it, and got me to be one of the best runners in the class after not too long. There’s definitely power in mindfulness, and ‘the here and now’. I hope you’re feeling much better soon, Gianna.

By: giannakali

giannakali — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:51:24 +0000

“what won’t we be able to do when this is all over!?”

yes, a very nice sentiment! We will be healthy!

thanks Pat.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:30:48 +0000

Hi Gianna,

I think you’re on to something very important here for you and for all of your readers (including me). Successful members of 12 step programs have learned that you take it one day at a time every day, but some days, we have to go hour to hour or minute to minute. Mindfulness meditation is one of the best tools we have to heal and to overcome stress. I have to say, though, that in the throes of benzo withdrawal as I am right now, with little or no sleep and my nervous system totally on edge, it’s difficult to be still. I’m having trouble commiting myself to it, even though I know I must try. The night went by last night and when I realized it was morning, I could feel my shoulders were up to my ears, my back was tight, my stomach muscles pulled in and my teeth clenched. Gee, why can’t I sleep? Last night, my significant other said to me, “what won’t you be able to do when this is over?” That applies to all of us becoming med free!