Im 14 days sober today and this last week havent felt too clever at all. I LOVE being sober but I dont know what to do about my health and the pain.
I suffer with fibromaelgia, endometriosis and tietzes syndrome. The fibromaelgia and the tietzes syndrome both effect the muscles around my chest and back and neck and they seize up which in turn causes breathing problems and wheezing. I had totally forgotten about these problems untill this last week when they resurfaced again because I didnt suffer with them when I was drinking, even though I didnt drink every day. On my sober days the problems werent there.
Years ago when I didnt drink I suffered constantly with these problems and then again when I was sober last time for the whole of my sobriety. I tried lots of different herbal rememdies, chinese therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, yoga and lots of other things and they just didnt work, neither did any pain killers. Doc said theres no cure for this and it will just deteriorate as I get older.
Im wondering if its because I was relaxed at least when I was drinking and that because drink is an expectorant and produces mucus wether that is why I wasnt weezing. I have never been able to relax when sober, even as a kid.
I can cope with this and would rather have this pain and live than drink and die but I was wondering if anybody else suffered with problems of similar sorts. And if anybody has any advise for me.
This time last year I was being rolled out of OR with staples from my belly button up to my breastbone :)
I've definitely had my share of health problems in sobriety. As Phil says, we deal with them one day at a time.
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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguements and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
~Herbert Spencer
Well done for your first couple of weeks, Karen. I'm so sorry to hear of your pain & discomfort. You're showing real courage & perseverence to continue as you are & I hope you find some good ways to reward yourself for what you're winning through. It's really good to have you here. Keep sharing. I think you're fantastic! Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Karen, I can totally relate! I have degenerative disk disease and a skin/nerve disease that are pretty painful. When drinking no pain. Alcohol is a lubricant. Will work for a couple days at a time. Anyway, enough of the problem lets get to the solution. I found a cure, it is not convenient for some but for me it is fine,, I lay in a hot tub of water. I make the water as hot as I can stand it. And I lay there and it washes over all my pain and worry. I bring herbal tea in there and of course my cigarettes (which Doc told me creates pain itself!!!) nice music, book if you like to read,, hell put a freakin TV in there if ya want! Do it up right. All I know is hot water is my miricle cure. Also hubby bought me this seat mat that vibrates all areas of the back and neck and has a heat setting, it is marvolous, he got it at Walgreens for $19.99!!! What a cheap price for a couple of painfree comfortable hours. I am so there with ya hun! Keep praying and keep sober. Love ya! Allison
Allison, Im envious you get to spend "a couple hours in the tub" Thats a blessing in itself!!!! It sucks getting older because we tend to get a bit creaky! I had a patient fall on me years ago and cracked a disk. Messes with my sciatica nerve once in a while. Found sleeping with a pillow between my legs works! (except when my husbands home!!! haha) Lani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
