Re: Stress and increasing symptoms

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I have 3 children and my baby who is now 28 has CMT. It was hard to see him

leave for college, but the best thing I could do for him and myself was to wish

him well on his journey. He has done very well. We have a great relationship

and I am thankful for that, and he has a positive attitude which is great!

I understand the fear of what stress can do to our bodies. I am getting better

at managing my stress by becoming " aware " of my thoughts. If you understand all

thoughts are just thoughts you make up in your mind...then you can make your

thoughts work for you in a healing way rather then negative. It does take time

to change your habits of thoughts, but well worth it!

Thanks for your post...I look forward to seeing more of them!

Kay ~ Seaside Oregon

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can relate to what you are feeling. I had to stop working myself about a year

ago. In the months after, I expended a great deal of energy filling out all of

the paperwork for permanent disability. When the approval letter came in the

mail, I thought I'd be happy, but instead, sadness overwhelmed me as I looked at

the letter. The " permanently disabled " label was very hard for me to accept as

well. It's surprising how unexpected emotions can so easily catch us off-guard.

I was diagnosed two years ago. I went through a grieving process when I learned

about the disease and again when I had to stop working. I thought that things

would 'normalize' after that, but it hasn't happened that way. Every new pain,

every change, every new reality (like the permanent disability status) brings

some sadness with it. It's a recurring grieving process that I now realize will

continue to occur throughout my life. When it happens, I allow myself to be sad

in the moment. It is sad. But, then I refocus my thinking, back to the

positive things in my life, the things I'm still able to do and enjoy. It's

been said that no emotion can occur unless a thought has preceded it. So, if

you can get control of your thoughts, you can control your emotions! Not always

easy, but possible.

Stress does take a toll on our health and it can worsen your condition. Knowing

this, are there things you can do to minimize the stress of your son's

graduation? Are you stressed about him leaving the nest? Or is it more about

the event itself? The event itself can be very stressful, i.e. getting

something to wear, getting to the event location itself, sitting in an

uncomfortable seat for an hour or two, and perhaps most stressful of all,

feeling obliged to have a party for family and friends back at the house. If

you can breakdown exactly what is stressing you, you may be able to find some

workable solutions. The solution may involve giving your family and friends

more detail about your true health condition. If they aren't aware of how bad

it really is for you (like how debiliating the fatigue is), then it's much

harder for them to give you the support and help you really need.

Take care of yourself and hope to hear from you again.

[Guest guest]

I have had a different experience with stress. Sometimes stress has

made me more away of the need to re-think and re-frame my goals, so

this experience has proved to be beneficial. Although, yes, there have

been the times that were physically hard, those especially of two car

accidents and the ensuing 6 months of recovery for both. During those

times, the stress incurred was not only physical, but financial. The

primary symptom to occur was always increased tremor surges, which were

frustrating and annoying.

Nonetheless, those times gave me more time to meditate and get right

with my Creator. A spiritual way of life has proved to be a most powerful health

restorative for me. Then gradually with much rest and light activity, I grew to

become physically stronger, the tremor surges were under control, and I became

more spiritually aware and emotionally more generous. So I am grateful for the

stressors I've had.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I just had to tell you how nice your post was... and so very true!

Have a great day!

Kay

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can't offer suggestions regarding your CMT issues but my only child did

graduate from high school last year - two weeks after surgery to repair a pes

cavus foot - so I can totally understand what stresses come with that, the

emotional toll it can have, etc. I'm here if I can help you with anything or

offer any suggestion to help relieve your stresses. Feel free to email me

directly.

Take care,

Carmella

[Guest guest]

,

Hi my name is and I also have been diagnosed by nuerologist for CMT and I

feel your frustration. It came right thru and I am glad to let you know that we

are here for you, Don't give up, even if it's permanent don't give up.

Coincidently I got my handicap permit this week myself and it was permenant

also. I didn't let that get to me becuase I have faith that it will get better.

My daughter is a junior next year and she needs me around as does your baby.

Dont think as how your body will be that can wreck havoc on you. Think of it as

1 day at a time, Hope I didn't bore you. Take care and hope to hear from you.