Relax!

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I am preaching to the converted here, but I have a way of getting through pain, most of the time anyway. Sometimes it just won't budge. One day last week called the doctor to give me Pethidine but she wouldn't because I had had 6 panadeine forte, two celebrex and 10mg valium in the last few hours. Rotten woman. My pharmacist read me a lecture on The Evils of Panadeine Forte on the Long-Suffering Liver, but as I said, when most times these headaches respond to 4 p.f., how do I know which are the ones that won't? By that time it is too late for Pethidine. Anyway, to get back onto the subject. Ages ago my doctor referred me to a Pain Management clinic. I failed the relaxation classes and ended up having one-on-one lessons in relaxation (yes I know it's a bit peculiar) with a shrink. Brilliant woman - taught me how to relax. You don't get rid of the pain but you feel so good otherwise that you really couldn't give a hoot. No, it's not marijuana though that works too. Try this-

Lie down and close your eyes. Concentrate on getting your breathing regular and deep. Then start at your fingers, and feel each one becoming heavy and cool (I guess warm would work too), then work your way up your arms, through your head, neck, etc., getting every muscle heavy on the way. I don't know what happens if you get to your toes and don't feel better; the most I have ever gone is to my waist. A couple of times I have fallen asleep, and once this was with a most ferocious headache.

Try it. I was very sceptical about it at first, believing that relaxation is for wimps, but I was just astonished from the first how good it is. I am now capable of actually sitting or lying down without - yes folks, without - a book. It is really just a form of self hypnosis but it really is well worth a try. Of course if it doesn't work, bring out the marijuana.

Georgia