Concentration

[Guest guest]

I have excellent powers of concentration. For example, I felt no pain

during labor because I was able to focus and concentrate and thereby

ignore the pain of childbirth. I was in a serious car accident that left

me black and blue from head to toe, but I was able to get out of the car

and walk to the ambulance, and direct the police to my license,

registration, and insurance information. I have developed the ability to

focus on the task at hand and ignore most physical discomfort.

I believe I developed this ability as a child because of my genetic RLS.

Because I have had to deal with this problem all my life, I have

developed coping skills. People who only have trauma-related RLS never

had to develop these coping skills as they were growing up. Because they

are unable to ignore their symptoms, they perceive their problems as more

severe than mine. I do not believe this to be true.

I have serious RLS which began as genetic and was made worse by a back

injury. During an RLS attack, the muscles in my legs become as hard as

rocks. Sometimes all the muscles in my lower leg and foot spasm at the

same time, resulting in excrutiating pain. But it is not just my legs.

During a serious attack my arms get crawly, my neck stiffens, my heart

flutters in an alarming manner, my right eye twitches, and my bowels

twist into cramps that cause diarhea. I repeat, I have serious RLS.

If I allowed my emotions to rule, these attacks could cause me serious

stress and panic. I cannot afford this, as stress and panic will only

make my symptoms worse. So I practice relaxation techniques, I take

calming herbals, I strive to think happy thoughts. It helps. I think

anyone with any chronic illness would benefit from relaxation techniques

and postive thinking. Not because his/her illness is " all in her head "

but because the mind is a powerful force for healing.

Kate in Minnesota

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[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

Your yoga story reminded me of the time a friend gave me " facial "

for a gift. It was one of those really good kinds where they massage

your scalp, temples, shoulders, etc. She left the room and left me in

the dark with lovely music playing in the background, my face piled with

something that was supposed to be soothing,

and told me just to " relax " . When she returned

I was groping my way through the dark so I could " walk " . My friend was

so relaxed she could hardly drive home and I was so uptight

I didn't want to have to get in the car and sit

still in order to get home.

Ninette - 51 - TN