RLS: mental games

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/26/99 3:11:39 PM !!!First Boot!!!, gunzel@...

writes:

<< #1 Look at the comment of " playing mental games " . Here is where we get

mixed up. Using concentration is NOT a game. When it's effective, there's

nothing easy or fun about it. It's not a trick...it's a skill and a

learned therapy. The only relation to " playing a game " , is that it's a

challenge to make it work, and I do my best to win. But that's true of

people taking prescription meds, too. It's a gamble and you do your best

to win. But you're not " playing with meds " . I hope. >>

Of course I am playing with meds ( )........I play with my Klonopin and my

Ambien by rotating them around to see what works best and when. I play with

my Permax dose to find that " magic " microgram. I play around with Indocin

and other NSAID's. I play with my magnesium dose, my herbs, my

vitamins.......I am just a playful sort of guy! <----note the smile!

I am willing to play with my RLS because it plays havoc with me, my life, my

mind and most of all, my sleep!

RAINBOWPED@...

[Guest guest]

I just spent an hour writing a " dissertation " on the subjects in June's and

's letters. If anyone wants a copy of it....just ask. It's LONG!!!

Before sending it to the group, I decided to just store it and let it sit

for a while. Meanwhile...I reread 's and June's letters. I think I

can say the jest of the dissertation in a shorter way, by referring to a

couple of lines in 's letters. No offense, . Actually, I

thank you for writing it so clearly. wrote:

" Unfortunately, when my RLS " acts up " I can't make it go away by playing

mental games, using biofeedback, self-hypnosis or whatever. Perhaps some

people have stronger mental abilities to do this or perhaps their RLS is

milder than others. "

#1 Look at the comment of " playing mental games " . Here is where we get

mixed up. Using concentration is NOT a game. When it's effective, there's

nothing easy or fun about it. It's not a trick...it's a skill and a

learned therapy. The only relation to " playing a game " , is that it's a

challenge to make it work, and I do my best to win. But that's true of

people taking prescription meds, too. It's a gamble and you do your best

to win. But you're not " playing with meds " . I hope. <----see the

smile?!?!?!?

#2 Look also at the comment " some people have stronger mental abilities " .

There's a difference in having something naturally and having something

because you've earned it, been given it, or developed it. But I know that

any strong mental abilities I have and use effectively against my RLS, are

ones I've worked hard to develop and perfect. It does NOT come naturally

or easily. I tried " wishing it away " for 40 years and didn't succeed. But

in the last year, since learning about RLS, I've WORKED at and developed

stronger mental skills. I don't always win with it, any more than others

win with their medications every time they use them. Does this make sense?

I'd like others to understand that a " stronger mental ability " isn't a

given. It's not just something I " have " .

#3 In response to June's concern that talk about mental therapies for RLS

keep people from being serious about a cure.......

-almost every authoritative writing on RLS will say that mental activity

and/or physical activity are the most accepted and successful responses to

RLS for the most people

-Now, refer back to #1 and #2. This is NOT to say we can just wish away

our RLS. And it's NOT to say that if we use mental distraction,

concentration or self-hypnosis, that our RLS isn't as severe or as real as

someone else's. The scholarly writings and the professional discussions on

it that I've seen do not say, " Mental activity works in only mild cases or

cases with SIMILAR but not REAL RLS. " Mental activity is a known

successful therapy for all levels of RLS involvement. The doctors know

that. They won't discount RLS, just because someone can get involved in

the computer and have the RLS subside. They also can see, the same as I

did last year, that if involvement in something like that computer will

help, then some people might be able to recreate that intensity of mental

activity in other places....in bed..in a car...while watching a movie.

They are aware that even though mental activity works...it's not something

that's easy, it can't be prescribed, and they can't give people the energy

or ability to perfect it as a skill and a reliable therapy.

THERE!!! That was so much shorter than the other letter. LOL

Jill, 46

Payson, AZ

http://www.netzone.com/~gunzel/rls.html