I have all the aches and pains too. But recently a very interesting thing happened to me. A few weeks ago I was in the bookstore scanning the menopause books again and there on the shelf was book that was just sitting there not in the right section. It was called Heal Back Pain or something like that. It was written by this Dr. Sarno. He says people with back pain and all sorts of other problems are suffering from TMS (tension something or other). Anyway, that night my appendix flared up and when I went to the ER, I brought this little book. While I was reading it a man across from me said, "it works". And I was like, "excuse me?" And he said I met with Dr. Sarno 30 years ago for severe back pains and he's right, what he says to do works. He said he has been pain free ever since. So I got into this and I have to say it makes sense. I believe that the hormone fluctuations are causing anxiety and also making us more tense and angry. I believe that as we come to this stage in our life that there are unconscious feelings that may be repressed and cause us to act out in certain ways thereby causing us stress and then our bodies react by giving us pain to worry about rather than deal with the real issues. Anway, I am trying this and so far I have felt better. Now it could be because I got a period and maybe the pains went and may come back big time again. But I have to say on two separate occasions when I felt a spasm in my back I applied his advice and the pain left. Then I got that hysterical globulus thing in my throat when I was driving in a storm, and I applied his advice and by the time I got to my destination the lump was gone.

I read his second book Mind over Back Pain and am now reading his third The Divided Mind. The Divided Mind is more on psychiatric stuff, Freud, and others, but very interesting and makes a lot of sense. He says if you keep reading one or the book or all, and to keep it in your mind that you won't let the pains bother you, that you know that you are angry about something else, etc. in time you will get control away from your brain and your pains will stop.

He says Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia can all be healed this way too. I dunno. But anything is worth a try right?
I must be nutso, because I also bought another book on this subject by one of Dr. Sarno's patients. His name is Dr. Scott Brady and he has a 6 week cure book too. Its on my table. I figure I will immerse myself in this theory in the hopes that I will get control. But who knows, I may be back in a few weeks in agony saying its all malarky. But read for yourselves it may be helpful.

Just an FYI.

corky

I'd be interested in hearing how this endeavour is going for you? It definitely sounds interesting and worth a try. We all have nothing to lose.



Suz

corky: You've got my attention....this sounds interesting...can you elaborate a bit more? Give us an idea of what he suggests you're supposed to do? Thanks,

Robin

PS Is anyone else finding that when they hit the 'reply' button, the window to post an email is way down the page?

I get the same response when I say a prayer. For me, I find spiritual relief to be very beneficial.

I think whatever you put your faith in works.

I also will be interested to see how this helps you.

I forgot I had posted on this link about healing pain through your mind. I'm still achy on most days but I believe its because I have DDD in my spine and maybe the lack of hormones makes that condition worse??? But, I have to say, Dr. Sarno's Healing Back Pain book really helped me to get rid of the spasms that I used to get. I believe those were definitely due to tension. I also believe that past issues and resentments and such that we carry around that we aren't aware of also affect our bodies and cause pains, and worsen conditions. When I remain calm and don't let the small stuff get me and when I don't panic about a pain coming on, I'm able to get rid of a spasm. But, I still get bad aches in my low back when I'm standing on my feet too long; when I'm bending and standing, etc. like cleaning the house. Once I sleep or rest for awhile the pain is better so it must be the degeneration??

I take L-theanine which helps keep me calm and I also take Rhodiola to help with stress and they work great. Also I just started taking Zyflamend which has all herbs: ginger, tumeric, rosemary, and some others that is supposed to help with inflammation and muscle aches. I'm not sure how well it works, but I have felt okay, except when I've been on my feet too long, it still hasn't helped that tired, achy feeling in my way low middle back. But most days I am mobile as long as I don't over due it.

I'm convinced it has to be low hormones although others don't think it is (Doctor ). I would get a pulled back once in awhile over my lifetime but since I started peri and once I lost an ovary my pains seemed to be my constant companion.

The mind/body techniques really work if you are getting anxiety, spasms, and pains that move around. His books helped a lot and I also read a book by Dr. Scott Brady??? same kind of thinking about healing your pains. I'm off to meditate for 30 minutes laying down with my heating pad to rid my overworked back today.

Peace

FASCINATING!!

Twenty five years ago I was diagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis in both knees. After a few years of having cortisone injections, I was told that Radiation was the only option left for me in order to cure my chronic pain and swelling. The backlash would/could be cancer in 30 years from the time of radiation treatment. I decided to get a second opinion. My husband ....suggested I try alternative medicine. I was quite succesful with THIS course of treatment for years. I began keeping a chronical record of my flameups. It soon became apparent to me that my RA was much worse when I was under stress.

Stress can and does cause us to have aches and pains that are seemingly unexplainable. Add fluctuating hormones to the mix and you have recipe for chronic disasters.

I KNOW that I am in Menopause. I KNOW that my hormones are as stable as a three legged chair. I KNOW that I have Rhumatoid Arthritis.

I also KNOW that when I am exuding positive energy, my symptoms are not as bad. The trick here is gathering up enough momentum to grasp and hold onto that positive ever so eluding 'vibe.' I force myself to smile!! I find that when my mouth is smiling my body and my mind......soon get caught up in the dance.

Insofar as Menopause being the cause for all our woes...... I have been giving this a lot of thought lately, especially when it comes to our long term relationships....i.e. Significant Other. I think that a LOT of our disgruntleness, has less to do with menopause than it has to do with ...... just being FED UP with being a 'doormat.' I have been trying to shed my old tears...my old anger....and my built up frustrations over the past few months. But I can't help but wonder that since I have years of old tears....can I really expect to shed them all in a mere few months?

I have written about two very different aspects on this thread. I have written about the aches and pain of menopause and the aches and pains of our minds......but are they really so different?

((((Hugs)))))
Pondering Dottie

Hey Dotcalm,

I am so with you on the relationship stuff w/menopause too. I have been mostly successful shedding the old resentments, anger, etc. that I was holding on to. Keep at it. I just decided after reading many books on dealing with emotions, etc. that it was time. THe more I read on the subject the more I was able to let go. The feelings (thoughts) still come back but I can recognize them most times and just get still and not let them take over my mind. I will try and keep a smile on my face too. Actually, most of my life I was smiling and people used to call me Polly Anna, then meno hit and I became angry, achy, pollyanna

But I'm working at it every day. I will beat this and move on to the next phase of my life for sure, by thinking positive, happy thoughts every day. But, I am going to try some very low dose natural BHRT to see if my aches subside. If they don't, then I'll ditch it, and stay on my herbs/vitamins/minerals.

Be happy Dotcalm you'll get rid of those feelings.Just keep telling yourself you will, and you will.

Peace!
Colleen