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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by babs on January 13, 2003, at 17:05:59
I'm on meds and they are working well but my mom was just diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer and given 6 months to live. as you can imagine it's been quite stressful and I am becoming very rundown- I've had stomach flu and now a cold that won't end. When I am chronically stressed, I first get physically sick and then depression sets in. Although my meds were working fine before this, I think the physical symptoms are trying to warn me. Does anyone have suggestions on hopw to handle a stress like this. I'm in therapy- that helps. I'm thinking more along the lines of nutritional supplements like fish oil but am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 15, 2003, at 10:05:22
In reply to need help for chronic stress in addition to meds, posted by babs on January 13, 2003, at 17:05:59
Babs,
hi. i'm really sorry to hear about your mom. i hope that things go as well as possible for her, and for you.
i have gotten sick at high-stress times like this. and while i can't say that i followed by own advice, i can say that i _wish_ i had:
1. gotten enough sleep. even if it required the help of a sleep med like ambien or a benzo like ativan. or even benadryl. or maybe 'highland lullaby' tea (at the health food store, but link at http://www.myvitanet.com/alteahiglul1.html).
There is just nothing like enough sleep for keeping your brain working.
2. spent more time having fun. i know it sounds strange at a time like this, but doing something that is genuinely fun and freeing for you is really stress-reducing. even just 2 hours to see a blockbuster movie, or playing a board game with friends. or if you just need peace and quiet, going to a bookstore to read some non-serious junk.
3. dropping unecessary obligations. this one is hard. it's hard to drop something that you feel you 'have' to do. but it's better to admit you won't be able to do something for awhile than to do it halfway. if i had a chance to go back to a high-stress time in my life, for example, i would have told myself to drop the class i was taking rather than do poorly in it.
4. keep getting support from friends and posting on pb! :D
hope you do something for yourself today, :D
bookgurl99
Posted by babs on January 15, 2003, at 17:17:06
In reply to Re: need help for chronic stress in addition to meds » babs, posted by bookgurl99 on January 15, 2003, at 10:05:22
This is the end of the thread.
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