Can't sleep! Time to visualize...

Ugh! Had a fulfilling day, good healthy dinner, some wine, fell asleep and boom was awake at 1am. That was nearly 3 hours ago.

I read, caught up on social media, emails and more. Had a couple glasses of water. Legs are a twitching tho and I hate this feeling. Ended up taking half a klonopin but not sure that was best solution. Probably could use some Calm supplement but its in the other room and I don't want to wake up the house. Note to self, "keep Calm in bathroom".

Lemons are another good resource for leg cramps and fitful sleeps. Note to self, "keep lemon juice by bed at night".

So what to do? Visualize!

Visualize and feel the rhythm to rock me back to sleep. Horses of course!

Eyes closed, horse beneath me, I visualize the gait. The rhythm. The movement. I feel the horse and breathe from her the positive energy of life.

Four beats. Hip relaxed. The movement of walking without the effort. It's a blessing, this riding a horse with MS. A true blessing.

Because I ride I will overcome MS. Because I take care of myself I will overcome MS. Because I breathe I will overcome MS. Because I wrote this I will now sleep and overcome MS...

 

 

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Bath tub yoga after a fun filled Night!

Ah, Valentine's Day is upon us. Last night we had 12 for dinner and it was lovely. Old friends and all couples except me. But that was A OK! Laughter and good times were had by all.

 

But man can I feel it today! There must be several fault lines going off in my legs with tremors reaching a good 6.7 on the Richter scale. I've had several glasses of water and some Passion flower tea to calm the nerves. But alas, bigger measures are needed.

Time for bath tub yoga! Yes, that's how this girl with MS gets her day moving. After a quiet morning of prayer and meditation then reading of a novel (The Great Leader by one of my favorites, Jim Harrison), my day slowly progresses into electronics including twitter, blogger, emails, Facebook and more. And then....Bath Tub yoga time. It's amazing how much stretching one can do in the tub when muscles are soft and pliable.

I start by standing outside the tub as the water starts to flow. The sound is pleasing and inspiring to me. I turn on some music. I pray and open my heart and soul to the earth and sky to feed and nourish me. And then begins the Qigong breathing and swirling exercises. Slowly as my body awakes, I flow into some deeper stretching then slip into the tub.

Squatting on my heels I slowly stretch my legs forward releasing the quadriceps with care. Stretching tall and backwards, gently, the quads are massaged, a bit like taffy being pulled back and forth, letting go of tensions and anxiety held within the body. Releasing from this pose I scuttle to my bum.

Crossing my legs "indian style" I fold forward into a modified pigeon, switching legs so as to stretch the hips on both sides. Then with feet out in from of me I fold forward grabbing my big toes. Then breathing in I reach forward with my neck and back looking upward toward the heavens while sending energy to my hamstrings against the tub floor. On the exhale I fold over, relaxing my legs and feeling the compassion between the moment of flexion prior to the settling in of my bones within its flesh.

Breathing. Aware of every nerve. Of every muscle. Where does my body need the help?

I might take a twist. One leg extended in front. The other folded up with knee to chest, simply twist to left or right, sitting tall and looking up or back. Every move in the tub is done with deliberation and intent. Be slow and aware. Do not push your limits. This is the time to connect with your inner resources for the day and see where you stand, literally.

Outside the tub I continue my practice. A bear hug, more pigeon, wherever my body seems to need it. Or my mind for that matter.

Shoulders are a good on inside and outside the tub. You choose. I'm just the inspiration.

In fact, I'm off right now to do some bath tub yoga and get my day on!

 

 

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Passion Flower Tea for Sleep...will it work?

Has anyone tried Passion flower tea for help with nerves and sleeping disruption? I'm looking forward to feeling the results!

Found on LocalHarvest.org - "Passion Flower Tea Benefits have been recognized for over 200 years by Native American Indian tribes as being effective in sedating and calming the nerves. Traditional medicine practitioners also widely acknowledge the painkilling and blood pressure lowering properties of this herb."

Off to brew...

 

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Chinese Medicine Experiment on Tremors Days 1-7

Day 1:

I've worked with several doctors specializing in Chinese Medicine and have had good experiences. So, why not try it again?

The benign essential tremors in my neck became exacerbated and I need help. Help beyond a pill.

Interestingly I look back and see what I changed last summer. I had stopped taking my Shentrition. I came a bit low on funds and held back. First time in six years. At least six years. Well, the Shentrition is back in. But I need a booster to get me going.

Today I start a seven day tea regime after receiving both Chinese massage and acupuncture. Tea is not the correct word. Herbs maybe is what they used. "Drink your herbs. You look much too old for your age." Thanks, cause I was actually feeling really good.

After a pulse exam where the doctor reads ones pulse for several minutes, I'm told I have severe arthritis in my body and its rejecting the cold weather. I need warmth. But more importantly my kidney yin is in trouble. And the negative energies were pulling my thinking mind down, suffocating it while destroying my life.

Ok then, What do I do? Thus the week of herbs. And not any herbs but pretty pricey ones. Each day is $17. Dump the herbs in a mason jar, pour a cup hot water on it. Drink half of it thirty minutes after breakfast and half of it thirty minutes after dinner. I may have poured a bit more water. It smells a bit potent.

As I taste the mixture it becomes familiar. Ive had similar tastes during an herbal detox program. Not horrible. And if it does the job then super dandy!

It will be interesting to feel the effects.

This morning I took the herbs after a pleasant walk with a dear friend, some good healthy eats, bath tub yoga and some inspirational time. Feeling the love right now.

Will keep you posted.

Day 2:

Well that was interesting! Not sure what is remnants of flu and what is from herbs but talk about a body flush. Feeling great this morning. Still having tremors but could feel a subtle calm and cooling effect in my body after herbs. Feel like I actually need more. This may be an expensive habit but if I could build my blood tonic and kidneys, Ill be ready to kick some MS booty!

It tastes like fermented tree bark. But I'm craving its goodness. Off to make some for this morning. Had my Shentrition already. Plus some fruit and water. Having a lovely and productive morning but glad I'm. Not too far from the toilet!

Days 4-6

Feeling pretty darn amazing! Grouping these days as they have all been pretty similar. aware of very nice settling sensation in my lower back. And a calm sense Throughout. I feel content and sensitive to toxins again. A couple of beers and I was done! Ready for water and herb tea. I like this feeling!

Day 7

The tremors are still here but i have felt a change since the Herbs. They are spendy but I wish to continue them another week or more. The anti inflammation qualities are pleasantly addicting.

In addition to the Chinese herbs I'm taking "Calm" magnesium/calcium supplement, Standard Processes' Catalyn and a vitamin B/C complex. And today I started the Standard Processes' kidney detoxification and support, "Renafood".

Looking forward to feeling more positive effects with these supplements.

Catch you on the flip side...

 

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Boundaries, Safe Spaces and Safe Places

Wow! Amazing how we have to really slam down our boundaries at time. We need to to stay healthy. When friends and family continue to push and prod you into an emotional wreck you must take care of yourself!

I had a horrible day the other day nears and all. Anger so hot it burned inside.

I found a safe place: a walk by myself.

I found a safe space: meditation through the anger to find peace and happiness.

It is OK to scream and rant and rave when one is angry as long as its not directed at anyone else. This wasn't. I ranted and raved for three miles.

And amazingly as the anger came out of me the peace flowed in. With each breath I would shout my anger and exhale all negativity. Then inhale the beauty surrounding me and visualize peace, joy and grace.

Boy did it work. But it took 45 minutes to realize that when I am upset I can only change the things I have control over. My safe place and my safe space. One physical. One mental.

In order to thrive with MS: Boundaries are necessary. Knowing what is in my control and what isn't is crucial. Seeking a safe place and a safe space is critical.

I am in a great mood today. Woke early and visualized the negativity flowing out of me and the positive beauty of life flow in. Ahhhhhh.

Off to take a walk with a dear friend. Safe place. Safe space.

Let's do this!

 

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Leg Cramps Getting the Best of You?

It doesn't need to be this way! And when the doctors say "just take more drugs" you can just say No Thank You!

Here is a great solution. Calm: magnesium calcium supplement. Seriously folks, take this every night and your leg cramps will be gone. I went on a four mile hike in relatively muggy weather. Basically, I drank a lot of water but sweated as well. My body was taxed!

When we got home I took my Calm before going to bed and voila! My legs feel pretty darn good considering the last few days of activities.

Learn more at their website. There are two favors, or one flavor and one plain. We find it bast to mix them as the flavored is kind of sweet! But all I really care about is that it works!

Click here for more: http://naturalvitality.com/natural-calm/.

 

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Importance of family and friend support

It can not be said enough, this importance of family and friends during an illness such as multiple sclerosis. Let's just begin with diet and nutrition. I live in a house that insists on a dinner of starch, meat and veggies. I know, old school. But adhere I must and its frustrating.

Yet here I am at a friends house and we have a beautiful dinner of freshly sprouted mung beans, quinoa, steamed kale and tomatoes. So delicious and just what this MS body needed to keep me in the green zone!

What's the Green zone? That's when your body feels MS neutral. Not stressed. Not over heated. Not chilled. The muscles and nerves feel good. And cooling foods such as mung beans and more was just the answer after a three hour walk on the beautiful beach of Kailua Bay.

I couldn't take these walks without knowing that a healthy meal as medicine was awaiting me!

Mahalo my friends! You mean the world to me!

 

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Making my Day!

Some of my mantras for the day!

 

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Kidney Yin?

A post you may have missed from before:

I am asked almost daily, how are you surviving your MS? Has it just gone into remission? No. It doesn't just go into remission. At least not for me. I have to take steps to put my MS into remission. Lifestyle changes, diet changes, activity changes.

My survival with MS is significantly contributed to my nutritional intake. As you know I studied holistic nutrition at Bauman College and became a certified nutrition educator. This education was inspired by my three experiences with kidney yin deficiency. I recommend looking it up and reading about it as I will be brief. But the bottom-line, the symptoms of kidney yin deficiency are near identical to those of multiple sclerosis as well as other auto-immune diseases.

More of that to come. What's important to me right now is to combine my holistic education with the Chinese based recommendations to create a macro-diet to rebuild my organs and blood.

So, Shen-Cleanse this Daddy-O:

1. Shen Cleanse - teas or tonics. I'm using teas this time.
2. ShenTrition - alway
3. Water or Plenty. Have you investigated the living water yet?
4. Yoga or the like - a nice yin yoga caught me in a loop for over two hours the other day.
5. Outdoor health - gardening, hiking, walking. Enjoy and bless our surroundings.
6. Building diet - I need my calories right now. Healthy, digestible nutrients. Here's what I'm talking about:

• Fuji apples
• Swiss chard
• Gala apples
• Turnip greens
• Roasted turnips
• Steamed green beans
• Quinoa, onions and home made chicken stock
• Black bean, corn, jicama jalepeno salsa
• Silver salmon fresh caught by very cool father on recent fishing trip to Canada and perfectly marinated by awesome mother and myself with an herbal explosion from the yard overgrown with tarragon, marjoram and thyme. Broiling worked just fine this cold fall day.
• Radish, lime, cilantro salad
• Strawberries

That is a pretty kidney yin friendly diet. It can be better, more focused. We'll add some pine nuts to the quinoa. Keep with the greens. Oh yeah and have some kidney eggs. Egg whites, turnip greens, turmeric, bacon and salmon. No the bacon has nothing kidney yin friendly about it but it makes me happy.

Turmeric on everything, baby, go for the turmeric!

More on this later. Check out Paul Pritchford: Healing with Whole Foods and Henry C. Lu's Chinese Natural Cures. Many other great folks out there. Also Dr. Stephen Gascoigne's The Chinese way to Health.

Off to ingest some medicine - food that is.

Some of my favorite resources:

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Life Coach for Those Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

I've been through a lot with my MS from losing my ability to walk and see to losing my career to rebuilding my life for utter enjoyment. It's time you do the same and I'm here to help!

As a sounding board I am here to guide you through options and ideas to reach your final goals. Here are some of the areas we cover:

• Adjustment to the illness, including the long-term impact of living with MS
• Health and wellness issues
• Stress management
• Work/life balance
• Family relationships
• Medication adherence issues
• Self advocacy
• Resource identification
• Behavioral approaches to pain management
• Planning for the future

Anyone wanting to learn new techniques about coping with MS can benefit from Life Coaching. This service typically involves weekly toll-free telephone or video sessions and a variety of "homework" type assignments to reflect upon between coaching sessions. In addition, group sessions, presentation and key note speakers are available.

If you are interested in this program, please contact Life Coach Caroline Craven at (818) 585-5660, or email TheGirlwithMS@gmail.com.




 

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