How do Jedi cope with severe pain?

I live with fibromyalgia syndrome, and the bane of my existence is a non-inflammatory arthralgia that sneaks up on me when I begin getting tired. It's a horrible pain that affects almost every joint from my hips, downward. In the past I've been prescribed opioid pain killers that couldn't even touch it.

Listening to my body, it's become obvious that what is happening is severe muscle tension causing pressure on key nerve bundles in the lower torso. The catch is that heat has only limited effect, and even Tizanidine (a step up from my previous muscle relaxer) mostly only makes me drowsy.

So my nightly ritual continues thusly: As I get tired, the pain kicks in. I am on remeron to help me sleep, but since the pain became a nightly thing last year, I also have to take a tizanidine if I hope to sleep at all. On a good night it may take an entire hour to put me out, and on a bad night perhaps two.

It's a short lasting medication, about six hours, which means I awaken after roughly four hours of sleep, in more excruciating pain than before, having to go through the same process all over again a second time just to have a hope of getting sufficient sleep to be semi functional.

I've gotten used to this and my doctor doesn't know what else to suggest at this point. I'm not looking for a cure, I just want to know how everyone handles pain, and I mean the "teeth clenching, grab onto the bed post and hope you don't break it" variety. It's hard to find your peace and calm in the face of such agony.

Deep meditation.

I have used the pain to enhance my jedi training and ability to meditated.

Drugs do what they do, but I found that they make me dull, ineffective and over time - stop working.

the only thing that I have that works is going into the pain, going in the the story that is attached to the pain, and finding the lesson that the pain is trying to teach me.

I also do my best to eat an organic, healthy, raw diet. I do my best to eat only real food.

I do my best to have clean, filtered, "aerated" water with as little chlorine and floriade as possible.

If possible, i continue to "move". I like to move my body. I like to move through the pain. No to the point of hurting myself or making more pain, but to help the body stay healthy and active.

I spend time with people. I feel the benefit of connection.

I tap into the Force. I feel the universe and know that I am loved by the Force.

Rest. Lots of rest. the body heals in through rest.

I take a lot of anti inflammatory supplements. I do my best to reduce as much inflammation as possible.

I also take "cold" baths to help flush out the swelling.

I hope this helps.

I recommend mindfulness meditation. It won't put off the physical pain (you need to take your medication and listen to your doctor's instructions to ease it), but it can reduce the anguish and help you relax prior to sleep.

I live with fibromyalgia syndrome

So do I. Nothing works very well for very long. Sucks big time. It's now a constant companion.

1) When it gets the best of me I lay low. 2)When it doesn't I do what I can. 3)The more I move the greater the pain............
back to 1 and the beat goes on. pun intended

Basically if I do nothing the pain is miminized. I can't do nothing so do 1-3.

I'm working with a Chiropractor now but it's stiil do nothing and the pain is low......

I don't have the same kind or amount of pain as is spoken here...So I can't relate....I am sorry to hear of such pain among the Jedi. The Pain I get is three fold.

1. Ever since I birthed two kids, my body has been very achy and run down, back, shoulders, joints...I struggle with my weight and constantly battle with it

2. Used to be more common, but after kids I think they opened my hips up more and I don't get as often. SI (Sciatica) joint pain.

3. Arthritis - This is very rarely a issue...But sometime at very unexpected turns a old injury will come back to haunt me (did so a month ago)

Things I do to avoid pain

I exercise, even if its just light stretching, walking, yoga, or just walking around my house and yard. I try and keep a consistent intake of the vitamins I find my body to need.

* 2 Tablets of Magnesium
* 2 Tablets of MSN
* 1 tablet of 5000mm of Vit D
* 1 Tablet of Iorn
* 1 Tablet of Potassium

It sounds like alot, but ever since I started this batch I have felt a million times better.

Things I do when I am in pain

* Breathing Meditation - Just focusing on proper lower breathing
* Mantra - Reciting the Jedi Code (yet) version or counting 1 - 10
* Hot Salt Bath - Village Naturals Therapy Aches + Pains Relief is absolutely wonderful! I especially love the Nighttime version.
* Water. Water water water water.... Always remember to stay hydrated.

Hope some of this helps at all *bows*

I practice Qigong and Meditative breathing and yoga daily. They have helped with many different conditions of pain i've had over the years. They don't have to be vigorous forms of exercise or movement. The slower, fluid and gentle the better.

A good example and starting Qigong could be the Tai Chi Qigong at the following youtube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4aOKOe3BY If you decide to do it and need help with breathing let me know.

I also recovered from a very painful pleurisy type virus that effected my organs, muscule and bones. I didn't get any antibiotics from the Doctor and i decided to look for a natural alternative. I found a natural medicine called Allicin Max link can be found here - www.allicinmax.com It's based on a garlic medicine called the Allicin, the pure part of the garlic that is the very powerful natural antibiotic. It really did work for me and they are also vegetarian and vegan friendly.

The force truly does work.
Mark

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately as Rickie said, movement can be one of the biggest issues with Fibro. I will look into the magnesium supplement (iron supplements upset my stomach).

I did however have a bit of a revelation reading these responses however, this one in particular:

baru wrote: Deep meditation.

I have used the pain to enhance my jedi training and ability to meditated.

Drugs do what they do, but I found that they make me dull, ineffective and over time - stop working.

the only thing that I have that works is going into the pain, going in the the story that is attached to the pain, and finding the lesson that the pain is trying to teach me.

While currently the medications can't be avoided as they are the only way I can achieve sleep, I did think about the meditation. I was puzzled as to one one could use pain to enhance one's meditation. In my experience meditation seems completely futile when the pain is present.

However, I am reminded of many practices such as in some sects of Hinduism, and also the American Natives' "vision quest", where extreme conditions can help to elevate one to an altered/higher state of consciousness. In this way, if I can figure out the trick to it, I may be able to turn my own natural "extreme conditions" into a tool rather than a hindrance. I do not know much of meditation practice yet however, just basic breath meditation (which I am not very skilled at yet, I have an easily distractable mind), however this may be an area of study which could benefit me greatly.

Thank you all.

If you get chance have a peek at these links. All talking, researching and practicing things with Fibro. I've worked in the past with some clients with Fibro also and they've also stated a combination of breathing and meditation, plus quality sleep helped.

http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/pain-reliever/
http://www.fibromyalgiahope.com/fibromyalgia-and-sleep.html
http://www.medpagetoday.com/clinical-context/Fibromyalgia/34120
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news/20100818/tai-chi-best-fibromyalgia-treatment
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/fibromyalgia.html
http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/rsavedlife.html

Sorry for all the posts, and you probably know about them all already, but i just don't like to hear people in pain.

Force be with you
M

MarkBrereton wrote: Sorry for all the posts, and you probably know about them all already, but i just don't like to hear people in pain.

I am always thankful for any and all information another sees fit to share with me in regards to topics of health and self-improvement. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

MTFBWY as well my friend.

i have an unusually high pain threshold...at least that's what the dr.s have told me repeatedly....i also use focused meditation to block out the pain....i start by focusing on the pain itself, experiencing it fully, once i'm in sync with the pain i then mentally distance myself from the pain until it becomes non existent....and as long as i keep my mind occupied i feel no pain....of course once i've had time to relax or my mind begins to wander the pain comes back in a dulled form...

edit: i should also point out that this method is mentally exhausting...i can go for a good long while using it, however it takes considerable rest to recover the spent energy....about 1 full day of rest for every week of doing this....