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| Welcome to the PainSupport Newsletter | ||||
| Editor: Jan Sadler, MBE | No.240 March 2015 | |||
| Smart ways to feel more at ease in the Waiting Room
by Jan Sadler |
 I receive many thought-provoking questions in my Inbox from PainSupport members. The other day a member wrote that she became very stressed whenever she had to see her doctor. She was anxious about the whole experience from the wait itself to talking to the doctor about her problems. She was worried the doctor would think she was wasting his time. She was really struggling with the Waiting Room Blues. What could she do about it, she asked? I know many of us find this situation difficult. We don't feel in control so this places us at an immediate disadvantage. We often don't know for how long we will have to wait. Time slows to a crawl, minutes seem like hours, which is an added pressure. We don't know how comfortable the seats may be - and it's not easy to get up and walk about in a waiting room. We also know that we don't have long to talk with the doctor, so we may be concerned that we won't express ourselves clearly. Sometimes we may not understand what the doctor is telling us either, so we can come away feeling confused and unheard. What to do We can overcome most of these worries with a little thought and planning and come away from the consultation more satisfied with the experience. The first thing we need to remember that the doctor or nurse is there to help us - that is their job! You have a right to be there and a right to have the doctor's time and undivided attention. Therefore, there's no need for you to worry about taking the doctor's time. When you realise this it gives you back some control. Waiting Here are a few tips on how to wait more comfortably, physically and mentally.
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| More information about consultations |
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We have various helpful downloads for you to read and to print out and use before the appointment. There are many more good ideas for getting the best out of a consultation on our website here: Medical Consultations. 'How to obtain a diagnosis' download. Tips and a checklist of questions for the doctor. Two Pain Logs to keep track of your pain and find out what affects it. If appropriate, use your Logs to show your doctor how your pain affects you. Log 1: Diary of your pain levels Log 2: How feelings & activities affect your pain 
Do you have any practical day to day challenges with pain and how it affects your life? If so, you are welcome to send your question to me for discussion and suggested answers in a future newsletter. You would remain anonymous, of course. Whatever affects your life probably affects many of us. This is a great way to support each other.
Email PainSupport here or use our online Contact Us form here |
| Calm your mind while you're waiting |
Your body and mind are linked very closely, what affects one, affects the other. So take care of your body to calm your mind... ...and breathe! It sounds obvious, but when you are stressed you will tend to breathe from the top of your chest in short, panicky gasps. So, take control and slow your breathing down. One way is to imagine you are breathing gently and slowly in and out through your abdomen and waist instead your nose. This does sound odd, I know, but try it for yourself. Feel yourself slowing down as you breathe this way. Really feel your body, expand and deflate as you gently breathe in and out. See our website page on Breathing here. |
| An Invitation… |
The PainSupport Contact Club If you’re not already a member, why not join our highly successful, popular and free Confidential Contact Club? Ease the pain by sharing life's ups and downs with those who understand. Here is message received from Kate, a member of the PainSupport Contact Club, I have already made contact, via email, with a wonderful lady who has the same condition as me. Thanks to your contact club, we are using each other as 'sounding boards'. There is nothing quite like talking with someone, who fully understands what a person is going through. Once again thanks Jan. Kate Register for the Contact Club at the end of our Contact Club page. |
| Deep Relaxation for pain and stress relief | ||
When you listen to Jan's soothing voice you will experience the quiet, calm rest of deep relaxation. The healing energy of deep relaxation is the recognised way to gain pain relief and to give your body the best chance of repairing itself.We offer CDs and Downloads in our Shop. Jan's books also include a CD. Choose from: Pain Relief Without Drugs 'Highly recommended' by Dr Chris Wells, Consultant, Liverpool Pain Management A Good Night's Sleep Voted top sleep CD by Holland and Barrett and Woman's Weekly Perfect Relaxation Voted top relaxation CD by Woman's Weekly Relax and Release your Pain 'Excellent. Best CD for relaxation' say BackCare.org.uk Find out more and listen to a voice sample before you buy: See our Downloads here See our CDs here See our Books here |
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| It worked for me! |
A member's recommendation PainSupport member Brenda recommends Epsom Salts, she says, 'I was recommended Epsom Salt baths two or three times a week and I have found the salts very good to relieve the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia. I use 2 cupfuls and soak for 10-15 minutes. I get mine in Boots or Sainsburys and I think most chemists sell it. You can get better bargains online too.' Read all about Epsom Salts here Buy Epsom salts here Please tell us!! If you try any product or idea that helps you in some way please let us know. Even if it only reduces symptoms a little, it may help others too. Click here to email PainSupport or Contact Us here |
| The art of pain management |
People with pain often comment that they find their experiences beyond expression. Talking therapy has been exhausted. There are no words to describe the journey they have taken. Both drawing and painting are an effective way for people with pain to express their level of suffering or the type of pain they are experiencing. However, art is not limited to drawing and painting. One can sculpt, use objects to create collages, or even finger paint to express your emotions. Even cooking is an art. The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) has developed this resource full of art project suggestions, words of encouragement and information regarding music therapy. Go to the ACPA creative ideas download Join our own hobbies/crafts group & photo album |
| Words of Wisdom... |
'I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.' - - Georgia O'Keeffe |
| Laughter is the best medicine |
I used to work in a shoe-recycling shop. It was sole-destroying. Did you hear about the cannibal that got expelled from school? He was caught buttering up his teacher! They say that when one door closes another door opens. Well, that's what I said when those cowboy builders finished installing my new kitchen. Visit our Joke Bank We have thousands of jokes in our Laughter is the Best Medicine series on the Forum, link above. You are welcome to add some jokes too - as long as they are nice and clean, of course! |
| Editor's Note |
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We hope you've enjoyed the PainSupport newsletter and find the information useful. Send us your comments, questions and items for the newsletter, we love to hear from you. Email PainSupport here or use our online Contact Us form here 
All best wishes - keep smiling - and keep moving! Jan at PainSupport More about pain relief here Forward this email to a friend |
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You may print the above Newsletter for your own personal and private use but if you wish to use all or part of it for any other reason, please ask first.
Copyright belongs to Jan Sadler.
Many of the tips, treatments, herbs and supplements mentioned in this newsletter are not from medical sources. Check with your doctor and use your own discretion before trying any of the suggestions to ensure they are suitable for your condition and to avoid interaction with any medication you are taking. Always have any undiagnosed pain checked out by a doctor. PainSupport is not responsible for the content of any other website mentioned. PainSupport NEVER passes on your email address to anyone else without your prior permission. 
© Jan Sadler 2015 |
