High muscle tension

[EveHarrington]

I don’t know if I’d call muscle relaxers heavy stuff. They definitely can be used in a way that is helpful in reducing tension without nasty side effects. I think I took 3-4 yesterday with no side effects. (I usually only take one a day as needed at most, but traveling really did me in!) Oh, I take Norflex, but I’ve taken Soma and Flexeril in the past. Flexeril made my anxiety shoot sky high though.

Oh, and DEFINITELY get enough magnesium. Most people are deficient. I take a liquid ionic supplement.

 

[lovak]

@EveHarrington
I will at least discuss it with the psychiatrist, I wasn't thinking about 'actual muscle relaxers', more about psychmeds with the benefits of musclerelaxers :)
I'll try to do more exercises. There's no feldenkraispracticioner anywhere near me, but I'll try to look up videos of it as well as yoga.
Drinking water check

Honestly, I don't know if i'll be able to keep up with it at this moment. Probably why the pain is getting worse

 

[The Albatross]

Muscles can only do two things. Contract or extend. There are vids online about hard contracting muscle groups systematically and they are assistive. Least invasive things first is my mantra/motto. Introducing new or more meds.... contra indicated in my opinion as it is to compensate/mask something that is a basic skill set to be acquired.

 

[lovak]

@The Albatross I completely agree, but I have to be realistic right now. This is the first time in 15 years of therapy that I'm actually getting traumatherapy. And it's pretty tough on me. It's pretty much all there is right now. I made the choice to not work at all, because I need my energy for this, and it's what I really need to do right now.

I'm usually really tough on myself. Have to be perfect. I worked out 3 to 5 days a week, ate basically a perfect diet. Had a good job, was there for other people, and now.. I can't manage that AT all. I have to accept that it's ok to not be perfect, to not be able to do some things sometimes. These tense muscles have been there for over a year now. I got rid of the problem when I was inpatient, pretty much directly after that it came back and it's progressively getting worse.

Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with one of my T's and I'm going to ask if it's possible that have psychomotoric therapy, which really helped me when I was inpatient. Usually that's not available for outpatient treatment. Honestly, I need accountability for about everything. Most days I can't manage to shower my teeth, let alone do yoga or exercises... I'm trying, and have been trying. And failing. T's keep telling me it's ok to ask for help (but I dont think I deserve it). So I keep trying myself, I keep telling myself i SHOULD be doing those things.
But at least I can explore the possibilities, and ask someone for help with this. Psychiatrist here doesnt like handing out medication that isnt neccesary (which is a good thing), so if he thinks it's not a good idea, he'd advise against it.

 

[The Albatross]

Personally I'd rather explore the cognitive distortion of "Have to be perfect." than seek the pharma/medoptions. But you're path, your life, your business.

 

[EveHarrington]

psychmeds with the benefits of musclerelaxers

Do these exist?

 

[lovak]

@EveHarrington Practically all benzo's, if I remember correctly? Not sure, I'm not a psychiatrist. But benzo's are too heavy in combination with emdr, so that's basically why I said heavy stuff (might be completely wrong here)

@The Albatross I know where it's coming from. Im perfect = Im in control = People cant hurt me.
I'm letting go of that more and more though. Part of that letting go, is accepting that I can't do everything myself, I'm allowed to get help for certain things. But according to the t's the controlthing is probably too much to let go if we don't cover the trauma first.
Not saying that I will immediatly go for meds, but since I already have an appointment I don't see the harm in asking the psychiatrist on his opinion

 

[EveHarrington]

Oh, I’ve never used benzodiazepines to reduce muscle tension. They do work for nerve pain though. I think actual muscle relaxers work much better, at least in my experience.

 

[IceQueencop]

I’m going to recommend Yogafit. For $15 month there are a ton of options, long, short specific muscle groups, guided meditation and some trauma specific stuff.

Just walking might help too, just to burn off some of the gunk we store up. Even just in one room...
Best
IQC

 

[blackemerald1]

Do you have a bath? If so Epsom Salts!!! Have a long warm soak in that and do it regularly like before bed.

Athletes use it and it's dirt cheap. :)