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Dr. Diana, both a doctor (therapeutic optometrist), and a recovered POTS and ME/CFS patient, offers help and hope for POTS, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Lyme, vascular abnormalities, Fibromyalgia, and Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Diana is now working full time at POTS Care.

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Reply To: Ongoing neck problems with normal mri

NEW STUDY! Parasym Plus™ for Multiple Sclerosis › Forums › PrettyIll.com Discussion › EDS/MS/Chiari › Ongoing neck problems with normal mri › Reply To: Ongoing neck problems with normal mri

February 20, 2015 at 6:38 pm #5316
Barbara
Participant

No worries!

There’s no denying, it’s a long struggle mate but here’s my alphabet list of things that might help:-
COPING A – Z
Alternate sedentary tasks with manual tasks, to give the body chance for recovery in between;
Best to recruit ‘energy saving’ coping mechanisms (i.e. delegate!, or work ‘smarter’);
Cut down on stress (emotional, physical, financial – I know, it ain’t easy!) – avoid conflict;
Drink extra fluids between mouthfuls of food to try and alleviate constipation;
Eat small meals and often, to lessen the burden on the stomach, NEVER over-eat;
Forget working with the body bent forwards, or with your head down (in flexion);
Get someone else to do it, if it means working with your hands above your heart;
Help your head to stay as balanced on the body as possible (sit up straight – no slouching!);
Improve collagen (with Vit C), bone renewal (Vit D), energy (Vit B), stomach acid problems & low blood volume (both need salt, preferably iodised);
Just check you’re not short of minerals too (e.g. Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, etc);
Keep your body warm when it’s cold (layers), or cool when it’s hot (fans, flannels, sprays);
Look at ways of doing your tasks sitting down, wherever possible (this puts head less into ‘flexion’);
Massage is a great way to disperse the lactic acid build up in the muscles;
Never go to the kitchen bin with something important in the other hand !!!;
Only eat foods you know to be fresh, don’t risk a dose of ‘the runs’!;
Prioritise tasks and write ‘To Do’ lists, to avoid overcrowding your own memory;
Quell pain – Yes you do need to take whatever works, to keep pain as low as possible;
Recognise & deal early with physical stressors that make you sweat, i.e. full bladder/bowel;
Sit opposite the person you are speaking to always, never keep your head/neck at an angle;
Take extra care of skin, don’t allow any sores to become weeping or infected;
Unstable Cranio-cervical joints need support – wear a Philadelphia (or similar) collar;
Vibrating massage mat is best used at the first sign of leg discomfort (wiggling legs helps);
Wear full length (closed toe) ‘Support hose’ to aid leg circulation and to try and alleviate any oedema;
X = 10, 10 O’clock – bedtime, DON’T push yourself to stay up, it’s no good for the adrenals;
Your computer screen & your work need to be elevated, so you are looking straight forwards and not hanging head in flexion;
Zzzzzz – Sleeping sitting up, or with the head of the bed raised somewhat, may help lessen your symptoms;

B.

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