Reducing stress

1. Keep your bedroom pitch black when you sleep. When you remove all light stimulus (even from a clock or nightlight,) you get better REM sleep which leaves you feeling more rested. If you can’t make your room dark, wear an eye mask.

2. Drink a glass of lemon water as soon as you wake up. This helps the body alkalize, helping everything from digestion to immune function.

3. Do some form of morning meditation or prayer. This will actually help you keep your thoughts clear during the day and you will get better rest later that night.

4. Eat protein for breakfast. Eggs in the morning, for example, will give you more sustained energy than that bagel, muffin or croissant. It really doesn’t take too long to scramble an egg and the concerns about eggs and cholesterol are disproven.

5. Move your body mid-day. If you can’t get a workout in, run up the stairs a few times, do ten pushups or a couple downward-dogs (it’s a yoga move!) or a few jumping jacks. Movement is life. If you’re not moving, you’re degenerating. Sitting at a computer all day (or in a car commuting) zaps your energy. Find a way to move!

6. Get your laptop computer set up ergonomically. This might mean buying a separate keyboard and mouse so when you type your elbows can stay close to your body. Set the computer on a stand so that the screen is level with your eyes. This helps with elbow pain, neck strain and overall energy.

7. Cut the chemical junk out of your diet. Stay away from processed sugars and flours. These empty calories often just get wrapped in mucous in your body and stored as fat. If you don’t know what the ingredient is on the label (or can’t pronounce it,) then it’s better to just not eat it.

8. Learn to prepare greens. Dark leafy greens like kale and chard are some of the most energy producing nutrient-rich foods you can eat. Make them a regular part of your diet.

9. Keep your nerve system clear. A healthy spine and nerve system keeps the messages between your brain and body from being disrupted. Regular wellness chiropractic is a great tool for keeping energy high and the body healthy.

10. Go to bed on time. Getting to sleep early (by 10:30pm at the latest) maximizes the healing quality of sleep. Sleeping from 10pm to 5am for example, will yield more healing and energy than going to bed past midnight and sleeping until noon. Going to bed early and getting up early is a smart way to efficiently create health.

Let's expand the list!

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier
2. Prepare for the morning the night before
3. Avoid tight fitting clothes
4. Avoid relying on chemical aids
5. Set appointments ahead
6. Don't rely on your memory ... write it down
7. Practice preventive maintenance
8. Make duplicate keys
9. Say "no" more often
10. Set priorities in your life
11. Avoid negative people
12. Use time wisely
13. Simplify meal times
14. Always make copies of important papers
15. Anticipate your needs
16. Repair anything that doesn't work properly
17. Ask for help with the jobs you dislike
18. Break large tasks into bite size portions
19. Look at problems as challenges
20. Look at challenges differently
21. Unclutter your life
22. Smile
23. Be prepared for rain
24. Tickle a baby
25. Pet a friendly dog/cat
26. Don't know all the answers
27. Look for a silver lining
28. Say something nice to someone
29. Teach a kid to fly a kite
30. Walk in the rain
31. Schedule play time into every day
32. Take a bubble bath
33. Be aware of the decisions you make
34. Believe in yourself
35. Stop saying negative things to yourself
36. Visualize yourself winning
37. Develop your sense of humor
38. Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better today
39. Have goals for yourself
40. Dance a jig
41. Say "hello" to a stranger
42. Ask a friend for a hug
43. Look up at the stars
44. Practice breathing slowly
45. Learn to whistle a tune
46. Read a poem
47. Listen to a symphony
48. Watch a ballet
49. Read a story curled up in bed
50. Do a brand new thing
51. Stop a bad habit
52. Buy yourself a flower
53. Take time to small the flowers
54. Find support from others
55. Ask someone to be your "vent-partner"
56. Do it today
57. Work at being cheerful and optimistic
58. Put safety first
59. Do everything in moderation
60. Pay attention to your appearance
61. Strive for Excellence NOT perfection
62. Stretch your limits a little each day
63. Look at a work of art
64. Hum a jingle
65. Maintain your weight
66. Plant a tree
67. Feed the birds
68. Practice grace under pressure
69. Stand up and stretch
70. Always have a plan "B"
71. Learn a new doodle
72. Memorize a joke
73. Be responsible for your feelings
74. Learn to meet your own needs
75. Become a better listener
76. Know your limitations and let others know them, too
77. Tell someone to have a good day in pig Latin
78. Throw a paper airplane
79. Exercise every day
80. Learn the words to a new song
81. Get to work early
82. Clean out one closet
83. Play patty cake with a toddler
84. Go on a picnic
85. Take a different route to work
86. Leave work early (with permission)
87. Put air freshener in your car
88. Watch a movie and eat popcorn
89. Write a note to a far away friend
90. Go to a ball game and scream
91. Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight
92. Recognize the importance of unconditional love
93. Remember that stress is an attitude
94. Keep a journal
95. Practice a monster smile
96. Remember you always have options
97. Have a support network of people, places and things
98. Quit trying to fix other people
99. Get enough sleep
100. Talk less and listen more
101. Freely praise other people 

Sites used for the above....

Site one

Site two

This is all so relevant because (just three extracts out of hundreds...)

"Has anyone had a flare up with cervical dystonia when under great stress. Just had a family member die and the dystonia really flared during the funeral. "

Source

"Dystonia can occur as a result of emotional difficulties or due to a stress reaction."

Source

"The initial symptoms can be very mild and may be noticeable only after prolonged exertion, stress, or fatigue. Dystonias often progress through various stages. Initially, dystonic movements are intermittent and appear only during voluntary movements or stress. Later, individuals may show dystonic postures and movements while walking and ultimately even while they are relaxed. Dystonic motions may lead to permanent physical deformities by causing tendons to shorten."

Source

A True Story About the Healing of Dystonia

I was prompted to write this blog entry when I read a post by asburyparkangel

She writes:

"According to my research, Dystonias are caused by toxins, (which include pesticides, carbon monoxide, anti-histamines, auto exhaust, chemicals in household products, etc). I worked with airplane glue and spray paint when I was in my twenties and never imagined that taking Chlor Trimetron allergy tablets as a yong woman would cause this disorder. I also had a mercury filling left in my mouth, ( from my foster-child years). Mercury is HIGHLY toxic and cause terrible damage to the body. Also check for LYME which is the GREAT imitator that imitates Lupus and a host of other ailments. Hair analysis are excellent to detect heavy metal. Mainstream doctors will not look into these procedure, but you life depends on it. Oral chelation and detoxifying through FAR saunas is crucial to rid the body of accumulated poisons. “DETOX or DIE” by Doctor Sherry Rogers is crucial reading to educate yourself about body poison load.

.NUTRA-Sweet & Splenda are highly toxic as well as high-fructose corn syrup in sodas & snacks. EDUCATE yourself. You’ll also have to eat only organic foods and pure spring and distilled water. Your whole lifestyle will have to be OVERHAULED. Do it of DIE! I pray you will profile and have divine health with this info I’ve applied to my life. God bless you!"

This reminded me of a book review 5 years ago:

By John J. Heney
ISBN 1-894263-56-1

Collapsing in the shower early one morning in 1991, Ottawa journalist John Heney found himself unable to control his hands or legs, suddenly going into full-body spasms which would mount to dozens of these attacks per day. Within weeks he would find himself without work, direction or hope as the damage in his nervous system took hold.

Misdiagnosis, malpractice and miscommunication would mean it would be up to him to discover what could be done about this baffling disorder, and how he could regain purpose, an income and personal independence while being left, as one doctor put it, with a "hideous and horrible way to have to live."

The Thunder Within dares to challenge us about the way our society deals with healing, and how we often forget the value of teamwork, respect and joy in daily living. Deemed to have done "more for himself than the entire medical profession," Heney turned his background into a source of information, insight and teaching as he began to share with all manner of groups about the physics and spirit behind thought, intent, abilities, hope and inspiration.

Hilarious at times, uplifting in its recommendations and candid in its revelations, The Thunder Within is being used in business instruction, in Scouting, and by doctors, patients, therapists, families and friends of the ill, and by Canada’s Department of National Defence. It has been featured at a Conference Board of Canada national seminar.

Why? The Thunder Within touches us in places we know are there but which we often dare not speak of. The book reveals, by example, how much more can be found within each of us exactly where we are, no matter how small or large our role in life.

The experience that made John Heney the "spiritual mechanic" by showing people the principles of fun, ease and joy in learning is now spreading its influence worldwide, and can be yours as a spectator, in a journey that is transforming the workplace, the role of medicine, and how we treat ourselves and others.
"Persons in health care practice and policy-making, those suffering serious illness and disabilities, scientists concerned with matters of energy, parapsychologists and spiritual seekers can benefit from reading this exceptional book."

L. Richard Batzler, Ph.D., Past President

Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship International 

The book?

“The Thunder Within” is John’s autobiographical description of his journey through the debilitating effects of what happened when his legacy of cerebral palsy suddenly collapsed to include the neurological and movement challenges of dystonia, ataxia and aphasia. ISBN: 1-894263-56-1

"Persons in health care practice and policy-making, those suffering serious illness and disabilities, scientists concerned with matters of energy, parapsychologists and spiritual seekers can benefit from reading this exceptional book."
~ L. Richard Batzler, PhD

"What a great book! Couldn't put it down last night, read until 12:30. The darn book wouldn't put me to sleep. Too interesting. I've read half of it already." ~ A reader writes in about The Thunder Within

 

Sex and Dystonia

I read a post elsewhere....

I'll just quote sections...(read the whole post by clicking the link above)

"Well first i have zero to very little of a sex life but there are a couple things i've been curious about since this dystonia stuff. it's hard forme to say it's the dystonia because you have so many other elements at play

few things i have noticed and as i've said they can be from something else

1. difficulty with orgasm - this is not from medication

-could be from fear, insecurity, unconscious feelings about body etc

or is this something that does exits?

2. last one being it seems that erections are not an issue but they will go away during the act. now this could also go  with the fact that my last girlfriend i was never comfortable with and all the other things at plat

or can it be something from dystonia?"

 

I thought it worthwhile posting some research:

  

These three quotes should grab everyone's attention....anecdotal evidence suggests they're completely wrong though...

 

“The pathophysiology of the dystonias is largely unknown but increased acetylcholine (ACH), increased or decreased dopamine (DA), and decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) functions in the basal ganglia are postulated (Stahl & Berger, 1982; Brennan et al., 1982).”

Source

So, an increased ACH may cause dystonia.

Treatment inhibits ACH:

“Treatment of focal dystonia with BTX is designed to improve the patient’s posture and function and to relieve associated pain. As BTX-A has been studied most intensely and used most widely, this section outlines its structure, origin, and mechanism of action.

The toxin inhibits release of acetylcholine (ACH), a neurotransmitter responsible for activation of muscle contraction. Administration of the toxin results in weakness in the injected muscle. Some nerve terminals are not affected by the toxin, allowing the injected dystonic muscle to contract, but with less force. This weakness allows for improved posture and function of the dystonic muscle(s). The degree of weakness depends on the dose, and the duration of weakness is further dependent on the serotype employed.“

source

"The neurotransmitter that causes the sexual message is acetlycholine (ACH). ACH also seems to control sexual behavior through its activity in the brain. For women, ACH is also a very important part of sexual function. With too little ACH, sexual activity goes down. ACH is involved in the buildup toward orgasm and the urethral and vaginal contractions that occur during orgasm.

One way to safely and effectively enhance ACH levels in the body is to take supplements of choline (1,000 to 3,000 mg) and vitamin B5 (500 to 1,500 mg) so that the body will produce more ACH."

Source

So, in theory, those with dystonia should be sex fiends....and measures to reduce the dystonia effects.....may cause impotence . If erectile dysfunction is psychological (and it may not be...cholesterol, weight etc) then reading the above may be of help...

Diagnosing Dystonia

This originally appeared here:

DIAGNOSIS — The diagnosis of dystonia is based mainly upon clinical features, although the diagnostic laboratory can provide supportive evidence. In the absence of specific diagnostic tests, expert observation by a movement disorder specialist is suggested to confirm the diagnosis of dystonia in cases where there is uncertainty or confusion. Now, who's confusion ???

Primary dystonia is separated from secondary dystonia by the absence of additional neurologic abnormalities and the lack of possible acquired cause such as the use or exposure to reglan or other medications.

As noted earlier, the age and anatomic distribution of dystonia at onset are important clinical clues for diagnosis. Atypical presentations (eg, a child with onset of dystonia in the neck or face, or an adult with onset in the leg, or an adult who develops generalized dystonia) indicate the need to evaluate for an underlying cause.

Laboratory testing in primary dystonia is of minimal usefulness, but essential in the evaluation of secondary dystonia, or dystonia with atypical features.

Levodopa trial — Patients with focal or generalized dystonia of unknown etiology should have a trial of levodopa (eg, carbidopa-levodopa 25/100 mg three times daily) to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of dopa-responsive dystonia. This is DRD and why you are placed on a trial of it. It either works or doesnt in a matter of weeks, resolving symptoms.

Genetic testing — In patients with early onset dystonia, or those with late onset who have an affected relative with early onset dystonia, DYT1 gene testing is indicated with appropriate genetic counseling.

Molecular genetic testing is possible but NOT widely available for dopa-responsive dystonia (DYT5), myoclonus-dystonia (DYT11), rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (DYT12), and deafness-dystonia-optic neuronopathy syndrome .

Laboratory evaluation — The assessment of atypical and/or secondary dystonia is extensive . Laboratory evaluations and brain imaging should be obtained and appropriately directed. When there is clinical suspicion for secondary or heredodegenerative dystonia, we suggest obtaining the following studies:

• CT or MRI of brain (basal ganglia calcifications or necrosis and other abnormalities)
• Complete blood count
• Electrolytes
• Renal and liver function tests
• Antinuclear antibodies
• Ceruloplasmin, serum copper, and 24-hour urinary copper (for Wilson disease)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Rapid plasma reagent

Stories of hope

Stories of hope

One of the problems with dystonia is people often think 'No known cause; no known cure'

That does not necessarily mean that the symptoms cannot be reduced - or that dystonia cannot go into remission.

Have a read of the following...

Abigail's Story
Abigail Brown, Director S.T.R.C., Inc. Date of Birth: 10/19/38 I was shy... [more] 

Barbara's Story
Five years ago, in December of 1996, my hands closed into fists as result... [more] 

Carol's story: Amalgam Toxicity Case History
Up to that time, I had been a physically normal child, though quite... [more] 

Chris' story
Christopher Sivewright was sipping a cup of coffee when his neck started... [more] 

Coral's Story
In the September of 1986 I and my husband and two sons aged 12 and 15... [more] 

Deborah's story
Up until that point, I just had the understanding that I had a movement... [more] 

Dystonia - My Shadow by Katie Stehr
So far, my dystonia has been limited to my neck. According to MRIs, I also... [more] 

Freds story
MY Dystonia started in 1990. My facial movements were so bad I couldn't... [more] 

Genevieve LaGrow's Christmas Story
The symptoms began in early 1991. Craig and Kim LaGrow's 19-month-old... [more] 

Julie Sheldon/Nigel Mumford
In 1980, he came to America and set up the Mumford Company Inc., a picture... [more] 

Laurie Link's Story
"I never had a moment of doubt,'' she said. "Maybe part of it was fear... [more] 

Laurie's story
Well, when I was lying there looking at the ceiling and couldn't look down... [more] 

Mike's Story
The procedure consisted of two surgeries; one to implant the probes in the... [more] 

My long awaited diagnosis
It was in 1990, that I woke in the early hours of the morning with a... [more] 

The power of prayer - A Memorable Patient
Now, as any neurologist knows, spasmodic torticollis is the bane of a... [more] 

Tom's Story
I am a 30 year old, healthy, married father of three wonderful boys. I just... [more] 

Vera's story
My treatments from my Brain Stem chiropractor started popping out after... [more]

Essential reading....

This discussion is for people to suggest books that may be of interest/help to those with dystonia.

Let's start this off with the book 'The Brain That Changes Itself'

There are plenty of reviews - not all of them complimentary - on Amazon UK and also Amazon com

Why may this be of interest to those with dystonia?

Well....

Known in scientific circles as "neuroplasticity," this radical new approach to the brain provides an incredible way to bring the human brain back to life. Some of the cases that we meet are:

• Roger Behm, a blind man who is now able to see via his tongue (and can throw a basketball into a garbage can to prove it).
• Cheryl Schiltz, who was written-off by doctors when she lost her sense of balance due to a drug's side effect. Once sentenced to a lifetime of wobbling, her brain rewired itself through a seemingly simple therapy, and has now regained her balance and returned to a normal life.
• Michelle Mack, one of the greatest examples of the brain's ability to adapt: she was born, literally, with just half of her brain.
• Michael Bernstein, who suffered a debilitating stroke in the prime of his life, paralyzing the left side of his body. He's now back to his former life, as his brain functions have been rerouted and re-invigorated.

Source...and you can also watch the video of the programme here too

There are examples of neuroplasticity in action here...

Certainly, rewiring may well help occupational dystonia....

And finally from a review by Line Bellavance (whole review here):

"This book has also confirmed my belief that it is definitely possible to modify for the best what is disorganized in Dystonia. Since 2008, I have many examples of concrete improvements of my condition, things that were hard work at the beginning of my investment towards eroding Dystonia troubles and that suddenly improved. Among these examples, I want to relate the Blepharospasm that I presently manage with, I would say, a percentage of 95 to 98% and that, in spite of the fact that I always refused to receive Botox (botulinum toxin). I only intake 5 mg of Frisium every day and, as a result, I am experiencing very few ocular spasms."