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Inspiring and empowering people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability |
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STEPS TO CHANGE |
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Issue # 17 |
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This ezine is 100% opt-in. You are receiving it because you subscribed but may cancel by using the link at the end of this message. |
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IN THIS ISSUE |
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A chronic health condition can be a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. Are
you ready to break free of the bindings that are holding you back from
discovering your
own personal level of optimal health? We all have one – no matter what the condition is that ails us. We
challenge you to want to discover yours! We take people from an overwhelmed existence to a comfortably paced lifestyle. Are you ready for that journey?
Contact us today for a fr~ee sample coaching session and get started on living your maximum life. |
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TRAVELS WITH TRISH |
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Hey there! Happy Spring! It's been far too long, eh? I hope you don't mind but I think this newsletter is evolving into a quarterly publication. Not my optimum choice but perhaps the healthiest choice for me to make, given my energy resources and the continual expansion of Changing Paces business activities. On that note, I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the Changing Paces team... ROSE YOUNG, Recovery Life Skills Coach. Rose will be a fellow coach, contributing to the Changing Paces quest to bring optimum health & quality of life to those who come to us for support. Rose brings with her 22 years of experience coaching in the addictions field, supporting those with the disease of addiction as well as those who live with an addict. She's a cancer survivor as well as a victorious warrior in the battle against the injustices of the corporate world faced by people with disabilities. Living with chronic pain and fibromyalgia, Rose has conquered the lifestyle modifications and stress management necessary to optimize her health. To read more about Rose click here, or click here to email her directly. She welcomes the opportunity to talk with you about your challenges. WELCOME ABOARD Rose! To those of you who subscribed to our newsletter just recently: Welcome to our readership! We truly appreciate your interest. Feel free to forward our newsletters to anyone who you think may benefit from them. Till
next time, take care and God bless.
~~
Trish :-)
trish@changingpaces.com
~~ 905-967-3014 ~~ www.ChangingPaces.com Uncertain what coaching is all about? Check out our "Audio Library" and listen. |
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POST-DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT |
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AFTER
THE DIAGNOSIS:
WHAT'S NEXT?
Brought to you by
www.MyOptimalHeathSolutions.com That's our new website above, check it out! POST-DIAGNOSIS
SUPPORT PROGRAM AN
8-PART TELECLASS SERIES Over this
8-week intensive, we'll walk through the critical steps necessary to
achieve positive and powerful living despite being diagnosed with a
chronic illness. You will: ·
Have a chance to see that you’re not alone, ·
Find comfort in the discovery that others have
the same difficulties that you do, ·
Learn about both unique and similar perspectives
to your own, ·
Decide how you can make the transition from
denial to acceptance, ·
Be invited to approach life in a way that will
enable you to transform your outlook from uncertainty to hope, ·
Create a healthy emotional foundation so that you
can shift from reactive to proactive living, ·
Learn tried and true
strategies to be empowered to take control of your life. This is an
opportunity to break down the anxieties and the isolation that
are inherent for many who live with chronic illness.
RESERVE YOUR
SPACE! All sessions are on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 pm (Eastern/NY time) This series will be limited to ONLY 6 participants so register NOW by emailing postdiagnosis@changingpaces.com with “Sign Me Up” in the subject line OR call 905-967-3014.
The
next series will start in JUNE.
Email
me today to add your name to the waiting
list. Cost: If you're ready to move past the
trauma of your diagnosis and through the steps to finding your optimal
health, then email
me NOW and we'll travel that
journey together. |
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FEATURE ARTICLE |
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FIBROMYALGIA, TOOLS FOR SURVIVAL By Kristy Haugen Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition categorized as a form of arthritis. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, headaches, painful menstrual periods, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, morning stiffness, multiple tender points on the body, and sleep difficulty. Common sites of pain include the back, shoulders, neck, pelvic girdle, and hands but any body part may be affected. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. However, many factors can contribute to fibromyalgia. Researchers believe that disturbances in sleep patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia rather than a symptom. Viral or bacterial infections may also be a trigger. Injury or trauma that affects the central nervous system may be a cause of fibromyalgia. An imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may also be a cause of fibromyalgia. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter that researchers believe is linked to cause fibromyalgia along with depression, migraines, and gastrointestinal distress. Abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system may be a cause of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia may also be caused by changes in muscle metabolism such as deconditioning and decreased blood flow. Fibromyalgia affects people in early and middle adulthood but can affect children as well. Those affected by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop fibromyalgia. A family history of fibromyalgia also increases the chance of developing this disorder. Those with sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not a progressive or life threatening disease. The symptoms of fibromyalgia vary in intensity. There are many treatments that can improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Certain medications can treat the pain involved with fibromyalgia. Certain analgesics used to treat fibromyalgia include: acetaminophen, NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and Ultram (Tramadol). These medications may be used in conjunction with each other for better pain relief. However, Ultram must be prescribed by a physician while NSAID’s (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are available over the counter. Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat fibromyalgia. Such antidepressant medications that may be prescribed include: Pamelor, Elavil, Doxepin, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. These medications may be prescribed in conjunction with each other. These medications treat serotonin levels in the brain and may also promote sleep. Those affected with muscle pain and spasms may need to take a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril at bedtime. Your doctor may also prescribe a benzodiazepine to promote sleep and help relax muscles. Certain sleep medications such as Ambien are classified as a benzodiazepine. However, these medications are not recommended for long term use because of the increased risk of dependence. Your doctor may help you to create a unique treatment program involving cognitive-behavioral therapy and an interdisciplinary program. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves teaching patients to deal with stressful situations. Interdisciplinary treatment programs may involve relaxation techniques, biofeedback, and education regarding chronic pain. Self care is also very important in treating fibromyalgia. Self care includes reducing stress, achieving adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. There are also alternative therapies that might help alleviate the stress and pain associated with fibromyalgia. These therapies include chiropractic care, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, acupressure, physical therapy, light aerobics, aromatherapy, herbs, nutritional supplements, myofascial release therapy, application of heat/cold, and acupuncture. Visiting a doctor of osteopathy may be beneficial for treating fibromyalgia. Doctors of osteopathy are licensed to perform the same therapies and procedures as medical doctors but are also taught the use of manipulation to address joint and spinal problems. A doctor of osteopathy may be more apt to see the subtle signs of fibromyalgia. There is no cure for fibromyalgia yet, but hope is on the horizon. The fibromyalgia patient has many resources to help deal with this disorder such as support groups, organizations, and medical professionals to help improve your quality of life. Fibromyalgia is not life threatening and treatments tend to improve the severity of the symptoms over time. There are many tools that the fibromyalgia sufferer can use to become a fibromyalgia survivor! Copyright 2006 Kristy Haugen About The Author
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FEEDBACK FORUM |
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"It is nice to know that you
share in my joys, my frustrations, my wins and my overall future
success. The accountability mixed in with the collaboration between a
client and coach is invaluable."
"Before you started coaching me, I felt that I was up against a brick wall that I couldn’t go through or over. My life was stagnant and I just couldn’t get myself motivated to do anything. I had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety attacks and had lost all confidence in myself. You motivated me to extend myself, and encouraged me to do things and commit myself to improve my life. I think everyone should have a coach. You helped give my life clarity and substance and helped me grow into someone I actually like. I owe you so much! I can't thank you enough for the help and encouragement you have given me. My world has really turned out so much better than I could ever imagine. I actually say I feel really happy. Thank you for being there Trish - you are a great blessing. I know you coming into my life was Devine intervention. God Bless." SM is a freelance writer living with anxiety and depression. |
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CHUCKLES TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY |
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TRY
"THE WAX" My
night began as any other normal weekday night. Come home; fix dinner;
played with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully
in my mind for the next few hours; "Maybe I should pull the wax out
of the medicine cabinet?" So I
headed to the site of my demise; the bathroom. It was one of those cold
wax kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips
together in your hands. When they get warm you peel them apart and press
one to your leg (or wherever else) and hair comes right off! No
mess, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm no girly, girl, but I am
mechanically inclined enough that I can figure it out. *YA THINK!!!* OK... So it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this!!! Hair removal no longer eludes me!! I am She-Ra, fighter of all wayward body hair and smooth skin extraordinaire!! RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!! I'm Blind!!!!! Blinded from pain!!!!!!... OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the hair?? WHERE IS THE WAX? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair... The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. S**T!!! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake… Remember, my foot is still propped up on the toilet. I know I need to do something, so I put my foot down. DAMN!!! I hear the slamming of the cell door. Vagina?
Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!!! I penguin walk around the bathroom,
trying to figure out what to do and think to myself, "Please don't
let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off." Hot
water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand
into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax covered bits and the wax
should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right?? *WRONG!!!!* I get
in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture
prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit.
Now, the only thing worse than having your nether businesses
glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the
bottom of the tub. In
scalding hot water!! Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub!!! God bless the
man who convinced me I should have a phone in the bathroom!!! I call my
friend, thinking surely she's waxed before and has some secret of how to
get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter, "So my butt and
who-ha are stuck to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight
pause. She doesn't have a secret trick, but does try to hide the
laughter from me. She
wants to know exactly where the wax is located on my bottom, "Are
we talking cheeks or hole or what?" Right!!!!!!
I would be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various
solutions, I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels
better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut,
stuck to the tub in super hot water, and then dry shaving the sticky wax
off!!! By now,
the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major knock and I slip
into glazed donut land. My friend is still talking with me and my hand
reaches towards the saving grace... The lotion they give you to remove
the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub
some on and OH MY GOD!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids, scared the
dickens out of my friend, but I really don't care!! “IT
WORKS!! IT WORKS!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend
and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and
then notice, to my grief and despair... THE HAIR IS STILL THERE... ALL
OF IT!!!!!!!!!!! So, I shaved it off. Heck, I'm numb at this point. Next
week I'm going to try hair colour... |
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FR~EE RESOURCES |
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WORDS TO CONSIDER |
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"We become what we repeatedly do." -- Aristotle "You are what you think about all day long." -- Dr. Robert Schuller "Change your thoughts and you change your world." -- Norman Vincent Peale "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind!" -- William James |
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ABOUT THE EDITOR |
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Trish Robichaud is a Maximum Life Coach who lives with major depression and multiple sclerosis. Her passion is helping people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability. Through the process of coaching, she takes her clients from an overwhelmed existence to a comfortably-paced lifestyle. Trish facilitates TeleClasses and a monthly TeleSupport Group at no charge to participants as well as publishes a free monthly electronic newsletter. Her services also include Disability Awareness Coaching for organizations through interactive experiential workshops. Her background is in business with training and extensive experience in support counseling and life skills facilitation. Together with her vast experience advocating for people with disabilities, her success with her own personal journey makes her ideally suited to coaching others through their life, health and vocational transitions. She can be found on the web at www.ChangingPaces.com. |
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© 2003-2006 Trish Robichaud, All rights reserved |
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