Returning to a full life - help!?

[Burners]

Hi all

I have an executive job, first illness struck very late Jan. I've quit drinking, smoking and doing what I can to rest.

But dying for some tips: I'm desperate to be back to work more predictably and wondered if anyone had any staggering tips, and am also dying to get back to exercise like yoga.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

[Daver19021958]

Hi, You haven’t mentioned what your diagnosis was ie Bacterial or Viral Meningitis. Either way the illness is significant and time and rest are the key to recovery. In the meantime you are making healthy lifestyle changes which are always helpful. I was advised not to undertake strenuous exercise for a few months but found walking was very therapeutic and as I had a fitness watch I could measure progress. Are you under the care of a Neurologist as you should take their guidance regarding pain medication for headaches. You may want to do more right now but patience is a virtue and you will need a lot of it as the illness takes time to recover from. In regard to being back at work you should not over do it and my experience was to have shorter days and to take leave when you are fatiguing as not resting will prolong your recovery. Hope this helps. Take care. Dave

[Seacalm]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with viral meningitis in February 2018. After 11 weeks of being in constant pain with severe headaches, nunbness, fatigue, nausea and insomnia I have found the following really helpful in my recovery. Like you I am desperate to get back to exercise like Pilates and yoga but at present a short walk is more than enough.

Mindfulness meditation is very helpful in helping to accept pain and recognising how we react to it. Sometimes we think about wanting to be where we were before we were ill, worrying about when we will get back to work. If we can find acceptance in the present moment this may help reduce pain and suffering. It also helps teach us to pace ourselves in recovery. Writing a diary of all your activities for 7 days will help you see what you can do now and what affects your symptoms. By gradually pacing yourself you may help yourself recover without overdoing it too soon. Recovery can be slow so finding some acceptance and pacing may help reduce frustration and the desire to over do it!!

Being kind to yourself everyday and rememerbing what doesn't hurt takes the focus away from the pain. Writing a gratitude diary everyday noticing 3 to 5 things you have noticed you feel greatful for boosts positive emotions. Thinking positively everyday may also assist in recovery.

I have also found taking magnesium and B12 helpful for my headaches, pins and needdles and numbness.

Accepting now can be difficult especially when we are in pain, worrying about getting back to work, being a normal parent again and being able to exercise. But acceptance through mindfulness meditation may help ensure you don't over do it to soon 'boom or bust' so that when your body is ready you will understand it more and know your limitations.

We only breathe today so focusing on that through meditation may help you be more present and less wanting to do things. Just being especially when recovering from an illness may help your find peace and allow your body to recover. Wanting to do things you may not be ready for may impact recovery.

[Lippistix in reply to Seacalm]

Hello, You can find my 28 year old daughter, Rosie S' Story, via the link on the forum stories from the home page.

We found that cranial massage worked wonders for her. Her job is working with horses on pretty much a daily basis and is very physically demanding.

It is rare for a story to be so positive and we have tried to let people know that this amazing complementary therapy worked for her. It helps release the spinal fluid which VM leaves a blockage for. Rosie is pretty much cured after around 10 sessions coupled with actupuncture, although found awesome relief after only one appointment. She is now free of all pain killers and antidepressants and feels right back to her old self.

We can only let you know what worked for her. It's not for all, but has now given amazing relief for many. It seems the success could be to do with the skill of the cranial osteopath you use. So it is important to find out the osteopaths credentials and experience in this specialised field particularly dealing with VM sufferers, if you can. (Not all osteopaths realise that this helps VM sufferers, it is often carried out on young babies with birthing problems). You need an osteopath and not a therapist who mearly has some training in cranial massage.

If you find you are getting the violent headaches and feeling lethargic and depressed after a few weeks, give this complementary therapy a go, it really could be worth it and save you being on prescribed drugs, along with months, years, of unnecessary suffering.

Kind wishes and best of luck

[Lippistix]

Hello, You can find my 28 year old daughter, Rosie S' Story, via the link on the forum stories from the home page.

We found that cranial massage worked wonders for her. Her job is working with horses on pretty much a daily basis and is very physically demanding.

It is rare for a story to be so positive and we have tried to let people know that this amazing complementary therapy worked for her. It helps release the spinal fluid which VM leaves a blockage for. Rosie is pretty much cured after around 10 sessions coupled with actupuncture, although found awesome relief after only one appointment. She is now free of all pain killers and antidepressants and feels right back to her old self.

We can only let you know what worked for her. It's not for all, but has now given amazing relief for many. It seems the success could be to do with the skill of the cranial osteopath you use. So it is important to find out the osteopaths credentials and experience in this specialised field particularly dealing with VM sufferers, if you can. (Not all osteopaths realise that this helps VM sufferers, it is often carried out on young babies with birthing problems). You need an osteopath and not a therapist who mearly has some training in cranial massage.

If you find you are getting the violent headaches and feeling lethargic and depressed after a few weeks, give this complementary therapy a go, it really could be worth it and save you being on prescribed drugs, along with months, years, of unnecessary suffering.

Kind wishes and best of luck