Appreciating Life With Dystonia

Looking back, I can't believe all that I did before I received my Botox treatments 6 years ago...before I even knew I had Dystonia. I sometimes glance at photos and cringe as I focus on how tilted my head was. I can actually feel the pain I was in, as if it was just yesterday. What still baffles me is that not many people noticed the odd positions my neck was in. They tell me that they only knew I was in pain because my hand was always touching my neck and rubbing my neck all the time. All you Dystonians know the miracle of that "sensory trick". I still find it so amazing how that with one slight touch of my hand I can calm my muscles...well, at least for moments at a time.

Dystonia is a horrific disease that causes physical, mental and emotional pain. I want nothing more than a cure to be found, just like all of you do. There are moments I try to think of all the trauma that I've been through in my life...bumping my head, falling off a horse, car accident, etc...trying to come up of reasons why or how this could have happened to me. Then I stop and think of the little ones who developed Dystonia, who hadn't had the chance for any traumatic injuries to happen to them, why did Dystonia happen to them? I become exhausted thinking of reasons why and trying to research everything that was posted on the internet from doctors, hospitals, and clinics.

So, what do I do on a daily basis? I appreciate the life that I have. I appreciate waking up in the morning, hearing my husbands and son's voices, and having my cup of coffee.  I've learned to adjust or eliminate the people or activities that are not working for me anymore, and have learned to bring peace and joy into my life. I appreciate things that I see (faces of family, friends, blue sunny skies, and bright colors of flowers) and don't worry about the things that I can't do (certain yoga poses, lifting weights/heavy objects). I also make it a habit to push myself to do anything or everything on the days/weeks I'm feeling really good. On the days I'm not feeling too well or I'm extremely tired, I've learned to use those moments for reading or meditating.

What things do you do to make your days more comfortable, happier or exciting?

Something New Happening

A couple of months ago, while propping my head up on my pillows and watching television in bed, the muscles in the front side of my neck spammed! It was such an uncomfortable feeling, like someone was literally squeezing my neck, but not painful. As soon as I lifted my neck up and grabbed it with my hand, the spasms stopped!!!!

Some time later I was lying in bed and gave a long stretch, my head was tucked towards my chest, and the same exact thing happened. I immediately stopped, pulled my head straight up and grabbed it with my hand...and the spasm stopped.

Being conscious that this happened when I stretch or move my neck towards my chest to tight, I haven't had any spasms.  Until last night. My head was propped up on my pillows, watching television in bed, and my neck spammed so badly that I was actually in tears afterwards.  Not from the pain, but wondering why this is happening.  I wasn't stretching at all this time. This spasm was so bad that I can actually feel the muscle press against my throat. Again, not painful, just uncomfortable.

This morning the muscles in the front my neck are very sore.  I'm going to stretch and do yoga and meditation this morning.

Has anyone else had this experience, I never had the muscles in the front of my neck spasm in all the years I've had cervical dystonia.  I only get pulls from muscles on the sides of my neck and twitches.

Fusion Academy Health Fair Event

I met wonderful people last night who are all into health awareness!













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Healthy Start to any Morning

Strawberries, blueberries and carrots!


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Morning Meditation and Yoga

It's so important to love and take care of yourself, not only physically, but mentally also. Daily routines can take up so much space, so it's important to create time for you! Sometimes I'm filled with energy, and sometimes I need motivation? I create a silly little set up around my yoga mat that creates a mood for me to stay on that mat as long as I possibly can.

What motivates you to spends time alone with yourself? One of my clients said, "A cup of coffee!" She psychs herself up to walk every weekend, because she knows there's a coffee waiting for her at the coffee shop she walks to.

This is my technique...River rocks I collected from upstate while tubing, Chrystal's I bought while shopping in a village with my best friend, a candle holder from my sister that has a cute sister poem on it, and my Buddha head that made me smile at Home Goods.



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Low Bload Sugar Effects My Dystonic Tremors In My Hands

Don't look at my horrendous manicure!!!! I took this video to show you how my Dystonic tremors are effected by my low blood sugar.  I waited too long to eat this morning, and after a cup of coffee, my blood sugar dropped and the caffeine kicked in at the same time.

This is why I post a lot about picking healthier choices when it comes to foods.  There are so many things we can add or take away from our foods in order to prevent more spasms and tremors that we already have going on with Dystonia. It's not joke! Start taking your health seriously.  Less sugar, less caffeine, less carbs, and more water, vitamins and healthy eats!!!!!!!

Ditch The Tortilla!!!!

Healthier choice is to ditch the tortilla, use light sour cream and chopped turkey meat instead of beef. Put everything on a romaine leaf....and enjoy!




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