The value of a support group

I know many people who would love to go to a local support group, but there either isn't one in your area or you are not well enough to attend. This is the beauty of online support groups. However, if you are well enough to get out and go to a support group, please consider one. The human interaction can do wonders! Join one even if it is not for the health condition you live with. Before writing off this idea, please read about my experience going to a support group for a condition I do not have and how it has been of benefit.

Over a year ago, I was having lunch with a friend who has dystonia and someone we had both just met who has essential tremor (ET), a sister movement disorder. That day we learned about a local essential tremor group that meets monthly. Even though I don't have ET, I went to the meeting to support my friend since this was his maiden voyage and he was nervous.

Since I have dystonia without a tremor unless I force my head the way it does not want to turn, I felt like a fish out of water when I first walked into the room. I wasn’t sure I would be welcomed since I had a different condition, even though dystonia and essential tremor are relatives in the movement disorder family.

My concerns went out the window when I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone was so friendly and curious to learn more about me, my condition, and how I manage my daily challenges. What we all discovered is that even though we have a different condition, we share so many similarities in our personal lives, primarily those that affect us psychologically, emotionally, and socially. Below is a picture of some of the group regulars.

Some of the members have very pronounced symptoms, while others are only noticeable at certain times. Regardless, everyone lives with one or more of the following: anxiety, fear, social phobia, shame, guilt, anger, frustration about poor medical care, and of course frustration with daily living by not being able to do tasks that were once so simple. They also have incredible empathy, compassion, and kindness… the qualities I admire most!

We meet once a month and the number of attendees run from about 3 to 15 people. It is such a nice time for us to share what we experience on a daily basis, information about medical advancements, personal stories, and sometimes nothing even related to our health issues; just fun conversations in a safe place. Everyone has a different protocol of treatments, all with varying results. Everyone is eager to learn and excited to be among those who understand. These meetings allow us to let go, where all of our “problems” no longer exist.

Communicating online is of course wonderful, but to hear a voice, see an expression, give and receive a real hug, among many other things, is very healing. Please look into various support groups in your area and if you are well enough to attend, please take advantage and get to know the many wonderful people in your area who are just like you.

Please also consider one of the many support group meetings that the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation holds all over the country. Click on this link for upcoming events and meetings. If you are in the Nashville, TN area on September 27th or would like to visit that fun city, I will be speaking at a dystonia meeting along with Dr. David Charles from Vanderbilt University. The details are below. This is a free meeting and anyone can attend. Registration is online, but walk-ins are also welcome. I would love to meet many of you in person so I hope you are able to attend!

Remember that September is Dystonia Awareness Month! If you would like to learn what you can do to help, please contact the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation by phone at 800-377-3978 or by email at dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org. Also, in honor of Dystonia Awareness Month, I am offering a 20% discount off my book, Diagnosis Dystonia: Navigating the Journey. Please use the coupon code AWARE at checkout. Pick up a copy for yourself, or get a few copies for your loved ones and doctors. Thank you for your support in helping make dystonia a household name!

Tom Seaman is a Certified Professional Life Coach in the area of health and wellness, and author of the book, Diagnosis Dystonia: Navigating the Journey, a comprehensive resource for anyone suffering with any life challenge. He is also a motivational speaker, chronic pain and dystonia awareness advocate, health blogger, and volunteers for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) as a support group leader, for WEGO Health as a patient expert panelist, and is a member and writer for Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. To learn more about Tom’s coaching practice and get a copy of his book, visit www.tomseamancoaching.com. Follow him on Twitter @Dystoniabook1 and Instagram

Water soluble CBD review

I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced or paid by the company.

As many of you know, I live with chronic pain from a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. It is a condition where muscles in the body (in my case, the neck, shoulders, and back) involuntarily contract, causing awkward movements and postures. For most of us with dystonia, pain is the most common symptom, so I am always on the lookout for anything that can give me and others relief. When it comes to things I ingest, my preference is to go the natural route before medical, but I use a combination of both. In recent months, CBD products have been of interest to me.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, the non-addictive compound found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, often known as hemp. The other well-known compound in cannabis is THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the principal psychoactive, potentially addictive element. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high.” Both compounds have been shown to relieve many health problems.

As a member of Chronic Illness Bloggers, a network of bloggers focused on chronic illness, I was asked to review BioCBD+™ Total Body Care, made by BioCBD+™, and share my experience. BioCBD+™ Total Body Care is an all natural, water soluble source of CBD, plus Ayurvedic herbs. It is vegan, pesticide free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contains no soy, nuts, added sugar, or artificial coloring or flavoring. BioCBD+™ Total Body Care is also cGMP certified (the highest certification possible in the nutrition supplement industry), which is an added bonus for me as a consumer. On their website, they provide a certificate of analysis for all of their products so you can see their exact ingredients.

Unlike most other CBD formulations on the market (oil drops, sprays, and topical lotions), BioCBD+™Total Body Care is a capsule just like a typical supplement. The company claims that their water soluble CBD makes the cannabinoids, terpenes, magnesium, and turmeric (curcumin) 5 times more bioavailable (more easily absorbed) than their oil-based competition. According to their website, tests show that 10 mg of BioCBD+™ Total Body Care is the equivalent of taking 50 mg or more of oil-based CBD.

The suggested dose is 1-3 capsules a day, up to 6 capsules. Each capsule has 10 mg of organic European grown hemp CBD, plus Ayurvedic herbs. I began with 1 capsule once a day and increased to 3 a day over the course of a week (2 in the morning and 1 in the evening). I was not noticing any changes at one or two capsules a day. A couple days after increasing to 3 capsules a day, I felt more relaxed with a moderate reduction in pain. At times, I found myself feeling drowsy. If I did not keep active, I felt like taking a nap.

While I noticed a decrease in pain, there was no marked improvement, although I did feel better. Since I had on a few occasions succumbed to less activity because of the drowsiness, that further helped reduce my pain. I continued taking 3 capsules per day, but chose to take only 1 in the morning and 2 in the evening closer to my bedtime so I could be more productive during the day and relax before bed.

When I made this change, pain relief remained consistent, my mind remained calm, and I was less drowsy. I felt more grounded with greater clarity. It reminds me of how I feel after a good massage or acupuncture treatment where I feel a greater sense of calm wakefulness. It was subtle, but I felt less of an edge.

The biggest difference I noticed was with tendonitis in my elbow. It was not bothering me near as much after taking it. This is a big positive, because there were days it was so bad that just shaking someone’s hand would cause screaming pain.

I encourage you to check out their website to learn more about this product and the others they have. It is different from other products I have tried in terms of its formulation, so it may very well be just what you are looking for in a CBD product. The website is also packed with helpful information about CBD and how it works. The company prides itself on customer satisfaction, so if you are not completely satisfied, they offer a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee.

Tom Seaman is a Certified Professional Life Coach in the area of health and wellness, and author of the book, Diagnosis Dystonia: Navigating the Journey, a comprehensive resource for anyone suffering with any life challenge. He is also a motivational speaker, chronic pain and dystonia awareness advocate, health blogger, and volunteers for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) as a support group leader, for WEGO Health as a patient expert panelist, and is a member and writer for Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. To learn more about Tom’s coaching practice and get a copy of his book, visit www.tomseamancoaching.com. Follow him on Twitter @Dystoniabook1 and Instagram

Post Traumatic Growth

We often hear the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event. PTSD is commonly used in context of military personnel returning from active duty, but it applies to anyone who has faced traumatic events such as sexual or physical assault, an acute or chronic health condition, natural disasters, the unexpected death of a loved one, or an accident.

Most people who experience a traumatic event will have reactions that may include shock, anger, nervousness, fear, and even guilt. These reactions are normal and for most people go away over time. For a person with PTSD, however, feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror continue and may even increase, becoming so strong that they keep the person from living a fulfilling life. Some people with health conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, chronic pain, and many others experience PTSD.

A term we hear far less about, if at all, is called Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). PTG refers to people who become stronger and create a more meaningful life in the wake of tragedy or trauma. They don’t just bounce back, which is resilience; they bounce higher than they ever did before.

PTG is characterized by people changing their views of themselves, such as an increased sense of strength; “If I lived through that, I can face anything.” They tend to show more gratitude and have greater acceptance of their vulnerabilities and limitations, and also develop a sense that new opportunities have emerged from their struggle. Relationships are enhanced; people come to value their friends and family more, feel an increased sense of compassion for others and a longing for more intimate relationships.

They can also experience an increased sense of connection to others who suffer, which is evident in the support groups many of us belong to where we find great empathy and compassion. They gain a greater appreciation for life in general, finding a fresh, positive outlook each day; they re-evaluate what really matters in life, become less materialistic, and are better able to live in the present. Another common feature is a change or deepening in spiritual beliefs.

I was never diagnosed with PTSD, but I lived through periods of intense fear, anger, desperation, and hopelessness after experiencing a dramatic shift in my life due to chronic pain from dystonia. Having worked through a lot of these emotions over the years, I have seen a significant amount of growth.

I appreciate many things I once took for granted. I realize how fragile life is and how it should be honored by treating ourselves and others with love and respect. I have a much deeper appreciation for people who struggle with life challenges. I have come to better understand the meaning of loss which has increased my ability to live in gratitude. I have also found greater meaning to my life and feel a deeper spiritual connection.

HOWEVER, I had to get past my anger and open myself up to opportunities, which took time. I needed to grieve for the life I lost. Once I did, I saw things very differently and began behaving in more positive ways. The key was not being so stubborn and peeking outside my box of comfort and seeing the life I could create for myself, all the while still living with chronic pain and dystonia.

Any life challenge can truly be a source of growth for all of us in ways we probably never imagined, and research has shown that in the face of great challenges, significant human and spiritual growth can occur. In order for it to take place, it is crucial that we are open to the possibilities that lie within our “misfortune.” We must abandon hatred and anger, for it will only worsen the pain we feel, preventing us from any kind of growth. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and reach a higher level of well being.

Tom Seaman is a Certified Professional Life Coach in the area of health and wellness, and author of the book, Diagnosis Dystonia: Navigating the Journey, a comprehensive resource for anyone suffering with any life challenge. He is also a motivational speaker, chronic pain and dystonia awareness advocate, health blogger, and volunteers for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) as a support group leader, for WEGO Health as a patient expert panelist, and is a member and writer for Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. To learn more about Tom’s coaching practice and get a copy of his book, visit www.tomseamancoaching.com. Follow him on Twitter @Dystoniabook1 and Instagram