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• March 15, 2008 10:35 p.m.

  Feelings of stress can be very powerful but I believe the power of the mind is even more powerful. Jaleh Donaldson Author, Life's Little How To Book

  - Jaleh Donaldson

• March 10, 2008 11:13 a.m.

  I am not aware of a device called a "stress eraser." But am very open to learn from others who may know of this instrument. Thank you for asking about it.

  - Dr. Ed Creagan

• March 9, 2008 11:45 p.m.

  Has anyone here ever heard of a little gadget called the Stress Eraser? It supposedly provides biofeedback to prompt the user to alter his/her breathing and shows the progress/changes on screen. Is this something worth investigating and purchasing? Has anyone here used it? What are its limitations? Thanks!

  - Cathy

• February 27, 2008 1:12 p.m.

  I`ve had health problems all my life.In H. S. became bedridden.Lumbar had two "tangerines".parents took me to doctors with no real luck.Parents were poor & couldn`t afford to take me anywhere else. Gov. told them to not even try to get disability for me. All "friends" departed Completely. I`m 46 now& both parents have died.Wish I had a support group & money like all the people who judge me. Don`t know what I`ll do. Just search& pray& hope a miracle comes before I`m on the street or dead. Hanging in there Just Barely.Does anyone have any non-critical words of wisdom? Been hanging in there, but at the end of my rope. P. S. Thanks for letting me have a voice! That alone alone has been Very therapeutic! God bless!

  - No name given

• February 27, 2008 12:56 p.m.

  I`ve written before. Just wanted to add one thing. Thanks for letting me have a voice. That alone has been very therapeutic.God bless!

  - No name given

• February 27, 2008 9:23 a.m.

  I`ve had health problem since elementary school("arthritic symptoms, chronic sinus infections, long 2 year bout of kidney infection,& seizures.)When I was in H.S. I became bed ridden.Someone said my sacroiliac joints were swollen up hard,"like tangerines". My parents took me to a couple ofdoctors. 1 said he`d think it was arthritis,but "you`re too young for that." other said fibromyalgia& arthritis,but couldn`t say which form.Also"there`s nothing that can be done for it, anyway."Parents were poor& couldn`t take me anywhere else. Gov. person told them don`t even try to get her disability.All"friends" departed COMPLETELY.I`m now 46-last parent has died.Wish I had a support group& money like all the people who judge me.Don`t know what I`ll do.Just search& pray& hope a miracle comes before I`m on the street or dead.Hanging in there JUST BARELY. Does anyone have some non-critical words of wisdom? Been hanging in there,but

  - No name given

• February 9, 2008 6:53 a.m.

  I just saw an inspiring video regarding stress which I encourage others to watch. It has helped me and my family to better focus on our health. http://www.thehealingwithin.org/

  - julia windsor

• February 5, 2008 6:36 p.m.

  Stress? I have subglottic stenosis and sure would like to talk to others who have this condition. I've had 3 surgeries for this so far. It is terrible being so short of breath. Mine is idiopathic, no know cause. So frustrating!

  - C

• January 30, 2008 6:44 p.m.

  I had so many of these symptoms, I went to a homeopathic approach and it has worked. I take Shaklee supplements because I did my research and they were the best and with the most clinical research studies on their products. I take lots of B vitamins and protein, they also have a product called 'moodlift complex' that is great and "Nutriferon". It's worth your health to check into it. They have thousands of testimonies and have been around for over 50 years.

  - L.MCKEAN

• January 30, 2008 1:41 p.m.

  I've been diagnosed with Essential Tremor, mostly in my hands and head, and it's getting worse. I've been taking vitamin B-2 which seems to help a little. Has anyone found something that helps? Between the tremor and the arthritis in my hands some tasks are becoming almost impossible.

  - Linda

• January 30, 2008 1:38 p.m.

  I would appear to have a stress-free life. My husband and I are retired and are living comfortably (so far.) My problem is that the least bit of tension gives me extraordinary muscle pain, most often in my neck/head/shoulders. Once it begins, it's hard to stop. I've tried chiropractic care, massage, yoga, breathing. Does anyone have a suggestion?

  - Frances

• January 8, 2008 7:18 p.m.

  I have peripheral neuropathy diagnosed 2001 and arthritis every part of my body I,amo n pain killers Lyrica, Norspan but still have pain, possitive thinking helps and I do enjoy life.

  - Margarita

• January 5, 2008 7:23 p.m.

  Ya! I agree with all. Stress is scary and with some people it is a day and night companion. Whenever feel stressed chant some mantra. Meditate for even minutes wherever you are greatly helps alot. Go and pray. You will find solace. Think of some greener and bright things. Help yourself with a glass of lukewarm water. You are normal than any other individual. What I feel is if one is not having stress in life, life is vapid, dull and offcourse without a spark. Go and think! Are you not stressed? Why? Something wrong with you. Just kidding and make you smile for even a moment is enough for me. It keeps me stress free for moments when I make others smile. Say cheese!

  - Shazia Jamshed

• December 9, 2007 3:20 a.m.

  music is the best stress buster. watching children and playing with them does a great deal too.

  - No name given

• December 5, 2007 12:27 p.m.

  I am confused and scared. I have psoriatic arthritis and was on Enbrel and metho injections 3 times a week, but have stopped. I got freaked about the amount of meds I was taking and am just trying to get by with aspirin. I also just found out that I have 50% stenosis in one of the arteries of my heart, which we are going to deal with by life-style changes before we consider surgery. I am 56, smoke too much, so that is going to go. I have been under unbelievable stress for at least the past 10 years, I work in a hospital, so the stress there is off the scale, toss in my boys growing up and leaving home, the death of my parents, menopause, financial worries and chronic fatigue and quite possibly depression and I just don't know what to do. I will do what my doctors tell me, of course, but I seem to have lost the ability to relax. I go for my annual in just a few days. Are there some extra test I should request? I just never feel good anymore and life doesn't hold much happiness for me.

  - Linda

• December 5, 2007 8:14 a.m.

  L.G. I too have Fibro, there is really no specialist they try many meds to help with pain fatigue ect but this is more of a situation you have to learn to cope with. I cannot take the meds because they zone me out and I really had no life, So I take B-complex Co-Q10 walk if you can but exersize is not always easy with fibro water therepy is best, and nap if I need to and after time you level out I have had this 7 years, and I do some things I used to but cant do circles around even myself, I am 48 it was hard to realize I was not dependable anymore I had to even leave my job, and am on disability now with a child. It will get better, keep a positive attitude, and be your own best doctor. I am in CT I find humidity, dampness of anykind rain snow is horrible and extreme temps too, barometric pressure plays a roll in how you feel as well. Dont give up stay focused best you can find things you can do, sleep when you can even a nap helps. best to you, my fellow fibro sister! C.C.

  - cc

• November 30, 2007 7:35 p.m.

  A question. I was recently diagnosed iwth an autoimmmune disease. I had been through 4 very stressful years, but since I also was not sick ONCE during that time, I figured I must be doing ok. After I got this diagnosis a friend commented, "Well, sure, your adrenaline was working overtime - and that upset your immune system. How much truth is there to that statement? I'm interested in hearing from professionals - not just opinions from lay people. I'm wondering about the biology/chemistry of that.

  - No name given

• November 28, 2007 12:44 p.m.

  I would encourage anyone with symptoms of depression, chronic fatigue, or other "we-can't-figure-out-what's-troubling-you" issues, to investigate ADRENAL FATIGUE. A highly mis-diagnosed problem (no specific tests, doesn't "fit in" Western medicine, etc.). My GP was great - eliminating heart problems, breast cancer recurrence, thyroid, but when she diagnosed clinical depression, I definitely knew it wasn't so (have had in past). So I saw my naturopath. It was simple and obvious from his non-Western view... adrenal gland fatigue from 3 years of continuing stresses... they just get too pooped and can't catch up. They are VERY important to our health and wellness. I'm now taking a high quality (MediHerb, Australia) supplement - astragalus & eleutherococcus, and I can't believe the difference already... clearer thinking, patience, reduced chest constrictions, feeling "settled," much more. Google it, check it out on sites that are credible and not selling an

  - Linda

• November 24, 2007 5:10 p.m.

  I will be 64 tomorow (11-25-07). Happy Birthday to me, except for the fact that I never expected to be in this situation. I have always been a hard working, independent woman. I have never asked for help, but am always the first one to offer a hand to family and friends. I find myself diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and am undergoing tests currently with a neurologist. I suffer with chronic muscle pain and for the past year or more, now have pain in my bones as well. I once was a "ball of fire" working circles around everyone, now, I can hardly keep up with chores around the house. I am not depressed by nature, but these health developments are wearing me down. Sleep eludes me due to pain. Is there anyone out there familiar with a doctor that specializes in fibromyalgia? I live in the central Florida area. Thanks, L.G.

  - L.G.

• November 21, 2007 11:31 a.m.

  I have Wegener's Granulomatosis. I'm scared and sad. My youngest, 20yrs is mad. My husband is almost out of his mind with worry about me. I am very, very happy to have a family that is supportive. I have a biopsyy 12-3-07. Life is joyful for me--five kids, and many friends who keep my chin up. Very best wishes for all.

  - Laura

• November 19, 2007 1:31 p.m.

  Hi Kat, I can relate very well, to what your friend is going thru. I'm divorced, kids grown and I have 2 grandchildren. I do not see my own kids,nor my grandkids. I love coffee and I smoke alot. And I am on anti-depressants too. At one point I was having a metallic taste in my mouth, it was horrible. My DR. said it was from one of the meds I was on. Have your friend ask her Dr about it. Sometimes, the medication can interfer with the fillings in your teeth. To create that taste. I cannot remmeber which med I was on at that time. But please have her check with her Dr. I hope I've helped a little bit.

  - deb

• November 10, 2007 5:45 p.m.

  Hello to All Stress boy do I know what it is I have been living with it for longer then I care to remember...really I have general anxiety so its a daily stuggle for me, at times it really makes my life quite miserable. What do I do to deal with it, for me there's no magic wand or pill, at 51 years of age I dont expect any miracles with stress in my life, but I do manage to have somewhat of a healthy life...my case is a chronic one dont want to scare anybody here. If I could give a piece of advice it would be this, learn to brake the cycle by doing what works for you. Try to choose yourself's every morning when you wake up, meaning your the most important person for yourself and dont forget the basic's eat sleap have people around you who truly care that you can talk to (not only one person) share the good days as you do with the less good ones. Fair Winds Mike

  - Mike

• November 6, 2007 8:13 p.m.

  Short note to complete last post. Keep your sense of humor as long and as much as you can, and that means trying to find the goofy humor in you own problems. That saved me for over 25 years and when it went away big ugly black depression was just sitting there like a spider waiting. Losing your ability to laugh at yourself some, even in the worst of times, is too hard. I always found something absurd in what I had or how I reacted to it. I'm working on getting mine back. Please don't think I'm making light of your problems, I have a bunch I haven't even mentioned, I'm on over load too.

  - NJ

• November 6, 2007 8:00 p.m.

  Losing one's resilency is the worst thing in the world. My Mayo Doc calls my immune system a "total train wreck". I got RA at 17 and am now 53, had premature menopause at 31 along w/ Fibro., theres also Celiac Sprue and several other odd things. If it wasn't for the Mayo Clinic in MN, I don't know what I would have done. They've corrected 5 things that had been misdiagnosed in my rural medical health system. If you can find a way to go, when your still sick after running through way too many Docs. I can only go because I'm disabled w/ Medicare. If you can't go, try Mayo online or Merck Manual online. Stay away from stupid sites and go with the known and well respected. This helped me alot, I was about 95% sure I had Celiac when local Docs. said it was ulcers, just from my Mayo research. You have to get in charge of your health care early. But back to resilency, I don't know if I'll ever get it back and I'm one tired, old broad! Much luck to all of you, I've been ther

  - NJ

• November 2, 2007 10:50 a.m.

  I am looking for answers for a friend; she complains of a metallic taste in her mouth, which is often painful and has the feeling of inflammed mouth. She also has no appetite, and drinks alot of coffee and smokes cigarattes habitually. She has a terrible marriage where they sleeep apart in the same house. I think this is stress related, and she is on anti-depressants. Can anyone give me any feedback so I can try to help her. thanks

  - kat