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[Bettyboo]

Hello meno-friends

Question: has anyone tried hypnotherapy CDs and if so, were they are good?

I haven't posted for a while as I've been doing OK recently, even thought meno may be coming to an end  . Main meno-issue is crippling anxiety - health and social and depression, and IBS-type issues brought about by anxiety plus (controlled) palpitations, adrenaline surges and night sweats. I've been working really hard to tackle this, with help of Dr prescribed ADs (escit) plus daily Headspace meditation, Yoga (half hour every day) and focus on good diet, cut out refined sugar (am veggie/vegan). Also recently started the couch to 5k app on my treadmill. So have been coming at this from all sides and to certain extent its worked.

Then, just the other day I had a relapse    Logically, (according to OH who says he only uses logic) this was a one-off incident due to lentils. I won't go into too much detail, but suffice to say there was an 'incident' whilst out walking the dog due to over-consumption previous night of homemade dhal. OK, so it wasn't life-threatening, no one except me and poss OH knew how bad it was and I was within sight on the house, just couldn't get back quick enough. However, now I feel I am going backwards as have started to get the old worries back (which were about this type of thing happening while out, so virtually stopped going anywhere).

I've got a good routine going with all the stuff I just listed but now I'm wondering if hypnotherapy could help this anxiety? I saw the thread discussing 'proper' hypnotherapy but I wondered if anyone had tried hypnotherapy CDs or podcasts? Any good? I saw some on Amazon for IBS, wondered if it was worth a try...

Thanks, BB

[Urbanchick]

I have almost exactly the same issues - and I found couch to 5k a life saver.   I finished in April and than ran a 5k parkrun, I now run 5kish three times a week and have just restarted weekly yoga. 

I was thinking about hypnotherapy to try to cure my crippling health anxiety.  I am able to socialise [in fact that distracts me and often gets rid of a minor attack] but am sick of not being able to 'be in my own head' without morbid thoughts.

Hope somebody has some thoughts on this, as would welcome input.

[Ju Ju]

I have used a couple of hypnotherapy tapes, one by a therapist I saw and one by Paul McKenna on confidence which DH had. What I love is that they help without you really having to concentrate or listen. You find yourself relaxing and time passes quickly. Use one daily as part of your self care, me time. I find it useful on long haul flights near the end. I don't sleep on flights and emerge from the plane feeling yuck, but if I listen to a hypnotherapy cd near the of the flight, I feel energised enough to get through immigration and maybe all the way home. You are told you will feel alert at the end of the recording. If you research for what your needs are I think they could be beneficial, alongside other things you are doing. Go for it!

I feel for you Bettyboo over accidents and urgencies! I too have IBS and have had accidents, so have that fear of it happening when out and about. I now wear a pad if I feel at risk, when going out. It gives me extra time to get to the loo, less cleaning up to do and simply gives me a feeling if security, so I can forget about it. And a rethink on eating dhal! Unless of course you have a bout of constipation maybe!

[Bettyboo]

Thanks Urbanchick and Ju Ju - as always there is someone with the same troubles!

I think I might give the hypnotherapy a try. I do Headspace meditation every day but I do have to 'work' at that. What I'd like is something I can listen to on my phone when in bed, before I go (try to) go to sleep. Honestly, what with the meditating, daily yoga and treadmill I'm spending so much time on 'self-care' I don't know how I find time to do any work.

J-J thanks for your understanding. I had a day out today with OH which was a bit of a nightmare as I was convinced something was going to happen and that made me even more anxious. Also, have started getting the hot flushes/ sweats in the daytime now which does not help me feel any better. I ended up taking a couple of immodium but I hate doing this as I'd almost weaned myself of the habit. J-J would you mind sharing what sort of protection you use (pm me if you prefer).

Thanks

[bramble]

I use Complete Relaxation by Glenn Harrold. Sends me to sleep no bother!

[CLKD]

The advice I would give is not to listen to the CDs whilst driving  .

I have relaxation tapes but it was finding time to listen that was my biggest problem 

When I am travelling I worry about not getting to the Motorway facilities in time, why are they always through the whole complex instead of in the car park  .  I have a pack of wet wipes 'in case'.

It doesn't take long for old habits to return.  When I don't eat properly and I get queasy the phobia returns within moments  .  I have never understood why my brain/gut react to bad memories but not to any happy times I've experienced 

[Ju Ju]

I would look for a hypnotherapy cd specifically for sleep, as at the end of any other recording they end it by telling you are going to feel energetic! Very frustrating if you are gently drifting off! I have been inspired to check some cds for myself for when I can't sleep. Thank you! Playing word games or naming the states of the USA do not cut for me any more! I'll check out brambles suggestion.

I have taken to wearing either a sanitary towel or weak bladder pad, when I feel insecure ( need those at the mo, with all the coughing I have been doing!) I carry clean pants, wet wipes etc in my hand bag. (I had a bag stolen in NY, with my spare stuff inc soiled pants, but no money, cards. Ha, ha!)  I have had problems with incomplete evacuation. Sometimes difficult to get out, but I am determined not to stop doing things I want to do. (Just had to cancel my first physio session for that, which I have had to wait for for months. Have a chest infection) l have a copy of IBS for dummies that suggests wearing adult nappies if you have big problems and have to fly! Never had to resort to that thank goodness, though I have a friend who did have an accident on a flight, poor girl. You'd be surprised how common these problems are. It's just that it's hard to talk about it still.

CLKD you always make me laugh, but not today pleeeease! Haven't got a pad on.........

[Kathleen]

Hello Bettyboo.

I have enormous sympathy for you as the worry about having an accident is guaranteed to get my anxiety going.  I was always told that my troubles were IBS but six years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and a few months later I had what turned out to be my last period. When I was very ill I wore incontinence pads that are sold in chemists, they are like pull up nappies for adults. They were very slim and discreet and I would wear one when out but change back into knickers when at home.
I also understand the diet dilemma and whenever I eat something new I worry if it will agree with me. Co-incidentally we had lentils tonight for the first time in ages and I was so nervous I didn't enjoy any of it!
Many of us experience changing bowel habits as a result of the menopause and I find this a particularly hard cross to bear.
Wishing you well.

K.

[CLKD]

HORMONES!  I've said previously that 10 mins. before a bleed, even if 1 wasn't due, I would have to dash with the 'runs' ……. so planning trips around the calendar became essential.

[bmac]

Betty, my daughter has ulcerative colitis which caused her great anxiety about going out and being caught short. She has found acupuncture very beneficial both for her symptoms and related anxiety and now copes very well. Her symptoms and
anxiety have greatly subsided and, with medication, she lives a normal life. She visited the Dutch herbalist/ acupuncturist Jan De Vries in Glasgow. Perhaps he could advise you as he has many international contacts in Europe. All the best!

[bramble]

Jan de Vries sadly died a few years ago.

[Evelyn63]

Jan de Vries sadly died a few years ago.

I was just about to say that.  Betty boo another sufferere here!  I am not as bad as I used to be, where going out even for a short walk away from home was a total no in case I needed the toilet.  Eventually, no idea how I managed it, I realised if I didn't try and develop stratagies I was going to end up a recluse !  I started driving to a local park where I knew there were good facilities , then went for a ten minute walk, with the knowledge I was close to home and the toilets.  I gradually built up the time out walking and now I can walk from home do a four mile walk and back but safe in the knowledge I am close enough to toilets if the need arises.   I rarely use public transport in case I am caught out !  I take imodium if I know I have a " serious journey" such as travelling by plane , or if going somewhere where I know there aren't many toilets available.  Its a humiliating ordeal when you don't make it in time, happened to me recently, we had been to a wedding the day before and were staying over.  The hotel was set in beautiful location with  a golf course.  We had gone for a walk after breakfast and I just knew the feeling coming over me, I was about 10 minutes away from my room and it was a devastating ordeal trying to get back.  I have total sympathy for you.  My husband is amazing and takes it all in his stride and is so supportive  but I still feel so embarrassed.  Going to concerts and cinema's takes military precision to ensure end row seats.  Its just the thought of needing out sends me in a total meltdown.

I will try and get some of those meditations as I think its exactly what I need.  I have the Glen Harald one and find it very good.

[dulciana]

My GP lent me one of these CD's for my anxiety, but I'm afraid it didn't work for me.  I'm ashamed to say that the way the opening words were said gave me the giggles  even when I tried again, a bit later.  Then when the speaker started to tell the listener what to do, in that soporific voice, I just felt so uncomfortable that I had to turn it off.   

[CaroleM]

I was given a couple of hypnotherapy sessions via my university when I first started uni

The first one was the day after I had to have my sweet little boy put to sleep. Thomas had got me through some heavy duty times, simply by being there with his purrs. The session was to help control pain. I was told to find a quiet place in my head, it was Thomas cuddling into me. I felt safe and warm and relaxed both during and after the session. The next session wasn't so helpful, I remained totally 'in the present' and nothing appeared to be happening.  Unfortunately the uni discovered that they could not afford to keep the sessions going, so, long term, I had no way of knowing if there would have been value and my pain reduced.