Posts: 497
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 12-19-2002 09:28 AM            

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Several times over the last couple of weeks I've awakened from sleep to find my fists clenched tight, to the point of making the tendons in my wrist ache. I'm sure it's the cause of a number of intense headaches that I've had recently as well as tightness in my back between my shoulder blades.

Anybody else ever have a problem with this and know how to fight it? I do work out a lot and know how to stretch, but this is unusual. Any help is appreciated.

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Posts: 92
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 12-19-2002 11:14 AM            

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This is my expertise, sort of. I've been dealing with that crap for seven or eight years.

I'm pretty sure you're dealing with tension. Massages, light stretching, concious relaxing before sleep. I was prescribed amitryptaline. I'll be on it for life. Mine is a disorder. If you are stressed out and this is new, then just relax. Try to lessen your caffeine intake, especially pain killers with caffeine. Do some light exercising to loosen your body and concentrate of breathing and relaxing. Also check your head. Deal with what might be making you so tense. If it doesn't go away, like after a month, or rather the holidays (tis the season for stress) see your doctor. It could be worse than what I am guessing. Or chronic like mine.

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Posts: 28
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 12-19-2002 11:25 AM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by Paul:
Anybody else ever have a problem with this and know how to fight it? I do work out a lot and know how to stretch, but this is unusual. Any help is appreciated.

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A couple of weeks ago I was grinding my teeth in my sleep so hard that my bite stopped lining up right on one side.

Definitely cut back on caffeine and liquor if you do either. Liquor before bed is especially bad for your sleep pattern.

For better tendon/ligament/joint health, try drinking _lots_ of water. Make sure you go to bed fully hydrated. As long as I am not drunk or caffeinated I will sometimes take a couple of ibuprophen (advil) at bedtime, too.

-p

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Posts: 92
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 12-19-2002 11:51 AM            

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oops, I missed the part where you work out a lot. It could be your body stressing out rather than your head. A lot of young athletes also have this problem. My advice is to take it easy. Treat it like a nasty cold. Eat well, light exercising, methodical relaxing and stretching. Be good to yourself. I'm trying to get Valis to tell you some stretches. He deals with this too.

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Posts: 1873
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 12-19-2002 12:35 PM            

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Tim Mac had written the best song about manifestations of stress like cold sores, zits, etc.

I still miss him sometimes

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Posts: 497
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 12-19-2002 02:17 PM            

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Thanks, Besty. That actually affirms that it's nothing permanent - just having to learn a new job, drinking strong coffee in the morning, beer, and working out too many days in a row. Hopefully three straight nights in the Entry will mellow me out.

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