Update about how I'm dealing with PHN

Although I am still struggling to maintain the balance that will make this nerve pain bearable so that I can regain my life, I am coming to realize how much anxiety, stress and negative thoughts contribute to PHN. I am still experimenting with the right combo of over the counter meds that ease my pain. I still am avoiding prescription pain killers because I don't toleterate drugs well. I agree with so many of you that diet plays a big part in helping the body heal and lessen nerve pain. But, most of all, I now realize how anxiety, worry and stress cause my nerve pain to become worse. For a few weeks recently, I was feeling better, my nerve pain was becoming tolerable. I started to imagine a future again for myself. Then, suddenly, my nerve pain was back with a vengence. I tried to think of what could be making the pain worse and I realized several recent problems occured in my life to cause my stress and anxiety to get worse. Because of the anxiety, I wasn't eating as well or sleeping as well as I had been. I came back here to the discussion forum to chear myself up because I was beginning to get pessimistic again and started having panic attacks. After reading some of the new posts here, I feel better. I know that I can make it and live a productive life even with PHN, if I don't let negativity, stress and anxiety control my thoughts. It's a struggle, but the truth is that the mind and our thoughts really do play a major part in our pain management and in controlling PHN pain. 

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