paucek.sheldon1
Well-known member
Been a while since I have been on this board.My BFS started with a back operation I had April 30, 2004. After that I noticed my calves twitched.Been to lots of doctors tried a lot of things.Now days go by when I don't notice twitching (I am a calf twitcher). So maybe I am 'cured', maybe I only seldom twitch. I only seem to notice after intense exercise or if I slept on my back wrong or on a couch or something. It doesn't really matter though. What matters is I found a way to move on.Here are a few things that helped me1. I bought a calf massager. It also vibrates. When the twitching drove me nuts I sat in the chair with the calf massager/foot vibrator. And it masked the twitching.2. A full length body pillow during sleep so my calves did not touch. Or sleeping on my back. For some reason when my legs were outstretched I didn't notice the twitching as much3. For the last 3 months I have been going to a hypnotist. Not specifically for BFS. But I think the mind body link is strong. At the very least maybe they could help you 'forget' about the twitching4. I enjoy the sauna at my local health club. When in there sweating I didn't notice twitching very much5. Pray6. Tell God how unfair this is and how angry you are. The creator of the universe can take your frustrations.7. Think of yourself on a journey. I used to say other people have hobbies. My hobby is to cure myself of BFS.8. Telling my wife that making love to me decreases the twitching (it didn't really but hey make lemonaid out of lemons). 9. Recognize that most people do not go through life without some sort of suffering. In the last 9 or so years I have seen people die of cancer, an 18 year old boy died and his mother and father were devistated, divorce, extreme sickness needing organ transplant,etc. Try to be thankful that you don't have something worse.Here is what not to do1. Don't stare at your calves. Do not post videos. Do not count the duration between twitching. Instead try telling yourself this simple idea which I got from my hypnotist "Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better".BTW the hypnotist I was seeing is Art Leidecker from Elgin (West suburb of Chicago). He didn't cure me, but if you live in the area maybe he can help.Hope this helps someone.
You are spot-on about the mind-body connection. If only folks could learn to master their thought-life, it really IS a huge part of our recovery. Blessings to you. Sue