| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shortcake |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 10:35:57
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Jim1999 |
Posted - 10/31/2006 : 23:08:06
Shortcake,
This is "some dude named jim". I'm not the only one to recover from fibromyalgia using Dr. Sarno's approach. The only fibromite I talked to in the real world about Sarno made a complete recovery herself. Also, you shouldn't make too much out of the lack of recovery stories on this site. People often leave before they are done making progress.
I agree with the others who say you need to stop focusing on your symptoms. We've seen others with that kind of focus and it does hold them back. By the way, Penny's post is different; her point is about the progress she's made, not how bad her current situation is.
You say you've been journaling your whole life. How do you define journaling? Patients overcoming TMS use the word in a different sense than most people.
How many times have you read the books? The ideas are so different from traditional medicine that it takes a few times for the ideas to really sink in. Dr. Selfridge's book has a 5 week program. Have you done any of that?
Jim
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| Wavy Soul |
Posted - 10/31/2006 : 02:18:47
Yeah, the first step is belief, which I have fought my way into this evening while suffering from tooth pain.
The belief is, this illness is an illusion. It is a movie created in 3-D by my brain. I'm not wrong that this has happened, and don't need to defend against this diagnosis as it isn't saying "it's all in my head," or "I'm making it up." It is saying that some unconscious part of my brain is making it all up.
And as you will read in Sarno books, even the ranting about it doesn't count as being the actual anger the symptoms were designed to keep you from accessing Just blowing smoke, unfortunately. And it may not be anger. Sometimes when someone is full of vim and vigor rage it's the feelings of vulnerability or helplessness that are being resisted and disguised by the exciting distracting symptoms + your exciting reaction to them.
It takes really hitting bottom and wanting to change to walk through the door of being willing to try this approach out in such a way as to make this approach work for you, rather than prove it doesn't. Either can be proved: life will say "Yes, my child," to either attitude.
love me who am getting better a bit at a time and today did more squats than ever in my life amazing my trainer despite haing intense dentistry
"Are you okay?" my trainer kept asking "Well, it hurts, but that ain't stopping me," I said, scaring all the macho 400 pouners at Golds' Gym with my fairy Arnold imitation.
love kt
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
| Dave |
Posted - 10/30/2006 : 21:31:54
Anger, frustration, obsession about the symptoms is a major part of the syndrome. It is as effective as the pain itself, perhaps more effective, at keeping you distracted.
It is very easy to say that the symptoms are the major source of rage in your life. Unfortunately that is circular reasoning.
It is necessary to accept that the symptoms are psychogenic; that they are a benign (despite exquisitely painful) signal of inner emotional turmoil bubbling beneath the surface, threatening to be felt. The unconscious mind decides that excruciating, constant pain is preferable to feeling those terrible emotions. It is completely irrational -- a defense mechanism manufactured by a primitive part of our brain.
As impossible as it sounds, it is necessary to ignore the pain and accept it for what it really is. It is necessary to accept that the anger and frustration you feel towards the pain are symptoms in and of themselves. Anything that serves to distract you from feeling those forbidden thoughts achieves the goal.
When the pain is severe it is unreasonable to expect quick relief. It is important to take a long-term view. Journaling and psychotherapy in and of themselves is not useful, until you are armed with the knowledge that the physical symptoms are caused by repressed rage. By forcing yourself to try to feel those deep rooted buried emotions, you thwart the strategy. Over time, the unconscious mind will stop trying so hard, because it is failing to serve as a distraction.
The first step is belief, and often this requires a leap of faith, especially when the pain is so blinding. |
| Nor |
Posted - 10/30/2006 : 20:10:08
Shortcake,
It sounds like you are (appropriately) pissed off! I really feel for you. The reason we try not to focus on symptoms on this forum is b/c it is counter to the TMS "approach". In order to heal, we try to focus on the psychological stuff. Sometimes you need to just get it all off your chest but after that, the most productive thing to do is try to explore what emotional work helps. I agree w/the others that a TMS therapist is a good idea. You need support and you can't really lean on family or friends w/this **** for too long. They'd get sick of it pretty fast. Don't give up. Read success stories on this forum. Use us for support. Listen to the folks who "tell it like it is" without sugar-coating. I find these posts the most valuable.
Nor |
| ndb |
Posted - 10/30/2006 : 11:38:25
For fibro, and especially severe cases, Sarno says therapy might be necessary. Is there a TMS trained therapist you can see near you? Did you have something happen to you in childhood which could be a great source of emotional trauma?
ndb |
| Penny |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 22:17:40
Hello Shortcake, Other than reading the books, what "work" have you done? I am recovering from fibro, CTS, migraines, depression, raynaud's, IBS ... seems like so many physical things were "wrong" with me, but after journaling, reading and working here--on this forum--, looking at the patterns and behaviors in my life that were propogating my problems, I am 90% better. Please tell us what you have tried and we will offer some more ideas. There is no right way to get well, just your own way, and it sounds like you have yet to find it. We can help, but we need to now more, but don't tell us anything about your symptoms.
>|< Penny
Non illigitamus carborundum. |
| Nor |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 19:50:38
Do not dispair, Shortcake! I must agree w/ndb that you shouln't get caught up in the diagnosis, it's TMS. Period. I have recovered to a large extent from my worst point a year ago (right before I saw Dr. Sarno). It also appears that fibro is a tricky form of TMS to fight. Our bodies are already quite skilled at the "symptom imperative". The heightened state of tension that pain creates in our nervous systems can only exacerbate the cycle. Also, the black and white, immediate book recoveries can make you think your case is hopeless if it takes a while. The majority of us are in a gray area. As difficult as it may seem, try to relax. This may take some time but it'll be worth the wait. |
| art |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 14:15:27
Hi Shortcake...
I hear pain, anger, and despair in your post, all perfectly understandable emotions...Please have patience...People do get better from fibro, members of this forum in fact, and hopefully you'll hear from some of them...I'm 80 percent recovered from a terribly debilitating chronic illness myself...You've fought your way here, and you can feel very proud of that. Not many do. It's so much easier to give up and say there's nothing to be done. Nothing could be further from the truth...
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| ndb |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 10:56:34
I was diagnosed with myofascial pain, and have recovered. The reason I say 'diagnosed' is that all these names (fibro, myofascial pain syndrome) are just that...names...underneath, all these are TMS. I had pain and tightening in my muscles, so I was diagnosed this way. At some other time, I had stiff shoulders and arms, and was told RSI. So forget about which particular manfestation of TMS you have. Start doing the work (I will not tell you this will be easy, but definitely easier than putting up with pain 24/7). This means reading the books over and over, telling, shouting, screaming at your mind that you will not believe in the deception it is trying to pull. And most importantly, thinking about your painful emotions and rage. Writing a journal is a good way to get started. Have you considered therapy? I found it very helpful.
Best, and let us know how you do,
ndb
PS, slowly start trying to get back to your normal physical activities. |
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