| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| seimon_23 |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 12:23:09
Hi everybody.
I've been applying the Sarno technique to combat my TMS for a few of months now and, although I'm undoubtably improved, I'm still a long way from cured. My particular 'form' of the syndrome is pain in my hands / arms (what the orthodox medical profession calls 'R.S.I') which I've been coping with for about a year now.
Recently, I feel like I'm coming up against a 'brick wall' with the treatment; in fact, it almost feels like I'm going backwards. It took me a long while to completely get my head around the whole idea of TMS (surely I can't be alone in that) and, in truth, I haven't always been fully committed to the journalling, education etc. So much of this cure seems to me to be based on belief and faith that it will, eventually, work.
I can guess what you're thinking, 'How can he expect to get cured when he hasn't stuck to the program?' Guilty as charged, I suppose - I know I've been slack. In my defence, the daily grind of being in pain at work; lingering doubt about the diagnosis and the lack of a 'breakthrough' change in symptoms have worn away my resolve.
With this in mind, I've decided to start again from scratch and would greatfully appreciate any input / advice. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? Sometimes, when I'm researching TMS and how people have overcome it, I don't seem to fit the 'template' of recovery - which only serves to increase my doubts. In particular, I'd be interested in any input from fellow 'RSI' sufferers. No disrespect to those of you with back pain and pain in other areas but, the more feedback I can get from people in the same situation as me, the harder it's going to be for me to harbour any doubts.
It's a big ask, I know but thanks in advance for any help you can offer. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| seimon_23 |
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 12:48:56
Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to reply. The continued help and support of fellow sufferers / posters on this website are what's getting me through. Thanks in particular to la kevin and HilaryN; your perspective on these matters has really helped me focus after a couple of weeks of doubt, depression and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Since I last posted, I've started drawing again (I studied illustration at art college) partly to give myself something to do in the evenings and partly to 'test the boundaries' of my TMS. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I can comfortably sketch for hours with no real pain to speak of. Last night I must have worked solidly at quite a complex pencil sketch for about 2 1/2 hours non stop and the only aches I got were from using muscles that hadn't done that job for a long while. In the morning, that ache was gone and my TMS pain was better. I'm thinking that I'll keep up with the artwork as it's a kind of meditation. While I'm working, I'm totally focussed so my conscious mind forgets all about pain and it's attendant anxiety. It's also a useful reinforcement excersize i.e. if I can sketch for hours without pain then my 'RSI' cannot be caused by injury, bad posture etc. |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 06/13/2008 : 18:41:16
Thanks campbell. That is a wonderful explication of exactly what my sig line means! 
BTW, in my mind you are already a success story!
And seimon, I have no doubt you will be one day too, if you stick with it.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| la_kevin |
Posted - 06/13/2008 : 05:16:25
I've faced this situation many times in my TMS journey.
My advice would be :
1)"Starting from scratch" denotes a time constraint or lack of accomplishment earmark. We all "start from scratch" every day we wake up. It's just that something hasn't clicked for you yet. When the 'click' happens, your body and mind will know. Trust me.
2) Release the control of "winning" the TMS battle. It's not a fight, even though it feels like it. Concentrating on getting TMS OUT OF YOUR BODY(arrrrg)makes it grow. It becomes a 'thing' then, and that my friend , is it's goal. It wants to be a 'thing'. It needs life in that way.
3)"Sticking to the program" is another slippery slope. I have had most of my TMS successes from not even doing any real "TMS work". Just by changing the way I see things, or the way I react to life in General.
In fact, I think for some of us, the "TMS work" is not really useful or helpful(i.e. journaling everyday). And some people get instant relief from doing "the work". It all depends on how you are I think.
quote:
Sometimes, when I'm researching TMS and how people have overcome it, I don't seem to fit the 'template' of recovery - which only serves to increase my doubts.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh. I am a MASTER at this thinking. Like I said in my #3 statement, I don't think there is a template. I used to, and I was sooo angry and pissed I didn't seem to improve like everyone. I thought everyone was an "RSI" sufferer and I was the most extreme TMS being ever. The whole mindset of that is competitive. Like you have to reach a certain benchmark the way everyone else does. And then you start to feel out of place, or like you're "not like the other kids". Definitely reinforces the worry. And then you feel out of control, and that creates more anxiety, which fuels TMS.
You're not supposed to "be" anywhere by now. There's no pressure to fit a template.At least there shouldn't be. Time constraints and benchmarks get the WORST reaction from TMS prone people , I've observed.
I know I don't have experience with "RSI". I had the usual Fibro pains all over my body for years. In fact, "RSI" sufferers used to aggravate me every time I saw their posts.
I learned to accept that RSI is chronic pain also/ So why separate us all into categories? It's all TMS / Mind Body theory anyways. What cures sciatica or back pain, can "RSI" pain.
---------------------------
"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans"- John Lennon quote:
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| Stryder |
Posted - 06/11/2008 : 08:30:54
Start from scratch, thats ok. That's normal.
A small percentage of people "get it" in one reading and are "cured" for life. And we never hear from them again.
But, most of the time, its a give and take battle, for life. There is no "cure" really, since this is a long term change of mind set that can take weeks, months or years to evolve. There is evolution and de-evolution. If the root cause of your anger is not solved, then TMS symptoms will switch about as a distraction. For example, you can "cure" your back pain, but it could get replaced by tinnitus, OCD or anxiety (just an example, your mileage will vary).
It is great news that you are better. That is a _HUGE_ win! H-U-G-E!! Mind boggling out of this universe huge. You have defied the mainstream docs, and you are on your way.
Sarno Rocks!
Take care, -Stryder
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| campbell28 |
Posted - 06/11/2008 : 08:26:02
Have a look at armchairlinguists sign-off: that says it all! It doesn't matter so much if you believe it or not: to start off with the 'belief' will all be in the top level of your mind, which is not the bit that needs to be convinced.
You need to ACT as if you believe it, however difficult that feels: and you have to do the work. I had RSI as well, read MBP last September and am now 99 per cent better (the 1 per cent left is mainly anxiety anyway rather than physical symptoms) . i should probably really write up on the success story forum but am waiting till I feel 100 per cent).
I had a lot of ups and downs: after I read the book I had 3 great weeks, then 6 bad weeks that tested my belief, then a slow recovery.
The main things that have helped me have been going to counselling (that was about 6 months): journalling, and really trying to talk about my emotions more. That I found was really the key thing. I was very detatched from my emotions, and the more I started talking, writing and acknowledging them, the better I got.
Have a search on the forum, or on Success Stories, under RSI and you should find lots of posts. |
| HilaryN |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 15:10:45
Hi Simon,
I don't know whether it would help you to read my story? (Click on my profile.)
It's great that you've seen improvement.
Hilary N |
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