| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 01/12/2005 : 07:38:13
I can definitely relate to "wanting" the pain as well as fearing its departure. I am almost 23 now and have lived with a dull headache in my temples since I was 17. When I first starting reading about Sarno in early November I remember becoming very anxious--exactly what was I going to do without my pain. Over the years it has become a "close companion"--as I am sure many of you can relate--and I even found myself thinking that I don't want it to go away! I'm too afraid. But I have found something that helps. Every time these thoughts would creep into my head I would immediately dismiss them as illogical. My rational was that it was my unconscious attempting to draw me back into the "game" so to speak. Over the past few months it has definitely decreased, and I am intending to continue to utilize this technique along with the other TMS work, and most importantly, trying to stay PATIENT!
Also, for a while I was a bit confused as to how I would go about de-conditioning myself, seeing that I am an active person and have learned to live with the headache/symptoms whereby I do not restrict my activities at all. But I got to thinking; my conditioning has taken a slightly different form. For instance, at one point I was putting myself on myriad elimination diets because I thought certain foods were making my headache more intense. But now, say when I go to eat something sugary (which is quite often unfortunately), instead of fearing that my headache will intensify (as I did in the past) I try not to entertain the thought at all. And if in fact it does get a bit worse, I tell myself that it has nothing to do with what I just ate--and trust me, I've practically restricted EVERYTHING there is to restrict so I know this is not my problem. I'm wondering what else I should be doing to decondition aside from restating the principles whenever I begin to think physically.
Lastly, while my headache was a bit better for a while then as of a week or two ago it has increased a bit (I'm not letting this get me down, in fact after reading many of the postings I expected it). Now, it has remained pretty steady in intensity, but I am experiencing a feeling that is a bit difficult to describe. It's almost like a "return to normalcy"--not physically, but emotionally (?). Or maybe I'm just making all of this up. One more thing: Did anyone--when they were in the throes of TMS--experience a loss of libido? I definitely have, and am sure that having a chronic headache can do that to you, although it's a bit discouraging considering my age. I posit that when the symptoms abate the drive will return? Has anyone experienced this?
The think that I like about this board is that I actually get to read and talk to people who have had success. So many other message boards (and trust me, I've been to plenty over the past 5 years) do not have such inspiring stories. Mostly I've found them to be a bit depressing.
Thanks!
Seth
Seth |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 21:56:43
Tennis Tom,
Thanks for the input. Regarding the libido/sex drive I was talking more in relation to the chronic pain; more specifically, if you experienced a decrease in libido that can be attributed to your symptoms. I can say that I surely have, and I'm almost certain it's due to the chronic headache, I mean who wants to think about sex when they're in pain! I'm hoping this will resolve over time, just like the headache will. It's just so discouraging given the fact that my TMS started when I was 17 and I'm 23 now; you can imagine how frustrating it is! Thanks again.
Seth |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 01/12/2005 : 09:51:11
Seth,
You're on the right track. You hit the nail on the head - BE PATIENT! It took your brain a lifetime to install your TMS circuitry and it will take a little while to install the new TMS wiring system.
When my butt/TMS shifted to my neck/shoulder, I ignored the discomfort as well as I could and did NOT let it keep me from DOING. I waited it out and in exaclty a week it disappeared. Chalk up a big loss for the TMS gremlin.
I eat sugar all the time and get no headaches, maybe one a year at the most. I think the sugar thing and specialty diets of any kind are a bunch of BS - great for selling books though and for the health food industry. I heard of an owner of a health food store who would go to the wholesale produce market and buy up all the fruits and vegetables that were bruised and aging. People thought because it looked beat-up it must be organic.
As far as the libido, mine take all kinds of swings. It has a lot to do with self-confidence. When I gain weight I don't feel sexy, and my interest in sex is not as great. |
|
|
