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brent
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 01/22/2006 : 08:32:14
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Hi Folks,
I have a good amount of experience dealing with TMS for various conditions, including neck pain, low back pain, tension headaches, IBS, sore throat, etc.
The problem I am currently struggling with is migraines. I had been getting them occaisonally (every 2-3 months), but lately I've been getting them much more, a couple of times per week. They are tougher for me to ignore than other conditions because of more severe pain and obscured vision for several hours.
I am trying to devise a strategy. Should I stop taking the medication that the doctor has given me? I'm worried that without it the migraines will be much worse. Once when I did not take the medication a few years ago, I had to be hospitalized because I was in agony and only semi-conscious.
I know Sarno has written that he had some success getting rid of migraines, but I have not read of many specific experiences of other people. Does anyone out there have any experiences or strategies that they can share? I did a search on the forum, but most of the time migraines are mentioned it is in a list of conditions rather than as a focus of discussion.
Thanks!
Brent
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2006 : 12:37:01
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What medications are you on currently and how long have you been on them?
Migraines are definitely a TMS equivalent in my experience. With a flare-up like you describe (if your doctor has excluded anything of concern, of course), I would look for new stresses that could be at the root, preferably with daily journaling. When I start to get frequent headaches or visual auras, I know there is something going on in my mind that I have to deal with.
Hopefully I can serve as a positive role model--using Sarno's techniques I have learned to make my visual auras go away! This has been very exciting for me, as they happen every time I go running on the weekends. Now I can talk to myself and abort them in about 2-3 minutes. I'm telling you, this stuff works...
I have had less success with my patients with migraine, but frankly I haven't found anyone motivated enough to do more than give the book a passing read. Very frustrating. Most people really do just want medications and are unwilling to put much effort into their own recovery. You'd think frequent migraines would be enough of a motivating factor! But that's a whole other story... |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2006 : 15:38:31
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Hi brent,
You need to consult your doc as far as stopping or tapering off over time your meds. Some meds if halted cold turkey can have serious side effects. Coordinate with your doc.
Now that we're on the subject of meds, you know that caffeine is also a drug and has been known to effect migraines in some people, myself included. So, you may want to taper off and go 100% caffeine free too. If nothing else this will give you a clean slate to gauge your progress in using TMS techniques to battle your migraines.
Even before I learned about TMS I showed great improvement in decreased occurance and severity of migraines by quitting caffeine. You have to be ever vigilant and read all the labels, caffeine is hidden in many products. Do your homework. MSG is also bad news.
As far as TMS goes, any malady that is a distration can be used by TMS. You say...
Should I stop taking the medication that the doctor has given me? I'm worried that without it the migraines will be much worse.
...and it is just this fear that TMS is using to distract you as well. You must conquer your fear if you are to make changes in your thinking and start on the road to recovery.
Keep this in you back pocket...if you do properly go off your meds and caffeine, and you do start to get a migraine, try drinking a Coke or coffee or tea. Sometimes that for me can halt a migraine in its tracks, at least enough so I don't loose all my vision for too long. Yes, I know I'm going to get several replies that this is a placebo, and there is no way that I can agrue that at all. All I know is that it often helps in my case. This trick is not a cure, but may help as part of your recovery process.
Take care, -Stryder |
Edited by - Stryder on 01/23/2006 16:06:58 |
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Saf
United Kingdom
30 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2006 : 17:34:17
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Hi Brent,
I too suffer from dreadful migraines.
I get one about every 5 to 8 days and they are killing my life.
Nothing works for them except the Triptans from the Dr and no therapy does any good at all.
I was really excited when I heard about TMS, but, as a trained Hypnotherapist, i was so disappointed to read mostly stuff I have known (and tried) for 20 years.
I dont see a lot of success on here either, for the migraines.
I have FMS, but I can live with it....rather not...but it is the migs. that are the killer. There is no way to distract yourself, or really do anything when they hit.
What is the answer. If anyone has more advice...PLEASE, let's have it.
Saf |
Edited by - Saf on 01/24/2006 17:36:03 |
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brent
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2006 : 20:10:33
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Fellow Migraine Sufferers,
Thanks so much for your replies. Just feeling connected to others with similar problems helps.
drziggles, I have been taking various triptans for the last couple of years. I was only having to take them once every few months until recently. I know that the main cause of my problems is my new job, which I have found to be an extremely difficult adjustment. I uprooted my family, left my old job, and moved from Ohio to New York. I thought the new job was a great opportunity, but it has been something of a nightmare so far. Of course, I have plenty of guilt for putting us through this change. Great TMS material!
I've been one of the apparent minority in that I haven't found journaling to be that useful, at least in the past with other TMS symptoms. Perhaps it is time to try again.
Stryder, in the past I've worked at cutting out all the classic triggers (caffeine, chocolate, aged cheese, MSG, irregular sleeping patterns, etc.). I did not see any correlation with my migraines. I drink very little caffeine anyway. I also feel that attributing migraines to physical causes is sort of going against the "rebuke the physical" philosophy. Although so is taking triptans.
Saf, I'm sorry to hear of your pain. I wish I could give you advice. My hope is that it is TMS and we just have to be more clever and vigilant about finding the right psychological strategy. I am encouraged by my success with the wide variety of other TMS symptoms that I have had.
Thanks everyone. You are way better than any MD, chiro, or psych doctor!
Brent
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Saf
United Kingdom
30 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2006 : 17:13:27
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Hi,
I have now finished the Mind Body book and am ready to try to sort out my migraines. Trouble is, maybe I am just being thick but I dont find anything in the book that I can do to avert them. It has to be fast action. I dont get aura, just pain which hits in less than a minute and is unbearable usually within 10 minutes.
This happens every 5/8 days.
If any of you can suggest what to do and especially those that have helped themselves (drziggles).
I am certainly into giving this a good try, but just not sure what to do. Migraine is a little different, even from my other pains.
thanks.
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2006 : 13:38:19
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| I think the main benefit from the TMS techniques is actually in reducing the number of migraine headaches. If they begin as quickly as you say, I doubt you'll be able to "talk yourself out of them" once they start. However, given that stress and other psychological factors are key triggers for most people, using the TMS techniques should be able to deal with the underlying issues that can increase migraine frequency. They are one of many symptoms that can be part of TMS, and their purpose in that case is the same, as a distractor from repressed emotions. Working on those defeats the purpose for the physical symptoms. |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2006 : 14:38:56
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I concur with Dr. Z's reply. Migraines that come on in 10 minutes (like yours) or 30 minutes (like mine) are too fast to manage with TMS techniques. However, I can relate to you that I have had a huge reduction in the number of migraines per year now that I am TMS-aware. So in the big picture you will certainly benefit from Dr. Sarno's methods.
I'm a bit "lucky" in that I do get a warning by having an aura about 20 minutes prior. Sometime I can drink a Coke, coffee or tea (placebo?) and the headache to come is thwarted. You can try that if you want, it only cost $0.75 to try.
Whatever you do, have no fear. TMS cannot harm you.
Take care, -Stryder |
Edited by - Stryder on 02/06/2006 14:40:57 |
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Saf
United Kingdom
30 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2006 : 16:25:57
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Thanks so much Stryder and "Dr".
To avert these evil things would be fantastic, even if it was just some of them. make such a difference. Most of them come on while I am asleep...wake me about 2/3 hurs after I have gone to sleep. Tried everything...pillows, no pillows well you the drift.
Spend all day getting on top of it a bit, then go to bed and wham.
Really depressing way to start the day.
So what shoud I do maybe....yell at them (bit hard on the head).
I am not sure migraines are the same as some of the other features of this damn illness.
Give us a few of your methods please? My self doesnt seem to listen to myself, so might as well try someone elses methods. Maybe it just needs a change from me....Hope so and thanks so much guys.
Saf |
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Strategies for Migraines
