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floorten
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
 Posted - 10/18/2006 : 06:18:35
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Does anyone else here have tension headaches as their primary symptom?
If so, how did you handle the "resume normal activity" part of the healing?
Unlike back or leg pain triggered by a specific activity, my headaches are there always 24/7, but in the background as low-level pain. They rarely stop me from doing anything, but instead just put me in a grumpy, unsociable or over-sensitive mood.
What would "resuming normal activity" mean in this situation? It's not like I can choose to go jogging or golfing or something to challenge them, do you see?
I'd like to do something to show my TMS who's boss!
thx,
greg
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"What the Thinker thinks, the Prover proves."
Robert Anton Wilson |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 08:05:41
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| I have had headaches for the last 2 days straight - very unlike me. I realized that this is totally TMS. I think the best way to get rid of them is to not focus and keep thinking of the psychological - same approach as back pain. Just get on with the day and maybe do extra exercise etc - anything that one wouldn't do with a headache. The only thing that perpetuates it is dwelling on the pain and fear. |
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floorten
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 08:13:57
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When I have headaches I feel like I should just want to stay out of everyone's way until I feel stronger.
Does this mean I should deliberately go out and socialise to spite the headaches?
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"What the Thinker thinks, the Prover proves."
Robert Anton Wilson |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 09:49:26
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oh yes - do anything and everything to ignore it. Of course, you should make sure you have had a good general check up to make sure nothing else is going on with you. If you are in good health all round, then it is just a TMS equivalent. You need to stop being threatened by it and not change anything in your life - in fact defy it. Laugh at it! Pay it no attention.
I am in the process of doing that - it is a new equivalent for me. I have been eating all sorts of new foods again and have almost totally kicked the reactions to them - all conditioning. I think my brain is running out of ideas and is trying out headaches now. Nuts! |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 10:39:48
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floorten, sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but Suz, I think my brain is running out of ideas too because it is reverting to really dumb equivalents like colds and yeast infection. I know you've had experienct with the latter. What do you recommend as far as ignoring yeast infection?
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 11:26:47
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| Ooh - you poor thing - those yeast infections are not fun. Obviously one has to take medication but then just ignore and do not worry - again, make sure you get a good check up from the OBGYn, take any meds and ignore. I used to monitor obsessively my sugar and carb intake because I linked that to the yeast infections - it is absolute nonsense. They really are an equivalent. I eat more carbs and sugar than I ever have before (within reason so as not to put on weight!) and i have not had a yeast infection since. I guarantee you, that if I started to think about it for too long, i would get one. The brain will snatch anything it can to distract our attention. |
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sonora sky
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 11:42:03
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Headaches bite. I'm with you on that one. I'd say that tension headaches, migraines, and stiff neck (which often triggers the headaches) are the TMS syptoms I deal with most frequently. I haven't been too successful at ignoring them. I usually resort to taking meds (OTC and prescription, for migraine--both only work to a degree), massage, and using heat/ice. These are temporary fixes that usually alieviate the discomfort enough to carry on with normal activity within a few hours. Sometimes I get the headaches that are sort of in the background all day--they make me grumpy, too--but I guess part of me is relieved that it's remaining constant and not escalating, which tends to freak me out more. Overall I just sort of deal with it. I keep excercising, eventhough that tends to increse the pain. I just refuse to let it stop me. I've been practicing meditation a bit, overall becoming more mindful/centered. This and breathing excercises have actually helped during a headache, somewhat to lessen the pain, and partially to affect my attitude in experiencing the pain.
ss |
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floorten
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 12:10:37
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sonora: interesting points.
I guess this brings up another question...
Should you take painkillers to help you ignore the headaches. Or is this playing into the hands of your TMS??
Any thoughts?
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"What the Thinker thinks, the Prover proves."
Robert Anton Wilson |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 12:15:19
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| I think Sarno says there is nothing wrong with doing that to take the edge off - but just to know that the brain is doing it in the first place. I have occasionally taken a moment today to talk to my brain and laugh at it - I told it that I know it is causing my muscles to contract and cause a headache and that it is RIDICULOUS. Quite frankly, the real answer is not to dwell on it or be threatened. Also, i keep switching my mind to anything bothering me - thinking psychologically at all times |
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westcoastram
97 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 23:42:41
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Baby Steps.
I know some people, once they read the books, just try to resume normal stuff all at once but Sarno indicates that you should gradually try to get back to normal.
For me, it was a gradual process... I remember going out one night with my friends and acting normal and my pain was excruciating. I finally took some advil to cut it. Other times, I'd go out and be active and it'd just be okay, sorta-mild - and other times it'd be gone.
There were definite setbacks and they were the most frustrating but over time I kept getting better and better. I think that's what you've got to look at and take hold of.
Just try to resume normal stuff for 5 minutes and if that becomes easy keep extending it. If it's headaches, perhaps try a phone call with someone that you'd normally not talk to while having it - you can always hang up if it stays or gets worse. |
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Headaches as primary symptom
