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Paul
134 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2007 : 19:35:37
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First of all I want to point out that I'm not trying to put a time frame on getting better because I know this is a mistake. But I was just curious if many of you who have had success with journaling, if it took some time for it to really make an impact on your pain?
I'm battling chronic pelvic pain (rectal muscle tightness and spasm) and have for 7+ years or longer.
I was journaling a lot there for a while, every night for at least 3-4 weeks...but I got to the point of saying the same things, expressing the same fears, worries, etc. But I didn't really notice any big impacts on my pain or anxiety.
I'm guessing it may take months of really focusing on emotions to make the "switch" in the brain before pain relief begins.
What has been your experience? |
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sensei adam rostocki
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:06:56
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I wrote for about a few months, but I consistently challenged myself to dig deeper and find new relevant topics. I do not think it is HOW LONG you journal, as much as finding the IMPORTANT issues that need to be addressed. You can write forever about things that are not contributory to your symptoms, but if you can address the necessary issues, you might be finished in a good week. Hope this helps, Sensei
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2007 : 01:09:52
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Paul, is your daily life pressure situation, refilling your reservoir of rage, just as fast as you attempt to journal it down?--just a thought.
Good Luck,
tt
some of my favorite excerpts from 'TDM' : http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2007 : 08:12:46
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tennis tom,
Excellent question and I think you hit the nail right on the head. I'm not happy with my life at all right now due to the chronic pain and what it has done to me (fear, anxiety, worry, depression, not being around people, etc.). If one does not feel well physically, like myself, you tend to just stick to your own business which becomes very isolating.
I have been battling depression pretty bad and started Prozac, but I think it may be making me feel even more down. I've been on it for a week.
My problem is I work for myself at home so I'm not around people much at all, and I just moved back to my hometown of 7000 people. It did it because I wanted to be closer to family. I'm finding the adjustment pretty hard and isolating.
I could go on but I won't. Bottomline is I'm not finding happiness in my life. And of course my pain is WORSE...big surprise, huh?
But I think you are right tennis tom, each day my reservoir gets filled right back up even though I journal at night. I'm going to start running more as well...at least every other day. I know that helps. I think my biggest problem is FULLY believing that TMS is causing the chronic rectal muscle spasm and tension. I feel that since I've had it for so long, it will take some sort of treatment to get those muscles loosened up and back to normal. It is hard to believe that they will go back to normal by themselves. THAT is my biggest hangup and I'm sure that is what keeps me in pain. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2007 : 10:58:16
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Hi Paul,
Thanks for your candid reply. That's a lot of changes to your homeostasis.
Keep up the running and increase it to a half hour a day if possible. When I was a runner, I found that my half-hour a day minimum, gave me a core time in my day to create a routine around. Whatever happened during the day, my half hour of running gave me the core confidence in my inner strength to deal with it.
I was prescribed Lexapros and when I was bumped up to two a day hated how they made me feel but I had also cut out all exercise, not a good idea. I weaned off the Lexies as quickly as I could and did the work cold-turkey. Some other anti-depressant may have worked better and not created anxiety.
I feel sometimes those prescibing the anti-depressants can get it wrong. In my case I felt I needed something to more sedating for my depression and I was prescribed a drug to speed me up. It may have been an honest mis-read of my condition. Years ago I read about mild depressants having some success with back-pain and had a TMS doctor prescribe a low-dose of Celexa. I got some benefit and quit them after about six months because I didn't like the feeling of detachment they gave me. But they didn't make me feel like I wanted to crawl out of my skin like the Lexies did. Some people think they are great thought and maybe for their psychic temperment they are. The best thing is to get through the crisis and re-formulate your own mindbody chemistry, I think the exercise will do this for us naturally, we were meant to move and not sit at a desk all day.
If you have TMS then the premise is that your mindbody got you into this and it is YOUR mindbody that will get you out of it when you are ready. Keep doing things that make you feel good about yourself.
Good Luck,
tt
some of my favorite excerpts from 'TDM' : http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2007 : 11:41:54
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tennistom,
Great ideas! I like the whole concept of building my daily schedule around my core exercise...and most of all, using that part of my day to build up inner confidence. My confidence is the lowest it has ever been due to the pain issue and the divorce I just went through last August (an unwanted one in which my chronic pain played a part). So...between all of that and a move, and loss of friends, it is just a lot of weight and change all at once. No wonder I don't feel secure in my own skin and have anxiety/depression issues.
I feel like my life has been wiped completely clean. I have to start back from the bottom up with creating friends, relationships, health...you name it. I'm not trying to throw a pity-party, I'm just telling you the way it is.
I guess my only plan of attack is going to be exercise, lots of journaling, adding some meditation, and most of all...getting OUT of this house and into the public to help build up confidence and social interaction.
It is amazing what life circumstances can do to one's self in a matter of a year. I guess living in such a low point will only make those sweet moments in life that much sweeter when they come my way. |
Edited by - Paul on 04/18/2007 11:42:46 |
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entheogens
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 11:13:51
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Have any of you tried journaling according to the methods of Ira Progoff? That should help to write about various aspects of your life and get beyond repetition. Check it out. I am just reading his book that I got from the library, though you can find a lot of clues on this website:
http://www.intensivejournal.org/ |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 13:16:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Paul
First of all I want to point out that I'm not trying to put a time frame on getting better because I know this is a mistake. But I was just curious if many of you who have had success with journaling, if it took some time for it to really make an impact on your pain?
I'm sure this varies a lot with people. I feel very fortunate in that I've had to do very little journaling. Once I finally acknowledged that the pain was not as a result of physical damage, but was sustained by my unconscious mind, the pain, which was intense at times began to fade and I could laugh at it. Within a short time it left completely. At that time it also became obvious to me that the main issue my mind was diverting me from was dealing with the emotions and stress/anger/fear related to an ill elderly friend I had been caring for over a few years. He died in a hospice setting on 11/1/06 at age 93. Shortly thereafter, my lower-back/sciatica pain greatly intensified. Thankfully, just prior to his death, I had run across Dr Sarno and his books and was taking a look at TMS. The journaling I did at that time was mostly about grieving and understanding that I had done the best I could to make the last days for him as comfortable as possible. There was also a lot of anger at his daughters who live nearby and turned their backs on him in those final days. Anyway, combining that brief journaling with understanding that my situation truly was TMS, took the power away and the pain began to melt away. Anyway, that's the way it has been with me.
Woodchuck |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 13:56:35
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Paul,
I understand how you feel on many levels..I have felt isolated frequently here in Vegas..It is not a good feeling..I do have some friends here, especially my roommate who is the brother I always wanted..but..he works long hours during the day and mostly I am alone..I have some other friends who I see once a week or so and that helps..
This might sound pathetic, but I force myself to go to Whole Foods Market every day just to be around some people..The greeter there is a sweetheart and we chat almost daily..Most of my closest loved ones live back East and I miss them...I spend alot of time at home painting, it is a very isolating profession..When I sing, of course, I am around alot of people and that feels great..But lately, most gigs I do are in NYC..I don't like breathing in the smoke here in the casinos in LV..
My dogs help me so much and as I posted on here, my Border Collie/Beagle baby is very sick in the hospital with pancreatitis..My dogs are literally my children, I don't have human kids..This is one of the hardest things I have had to deal with..And with KC in the hospital it is even more quiet and lonely around here..There has been some improvement in his condition since last night, so i am feeling more hopeful..
Regarding journalling..I have wondering the same thing..I write about whatever comes to me but frequently feel like i am not going deep enough..Lately I cannot paint, cannot journal or do anything but focus on my dog's healing..It has totally consumed me and increased symptoms..
I have been battling chronic neck tightness and pain (on and off) for as long as you so I can relate..And I asked myself the same questions you have..So you are not alone!
Tennis Tom asked the PERFECT question..Is your daily pressure adding to that reservoir of rage?! In my case, the answer is a resounding YES..as I know it is for you too..You have been through alot!
Exercise is key for me too...Walking, working out at the gym, etc..I cannot lately due to my doggie..but plan on getting back to it soon! It always elevates my mood and helps w/ the TMS, especially walking.. Tom gave you great advice..I need to follow it as well..Feel better!
Hugs and God bless,
Karen
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Edited by - Singer_Artist on 04/20/2007 14:09:45 |
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floorten
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 15:15:51
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I had changes within two weeks, but they were quite subtle and gradual. Don't be expecting miracle healings!
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"What the Thinker thinks, the Prover proves."
Robert Anton Wilson |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 15:27:50
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Each person will have a different time frame for recovery. There is no hard and fast rule so don't be discouraged when someone says they read the book once and got up and walked pain free.
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Sarno-ize it!
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How long did you journal until you noticed changes
