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jennypeanut
103 Posts |
 Posted - 06/17/2012 : 13:27:51
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So I guess it's been about 8 weeks since I started reading about TMS. I am almost completely pain free. I guess about 97%. I am astounded that I am no longer in a constant state of anxiety and that my pain is barely there anymore. It's exciting. But I've found a new worry to occupy my time.
I have started to sweat a lot. I don't know if it is TMS related but wanted to check and see if anyone has dealt with this? I have definitely had it before. It's mostly head/neck/back/chest/underarms and it is driving me cRaZy. Sometimes it's nighttime most often it's during the day. Sort of like a hot flash but not that intense. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm just perspiring because of the heat and then worrying about it, making myself sweat worse or what. Anyway, maybe I'm just reassurance seeking, but I'm interested to see if this can be TMS too. ??? My Dr. did increase my Zoloft and this did begin happening soon after, so I'm wondering if its possibly that.
Here's the thing: I cannot keep running to the doctor over every new "symptom". I'm done with that. In March or April I had a bunch of bloodwork done for something else and before that in Feb. I had a CBC - all my bloodwork was normal so I feel like it wouldn't be in my best interest to seek a Dr. for this.
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Edited by - jennypeanut on 06/20/2012 22:18:24 |
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Back2-It
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2012 : 20:09:08
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quote:
Originally posted by jennypeanut
But I've found a new worry to occupy my time.
Don't 
"Bridges Freeze Before Roads" |
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bryan3000
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 01:07:55
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IMO, highly likely to be drug related.
But, sweats are a common symptom of anxiety as well. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 05:24:16
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"Finding a new worry to occupy my time>"
The very definition of the struggling TMS'er. It's what we do. Worry. The simple but not easy advice is to find a way not to. Otherwise you'll be jumping from one TMS symptom to the next...
Probably the meds. I did a quick search and it can be a side-effect of zoloft |
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jennypeanut
103 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2012 : 22:00:54
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Art - and how exactly does one go about not worrying? Short answer please.  I'm only kidding. But seriously, tell me. No, kidding again. Well, sort of.
My dr. told me to reduce my dosage and I have already noticed a difference in sweating/body temp after just 3 days.
It was very annoying to suddenly sweat A LOT. But I think a non-TMS-er would be purely annoyed, where as my fear alarm went off.
I do not want to jump from symptom to symptom. Be it TMS related or not. I can barely have a cold and not worry. I found a post on here about Mind Power - the book - read some on the website and was definitely encouraged. In fact, I have had zero pain since reading the website 24 hours ago. The mind is an amazing thing... |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 05:42:20
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I think worry is a natural thing our brain do when we don't take control of it. It is the brain's primitive function to help the human species survived million of years. The brain automaticly search and identified all possible dangers so we can either fight or flight.
In the old day, when the brain see danger, it instructs our body to release all these hormone to help us either fight agaisnt bigger and stronger animals or to help us run (flight) faster to escape. Now, with tms/anxiety, our brain falsely indentify danger that isn't real, our body release all these hormone that we don't need. And when our brain got stuck in that circle of fear, the body continue to release all those hormone and to tense up in preparation for danger. All those stress chemical and all that tensing for nothing start to produce pain and anxiety symptoms. We're in an endless loop of fear -> anxiety symptoms -> fear.
This is what I did to get well. I take back control of my brain. I let it wandered around too long and it did what it was design to do and caused so much pain. Now I take control and tell it what to think. I read books and I educated my brain that there is nothing to fear. I MADE UP my mind that I will not fear anymore no matter what. I know this is hard but it can be done with practice and persistent. I gather support from my friends and family, I told them to go with me thru that tunnel or over that hight bridge, and if I pass out, take me to the emergency room. I told them to run with me, to exercise with me and if I felt and became paralyze, take me to the emergency room. I did everthing my body affraid to do, and keep doing it until I have proved to my brain that there is nothing wrong with me.
I wrote little notes and taped to bathroom mirrors and refrigarater reminding myself that I am normal, I am healthy, there is nothing wrong with me. I read positive books, I read biography of famous people over came hardship and challenges. I travel to poor countries and see people have it much worse than I have. I volunteer when I can to help the unfortunate to show my brain that I have a great life compare to many and to feel good that I am useful and I contributed.
In short, these are the step I took:
1 - Make up my mind that there is nothing wrong.
2 - decide that I will not fear anything no matter what.
3 - face my fear, do the things I fear to prove that there is nothing to fear.
4 - occupied myself, my brain with positive things, positive thoughts.
5 - Fill my life with constructive things to do.
6 - accept what I can not change and embrace it.
That number 1 on the list got rid of 90% of my pain/anxiety symptoms. The others got rid of the last 10% of my symptoms.
My symptoms haven't been back for years.
I hope this help.
Note: This is just to share my experience. I don't know everything and I don't try to teach anyone anything. |
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jennypeanut
103 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 12:41:15
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| Wow Balto! Thank you so much for this response! Very encouraging, and also things I would NOT have thought of. I appreciate the time you took to write out this response to me, a complete stranger. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 09:45:15
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Hey Jenny,
Sorry I've not gotten back to you but I've been away for a few days with no Internet.
Balto gave you a fine answer.
If you look at my original response to you you'll see that I know this is not easy. THose who've succeeded, and there are many, have all done some version of what Balto recommends. Many of them have done so on a small scale (i.e. with respect to a few tms symptoms) and some perhaps without even thinking about it in Balto's terms. (The traditional model developed by sarno is that symptoms go away when we understand and accept the TMS diagnosis. But bear in mind that such understanding and acceptance works immediately to reduce worry and fear...which is what we're talking about)
Bottom line is that It's essential to stop worrying about your body if you're going to beat TMS, or at least keep it under control. Our TMS symptoms are not the problem, it is our response to them. I like to think of fear as the fuel, and the symptom as the fire. Take away the fuel, that is the fear, and the symptom (the fire) dies with it.
Back to Balto..., as I said he's given an excellent piece of advice which gets right to the heart of the issue. My approach is somewhat different, but that's only because I suspect I'm more neurotic than he is. In brief, I have the kind of mind that is difficult to push around. Mostly it pushes me around. So I have to come up with certain tricks and stratagems. MOstly this involves trying not to think at all along the following model:
Pain leads to fear, fear leads to catastrophic thought, catastrophic thoughts lead to more fear, more fear leads to more pain. I try to short circuit that vicious circle by interfering at step 2 by not thinking. I find this is doable with deep breathing exercises.
Anyway, that's the gist.
Meanwhile, I'd take Balto's excellent advice and run with it.
All the best,
A.
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Edited by - art on 06/22/2012 12:10:24 |
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MsMetaP
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 14:07:19
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quote:
Originally posted by balto
I think worry is a natural thing our brain do when we don't take control of it. It is the brain's primitive function to help the human species survived million of years. The brain automaticly search and identified all possible dangers so we can either fight or flight.
In the old day, when the brain see danger, it instructs our body to release all these hormone to help us either fight agaisnt bigger and stronger animals or to help us run (flight) faster to escape. Now, with tms/anxiety, our brain falsely indentify danger that isn't real, our body release all these hormone that we don't need. And when our brain got stuck in that circle of fear, the body continue to release all those hormone and to tense up in preparation for danger. All those stress chemical and all that tensing for nothing start to produce pain and anxiety symptoms. We're in an endless loop of fear -> anxiety symptoms -> fear.
This is what I did to get well. I take back control of my brain. I let it wandered around too long and it did what it was design to do and caused so much pain. Now I take control and tell it what to think. I read books and I educated my brain that there is nothing to fear. I MADE UP my mind that I will not fear anymore no matter what. I know this is hard but it can be done with practice and persistent. I gather support from my friends and family, I told them to go with me thru that tunnel or over that hight bridge, and if I pass out, take me to the emergency room. I told them to run with me, to exercise with me and if I felt and became paralyze, take me to the emergency room. I did everthing my body affraid to do, and keep doing it until I have proved to my brain that there is nothing wrong with me.
I wrote little notes and taped to bathroom mirrors and refrigarater reminding myself that I am normal, I am healthy, there is nothing wrong with me. I read positive books, I read biography of famous people over came hardship and challenges. I travel to poor countries and see people have it much worse than I have. I volunteer when I can to help the unfortunate to show my brain that I have a great life compare to many and to feel good that I am useful and I contributed.
In short, these are the step I took:
1 - Make up my mind that there is nothing wrong.
2 - decide that I will not fear anything no matter what.
3 - face my fear, do the things I fear to prove that there is nothing to fear.
4 - occupied myself, my brain with positive things, positive thoughts.
5 - Fill my life with constructive things to do.
6 - accept what I can not change and embrace it.
That number 1 on the list got rid of 90% of my pain/anxiety symptoms. The others got rid of the last 10% of my symptoms.
My symptoms haven't been back for years.
I hope this help.
Note: This is just to share my experience. I don't know everything and I don't try to teach anyone anything.
This forum really needs a way to rate posts...even a "like" button, 'cause this one is a wing-dinger! Great post Balto!
Grateful to be here! |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 17:41:07
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| Hi balto the notes you had up are a form of mind power. I remember in your previous posts you also mentioned talking to yourself saying nothing is wrong. Which is also a form of the mind power. I think this helped you over come your fear and tension. I think it is very hard for some people to just stop being scared (some more than others). I don't think I would have been able to reverse the tension on my own without these techniques. Very nice post though |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2012 : 06:47:44
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Ace1, write about some of the techniques you've used here. We all need mind power. Not only to deal with illness, mind power is tremendously important in every area of our lives.
I'm not good with words. Each time I post it took me atleast 5 - 10 minutes on average for each post. Sometime I read what I post and it is full of grammar and spelling mistakes. :) It is amazing people can understand some of the post. I'm glad some found it useful.
Will power. Yes, it is very important. I'm still working on Kehoe's book. Very very interesting reading. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2012 : 07:14:43
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Balto, don't worry about your writing! Your message is perfectly understandable and your "English as a second language" style gives it a certain charm, like my girlfriend's "blondisms". It would be nice if Dave would hire an editor for us, but I don't think it's gonna' happen soon.
Cheers |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2012 : 07:32:25
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Thanks TT.
You know, I speak much worse than I write. At least when I write I have time to think, to fix, and re-write. I work in sale. Many times after a long sale pitch to a client, he/her would have a blank look on his face, then after a long pause he told me: "I have no idea what the heck you've just saying but I'm going to make this purchase because you have a "cute" accent and somehow I trusted you." hahaha. It is amazing I survice and make a living in sale for around 25 years when half of my clients have no idea what the heck I was talking about. :) People are so nice, I've been so lucky. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2012 : 14:24:32
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| So the specific way I used the mind power is affirmations as the last thing I did before sleep and the first thing apon awaking. 5 mins for each affirmation at each time. Just repeating like a broken record in my mind. It done around sleep bc that's when your unconscience mind accepts new info the best. I also did it as needed through my day. My two affirmations which I believe can apply to any tms pt are: I'm calm relaxed patient and confident. I take my time, forgive and let go easily. I don't think the concept of dr sarno of unconscious anger is the cause of symptoms. It's more of a revved up mind and the symptoms are either trying to stop you from revving up your mind more ( by disabling you) or your body comes out of homeostasis and different organ systems become dysfunctional, this all unfortunately makes your mind more and more revved up. Well if mind power is true, think about all the things you have told yourself up to the point has only been revving your mind up to its current state. (ie I don't like it when they say that. What's taking so long. I don't like this job That person is annoying. Etc). How often did you say I'm calm relaxed happy? If at all the other negatives over shadowed the positive by a long shot. You mind wants to make what you say come true. So over time almost everyone in this society has reached a state of a revved up, conflicted mind, which leads to disease. So what your basically doing is reversing the process. No more negatives and no more setting yourself up for becoming tense in a situation. ( ie I hate work. But you still have to go to work anyway ). Just saying the affirmations to recondition yourself to be cal relaxed and forgiving even in tough situations. The other techniques like visualzations are helpful too like imagine swimming in a pool of white water and imagine e the water representing calmness. Try your best to know that if there is a symptom that your mind is somehow uncomfortable and you need an affirmation that best applies. With time symptoms fade and you naturaly become what you are saying. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2012 : 15:06:05
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| One more thing, anger that's intense obviously can lead to symptoms but bc of lack of forgiveness and letting go is what makes it's effects linger and be of a more intense nature. Which is a form of a hyped up / revved up mind that I'm talking about. |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2012 : 21:28:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Ace1
One more thing, anger that's intense obviously can lead to symptoms but bc of lack of forgiveness and letting go is what makes it's effects linger and be of a more intense nature. Which is a form of a hyped up / revved up mind that I'm talking about.
Some of the best writing on how to reduce or rid ourself of fear, greed, and anger are written by Dr Rick Hanson: I think you would enjoy his website: http://www.rickhanson.net , Lots of great articles there. He wrote a few wonderful books too. He explain in his book in great details, what happen to our body, our brain when we have negative emotions and why we get mindbody syndromes, and how to get rid of them.
No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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jennypeanut
103 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2012 : 22:03:06
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| I have so enjoyed reading all the replies to this post. Balto, you have given me great wisdom and also a nice laugh. I didn't think anyone would really respond to my question "and how exactly does one go about not worrying?" and suddenly all this great wisdom combined with experience has followed. I have spent a lot of time thinking about what you said Balto, and what followed with Ace and Art. I feel like I have discovered some truths to life that have been hidden from me. I am a spiritual person, believing in Christ, and actually I've found these truths to line up with my own spiritual beliefs so I feel that for the first time I am connecting mind-body-spirit. Maybe that sounds weird. It feels good though. I feel like I'm coming together, that these parts have all been separated. On a side note tonight I have found out some very tragic news involving a dear friend. It's a terrible story and since I heard it I have developed a new pain. I am attributing this to TMS and using my mind to weed out the negative thoughts. I'm really using the things I have found from this one thread to get me through this. Anyway, thanks again. |
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Wodg
Australia
89 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 03:41:49
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quote:
Originally posted by balto
Thanks TT.
You know, I speak much worse than I write. At least when I write I have time to think, to fix, and re-write. I work in sale. Many times after a long sale pitch to a client, he/her would have a blank look on his face, then after a long pause he told me: "I have no idea what the heck you've just saying but I'm going to make this purchase because you have a "cute" accent and somehow I trusted you." hahaha. It is amazing I survice and make a living in sale for around 25 years when half of my clients have no idea what the heck I was talking about. :) People are so nice, I've been so lucky.
Heheh! where are you from Balto? |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 09:20:00
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| I also believe in Christ, and I believe the healing he granted the sick was by touching and this gave them an extreme and utter peace that resolved their symptoms immediately. We all have the ability to heal, but not in this dramatic manner (Including raising the dead) |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 09:25:55
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| I mean that his abilty was so great that he could raise the dead, we we can just reverse bodilly ailments by peace and love but with practice and time, as well as recondtitioning our minds into the nature of God. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2012 : 09:36:02
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Balto,
I read a little bit of Hansons a budda brain. It was pretty good, I liked Kehoe's book better bc in my opinion it was more to the point without the biology, which Im not quite sure he fully understands it, he just has theoriesm. He also says the mind is more likely to be negative, I think thats just training and the socitey we are in. Mind power I think explains more why someone may be the way they are based on the self talk and the talk they heard growing up |
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Drastic results and now a new hiding place?
