Day 11

I read Armchair's Linguists Success Story for DAY 11. The SEP asks if I see myself in the story. I do, and I have also seen some of the success of acknowledging I have TMS. Two weeks ago, I could barely sit at my desk, and definitely not with my legs crossed. The sciatic would kick in heavy and my legs would ache with pain and I'd have to switch positions every few minutes. I am now sitting at my desk with my legs fully crossed with NO PAIN. I have also seen random pain in different areas traveling around. My neck and back have ached to be cracked the last few days. Yesterday my thigh muscle ached for hours probably because I went back to work yesterday with more stress. I just ignored it. Today the thigh muscle pain is gone.

However, my one fallback was this morning I woke up nauseous and gave into cracking my neck, as this normally resolves it. It did resolve it and then I could focus back on getting to work and starting my day. I wish I didn't have to crack it, but I was desperate to clear the awful feeling. I am not going to let it set me back because I gave in. I still didn't crack my back, which is a WIN so far.

I also tried all the therapy options they tried and more with no fix and was told "all is fine." So TMS is my answer and I feel this more and more everyday especially since I see the pain traveling around. I feel like the journaling has helped me and look forward to moving on with healing.

 

Hi, Kathe. Your progress to being pain-free through the SEProgram is wonderful. You are doing all the right things and will see more progress every day.

 

Today is also my Day 11 in the program, I've noticed a reduction in pain and I have more energy than before. Today, for the first time in a long time, I exercised at the gym and ran for 10 minutes. It felt good and I was not afraid. I still have to work on my triggers, everytime I go for long walks or go shopping to the mall I get very anxious, I know the pain is coming and is a terrible feeling. I can walk but as soon as I get home, I have a lot of pain and feel very tired. I know it is a trigger, any advice as to when should I start working on the trigger while avoiding flare-ups? I know Dr. Sarno says you have to work gradually on conditioning after you have had a reduction in pain. Any advice is welcome or personal experience? Thanks

 

That quote from Sarno is best advice. I have had the exact issue as you - my pain has become conditioned to show up only with walking.... I suffered from it for nearly 7 months until this past July and it literally vanished the final day of the SEP program. Then I had some pretty stressful life stuff happen about 4 months later and it came back. I did the SEP again, the pain has improved, but even more, my attitude and fear toward the pain has really diminished. Depending on the day and where I'm at emotionally, I still experience anxiety before going for a walk... and I haven't entirely broken the conditioning yet... but for several weeks, 7 or more, I was avoiding walking as much as possible. I rode my bike everywhere (strange how riding a bike causes zero pain, yet walking does.... hmmmm). But then one day about 2 weeks ago the bike broke. I took it as a sign to get walking. So from that day forward I promised myself I would walk everyday to do the things I needed to do, at least 3 miles a day. It has improved significantly since then. I finally took by bike yesterday to get fixed, but not because I'm fearful of walking - just because I want to have it available for when I'm in a rush. There's a reading specifically on WALKING and fear during the program, I forget what day - but you'll find that helpful. For me, it really has been a matter of walking through the fear and anxiety. Like I said, it still hurts a bit when I walk, but I find the less I pay attention to it and care about it, the less it bothers me. Good luck!

Serenity.

Kevin

 

Hi, Kevin. It's good to read your progress after a second time through the SEProgram. New emotional stresses can bring back old symptoms or start new ones... we both know that. I hope you keep up the walking, and do deep breathing while walking, and say or think of a positive mantra... "I am doing fine. I love walking and it is great for me." Something like that might be good.