Recent content by MarkV

Insomnia definitely just perpetuates everything, making it harder to focus on resolving TMS. With something so deep, complex and chronic like what many of us have, I think it requires gradual, incremental steps towards recovery. There is no magic bullet or quick fix. I would journal my...

Forest, count me in too. You have created a tremendous platform here as there's power in sharing feedback (including commiseration) versus simply reading the books without engaging in discussion and bouncing ideas & successful strategies off each other. Alan's model is a great new discussion...

Stella articulated it beautifully and I agree it's a good sign when you have TMS "on the run"...like a fugitive! Mine has moved around my entire upper left quadrant of my body, confirming I don't have a physical problem in one specific spot as I was originally led to believe. As for your...

We've traveled similar paths -every test I took (MRI, XRay, etc) I was SO hoping for a definitive result and always so disappointed. I went 2 LONG years with this and, amazingly, on my 2 yr anniversary bought "Healing Back Pain" on April 11, 2013. I immediately grasped the idea and stopped all...

My pleasure, and I can totally relate to all the symptoms you mention ("buzzy", numb, tightness, compression, etc). Like you, I saw several Neurologists and had multiple nerve conduction tests with no identifiable results. I literally was told by the Chief of Neurology "I have no idea what is...

Hi SDGirl...from OC! :) First off, I feel your pain! If you can read my "personal story" in my profile, I have had mysterious throbbing pain in my upper left arm for 26 months now. No one could diagnose me after seeing 25 docs and having every diagnostic test imaginable (multiple times). Like...

Forest is absolutely right on as overcoming FEAR in our everyday routine is one of the biggest challenges. Because we felt physical symptoms (due to a psychological disorder) at work, gym, etc, returning to that place and fighting thru the process can be difficult based on our fears and prior...

Tom, What a day...that is off the charts! Very inspiring so thanks for sharing and that systema breathing sounds really cool too. Just a word of caution as even though Dr. Sarno's earlier book (Healing Back Pain) said it's okay to return to vigorously exercising right out of the gate, his...

One last suggestion is to wake up just a li'l earlier for some "Solange time". Have your tea in peace before the household wakes up...It may help you get your head on straight and build the right foundation to face the day. I do the same with my coffee routine and it just seems like I got my...

Solange, finding a distraction like your photo journal may (hopefully) be your solution but I would suggest Mindfulness as a long-term solution. Being aware of how toxic your thoughts are and not choosing to attach to them to fuel the fire. If you can stay present in the moment, once your...

Trypp makes a great point about your approach towards engaging in a workout. If your mental attitude and inner dialogue is saying, "man, here comes the pain any second now", you will find that pain since you have not fully bought into TMS and still have fear (I had a couple episodes that played...

Pete, Bruce is right on, from my humble perspective. I know Dr. Sarno wrote in "Healing Back Pain" to vigorously return to your workout but also found out the hard way that is not the optimal path. I've been a body builder for years and taking gradual, incremental steps with positive results...

Thanks Bruce. What you said about the "burden of karmic debt" earlier really resonated with me and I figured I'd better strike while the iron is hot --short term pain for long term gain. It was a big hurdle for me to overcome and I can feel the tension decompressing which obviously feels great...

Just a brief f/u to share that I've now confronted each of my family members separately to tell them I cannot engage in their conflict and drama. Obviously difficult to do but I now clearly see this would always be a huge impediment to my progress. Awareness and acknowledgment of the source of...

First and foremost, thanks to all for the great feedback! I know my family dynamics are not all that unique and I do love them despite major dysfunctionality. I have considered "firing" my family but know that would cause enormous guilt so I know I need to deal with this, preferably directly...