Being happy about disappearing symptoms immediately bring them back on?

[dystonicrunner]

I know what you mean...I was just watching a Sam Miller video about flares and she suggests that after a success there is often a flare so that the body can process something and reintegrate. She says it is a good thing, although painful. I think she's right but it is horrible anyways, ha!

For me ALWAYS a flare after a success. I've had a lot of successes lately, so a lot of flares! Trying to keep it more even. Right now I've been in a pattern where I do a lot physically one day (because I feel so good!) but then I flare and need the rest day and start to spiral. So I think I am going to try and cut back a little on the physical activity to not have it be like this great day where I do a lot and then panic. So I think I will try to do less physically but do something every day or at least most days of the week. The rollercoaster for me is hard and I don't think it's giving my brain the safety signal.

 

[Diana-M]

So I think I am going to try and cut back a little

Good idea! I finally figured out less is more. But it totally goes against my grain. (Of course, it does!)

 

[Diana-M]

I was just watching a Sam Miller video about flares and she suggests that after a success there is often a flare so that the body can process something

I find her concepts to be so hopeful! Much better to think a symptom is actually healing you. So far that’s working for me.

 

[dlane2530]

but do something every day or at least most days of the week

Yes, you know, for me it is good to keep to doing certain things every day instead of doing "exposures" periodically. I think this is loosely like Sam's idea of a schedule...when you are having a flare you can keep to the schedule and that tells you that the flare is NBD. But if your schedule is too demanding then that isn't going to work -- you can't keep it up on a flare day.

Also to do the more unusual things as they come up rather than forcing them. For example, driving a longer distance because I need to go somewhere farther away for a good and timely reason, rather than just deciding that on Saturday I will attempt a long drive.

 

[Diana-M]

But if your schedule is too demanding then that isn't going to work -- you can't keep it up on a flare day.

Also to do the more unusual things as they come up rather than forcing them.

Both of these are excellent—and that’s evolved to working best for me. I’ve even noticed I can sometimes bump myself out of a flare by doing my daily thing with a NBD attitude.

 

[dystonicrunner]

@dlane2530 and @Diana-M Agree! Yes I have been doing my runs like exposures but it might be too jarring to do so good and then next day OH NO I did too much. I think more practice and mini exposures the better. I think that will also help get back in my head exercising mild-moderately most days of the week is a normal thing that normal people do. Feeling like I am doing a marathon and then the next day being wiped out is not a normal thing.

 

[dlane2530]

Feeling like I am doing a marathon and then the next day being wiped out is not a normal thing.

But so normal for TMS!! Don't worry. I've been experiencing this my whole life -- well, since I was about 20 -- and never understood, and it gave me so much sorrow. Well, now I know what it is.
I think even if you experience this you'll still heal...though it will of course be nice if you're able to fine-tune so that you don't experience this as often

 

[Diana-M]

Feeling like I am doing a marathon and then the next day being wiped out is not a normal thing

I have a friend on this forum, @BloodMoon, and she has pounded into my head for a year—baby steps. I have bucked her the whole way. But she’s right. It’s how she’s made fantastic headway. And the biggest thing I’ve realized is just how hard I’ve driven myself my entire life. Nothing ever feels good enough unless it’s extreme. But I’m changing that now.