Conditioned Response

[shadowson]

Hi all

I've had chronic pain and symptoms for 15 years.

Every morning I wake up full of symptoms. Pain in back, sides, neck and squeezing headaches and fatigue.

I have done a number of TMS therapies such as education, breathwork and meditation for months.

I talk to my brain too.

No improvement.

I just cannot snap out of the conditioned response that sleeping brings.

My symptoms improve a bit throughout the day but are worst when I wake up and also when I've been sitting.

How do I break the conditioned response of waking up in pain everyday?

FYI I've had all the scans and tests and everything is clear.

I've worked with 4 or 5 TMS therapists who all say its mindbody.

Thanks

 

[Cactusflower]

Hi @shadowson

My therapist explained to me that at night our brains process information. If our subconscious is really allowed to take over, our mind can get stuck: keeping itself in a loop of thoughts and thought patterns we don’t even know are happening.
We can of course begin noticing some of it like self-talk and mindset..but at times our filing system just goes out of whack.
When you “talk to yourself” what voice do you use? Kindness or bossy? Frustrated or understanding?
How frequently do you use TMS strategies and for how long? I can not meditate for long periods nor in silence., but if you can - the longer you can sit to settle yourself the more you might sense some nervous system regulation.
Journaling before bed might be something to try. 20 minutes in a nice safe private space… this can help you offload some emotional baggage, notice cycles and patterns between emotions and personality.
I know when I used TMS coaches none of them asked me to follow any kind of program or real structure. Believe it or not, it was two non-tms informed (but both understood pain) people who helped me the most. Partly because they listened, partly because they focused less on the physical pain and more on mindset and emotions. I used the SEP free, on this website with one person. The other I did EMDR with but only when I felt stuck and resistant to doing journaling and meditation. She was the person who explained we can get stuck at times and need short term help but then move back into doing things on our own is important to teach our brain that for most people there is nothing wrong with us, but we need to remind ourselves of this. It won’t be perfect! You’ll have times of struggle and days it seems better. Keep your mind on the days it seems better, use that as your evidence that this is tms.

 

[shadowson]

Hi, thanks so much for the response

Sorry for late reply. I just made another post about my dreams / sleep causing my pain.

I'll try the journalling before bed, thanks.

I tried talking to my brain for a while like Sarno said but got no results so gave up. My self talk is generally unpleasant, especially on bad days.

I've had chronic pain for 15 years so I'm pretty miserable and fed up with it.

When I have a good day my mood is much better.

I've tried a handful of TMS therapists and also SIRPA therapists with no luck.

Currently trying the Curable app...