I have posted in other threads about my abdominal pain but after someone suggested I do this structured program I will post this. I have suffered with right side abdominal pain, some digestive issues, heartburn, bloating, gas for the last few years since I retired. There always seems to be a stressful component to the symptoms yet they never totally go away. Hopefully I can get there. A lot of the recovery stories focus around external pain, back, neck, foot etc. my pain is internal so a bit more scary for me as there are lots of organs in there that could be affected and that is one of my biggest fears, is this really TMS. I have had scans, CT with nothing attributing to the pain yet it is still there. I have been labeled IBS but that is also a mind/body diagnosis. Anyway I will continue with the program and hopefully I can find some relief.
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Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
Day 1
- Thread starter Y1958
- Start date
Thank you for your response. I'm on day 4 so just made my lists. I feel my biggest stressor is my marital relationship but I feel I have journaled, written letters to death yet I'm still experiencing pain. Maybe I'm focusing on the wrong stressor but how do you know? Just keep doing the program?
HealingMe
Beloved Grand Eagle
I think one thing I’ve really learned through this work is that you don’t necessarily have to find the “right” stressor or "holy grail" for symptoms to improve. I used to think I had to journal about something enough or understand my trauma before I could move on, but that's not necessarily the case. You don't need to unearth some deep dark trauma.
If you’ve already journaled and written letters to death, that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. You may have already processed a lot of it. I’d keep doing the program, but try not to make figuring everything out another thing you have to accomplish. Let the feelings be there without constantly checking or trying to fix them, and keep going about your normal life. For me, that shift has been huge.
IMO, I’d move on from the marital thing and let whatever feelings come up. You really won’t know for sure, and that’s okay. Face the uncertainty. The brain doesn’t like uncertainty, but you don’t need certainty in order to feel safe.
Of course, if you’re physically unsafe in your relationship, that’s different, and I think it’s important to be really honest with yourself about that. You deserve peace and happiness.
If you’ve already journaled and written letters to death, that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. You may have already processed a lot of it. I’d keep doing the program, but try not to make figuring everything out another thing you have to accomplish. Let the feelings be there without constantly checking or trying to fix them, and keep going about your normal life. For me, that shift has been huge.
IMO, I’d move on from the marital thing and let whatever feelings come up. You really won’t know for sure, and that’s okay. Face the uncertainty. The brain doesn’t like uncertainty, but you don’t need certainty in order to feel safe.
Of course, if you’re physically unsafe in your relationship, that’s different, and I think it’s important to be really honest with yourself about that. You deserve peace and happiness.
Maybe I am fixating on my marital issues thinking that is the cause. I'm sure has a lot to do with it. I don't feel unsafe, just a long time marriage where we have grown apart and trying to find our way back but we have become more roommates than partners and that really bothers me. I have tried to talk to him about it and he does acknowledge it but I think we both have become too comfortable in our lives that it will take too much effort to change. He isn't much of a talker, sharer or emotional type of person and never has been so asking him to change isn't in his nature to do and the older you get the more set in your ways you are I guess. I'll keep at the program. Thank you for your response
Margot!!
Well known member
As I worked the SEP, I was surprised at what came up for me. Like @HealingMe said it wasn't a deep dark trauma or what I initially expected. Keep going.