New Program Day 14: Fostering Empowerment

[lindyr]

this weekend i rode 27 miles on my mountain bike. that's my biggest ride in years, including before my awful pudendal diagnosis, nevermind after. I would have never imagined i'd have the bravery to do that, but i did it anyway. I had some pain during, but usually it's the delayed pain that gets me. It takes about 24 hour for the pain to kick in, and in the back of my mind, i sorta expected it to come, but tried really hard not to think about it. 24 hours came and went, and i had no increased pain. Here i am 2 days later, and i dohave an uptick in pain, but i cant tell if it's a "flare" or my usual baseline. Either way, to do what i did with pudendal neuralgia is pretty much unheard of. I feel so much better knowing i'm capable of more than imagined, as long as i dont live in major fear after every activity that i "damaged" something.
So far, the increased activity without pain is the only part of mind/body techniques i've been able to employ with success. The rest of the day, when i'm lounging, or at work while sedentary, is where the pain is still pretty bad, so i have to figure out how to tack that.

Agreed. Recovery for me is not a one-time event, but a commitment to continue addressing each new manifestation of TMS until I find something that works.

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[Susan Mary]

I'm in a place where I have *both* structural and neuroplastic pain. Still waiting to see my neurologist. So I'm constantly guessing about which type of pain is present at any one time. I think I'll know more soon, and I'm "guessing" (ha) that the structural pain will heal within a few months. It's still maddening. The one thing I can bring to it is a sense of curiosity and a kind of scientific observation. I run through the criteria for neuroplastic pain frequently, and sometimes it is caused by the additional nerve injury and sometimes by stress. Doing a lot of breathing patterns to help with stress.

Nowhere near empowerment. I would like to hear anyone's take on the distinction between empowerment and getting a little too brave in rehab. Thanks.

 

[Lojos]

I'm in a place where I have *both* structural and neuroplastic pain. Still waiting to see my neurologist. So I'm constantly guessing about which type of pain is present at any one time. I think I'll know more soon, and I'm "guessing" (ha) that the structural pain will heal within a few months. It's still maddening. The one thing I can bring to it is a sense of curiosity and a kind of scientific observation. I run through the criteria for neuroplastic pain frequently, and sometimes it is caused by the additional nerve injury and sometimes by stress. Doing a lot of breathing patterns to help with stress.

Nowhere near empowerment. I would like to hear anyone's take on the distinction between empowerment and getting a little too brave in rehab. Thanks.

How did get on with your neurologist?

 

[TrustIt]

Maybe "Waiting for change" is the crux?
I remember my first attemps to run (after having endless years of backpain): it hurt, but I felt empowerment: I was so happy to dare to run. After three runs my pain shifted in another place - and again I was so happy - it was the proof of TMS.
But now I am stuck in my IBS symptoms. It looks for me much more difficult. Has anybody of you overcome IBS? I would be very grateful for any advice.

IBS is awful! I have been dealing with it for a few years. It interferes with my life more than anything else. I can hardly walk. I understand the Sarno process, I just can't seem to BELIEVE it enough to change anything. I'm very frustrated b/c I am not feeling better....stagnant. It's so depressing. And stressful trying to figure out if the body aches are TMS connected to digestion, or hypothyroidism, which I may not even have.

 

[richard_lt]

To me this is the hardest part. I tell myself I'm not afraid of TMS. I continue to exercise and have since the beginning. I have days where I have said this is enough and feel great for a short time...but then have a relapse. I take walks every day, sometimes successfully, then a setback. But I never stopped physically. I'll just keep trying. That's all I can ask of myself.

jeezz this is tough, i struggle with not fearing activities that usually cause pain. Someone said recently to watch the 'judgement and pressure' and give yourself a break' its the words i keep going back to, this will take time

 

[BruceMC]

jeezz this is tough, i struggle with not fearing activities that usually cause pain. Someone said recently to watch the 'judgement and pressure' and give yourself a break' its the words i keep going back to, this will take time

Sure sounds like internal mental pressure is the culprit, like an internalized emotional conflict that's taken on a life of its own and for some reason you can't let go of or abandon.