Day 34 -doubts

[blake]

Hi all,

Today's SEP activity involves sharing any doubts we may have about TMS. I've noted three in myself.

1. I wonder about the oxygen deprivation theory. Not sure how that can be proven. How do we know that's the mechanism at play in creating pain. I usually brush that doubt away by telling myself that it doesn't really matter. As long as I believe that my mind is causing the pain (which I do).

2. I believe I have TMS but sometimes a part of me doubts that I can actually heal. I have a very pessimistic side to me - I guess that is a personality trait - and sometimes I think healing does work, but only for other people. I have stopped consulting the success story subforum for this reason.

3. I wonder if my TMS is caused by repressed emotions or just moment-by-moment repression (as that Monty fellow talks about). I've worked a lot on my repressed emotions and I feel a tremendous amount of emotional release. I am calmer and happier than before I started this program. My relationships are improving day by day and so is the quality of my life in general. All good, right? But still, the pain remains unchanged on most days. And so I wonder: is there one huge repressed memory that I'm not seeing? Feels like I'm waiting for my eureka moment, and I'm not sure how productive that is.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Blake

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Hi, Blake. You seem to have some doubts about TMS. But since you feel calmer and happier since starting the SEP, it's working for you.
Just keep at it and do what I do... believe it without asking for proof such as about oxygen deprivation. Dr. Sarno came to that conclusion
about how we get TMS pain, so I don't have to re-invent the wheel. I trust him.

For most of us, it was discovering several if not many repressed emotions that led to our healing. And the pain can come and go or be more intense of less.

Keep journaling for that "eureka" moment or moments. Sometimes the biggest repressed emotions take a while to discover. And they usually go back to our childhood.

 

[blake]

Hi Walt and thank you for your feedback.

You're right; it makes sense to trust Dr. Sarno. His theory just all fits for me.

And I will keep on working and journaling my way out of this tms situation. I just have to have faith that's it's just a question of time before the pain diminishes. In the meantime I will enjoy my new-found freedom. I can now do any physical activity I want; I have more free time because I'm not running around to physio appointments all the time, and I just feel more grounded and at peace thanks to all the positive attention I now give myself. All of these positive developments actually make the pain seem much less dramatic. Who knows what's holding me back at this point, but I'm sure the answer will come on due time.

All the best and thank you again!

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Blake, it sounds like you've made incredible progress! Your brain may be desperately hanging on to its conditioned responses even as you continue to progress emotionally. The neuroscientists have learned so much about our brains, and one thing we know now is that pain is a learned response, and our brains use old pain pathways for their own nefarious purposes. You "just" need to break that cycle (easier said than done).

I was reading and responding to another post that you might find interesting - let's see - I think this will take you directly to the comment by dabatross: http://tmswiki.org/forum/threads/anxiety-especially-health-anxiety.5591/#post-33328
He mentions this important concept - that " ...it takes a LONG time for neurons to repair themselves when you calm your body down..." and you'll want to read his entire post. In part of my response, I mention the study of and therapy for phantom-limb pain, which I found incredibly useful in breaking some old pain patterns I was experiencing in my journey. Look up V.S. Ramachandran and watch all of his Ted Talks - he's incredible.

Personally, I take the oxygen-deprivation theory with a grain of salt - but that's because I believe that the real key to all of this is finding some way - whatever way works for YOU - to visualize your body healing and working the way it was meant to work, pain-free. Mind you, if it hadn't been for Dr. Sarno, I think I would be house-bound with full-blown neuro symptoms by now, but The Divided Mind totally turned my life around - so it's not like I'm taking Dr. Sarno with a grain of salt - he literally saved my life.

But my belief is that if visualizing oxygen flowing to your muscles is what works for you, then that will work. The thing is, you can apply this to anything. Example: I've always taken extra Vitamin C plus echinacea during the last two weeks before April 15 (I'm a CPA). Although I never got sick after I started doing this, part of me was never convinced that it really worked. However, "after Sarno", I realized that it does work - because my brain uses my annual ritual as a tool to visualize my immune system staying strong those last two weeks when I absolutely can not afford to get sick. THAT totally makes sense to me, and I continue to do it each year (it's been three years "SS" - since Sarno) because I think there is nothing wrong with using a simple tool to achieve the results I want. I am much happier knowing why it really works.

By the way - this is why we should be harnessing the power of the placebo effect instead of dismissing it. There are researchers who are seriously studying this now. The problem is, there's no money for Big Pharma in it

~Jan

 

[blake]

Hi Jan,

Thank you for your feedback. I especially like your idea that it takes time to calm the body. Intuitively, this is what I think is happening to me. I am progressing so well on the emotional front and figuring out issues that have been causing me problems for years. But I think I still have the pain because it's almost like a habit now. My brain needs time to realize that things are changing. As I progress and start reclaiming my life, I am also starting to feel more confident about being able to become pain free.
I did read that thread on anxiety as you suggested and found it really helpful. I'll also be looking for those ted talks you mentioned.

As an aside about the placebo effect. I think it's a very real phenomenon and it should be studied more. People are making so much money from it from people like us who are in pain and I think that's just plain wrong. That's why I thank God for Dr. Sarno. His books cost next to nothing and he puts the power to heal right in our hands. Gotta love that!

Thanks again, Jan.
Wishing you a great day.

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

This was posted today:

Hello I am in the day 4 of the program. I was a dr.Sarno patient 8 years ago. I met him because of back pain, sciatica could not walk properly, Sarno gave me back my confidence and told me I was stressed and feeling guilty. He also said I am a "goodist".
Back from Italy a month ago I started to feel pain in my back and leg. I also experienced "foot drop"
I totally forgot about Sarno this time.. I dont know why.
I felt like "this time is seriuos".
So I restarted a journey a chiro, osteopath and acupuntcure.
Mri came in and showed the same 2 herniations I had 8 years ago.
I said "wait" and re-think everything. Docs wanted me to start cortisone shots, and said "you may lose use of your foot!"
I re-read the book of Sarno and here I am.
Yesterday I went HIKING for 3 hours!
I only have a little numbness in my left foot but it's mostly gone.