Day 38 Doubts at Day 38?

[If 6 was 9]

Hi all,
I feel like I've hit the wall. There's something that's been troubling me about my TMS journey and it's gotten so big I can't ignore it any more.
So it's this: I keep getting these nagging feelings that the TMS community is like some sort of New Age cult. That this whole movement, which has as its very noble cause to put people in chronic pain in control of their recovery, is ultimately about selling books and therapy services. Which is similar to the criticism of the traditional medical community, how much of it is about helping people and how much is it about business?
I'm not saying this about the SEP program - it's free, I get that. But some of the people that I've come across online, in my reading or on youtube come across as salesmen/women first and healers second. A vast minority, I should add, and they're more peripheral than the well-known names, but it's enough to put doubts in my head.
Maybe it's what my TMS is looking for to latch onto - a doubt, any doubt, that will prove that my fight against it is all in vain.
Don't get me wrong, I'm going to continue with my recovery, it's just that I'm suddenly feeling flat. Maybe there's worry that I'm about to get to Day 42 and still not be that much better off on the pain front.
Is this common among TMS recoverers?

 

[Ftaghn!]

Yes, this was definitely the case for me. Certain names in particular are amazingly notorious for this. However this is also where the "Proof list" part comes in. Just a simple list of the moments when your symptoms didn't act as predicted.

Anecdotally, some TMS professionals truly stake their careers on it. A solid example is Howard Schubiner who has quite a few publications (check out https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en&q=Howard+Schubiner&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp= (Howard Schubiner - Google Scholar)).

 

[jaumeb]

I find that you and I sometimes think alike.

Just like you did in your previous post, I found that some of the SEP activities didn't apply to me (the sep is not perfect!) and I was thinking if it was possible to improve it in some way.

Just like you, I realized that, for some people, tms is just a business opportunity. Dr. Sarno didn't seem too interested in money or fame and his books were written with the sole intention of helping the patient. This is not a perfect world and we will need to learn to find those that offer true help and avoid those that are selling their product.

Tms minds think alike.

 

[If 6 was 9]

I find that you and I sometimes think alike.

Just like you did in your previous post, I found that some of the SEP activities didn't apply to me (the sep is not perfect!) and I was thinking if it was possible to improve it in some way.

Just like you, I realized that, for some people, tms is just a business opportunity. Dr. Sarno didn't seem too interested in money or fame and his books were written with the sole intention of helping the patient. This is not a perfect world and we will need to learn to find those that offer true help and avoid those that are selling their product.

Tms minds think alike.

Thanks jaumeb, I didn't feel great about this post. But it was honest, even if it was a bit 'shooting from the hip' and skewed to the negative. Depression has reared its ugly head over the last few days, which hasn't helped.
I agree with you about Dr Sarno, that's why I was attracted to this in the first place because the theory comes from his observations in medical practice, and he really doesn't seem to set himself up as a guru. He seems too gruff and matter of fact to be that!
I suppose it's silly to expect people gifted with the ability to help others to do it out of pure good will. People gots to eat, after all! But as you say, finding the authentic ones is the key.

 

[MSZ812]

I've always gravitated toward Sarno too. He genuinely wants to help people heal. The fact that he has written 3 books in 40+ years since discovering/developing the TMS diagnosis is proof that he's not in it for the money. I've seen people say that they scheduled an appointment with Sarno, and in the meantime he asked them to read his book. They were healed before the appointment, which is one of the reasons he "prescribes" it right away. How much money did he lose out on? I'd assume a lot.

I can't attest to the other notable TMS practitioners, but they seem to have unique views separate from Sarno that warrant their own work/research. If I was in the medical field and personally healed from the TMS method, I would undoubtedly shift my work to mind-body medicine.

I've heard people say they've bought every TMS book. It seems to me that those people might be the real skeptics of TMS. I've spent $10 total since discovering TMS (Sarno's "The MindBody Prescription"). This website is filled with free content and I'm beyond grateful for it. I think of all the money spent on specialist doctors, surgery, prescription drugs, physical therapy, special pillows, heat packs, etc. and it's CRAZY.

- Matt

 

[HattieNC]

I'm four months into the TMS journey (day 26 of SEP) and my recovery has been painfully slow. Pun intended. Each day, it's a mental battle not to pick up the phone and schedule just one more (insert... chiropractor, ortho, neurosurgeon, etc.) visit or order some miracle product off of Amazon. So, I totally get where you are coming from.

When I get discouraged, it helps me to listen to the audio recordings of the call-in discussion group here on the TMS Wiki. It also reaffirms that the fine folks who volunteer their time here are the most authentic and benevolent people I've ever encountered. I'm currently listening to "God Does Not Want You To Be In Pain." When I wake up each morning, I hear Eric Watson's sweet southern drawl in my head saying "start your day off positive!" It's not an easy thing to do when you've tossed and turned in pain all night, but I know in my heart he is right and if I keep working the program I'll be one of the success stories. So will you!

 

[If 6 was 9]

I've always gravitated toward Sarno too. He genuinely wants to help people heal. The fact that he has written 3 books in 40+ years since discovering/developing the TMS diagnosis is proof that he's not in it for the money. I've seen people say that they scheduled an appointment with Sarno, and in the meantime he asked them to read his book. They were healed before the appointment, which is one of the reasons he "prescribes" it right away. How much money did he lose out on? I'd assume a lot.

I can't attest to the other notable TMS practitioners, but they seem to have unique views separate from Sarno that warrant their own work/research. If I was in the medical field and personally healed from the TMS method, I would undoubtedly shift my work to mind-body medicine.

I've heard people say they've bought every TMS book. It seems to me that those people might be the real skeptics of TMS. I've spent $10 total since discovering TMS (Sarno's "The MindBody Prescription"). This website is filled with free content and I'm beyond grateful for it. I think of all the money spent on specialist doctors, surgery, prescription drugs, physical therapy, special pillows, heat packs, etc. and it's CRAZY.

- Matt

Hey Matt, I was thinking something very similar today how spending money while getting deeper and deeper into TMS research and pursuing author after author ends up being not that much different than spending it on chiros, physios, osteos, drs etc - I personally have spent thousands over the last 20 odd years on all of that so am very wary of chasing that dragon.

The mysterious truth appears to be that the cure is inside us all. I'm just finding it a tough mystery to crack. But I ain't giving up yet. Did you end up getting there?

I love that anecdote about Sarno reccomending his book before the appointment. No wonder he is so revered.

 

[If 6 was 9]

I'm four months into the TMS journey (day 26 of SEP) and my recovery has been painfully slow. Pun intended. Each day, it's a mental battle not to pick up the phone and schedule just one more (insert... chiropractor, ortho, neurosurgeon, etc.) visit or order some miracle product off of Amazon. So, I totally get where you are coming from.

When I get discouraged, it helps me to listen to the audio recordings of the call-in discussion group here on the TMS Wiki. It also reaffirms that the fine folks who volunteer their time here are the most authentic and benevolent people I've ever encountered. I'm currently listening to "God Does Not Want You To Be In Pain." When I wake up each morning, I hear Eric Watson's sweet southern drawl in my head saying "start your day off positive!" It's not an easy thing to do when you've tossed and turned in pain all night, but I know in my heart he is right and if I keep working the program I'll be one of the success stories. So will you!

Hi Hattie, glad to hear someone else who's taking their time getting through the course! I'm too scared to work out how long it's taken me but it must have been at least three months, so double the intended time. I don't know how anyone could do it in six weeks, I find life just gets in the way. I think you need a good hour at least to get through the education, journaling and reading and contributing to forums each day.
Having said that I ponder Dr Sarno's 12 daily reminders each day in a type of meditation at the very least. So that's 18 minutes I always make sure I find.
That's a nice observation you make about the authenticity of the people who volunteer their time here, I'll have to dig around for those recordings, maybe I need to mine this site more.
Thanks for your well wishes. May you get some pain-free nights soon.