Frustrated, keeps returning!

I've been practicing TMS work for a solid 2 weeks now. My pain has reduced quite a bit. Back story, I'm having some sort of pelvic pain. Its more of a quick electric type pain in my vaginal area (where its suppose to feel good, ugh!) that comes and goes. It was everyday, several times a day, and now I can go a day or two without it at all or just have it a few times in a day. So I feel I'm making progress, which I'm happy about. I'm frustrated today though, I went 3 days (which is record!) and just had the sensation a few minutes ago completely out of the blue. Its a very brief pain, doesn't linger but it always stops me in my tracks when it happens. I'm really upset, why is is still coming back? I'm reading the books, doing the SEP program, deep breathing, asking myself what emotions I"m feeling etc. Am I doing something wrong? Last time I did this with urinary issues, I got rid of it completely within a week. While I'm doing the SEP program I notice I'm journaling about the exact same things as last time, so maybe i'm not uncovering the real issue? I'm getting worried that maybe its something physical afterall.

 

May I suggest a technique? When that pain comes on, thank it for reminding you to think about your current emotions. Try being nice to the pain. It goes against our natural reaction to pain, and can be helpful to re-program our mind. Since you've been helped using the TMS approach before, I'm sure you are well on your way to healing from this! Good luck to you!

- Matt

 

Good idea! I will give it a try. So far, I've just been asking myself "what am I feeling right now?" then I answer the question. But maybe I''ll try that as well.

 

It is possible, and in my experience useful, to be more precise than just asking "what am I feeling right now?" Frances Sommer Anderson, one of the psychologists who worked with Sarno's patients, recommends taking a "feeling inventory" several times during the day and evening. (Anderson & Sherman, Pathways to Pain Relief p. 14. ) She added that initially some people need to take the inventory every hour. Regarding that, she wrote: "Ask yourself, "What am I feeling about the events that happened during the past hour?" (Emphasis added by me.) A feeling is a response to a stimulus. Asking "what am I feeling about . . . " helps get to the emotion by drawing attention to its stimulus. I think this approach is useful regardless of the time interval of the feeling inventory--hourly, several times a day, or only when the pain occurs.

 

Hi, Leslie. I think you need to work harder on increasing your belief in TMS. You say you worry your pain may be something physical after all. Dr. Sarno says it takes 100 belief in TMS to heal. It isn't easy for most of us, but that's what it took for me to be rid of severe back pain. I journaled and discovered repressed anger from my boyhood when my parents divorced.

 

You're right and i completely agree. I thought I was there but the doubts and fear creep in anytime I feel anything. I am ready 3 of Sarnos books and Claire Weeks, doing the SEP program, and reading on the forums. I try to ask myself what emotions I'm feeling on a regular basis, deep breathing, mindfulness and prayer. What else can I do?

 

Leslie, I think belief in TMS and patience are what you need to do/have.

Maybe make a list of things that trouble or worry you. That is bound to lead to any as-yet not discovered emotions.

 

Leslie, I just want to encourage you. It happens like that sometimes. The pain goes away and comes back. Who knows why it comes back. It could be for all sorts of reasons and we're all unique. But one thing that has worked for me is to just stay true to believing (or working towards that belief) that it's TMS.

 

Leslie - something that I'm learning about myself is that I put a lot of energy into thinking about my pain (do I have it? is it more? is it less?) which funny thing, just makes the pain stronger! The reminder to think psychological not physical is hard for me, but I'm working on it. I've been helped by talking to a pain counselor and giving myself acceptance and empathy and love for where I am and trying to have "outcome independence." I've been reading and doing the Presence Process which is helping to calm me down and I am tending to stay more out of the physical more than I used to. I have good days and I have bad days, but the good days make me hopeful!

 

Thank you everyone! I appreciate the encouragement and advice. The last couple days have been bad days and I'm just struggling. Im just going to keep trying.