In the middle of the battle

[Invictory]

Hi all!

Just couple of weeks found this forum. Very encouraging and helpful!
I've been dealing with my TMS through Dr. Sarno perspective for about 6 weeks. Although my big issue is my neck area, I had a history of various areas of pain. I tried all kinds of specialists: chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, physical therapists, etc. Some had worked very well just for few months. Once I began talking with my brain, the pain started to move from the right to left side, and from the most recent pain to the last. That fact gave me a confirmation of the subconscious "play" and failure. It has been a real battle, but fortunately I've seen the progress. I couldn't walk long distances because of "ankle weakness", or "leg strain" and now I walk 5 kms daily! Also I've began painting classes, which I had to stop 2 years ago for the discomfort in both hands that comes form shoulders and neck.
Recently I started writing w The Mind Body Workbook and is really relieving.
Now I'm dealing with anxiety (don't like the job I do and feel a bit lost of what to do in the future). Usually in the middle of the night I wake up to start thinking and planning, then my sleep is not enough. Is it insomnia part of TMS?
Apart from that my "first love "( my original distraction) is still there (neck and middle back).
Is there anything else I should do?
I'd appreciate your opinions and suggestions.
Thanks!

 

[Msunn]

Welcome Invictory. You are in the right place! My issues are RSI type hand and arm problems, but as I've accepted suggestions here and in Dr. Sarno's books that I need to focus on the psychological issues rather than my physical symptoms, I'm getting progressively better, with a few bumps in the road of course. That's great that you are walking and painting. Gradually resuming normal activities with my hands has been a great help, even though at times it's scary. I also get the moving symptoms, it seems to be a classic TMS characteristic. You will find caring and supportive people here, it's been a great help to me. Wishing you the best in your journey to recovery.

 

[Invictory]

Welcome Invictory. You are in the right place! My issues are RSI type hand and arm problems, but as I've accepted suggestions here and in Dr. Sarno's books that I need to focus on the psychological issues rather than my physical symptoms, I'm getting progressively better, with a few bumps in the road of course. That's great that you are walking and painting. Gradually resuming normal activities with my hands has been a great help, even though at times it's scary. I also get the moving symptoms, it seems to be a classic TMS characteristic. You will find caring and supportive people here, it's been a great help to me. Wishing you the best in your journey to recovery.

Thanks Msunn for your welcoming and support! Also for RSI information..hopefully I'll overcome this too. Blessings,

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Hi, Invictory.
Your progress is wonderful. You don't have insomnia. You just still have some TMS repressed emotions.
Keep journaling and you find them all and won't have any pain anywhere.

Not being happy in your job may be triggering not being happy in your childhood.
That's where our TMS starts, Dr. Sarno and Steve Ozanich tell us.

And try this... find someone no one likes at work, and you don't like the either,
but say hi to them. If they're shocked but pleasantly surprised, try being nice to them.
If they're cold to your greeting, find someone else to be nice to. It could make you feel good.
And them, too.


Try to spend more time on painting and less on thinking about your pain.
Remember Winston Churchill painted to help him get England through World War II.
I bet F.D. Roosevelt's dog Fala helped him with his polio and the war.

Keep painting and thank God you can do it again.

 

[Invictory]

Hi Walt,
Thanks for taking your time to read my post and give me advises.
Interesting what you've said about repressed emotions which interfere with the sleep. I've dreamed about people in the past and even though the situations were unreal, I found angry when I wake up and ask myself how I felt.
About painting I feel joy so I'll keep going and for next year I'll try drawing ( which is very challenging for me because implies more effort ).
Love your testimony! May God bless you!

 

[MatthewNJ]

btw, insomnia is an equivalent of TMS. I get it too on occasion. recently I have been waking up at night, but not completely awake to get up or to read , just that I know I am awake. very annoying!