New Here, Needing Advice.

T

TLM

Newcomer
Hello. My name is Teasha. I've had chronic pain for 20+ years. I've had headaches/migraines every day they never go away. Also fibromyalgia, hip pain, allergies, leg pain, dizziness, nausea, extreme light sensitivity. Orthostatic hypotension.

Until I discovered tms 4 weeks ago that is! My headaches have gotten so much better. I'm still fighting them but I've actually had periods of no pain which is still surprising to me.

I still haven't been able to rid myself of the headaches. I've had allergy symptoms show up from seemingly no reason which I think it's my brain is giving me different symptoms?

When I sit it's gotten more painful. And also when I sleep on my left side. It gets so sometimes I radiates down my leg.

I try really hard to ignore it and keep sitting in the same position so my brain doesn't think I'm afraid and keep sending those signals but it's not working. Also writing this has made my headache worse, which I guess shouldn't surprise me.

But some things I've tried is I journaled a month and I've been opening up to people about my feelings instead of keeping them to myself. I'm trying to show my brain I'm safe. I've been watching videos from pain free you, listening to sarno and other books. Stopped taking my vitamins I was trying to help with pain.

I am on nortriptaline and ajovy. I'm not sure how to go about stopping those. I don't feel ready yet but thought it was important too add.

I could really use some advice. Please and thank you.
 
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Hi @TLM
Welcome
You are off to a great start. Educating yourself, experimenting with some "TMS" work to see what helps you out. My only suggestion is to go slow and not to overwhelm yourself. That sends a message that you are not safe and that there is something "wrong" you are trying to fix. It is suggested to spend an hour or less per day doing "the things" watch a video, journal, do something to calm your nervous system (a warm bath, meditate or breathing...whatever works for you).
Medications are just fine if you still need them. Simply watch your symptoms with curiosity and see how things go over time. I think you might know when you want to try to adjust medications when the time is right. As your symptoms change, you can mention this to your medical provider who can give you the best advice on how one comes off those types of medications. There is no pressure at all to come off of them, no time frame, nothing. You call the shots.
 
I agree with Cactus. You have plenty of time. Remind yourself that there are no calendars in TMS. One thing I had to do was begin to incorporate non-TMS content into my life. I started watching comedy movies and funny pet videos. I read books from my childhood (Anne of Green Gables). I wanted to start to pull my own focus off my body and even off TMS.

I’m sure I am not alone here, but I became as obsessed with TMS as I ever did anything else. That’s how these brains work! If you go into the comments on Dan’s videos, I was there nearly every day for almost a year. I watched every single video in 2022! Now, I pop in and out.

It seems like you are on the right track. Be kind to yourself and try to let go of time.
 
Welcome Teasha, and congratulations on the great start! In addition to the wise advice from @Cactusflower and @CaptivaLady, if you feel like you want a little more structure, you can check out our free Structured Educational Program, look into the workbooks by two wonderful mindbody MDs, David Schechter and Howard Shubiner, or perhaps even sign up for more comprehensive programs, for example with Nicole Sachs, who has a number of different paid resources, including ongoing support groups.

You might also consider adding some kind of therapeutic mindfulness practice, such as breathing, meditation, gentle yoga, Tai Chi, etc. I feel like body awareness learned from yoga has been an integral part of my TMS toolkit.
 
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