Day 1 Open to all possibilities

Hello everyone,
I just learned of TMS recently in my quest to find a cure for the fibromyalgia I have been struggling with. I am open to this line of thinking because I do believe the body, mind and spirit are all connected. Last year I completed my training in becoming a certified hypnotherapist. I haven't been able to start my practice because of the symptoms of the fibro getting in the way. I feel frustrated because if I am going to help others, how can I do so and be this sick all the time. But that is when I came across the phrase "The Wounded Healer" which is derived from the Jungian archetype of having the pain yourself to truly be able to heal and empathize with others. I found that very encouraging!

When I first discovered TMS it was really working for me. But I did feel a migraine coming on and I didn't take anything to prevent it because of reading that we should just talk to ourselves and the pain. But going that route I encountered one of the WORST migraines in my 10 year history of having them. I was completely incapacitated for 3 days and even had to result to taking dilaudid that I had on hand for emergencies. I'd like to add that I have not had to resort to opioids in 7 years. So needless to say, this was very alarming and I could not look at the TMS website for a while until I got some distance from that painful experience. I realize that things are going to get stirred up. I was considering giving up on the TMS program but told myself I could go about it at my own pace, and that would be the most self-loving thing I could do. So here I am, everyone! Ready to join the journey! Thanks for having me!

 

Hello sweetheart,

Welcome to the forum. The Wounded Healer is one of the richest archetypes and one greatly appreciated within the tms community. I am sure you'll go on to become a fine hypnotherapist because nothing quite compensates for experience.

One thing though, no one here would suggest you don't take meds when you need them. We're a pragmatic and very compassionate bunch and you'll find lots of friendly and practical advice here. I suggest you explore posts by @Ellen who has overcome fibromyalgia and her success story is the most liked post on the forum. It makes for electrifying reading.

Take some time to explore the site and don't be shy about pitching in on the main forums. Rest assured you can take things as slow as you like, in fact we encourage a mellow, gentle way of healing.

Plum x

 

Thank you so much, Plum. When I first read your reply to my post I must admit I got choked up with emotion. I am very happy to be a part of this support system. I had trouble doing Day 2 yesterday because of brain fog and severe depression. I am attempting it today but still struggling.
I guess I thought we we're supposed to rely on our meds so we can feel our feelings. The only ones I take are regular tylenol and ibuprofen. I stopped the opioids years ago. So I will just continue with this at my own pace and see how things progress. Thanks again for your kind response.

 

Be ultra gentle with yourself especially when you're struggling. I've come to see that these hard periods are where we learn so much about ourselves. It's all in the nitty gritty of our reactions and responses. I think many of us come to tms healing expecting to unearth something big but often-as-not it really is the small stuff of the day-to-day.

I'm not sure why but my mind nudged me to post this link for you. It's Christiane Northrup speaking on how she overcame migraines and so much more.



(Re: meds. Well done on ditching the opioids. Whether to take them or not is such a personal choice. Long term everyone wants to be off them but I believe it does well to make some gains in our healing first and then begin to decrease our dose. It can be overwhelming otherwise.)

Plum x

 

Plum,
Thanks so much for this video! It really helped to watch it.
I haven't been sticking with the program lately. I need to get back into it. But at least I check in with myself when I feel the pain and know there could be something more than just the pain. I need to have patience!

 

Hi, Woundedhealer. I echo Plum's excellent replies to you. The video also is wonderful.

Many who have healed through TMS, and so does Dr. Sarno, say that pain (or migraines) can get stronger at times because the subconscious is starting to "get it," that you are discovering repressed emotions that cause the pain. Or it can cause pain to move around to other parts of the body.

Keep confident that TMS is the cause of your symptoms, and that through TMS belief and techniques such as deep breathing and meditation, you will be well again. When you have a headache or migraine, have you tried drinking a cup of hot tea? I always relaxes me, even better than a glass of wine or can of beer.

I also recommend Mindfulness Meditation. My favorite form of that is the Relaxation Response, and I think it could help you wih a migraine or any other pain.

The RR is a wonderful way to practice TMS Mindbody Healing because it changes harmful thinking in the subconscious mind which Dr. John Sarno says causes pain that is not caused by anything structural.

The RR, practiced once or twice a day for 10, 15, or 20 minutes has a profound positive effect on the subconscious mind, relieving or curing everything from anxiety, hypertension, headaches, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, high blood pressure, insomnia, stomach problems, all forms of pain including backaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, neck, arm, and leg pain, and relieves side affects from cancer and AIDS.

RR is like Transcendental Meditation which is taught by TM specialists who charge hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the RR is free and you can do it yourself.

It is practiced, before a meal, and works best if not practiced within two hours after a meal. I do it in bed before arising in the morning and again in bed before falling sleep. Often, I only do it 5 or 10 minutes and it works to calm me and put me to sleep.

Just sit in a chair (or lie in bed in the morning or at bedtime), close your eyes, don’t listen to any music, and try to avoid outside noises. Let your mind think of a word such as

"One " which has no real meaning or association. Or say a calming word such as “Calm” or “Peace,” or add the faith or spiritual element by saying a favorite religious word or prayer. Breathe naturally or incorporate Deep Breathing by breathing in through the mouth to inflate the stomach, suck in the stomach while holding the breath for a few seconds, then say the word when you exhale through the mouth.

Say the word silently over and over. At the end of the 10 to 20 minutes, picture and feel yourself as you were when you felt your best, and in a place where you felt that way.

When distracting thoughts arise during the RR, as they will, just tell yourself, “Oh, well,” and go back to repeating your chosen word.

My "word" is a prayer: "God loves me and is protecting me." I say it a few times and go right to sleep. If my mind wanders onto other things, I tell myself"Oh, well," and repeat my mantra silently while deep breathing.

There are several free videos on Youtube about the Relaxation Response. I especially recommend these two by Dr. Benson:





and this one which can put you to sleep:



and

 

Thank you so very much, Walt! You are so caring to respond to my post with all this info! I have done some of these things before but what I have been lacking is the discipline and continuity. I am intending on being more committed to these things now because I want heal and reclaim my life and also to join all of you in your success and then help others through my hypnotherapy practice.
Thank you again!

 

WoundedHealer, a migraine sufferer myself of many years, I was able to talk myself out of migraines twice successfully since learning of TMS 5 months ago. If I could suggest, Dr. Sarno would not want people to suffer more than they have had already. He did prescribe painkillers to those who couldn't do without. I have a 30 minute rule: if I can't free myself of pain in that period of time, take a painkiller and do not see it as a failure. Know that everything will come on it's schedule, which is of course, way off the schedule we have in mind. One thing I learned: you can't fight TMS, it is acceptance and patience what gets you through.

You already got some excellent advice from others, listen to them!

Best of luck to you and may be one day you will use hypnotherapy successfully to treat TMS!

 

TG957
Thanks for the wise words and encouragement. It is inspiring to hear of people overcoming their pain (especially migraines!)
I wait out my pain too, even before discovering TMS and Dr. Sarno. I hate taking anything but I will now if I can tell if it's turning into something I need to cut off at the pass. I like your 30 minute rule.

I will keep working with this, with patience and at my own pace. It's the patience and commitment I struggle with as well as the pain but on the bright side, at least I have found all of you and I feel optimistic.