Hopeful_Alexandra
Peer Supporter
Hi everyone,
I have posted here on-and-off for years and I thought it might be helpful to share my story with everyone. I won't call it a "success story" necessarily (maybe a partial success story?) but at the very least it is a (short) reflection on my journey and where I stand currently.
For years I had unexplained tendinitis and a host of other bizarre symptoms- occasional acid reflux, hip and glute tension, numbness and tingling in extremities, IBS symptoms, frequent UTIs, eating disorder and... I think that's it, actually. Lots of tendinitis all over and injuries that just wouldn't "heal" (mostly ankle sprains). In about 2010 I got into a car accident that started me on a serious downward spiral of back pain. After getting an MRI result that showed disc desiccation and bulging, things really went off the rails- I did round and round after physio, was using a TENS device, was unable to exercise because of the back pain and other problems listed above...
Luckily then I found Dr. Sarno. Like many others I figured, what the heck- couldn't hurt, and bought the book. I experienced a drastic reduction in pain by incorporating his principles and by reading many of the others in the field. I also saw Dr. Schubiner in Detroit a few years ago and we correspond occasionally still when I am having a problem!
As for my personality traits, gosh- can I ever relate to what a lot of people here have outlined. I am definitely a goodist extraordinaire, am highly self critical and definitely a HSP (highly sensitive person)- others' pain can feel so real and devastating to me that I often turn off (even fictional) TV shows or movies so I won't become too upset.
Through years of therapy I have come a long way in improving my low self-esteem and quieting that inner critic voice and working through my childhood hurts, but it is an ongoing process. I have a tendency to be overly emotionally dependent on others for validation and approval. I just got married this year as I described in another post, and my husband is wonderful- super understanding and supportive and he does not see my sensitivity as a burden, and I have narrowed by friend circle down to those who are loving and bring me happiness. I try to do a mindfulness meditation every morning and evening to help calm my mind and nervous system down.
As for my "problems" that continue to linger, they usually involve my shoulder (what a physiotherapist or physically-inclined practitioner would diagnose as rotator cuff tendinities and tightness, muscle weakness) and my knee (lingering tendinitis and tightness). I also just "injured" my ankle (perhaps I will describe in another post). Back occasionally gives me some pain and scares me greatly when it does (oh, FEAR!)
I suppose the purpose of this post, other than to give everyone a bit more background to "me," is to try to make a better commitment to tackling some of these lingering issues (I don't necessarily expect that everything will ever be 100%, but to a degree I still feel at the whim of my pain). I also have a confession: I have started but never completed Schubiner's book! I think part of my reluctance, if I were to be really honest about it, is a fear of finishing it and still be plagued by these problems- as in, what if it doesn't work... then what will I do??? (So I just don't try).
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! I would love to talk to others about my experiences or receive any suggestions or input if members are inclined.
Warmly, Alex
P.S. I did a great online therapy program this fall offered through the website conscious-transitions.com called "Open Your Heart." It helped a lot with tackling the above-mentioned issues and personality traits and I think it is an excellent complement to TMS work so I thought I would pass along my recommendation! Another program I hope to take in the future is called Inner Bonding.
I have posted here on-and-off for years and I thought it might be helpful to share my story with everyone. I won't call it a "success story" necessarily (maybe a partial success story?) but at the very least it is a (short) reflection on my journey and where I stand currently.
For years I had unexplained tendinitis and a host of other bizarre symptoms- occasional acid reflux, hip and glute tension, numbness and tingling in extremities, IBS symptoms, frequent UTIs, eating disorder and... I think that's it, actually. Lots of tendinitis all over and injuries that just wouldn't "heal" (mostly ankle sprains). In about 2010 I got into a car accident that started me on a serious downward spiral of back pain. After getting an MRI result that showed disc desiccation and bulging, things really went off the rails- I did round and round after physio, was using a TENS device, was unable to exercise because of the back pain and other problems listed above...
Luckily then I found Dr. Sarno. Like many others I figured, what the heck- couldn't hurt, and bought the book. I experienced a drastic reduction in pain by incorporating his principles and by reading many of the others in the field. I also saw Dr. Schubiner in Detroit a few years ago and we correspond occasionally still when I am having a problem!
As for my personality traits, gosh- can I ever relate to what a lot of people here have outlined. I am definitely a goodist extraordinaire, am highly self critical and definitely a HSP (highly sensitive person)- others' pain can feel so real and devastating to me that I often turn off (even fictional) TV shows or movies so I won't become too upset.
Through years of therapy I have come a long way in improving my low self-esteem and quieting that inner critic voice and working through my childhood hurts, but it is an ongoing process. I have a tendency to be overly emotionally dependent on others for validation and approval. I just got married this year as I described in another post, and my husband is wonderful- super understanding and supportive and he does not see my sensitivity as a burden, and I have narrowed by friend circle down to those who are loving and bring me happiness. I try to do a mindfulness meditation every morning and evening to help calm my mind and nervous system down.
As for my "problems" that continue to linger, they usually involve my shoulder (what a physiotherapist or physically-inclined practitioner would diagnose as rotator cuff tendinities and tightness, muscle weakness) and my knee (lingering tendinitis and tightness). I also just "injured" my ankle (perhaps I will describe in another post). Back occasionally gives me some pain and scares me greatly when it does (oh, FEAR!)
I suppose the purpose of this post, other than to give everyone a bit more background to "me," is to try to make a better commitment to tackling some of these lingering issues (I don't necessarily expect that everything will ever be 100%, but to a degree I still feel at the whim of my pain). I also have a confession: I have started but never completed Schubiner's book! I think part of my reluctance, if I were to be really honest about it, is a fear of finishing it and still be plagued by these problems- as in, what if it doesn't work... then what will I do??? (So I just don't try).
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! I would love to talk to others about my experiences or receive any suggestions or input if members are inclined.
Warmly, Alex
P.S. I did a great online therapy program this fall offered through the website conscious-transitions.com called "Open Your Heart." It helped a lot with tackling the above-mentioned issues and personality traits and I think it is an excellent complement to TMS work so I thought I would pass along my recommendation! Another program I hope to take in the future is called Inner Bonding.
