I seem to making no headway with a TMS approach and it is quite discouraging. I've had symptoms for over 10 years, but only started a strict TMS approach in the last two years. That being said I've been aware of the mind-body component from the start, but was still 'treating' my symptoms at that time. I have the typical symptoms of a body-mind that is stuck in fight-flight (GI, pain, auto-immune, dysautonomia, POTS) and multiple chronic sports injuries that are resistant to PT.
I've read all the TMS books (Sarno, ozanich, gordon, etc), and once I understood TMS, found it a relief that 'there was nothing wrong with me' in a traditional medical sense. I think I've gone above and beyond with the 'education therapy' as I could probably teach a TMS class at this point. However, now that I am two years into this I am no better. I have resumed all activity and removed all limitations and none of my symptoms have gone away. Yeah, I show up and do things, but I am a shell of myself and any real progress in my life is elusive. Actually, the only thing I have to show for it is two more injuries that have turned chronic.
Before, I was doing absolutely nothing. In the last two years, I've gone back to college full time although I have no cognitive capacity, I just try to show up and fake my way through. A lot of my symptoms are visual and cognitive so this has been extremely difficult, but I stopped holding my self back. It has not gotten any better.
I stopped limiting my self to any physical activity, and I am a guy who was a D1 Track athlete until my chronic illness knocked me out. Resuming activity has included exercising up to three times a day to completely 'attack' the TMS, but also because I used to like exercise and I would choose to do this if I was healthy. I do yoga and lift weights for about 2-3 hours everyday and walk 5-10 miles. I started playing basketball again, which was scary because a torn ankle ligament from basketball was one of the injuries that sidelined me 7 years earlier. I'd play sometimes 4 hours at a time, holding nothing back. I kept playing through the pain, basically hobbling down the court, until I tore a ligament in my other ankle. I have put basketball on hold for now. Other activities I launched myself into are skiing, golf, pickup soccer, and difficult hikes. I also started Tai Chi and play lots of 8-ball. I continue to maintain this level of activity.
On top of this I try my best at working the emotional angle, spending a significant amount of my day on trying to feel unconscious emotions and meditate. I have stopped trying to 'get better' in all aspects, I am just trying to live my life and do what I want to do. I have done my best to remove all limitations, but I do not know how I can keep this up. It is beyond discouraging to me that I have not gotten even a little better and I deal with the same chronic injuries and symptoms everyday no matter what or how much I do. The worst part is the feeling of futility that nothing I can do matters.
I would be grateful for any advice or guidance on understanding my situation and how to move forward.
I've read all the TMS books (Sarno, ozanich, gordon, etc), and once I understood TMS, found it a relief that 'there was nothing wrong with me' in a traditional medical sense. I think I've gone above and beyond with the 'education therapy' as I could probably teach a TMS class at this point. However, now that I am two years into this I am no better. I have resumed all activity and removed all limitations and none of my symptoms have gone away. Yeah, I show up and do things, but I am a shell of myself and any real progress in my life is elusive. Actually, the only thing I have to show for it is two more injuries that have turned chronic.
Before, I was doing absolutely nothing. In the last two years, I've gone back to college full time although I have no cognitive capacity, I just try to show up and fake my way through. A lot of my symptoms are visual and cognitive so this has been extremely difficult, but I stopped holding my self back. It has not gotten any better.
I stopped limiting my self to any physical activity, and I am a guy who was a D1 Track athlete until my chronic illness knocked me out. Resuming activity has included exercising up to three times a day to completely 'attack' the TMS, but also because I used to like exercise and I would choose to do this if I was healthy. I do yoga and lift weights for about 2-3 hours everyday and walk 5-10 miles. I started playing basketball again, which was scary because a torn ankle ligament from basketball was one of the injuries that sidelined me 7 years earlier. I'd play sometimes 4 hours at a time, holding nothing back. I kept playing through the pain, basically hobbling down the court, until I tore a ligament in my other ankle. I have put basketball on hold for now. Other activities I launched myself into are skiing, golf, pickup soccer, and difficult hikes. I also started Tai Chi and play lots of 8-ball. I continue to maintain this level of activity.
On top of this I try my best at working the emotional angle, spending a significant amount of my day on trying to feel unconscious emotions and meditate. I have stopped trying to 'get better' in all aspects, I am just trying to live my life and do what I want to do. I have done my best to remove all limitations, but I do not know how I can keep this up. It is beyond discouraging to me that I have not gotten even a little better and I deal with the same chronic injuries and symptoms everyday no matter what or how much I do. The worst part is the feeling of futility that nothing I can do matters.
I would be grateful for any advice or guidance on understanding my situation and how to move forward.
