What to do in pain flare up?

[Joulegirl]

I’m currently on day 5 of the SEP. I’m going slowly as I want to make sure I’m soaking in the info and taking this seriously. I’ve been having some pain flare ups in March and then last week. I increased one of my meds so I could function and sleep at night to calm the pain. This last week I tried to go back down my medicine as it does have unpleasant side effects. Yesterday my pain flare up was unbearable. 9/10 easily. So I ended up tripling my medicine so I could atleast sleep and function today. Should I be doing that? Is that sending messages to my nervous system that only the medicine would help? And could these be extinction bursts? Just wondering if anyone had any advice. I know we aren’t drs but we all have shared experiences with this. And lastly, when do you think it may be time to look into some professional help? Where I live there is literally no one trained in TMS. But there are online therapists that can zoom. Any advice would be welcome as I would like to see a even a tiny improvement-as of yet I’m not even getting a glimpse of relief. Thank you.

 

[Baseball65]

Should I be doing that? Is that sending messages to my nervous system that only the medicine would help?

Dr Sarno who is essentially the founder of our 'movement' and whose text I still defer to over anything else, specifically addresses a lot of these issues.
There is NOTHING wrong with taking Meds...Sarno himself said he prescribed 'strong pain killers' for people in acute spasm.
What seems to be important is our intent and belief.
Whenever I do something that is part of the 'old' system , I usually say OUT LOUD, to the pain and my Brain;
"I know You are TMS , but I really need to sleep right now, so I am taking this med...I am only using it until you are gone , which will be very soon"
I often talk to my Brain, the pain like it is a possessing entity , or an annoying little sibling.
That also might be a good time to say the 12 reminders.

There is no way to do this perfect....just keep doing it.

 

[Joulegirl]

Thanks @Baseball65
That is good to hear! I was hoping taking medication while working on the SEP wasn’t going to be counterproductive. And yes-I was trying to do this perfectly….This is going to be a long journey as I learn. I’ve already placed a hold on Sarno’s Divided Mind book as well. Thank you for the advice!

 

[HealingMe]

There is nothing wrong with taking medication especially if you need a break. Sometimes I just don’t have the energy to deal with a headache before bed. I’m aware it’s TMS and I tell myself I’ll hash it out tomorrow but right now I want to sleep.

It's when we put more unneeded pressure on ourselves, the TMS is worse. There's no such thing as doing this work perfectly. Best to lose the pressure and practice kindness toward yourself.

 

[Nightowl]

I’m currently on day 5 of the SEP. I’m going slowly as I want to make sure I’m soaking in the info and taking this seriously. I’ve been having some pain flare ups in March and then last week. I increased one of my meds so I could function and sleep at night to calm the pain. This last week I tried to go back down my medicine as it does have unpleasant side effects. Yesterday my pain flare up was unbearable. 9/10 easily. So I ended up tripling my medicine so I could atleast sleep and function today. Should I be doing that? Is that sending messages to my nervous system that only the medicine would help? And could these be extinction bursts? Just wondering if anyone had any advice. I know we aren’t drs but we all have shared experiences with this. And lastly, when do you think it may be time to look into some professional help? Where I live there is literally no one trained in TMS. But there are online therapists that can zoom. Any advice would be welcome as I would like to see a even a tiny improvement-as of yet I’m not even getting a glimpse of relief. Thank you.

I'm on day 8, and I am also feeling kind of more flared the last couple of days, which has been depressing. My understanding through my reading and discussion is that it's OK to do the avoidant behaviors (and I'd say pain meds are helping you to avoid pain) while you're at the beginning of your healing journey. I feel like when I avoid taking anything, I just get more and more anxious, which makes my body feel less safe, and that makes the pain worse. But I'm a newbie, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

[Joulegirl]

@Nightowl
Yes! It's frustrating to start feeling worse! And if I'm in a 9/10 pain, I cannot function at all. Thanks for the advice. I also found this article that explains the pain increasing as we start out on this journey:
https://mytmsjourney.com/resources/increased-anxiety-and-other-symptoms-on-your-recovery-journey/ (Increased anxiety (and other symptoms) on your recovery journey)
This article made me feel better too. It's hard to do this process and I'm glad to have found this forum and this community!

 

[HealingMe]

I feel like when I avoid taking anything, I just get more and more anxious, which makes my body feel less safe, and that makes the pain worse.

Everyone's journey is different; it's important to listen to yourself. Many people who have recovered have taken medication at one point or another. Personally, taking medication accelerated my recovery, but I understood the symptoms were due to my emotions, and I continued the work. Basically, don't take medication to avoid the emotional work. Use it as a tool to help you get on the right foot.

 

[Joulegirl]

@HealingMe
I love this! Medication being viewed at temporary and as a tool as I work through the emotions. I've already procrastinated three days on Day 5 because I do not want to write about a past experience! I'm definitely doing it today as it's time to start moving forward in the SEP now. But I knew if I pushed myself and forced myself to write that down when I wasn't in the right headspace, it would not have helped me at all!

 

[HealingMe]

@HealingMe
I love this! Medication being viewed at temporary and as a tool as I work through the emotions. I've already procrastinated three days on Day 5 because I do not want to write about a past experience! I'm definitely doing it today as it's time to start moving forward in the SEP now. But I knew if I pushed myself and forced myself to write that down when I wasn't in the right headspace, it would not have helped me at all!

You got this!

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I've already procrastinated three days on Day 5 because I do not want to write about a past experience!

Yep, your TMS brain will try to come up with all kinds of excuses to avoid certain topics. When I did the SEP I realized that the cause was my fear of facing shame, guilt, or just good old embarrassment. None of the issues were earth-shattering when I was able to view them rationally and with self-compassion.

One way to approach a dreaded topic is to write about the dread instead of the topic itself. Ask yourself all of the questions - why is your brain so determined to avoid it and to keep repressing it? Or, what is the worst that could happen if you write about it? Either of these questions can get you started.

As you answer the first question, understand that there will be a follow-up Why? You continue asking the next logical Why? until you've finally looked your fear in the eye and seen it for what it is. It's just fear, not reality.

@Cactusflower describes this better and I know I bookmarked where she did that but I have too many bookmarks...

Finally, make sure that you're destroying what you write. It's not for anyone to read later, not even yourself. You need to be able to examine your memories in complete safety.