Day 1: Level of acceptance

My level of acceptance that I have TMS is high after oscillating back and forth a number of times for the past two years. Total time in pain: 4+ years, after divorce, start of pandemic, many adverse childhood experiences. I have a long list of "evidences" and numerous normal tests that would suggest it's most likely mind body syndrome or stress illness (thank you, Alan Gordon).

I was on the PPD website earlier today, seeing interstitial cystitis as one of the most common forms of PPD. Visiting the PPD website has motivated me to start the Structured Educational Program. I think my biggest worry is continuing to take the Rx recently prescribed for my bladder pain (I've avoided these in the past, but am now at peace with it) while completing the TMS program.

My thought is if the Rx is providing some relief, stay the course because I could use the pain relief while I do this emotional work (which I've tried in the past with little success) and enjoy more of life in the interim. I'm aware that continuing the Rx could be giving my brain mixed signals, but I need a break from this long-standing pain.

Any insights on navigating between these two worlds at the same time (conventional & mind body) would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey @Golf Nut
It's OK to take some medication if you need to, at least at the start. You need the pain break to work on the emotional, mental and mindset side of TMS, that's perfectly OK. Taper yourself off when you are ready. Don't let your brain get the "mixed" signals - keep telling yourself it's perfectly fine to take the edge off for now, that you are working on certain parts of TMS and when you are ready, you'll ditch the meds because you won't need them. Keep telling yourself that they are temporary, you don't "NEED" them.
You'll probably read some TMS stuff saying that you "can't" take meds ... don't let anyone make the TMS "rules" for you. You just do what you need to do with the insite and understanding you clearly have about them.

 

Whoever would say that clearly never watched the Sarno Lectures on Youtube. He specifically states that if someone was in excriciating pain he prescibed them a strong painkiller , but told them to use the time to start doing the work, just like you said.

YOU are the Boss of your brain. When you take the painkiller, TELL you unconscious-you (out loud is best).. "Hey...I'm only taking this to shut you up for a minute so I can think, but I don't think this is 'fixing' me"...that's all. Everything that ever become a problem for me (anger/jobs/relationships) was when I didn't process it as it happened. Remember..Sarno didn't treat pain...Today's work is to prevent tomorrows pain.

 

Thank you, Cactusflower, for your thoughts, encouragement, and tips on how I can talk to my brain while things sort themselves out. Very much appreciated! LOVE: "Don't let anyone make the TMS "rules" for you. You just do what you need to do with the insite and understanding you clearly have about them."

 

Baseball65, thank you for pointing out the Sarno Lectures and thoughts about painkillers and what I can say to my brain in the interim. LOVE: "Today's work is to prevent tomorrow's pain."

 

Boy oh boy is this true!

 

I haven't yet read the other responses yet so pardon any repetition.
For me, I'd say the medication isn't going to harm you so go ahead and take it while focusing on your TMS work.
I'm not a believer that you have to be 100% certain that you have TMS for it to work. I know that for me my curiosity was piqued (by the Sarno 20/20 episode) and thought I had nothing to lose by learning more about it and giving it a try. The pain I was experiencing at the time released almost immediately the first time I deeply explored my hidden anger (that I had no idea I had).

 

Thank you for your insights. Very much appreciated.