| Author |
 Topic  |
|
pandamonium
United Kingdom
199 Posts |
 Posted - 10/06/2009 : 05:24:52
|
Hey Gibbon, well done on your progress.
I've been following this post of yours and it's been interesting and uplifting. It's so nice to hear of people getting better, I just never tire of reading posts like this one.
By the way, the Live Panel doesn't need skype (why did they make that so hard to spell!). You just log on to DimDim and listen, no need to install Skype, the instructions are here and they are quite easy to follow, even I managed it 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A beginner's guide to psychology: If it's not your mum's fault.... it's your dad's... |
 |
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 09:37:05
|
Thanks pandamonium and forest, I've got a follow up meeting with Georgie this wknd so i'll speak to her about the webinar.....
I'd be more than happy to write a book review, i've read both MBP and the divided mind, got the mindbody workbook and also previously read it's not carpel tunnel (which seemed to make things worse..) any of them!
I thought today i'd try and write a bit about what i'm actually doing - so far this thread has just been about symptoms.....
on an average day i am now:
Running about 1 mile after i get up - on a cross trainer for upper body and leg work-out
playing guitar for about 1 hour a day after work
Running about another mile after work
Trying to do some other form of exercise (eg. badminton, swimming etc.)
Typing as much as possible on the computer (currently about 300 words...)
writing as much as possible (currently about 300 words also....)
very basic weight training just to build some muscle in my arms and shoulders (after such a long time inactive i'm pretty weak at the mo  )
All of the above are intended to both get me fit and get some endorphins in the brain, and also to try to continually push the boundaries of what i can do without provoking pain.
And then on the emotional stuff:
Journalling every day for about 300 words, chosing whatever stressful incident from my life which seems appropriate
trying to do mindful meditation (usually in the shower)
deep breathing while watching tv or if i feel myself getting stressed
re-reading about 30 pages from dr Sarno's MBP, or from some of the TMS success stories i've printed out.....
As you can see it's a pretty big list! But it really is working, so i'm more than happy to devote my time to it....
|
|
|
|
forestfortrees
209 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 10:53:31
|
Sounds like you are doing great stuff. Keep it up!
Just to be clear, the whole Skype thing was just about having a little chat afterward, perhaps with HilaryN if she is up for it, since all of us had "RSI." Connecting to the panel only requires a web browser, and, like I said, I can conference you in through your phone.
I'd be thrilled to get a review of any of those books, especially Schechter's mindbody workbook. I think it's a great alternative to Dr. Schubiner's program for people who can't afford the more expensive program.
Forest
tmswiki.org |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 11:27:43
|
| ...if you give me an idea of how many words you're looking for, or a link to the reviews you've already got, i'll get something typed up. |
|
|
|
forestfortrees
209 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 13:20:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gibbon
...if you give me an idea of how many words you're looking for, or a link to the reviews you've already got, i'll get something typed up.
Great! It all depends on your energy level and what you think would be most helpful to the reader. Since we are a volunteer run organization, we try to let everyone choose their own level of involvement. For example, AriesLady contributed a very short review of the PEAR Process and a longer and more detailed review of Georgie Oldfield's TMS Recovery Program. (Her reviews are in the pale yellow boxes on the linked pages.) It's up to you...
Forest
tmswiki.org |
Edited by - forestfortrees on 10/06/2009 13:21:49 |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 11:40:15
|
ok, i thought i'd write a review here, then it can be cut and pasted to the appropriate place....
The Mindbody Workbook: David Schechter
This didn't seem to be available on Amazon UK, so I had to use Amazon US. The total including shipping was about $25. This isn't really a book, but a 100 page A4 ring bound journal. There are a few pages at the start which make interesting reading, looking at the concept of Mindbody disorders and then at recent supportive research. The vast majority of the workbook is however empty space - for filling in on a daily basis. Each day has a couple of pages of A4 devoted to it with 3 to 4 questions to answer.
Sample questions, "What happened in your life today?" "How has what you've read today [from MBP etc] helped you to understand your problems?" "Are you getting more active physically?"
I'm only part way through the 30 day cycle, but i've found it a useful tool for providing some balance for my journalling. I do journalling separately in a blank exercise book, and so fill in the relevant workbook page first. This helps me focus on what's happening at the moment. Most of my journal entries seem to introspectives from months/years ago, so this way I can't ignore what's going on now.
At $25 (inc pp), it's not especially cheap, and I wouldn't say it's essential by any means. I've found Georgie Oldfield's journalling workbook more useful in terms of its content. However I think it has been helpful and I shall continue to use it over the next few weeks.
|
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 16:12:46
|
Just a quick update as i haven't posted for a few days:
Things continue to improve, though at a much slower rate than previously. The biggest difference is now the normalisation of activities than previously I couldn't do at all. I haven't used dragon voice recognition at all in the past week, doing all my typing (albeit never more than a few hundred words) by hand. I'm continuing with the exercise regime - and have been swimming every day for the past couple of weeks now. I find swimming a useful time to repeat the positive thinking mantras, on each stroke I repeat one....and there is also a sauana/hot tub which is a good way to unwind afterwards.
I've started to use the mouse for the first time - this is my arch-nemesis, where the RSI started! But I can click on the mouse keys for a few minutes now before i switch to cursor keys....a big improvement.
I've also started to see if i can address my tinnitus. This predates my RSI, but with quite a large proportion of TMS sufferers also reporting tinnitus, then i am obviously wondering if this is also part of the same thing. I did used to play in a band at rather loud volumes for rather long periods of time, so i'm not entirely convinced yet that it isn't structural, but i have noticed some improvements in my ability to listen to music without getting humming/pain in the ears. There is at the very least some sort of pyschosomatic element to it i think.
One of the interesting things i've become aware of after my last visit with Georgie is how i've been completely avoiding silence over the past few years. There has been no occasion during the days where i have allowed myself to be alone with my thoughts. I've always been at the computer, planning things at work, having the tv on, even going to sleep with the radio on. It's as though I haven't wanted to actually find out what's going on inside my head. Indeed i have found the meditation part of the course a real bind, and have had to really force myself to do it. It is now easier than previously, but something i am definitly going to have to work on.
A big thanks to the people who organised the Webinar a few days ago - listening to stories from others who have overcome this has been a big help. |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2009 : 00:28:23
|
hiya
i posted this on another topic, and being lazy it's going to do for my current update on this thread too
I just came back from a short holiday abroad, the day of travelling my RSI symptoms flared up to a level they haven't been like for over a couple of months. It was obviously a response the stress of travelling. Now this wasn't conscious stress - if you'd asked me if i was stressed by going on holiday previously i would have said absolutely not, after all holidays are about having fun! But my body was telling me differently. At an uconscious level it was obviously having an effect.
Once you've recognised this its actually quite useful. It's a bit like having a window to your unconscious mind. And you can use it to start taking some time out to relax when it triggers. Meditate, journal, do exercise, do your positive matras.
|
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 12:22:55
|
hello again!
I'd say that the RSI continues to improves - I typed about 1000 words the other day without hardly noticing. I was trying to get an article together for possible submission to the Guardian website, i guess i'll just have to wait to see if they're interested in it....
my tinnitus flared up the other day, it was quite unpleasant for about 24 hrs. It's difficult to know if this is because i've started to listen to music again (previously any sort of music would cause unpleasant ringing/pain), or if its simply TMS system imperative.....
I've started reading up on TRT tinitus therapy, and a good chunk of it seems to overlap with TMS theory - not least the basic premise that you need to retrain your body's reaction to the symptoms, because it is this rather than the actual stimulus itself which is responsible for the pain/discomfort. The more i look into it the more it seems to fit with general TMS, though i'm still a little reluctant to "push it" and increase music exposure because i don't want any long periods of constant ringing pain like i've had in the past....
I went to a TMS support group last week in Huddersfield - it was really useful to hear the stories of other RSI sufferers who had had situations even worse than my own, and yet had made full recoveries. I would definitly recommend people going along if they live nearby!
|
|
|
|
pandamonium
United Kingdom
199 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 05:16:17
|
Great news Gibbon . Let us know how you get on with the Guardian submission, and if you need any extra back up, I am sure Hilary and I would help.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A beginner's guide to psychology: If it's not your mum's fault.... it's your dad's... |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 15:43:29
|
hiya pandamonium.....
I got an email back from the online editor saying he thought it was an interesting article (though maybe that's his stock reply ),but that it didn't really fit in with the Comment is Free content, which is more politics based.....he suggested emailing the health section of the paper, so i'll see if they reply! I don't think it's too likely that it will get in, but it's worth a try....
I've spoken to my GP, and given him my letter, he did seem genuinely interested, and assured me he was going to buy the MBP from Amazon.....again whether he actually will or not i don't know
|
Edited by - Gibbon on 11/05/2009 15:44:11 |
|
|
|
forestfortrees
209 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 22:41:29
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gibbon
I just came back from a short holiday abroad, the day of travelling my RSI symptoms flared up to a level they haven't been like for over a couple of months. It was obviously a response the stress of travelling. Now this wasn't conscious stress - if you'd asked me if i was stressed by going on holiday previously i would have said absolutely not, after all holidays are about having fun! But my body was telling me differently. At an uconscious level it was obviously having an effect.
What an excellent point! It's great to hear about the progress that you've been making. How is mousing going?
My bet is that if you keep up with your reading and work, that you will soon be able to listen to all of the music that you want to.
Forest
tmswiki.org |
|
|
|
HilaryN
United Kingdom
820 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 02:09:20
|
quote:
It's difficult to know if this is because i've started to listen to music again (previously any sort of music would cause unpleasant ringing/pain)
Interesting that music, rather than loud noise, should cause it.
Sounds to me like a Pavlovian trigger
I definitely agree it's best to take it slowly in reconditioning yourself for the tinnitus just as you have with the RSI. When it subsides, you could try just listening to a little bit of music and see what happens.
(Gosh, the thought of not being able to listen to music makes me feel sad! As bad as the days when I couldn't go dancing because I had chronic fatigue.)
Hilary N |
Edited by - HilaryN on 11/07/2009 02:12:30 |
|
|
|
pandamonium
United Kingdom
199 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 14:54:46
|
Good luck with the Health Section then, let us know how you get on.
Your GP sounded quite positive, mine was polite but nothing more than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A beginner's guide to psychology: If it's not your mum's fault.... it's your dad's... |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 10:36:40
|
hiya
thanks for the comments, there's definitly something of the pavlovian (sounds like a dessert....) about the tinnitus, i guess it's a work in progress
an update with regards to the rsi - it continues to get better and better - i played online chess for over an hour yesterday (yes i'm a bit of a geek  ), which involves mouse drag and click pretty much continuously.....
now this is something i haven't been able to do for over 3 years, and even when i started to see improvements in the rsi symptoms i found it hard to believe i'd ever get back to normal mouse use....and yet i'm pretty much there. Still some residual aching/pain during typing/mouse use but now no more than a minor annoyance much like a strained muscle would be when playing sport...
|
|
|
|
forestfortrees
209 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2009 : 20:35:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gibbon
an update with regards to the rsi - it continues to get better and better - i played online chess for over an hour yesterday (yes i'm a bit of a geek ), which involves mouse drag and click pretty much continuously.....
Yeah, I always found my pain levels were surprisingly low when I played games I liked. Not much stress when you're having fun!
Forest
tmswiki.org |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 09:27:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gibbon
Just in case my last post made it seem as though everything is "cured", I should probably make it clear that there is probably quite a long way to go. My objective measures of "cure" will be:
1. Regularly using normal typing rather than Dragon. Able to type 1 page of A4 without any residual pain or tingling.
2. Going swimming with no after effects.
3. Being able to write free hand as much as necessary with no pain.
4. Being able to play guitar with no pain.
5. Playing a game of badminton with no after effects.
Of those there has definitely been progress for 1, 3, 4. 2 will be a big test because the last time I went swimming both elbows were in very severe throbbing pain for several hours.
an update
1. I haven't used dragon for a month. i type normally now - i've written over 1000 words in one go....mild tingling but nothing more
2. i have been swimming every day for the past month!
3. i can write with no symptoms
4. i can play guitar for hours on end with no pain
5. i regularly play badminton twice a week...
wow! I guess that's a "cure"! It's probably 95% back to normal now, and more importantly, doesn't stop me from doing anything i want to.....
please move this to the success stories section |
|
|
|
HilaryN
United Kingdom
820 Posts |
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 13:34:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by HilaryN
That's fantastic news! I've added a link on the RSI Success Stories page on the wiki:
http://tmswiki.wetpaint.com/page/Repetitive+Strain+Injuries+-+RSI
Hilary N
thanks Hilary!
i don't quite know how the wiki works, is anyone able to edit it, or do you need special admin powers? With regards to the "success stories" section, do you think it'd be worth tidying it up? Some of the stories are exceptionally in-depth/useful and others are less so, could they/should they be ranked in terms of recommendation? Or like you've done with mine, all labelled with a short excerpt about what the link's about......
or, even copying the content and creating a more user friendly page with navigable buttons to take you through different stories without having to open up new windows.....
just some ideas, i'll be happy to help if needed.... |
|
|
|
Gibbon
United Kingdom
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 15:22:32
|
i've just worked out the edit function and added a few more descriptions....
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Diary of an RSI sufferer's application of Dr Sarno
