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I am so thankful Dr. Stoll for your sharing your knowledge with all of us who are trying so hard to keep our heads above the water. I want to share my story as a way of thanking of and also for those of you who need assurance that SR works:
I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease in 1997 and was put on 30mg methimazole in addition to 60mg propranolol. I eventually got down to no propranolol and 5 mg of methimazole a day. I was seeing a homeopathic doctor and I know that the herbs, vitamins, and oils she had me on for my asthma and allergies played a big role in getting my levels down. Unfortunately, our insurance company did not cover any of the visits or herbals and my husband prefers conventional medicine and so didn't feel I needed to see a homeopathic doctor or use the supplements. Throughout the dosage changes, my goiter remained the same size.
Last December we had a death in the family and many other emotional stressors that put my body into major overload. I was basically bedridden for four months. I would drag myself out of bed to make breakfast and lunch for my three children with my husband making dinner. I lost a bunch of weight because I had no desire to eat. I had to increase my methimazole to 20 mg (I jumped from taking 5mg a day to 20mg a day and had to start up with the propranolol again, started singulair for my asthma). I had a series of labwork done on me but my labs looked great on paper but to look at me, I was a wreck. Based on much research, I seemed to have all the symptoms of a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I was taking about 3-4 naps a day, I was so exhausted even after 12 hours sleep. I didn't know it then but I see the pattern now - I was actually sleeping in alpha although at times I would fall asleep for real. (People with chronic fatigue tend to have what is called alpha-delta anomaly which is why they never feel rested.)
I would 'wake' up from many of my naps knowing what was going on around me but yet unaffected by it. So, when I started SR, I recognized my bodies response to alpha was similar to those naps I had taken. In February, I began to diligently apply the SR principles. It was hard finding the right times that would work (2 hours before sleep, etc.) but I have now gotten a regular schedule going. My family is very supportive of my time to SR. (In fact, we went on a day trip this last weekend and my son reminded me to bring my "relaxing machine".)
Well, last week I went to see my doctor about my thyroid and he lowered my dosage to 10mg AND mentioned my goiter is getting much smaller, about half the size it was when I came in. That was exciting news! I have more energy, I feel like I can make plans with my children, I am calmer, and I feel better.
Also, several weeks ago, I purchased the ThoughtStream biofeedback GSR and am really glad I did. The funny thing is that I was only getting a change in skin resistance reading of 17-18% even though I knew I had to be reaching alpha. This just didn't seem like a lot of change. The other day, I decided to re-read the instructions and realized that I was reading the chart incorrectly. I was actually obtaining 120 - 135% change! I guess SR even helps you become smarter - ha, ha!
Many people seem interested in what others experience when they are in alpha so I thought I'd share what happens when I SR, which I think is so very wild. When I reach alpha, I see purple swirls and shapes. Sometimes I see green colors. I will sometimes feel dizzy, a falling feeling, a twitch in my leg or arms and once my head jolted almost like a snapping feeling but not painful - I just go with it. Now, I am starting to see white sparkles and starbursts which I'm assuming is because I am reaching theta. At first all of this felt very weird but now every once in a while I try to play around with the colors just for fun.
One thing I have done is used EFT to help me with SR. I know somewhere in the archives it is mentioned but a link I was introduced to is: www.emofree.com
Here are some of the aspects I used before some of my SR:
Even though I can't relax physically….
Even though I can't relax emotionally…
Even though I can't reach alpha when I am doing my SR….
Even though I can't reach theta when I am doing my SR….
Even though I have all this stored stress in my hypothalamus….
These didn't automatically put me where I wanted to be because SR is still a skill. You still have to learn how to relax. But, I felt it was worth experimenting with!
I hope my story has been an encouragement to someone out there who needs it. I'm hoping someday I can post that I am no longer on methimazole! But until then, I'm having fun with SR and enjoying a calmer me!
In Reply to: SR posted by Mindy on June 02, 2003 at 00:32:58:
Wow, Mindy!
I'm impressed! Congratulations on your progress and keep going! It sounds to me like you're in for some more wonderful experiences!
Could you tell me where you purchased the ThoughtStream GSR? Is it one of those kinds that use the two fingers connection?
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: SR posted by Happygal on June 02, 2003 at 06:43:42:
Hi Happygal,
No, it's not the one with a two finger connection. The electrodes go in the palm of your hands.
I found this particular one at:
http://oatmealangels.safeshopper.com/41/90.htm?392
Mindy
In Reply to: Re: SR posted by Happygal on June 02, 2003 at 06:43:42:
Happygal,
I was wondering, what is your experience with SR? Also, I am wondering when is a tingly arm and hand good, and when is it bad? I don't remember ever having tingling but have had it for the last four days. I thought it might be due to the SR but after reading archives, I'm seeing a lot of negative things with tingling. Did you get tingling? If so, how long did it last? Or does it last as long as your necessary for your body to remove the stored stress?
In Reply to: SR posted by Mindy on June 02, 2003 at 00:32:58:
Thanks, Mindy and congratulations!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Question for happygal posted by Mindy on June 02, 2003 at 23:09:21:
Hi Mindy,
When does that tingling occur? Just during your SR sessions or at other times?
Tingling hand and arm is often a sign that there is a nerve being pinched or entrapped somewhere between the neck and the hand. If it happens during SR, check out your position and make sure you're not raising your shoulders or in some awkward position. If it happens at other times, I'd first go see a massage therapist for some deep massage on your neck, shoulder, arm and hand. If that doesn't resolve it, then go see a chiropractor.
While you're doing SR and healing, the bodymindspirit adjusts and shifts, so all kinds of temporary phenomena come and go. Changes in your condition, even if they don't seem better, are a good sign.
I've been doing SR according to Walt's instructions for 1-1/2 years, with excellent results. Prior to that I meditated intermittently for about 20 years, but it did not have the same effect as the SR.
The thing about SR is just to keep doing it. The stored stress can take time to discharge. How long have you been doing it? You mentioned that you bought the GSR several weeks ago. It takes about 6 - 12 months of really faithful SR to really see the changes.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Question for happygal posted by Happygal on June 03, 2003 at 07:13:43:
I've been diligently doing SR for 4 months. I just bought the Thoughtstream because we were finally able to buy one and was also hoping it would help motivate me to move into theta. I knew I was in alpha before then so I didn't do the biofeedback. I'm glad I did now though. I've been charting my progress and each day my percentage gets better. I have noticed that the evening SR is higher than the morning SR. Were you the one who had that same experience too?
Also, I started with NAET last week. It would take a long time to explain what happened and it requires more than basic patient knowledge of NAET to understand but last week something happened that put my body into a great deal of stress. So, I think my body is dealing with the stress of that because I'm having the classic sypmtoms of bracing. But, not as extreme as the last time this occured with NAET. The only thing I've done differently this time is SR. So, since I had SR under my belt, my body was able to deal with the stress of this better. I'm downing some vitamin c and b-complex to help me get out of this faster. Last time it took 10-14 days for my body to recover - probably because this stress causes my thyroid levels go up. The tingly feeling is still there but it seems to be less frequent and intense.
I'm sure I"ll recover faster too with the diligent use of SR. I am still going to make an appointment with a massage therapist. My husband gives me quick 5 minute massages which just aren't cutting it! I have to wait for a referral first. I decided to add a third SR session in the afternoon to see if that would help. I didn't get that high a change in my percentage but I felt better!
take care, Mindy
In Reply to: Re: Question for happygal posted by Happygal on June 03, 2003 at 07:13:43:
Prior to that I meditated intermittently for about 20 years, but it did not have the same effect as the SR.
But SR is meditation. Do you mean it didnt have the same effect because the meditation 20 years ago was only intermittent, or something else?
In Reply to: Re: Question for happygal posted by MGM Grand on June 04, 2003 at 05:33:34:
Hi MGM,
Previously I didn't know how to reach alpha brainwaves during the meditation, which I learned by following Walt's advice with SR. My SR is meditation, it is just now much more effective. Plus, it's twice a day instead of just once a day. All of this makes a difference!
Best wishes,
Happygal
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