[partypooper]

Hi, I was reading some back posts about Mikes tapes and those who have had success with them. Both of your symptoms sounded very similar to my own. I have IBS-D constantly and have tried all of the meds. Currently, I am taking a tricyclic antidepressant and immodium on a daily basis to control it. These have helped somewhat, but I still worry constantly about "what if this returns" and am pretty debilitated by it the IBS and accompanying anxiety.I have also been doing Mike's tapes for 55 days now. I am not sure if they have helped since I started the antidepressant at around the same time. Recently, the d has been somewhat worse than the past 2 months, and I am scared it is coming back again.With all that in mind, here are my questions: 1.) How long did it take before you could tell the tapes were working for you?2.) Is it a bad sign that I am still having setbacks and anxiety after 55 days of the tapes? 3.) How much have you improved since using the tapes?4.) Were you eventually able to discontinue any of your other meds?Thanks so much! And if there is anyone else out there with any input for me, I would be pleased to get it. Thanks!

 

[cookies4marilyn]

Hi Partypooper...I would be happy to answer your questions, and hopefully, AZmom, Eric, Jean and others will pop in as well...Always know too, that you can ask Mike, and he can help you as he is the authority on the subject!! But I will answer for my own experience.

You mentioned that you have checked out some of the other postings...there was another recently addressing the anxiety issue and Mike responded about that..in brief, he mentions that you are a different person now from what you will be in the future; hypnotherapy addresses many of the stress and anxiety issues associated with IBS, and the mind learns how to deal with these things. Your own mind sorts out what is in most need..it is a very complicated and subtle process. I was on EVERY med at one time or another...including Elavil, and all the SSRI drugs as well...none of them worked for me. Eventually your mind will sort out these things...your fear is in the effect of the drugs..if you believe they will help you, they oftentimes do, only to later lose their effects..there are some other postings on this...but to get to your questions specifically:1. How long before the tapes work...This is highly individual in nature...Eric saw improvement early on, AZ mom saw improvement 6 months after the tapes; as for myself, I went from severe D episodes almost daily lasting hours, to a few a week, of shorter duration, and slight improvements all the time. The 100 days have passed, but I still do sessions as needed...everyone is different. And I might add that I went through other stressors (surgery, divorce, etc.) when I first started the sessions. I got frustrated and quit. Then restarted. Many individuals seem to have episodes return, or change from D or C and back again, before the mind settles things out. The key is to just keep with it, even if you initially do not feel any different. Everyone's mind has a different time frame, but progress does come. So hang in there..I am still getting better each day, and hope to continue more and more.2. Well, some people may have setbacks and anxiety, but that is how you see it from where you are right now....You are referencing how you might feel based on where you are today...But it is possible to feel frustrated in that you are not where you want to be just yet. But I learned this as well,,,, you must let your mind and body work together, and it eventually will. You had a long period of time in the past to learn anxiety and responses to stress...it takes time for the subconscious mind to relearn positive responses and connect with the body. Everyone sets their own time frame. Don't be discouraged (yes, I was too) by slower than desired results. 3. Improvement..I answered this above...AZ mom is virtually IBS free, Eric is better that 80% improved...hopefully they may come in here to respond better than I can.4. Clear of meds...yes, many individuals do become clear of meds...I can only answer for myself specifically. I do not take any RX for IBS at this time.What if this returns...again, Mike can address this with the best response, but for those that have completed his sessions, they have kept their improvements, and have not returned to the old IBS symptoms.Hope this helps somewhat...Take care and keep us posted if you have any other concerns..

Be well!!!------------------Marilyn

 

[cookies4marilyn]

This thread will help you also: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008034.html

 

[partypooper]

Marilyn -Thanks so much for your thoughtful response to my e-mail. I really appreciate it. It makes me feel better to know that different people respond at different times to the tapes. I guess I thought I was supposed to see some dramatic differences by now and that hasn't really been the case. I have had some good days and then some not so good days recently. I hope it goes to all good days at some point in the future! That's encouraging that AZMom did not have results until 6 months after. Maybe I will also respond more in the post-treatment phase.I hope that you continue to get better and better. I am very happy that you have seen improvement. Hurray!Thanks again...

 

[JeanG]

Hi partypooper:Marilyn gave you such a comprehensive answer, that I'm not going to try to duplicate it!

By the time she gets finished there's nothing to add.It's true that you will improve at your own rate, and may have fluctuations back and forth for a while. My symptoms were not severe, but I did have constipation and uncomfortable cramping that has disappeared, except that the cramping returns around my period, which is pretty normal, even for regular folks.I would say that I am probably about 80% or more improved. One thing I should add here is that we do still have to develop healthy eating habits. If I don't eat my veggies for a few days I will get constipated, due to lack of fiber!

The key here is to keep on listening to them, and realize that what you are going through is perfectly normal for your progress.Good luck!JeanG

 

[Guest]

Hi PartyP,Marilyn didi a good job of answering this

Certainly take a look at the link thread of another answer which will help you to understand.The tapes vary in response times depending on the listeners background. Remember most listeners have been suffering for a long time, its also natural to be impatient and being unsure - its new to you, so its ok to be unsure

Regarding setbacks, I did a post a while ago that explains the subconscious process working like opposing armies. I will try and find it rather than doing it all again and post here later. In shorts its natuural tohave set backs, but that's all there are setbacks. Remember to have a set back, you have to have been better than you are at the time of the setback!Improvement is generally significant, however progress continues after the program finishes for many people. Its one thing to be better - its another thing to remember your better and to begin getting used to the iddea of doing the thing that in the past held you back.All you has mentioned is natural

, the process is new to you, naturally you want to improve as quick as possible. your anxiety is natural too - the IBS has been with you for a while, when you let go of the IBS you are letting go of a part of yourself, its a bit scary - but its worth it in the end

Let me know if I have missed anything.Best RegardsMike

 

[cookies4marilyn]

I believe this is the past post Mike was thinkg of...hope this helps:

At some time during the listening of the IBS program, symptoms come and go, andthere is good reason for this. Its easiest to understand if we use a metaphor.Lets set the scene:Imagine that the IBS that has been with you, and part of your life for so long, as aresident army of negative thoughts.The IBS program and its imagery and learning�s as another army, an army of positive thoughts, that are going to displace the army of old negative thoughts.Comments:The learned thought processes of the IBS have become a part of you. They do notwant to change because they are fine as they are thank you very much. However, youknow that once the IBS is reduced, managed or even eliminated you will feel better. We are not born with IBS, somewhere in the development of things, not only has IBS developed, but it is retained by the thoughts of the subconscious. IBS sufferers run thoughts in their minds, sometimes before they even open their eyesin the morning, what�s the IBS going to be like today, how am I going to get to work,what happens if there are traffic queues, what shops have toilets and many otherthoughts beside.The subconscious does not want change, because the IBS is familiar. It is part of the sufferers life. No matter how bad the pain, or the bloating or the inconvenience, you have a history of surviving it, and you have. So while it is uncomfortable, its not lifethreatening, so why should the subconscious want to change?The subconscious does not like change, and will resist it!! It will use excuse after excuse to 'do something else' with your time.Just keep persevering Scenario again:After a while of listening ( and the time varies ), the sufferer will begin to feel better, in reduction of symptoms, or frequency of presentation, or feel more relaxed or less anxious, or might not even be able to put their finger on the reason, but they feel better.This is a sign that the new thoughts, the new army of positive thoughts have begun todisplace the old negative thoughts of IBS.Once this happens - the new army of positive thoughts and new positive feelings beginto relax a little, they are making progress. However! As any general in warfare knows, if they are being beaten, they do anorganised retreat, and regroup, ready for another attack.When the old thoughts attack, Then the old thoughts come back, feeling as if they are just as bad as before.Comments:The fact that the old army of negative thoughts is pushing back is natural and normal.However, since the suffer has been feeling better, they are more relaxed, but then theybegin to feel how things used to be again, they are reminded of the old discomforts.In some people their bowel habit may change, but it is only temporary.Scenario:Again the new positive thoughts, fight back, they once again push away the old armyof negative thoughts, but the old thoughts are weakened now, they are fought back again.The subconscious really does not like change.Once again the positive army of thoughts are encamped, their position is strengthened.Comments:The subconscious begins to understand that it can still survive with the new positivefeelings, it begins to feel better too, and because of that, the subconscious, throughgentle learning realises that it is feeling better, the body is feeling better, and theoutlook and attitude of mind is better too. All these things come together to move the sufferer forward, reducing symptoms and frequency of presentation.Scenario:The old army of positive thoughts will fight back again, however the strength of theold thoughts is much less, the times that the old thoughts try and come back becomeless frequent.Comments.The establishment of new positive thoughts change the way the sufferer feels, in body mind and self. What you have described is not unusual, although not all listeners have this.In my world, what you have described in normal:Also hypnotherapy has a proven track record of helping sufferers - if the therapist knows what they are doing of course In the UK we have been using hypnotherapy for IBS for over 15 years. It is the most scientifically and medically researched complementary therapy there is. With proven track records of success, not only in the UK but in the US and other countries.Keep going, you'll be fine. And thanks for the posting.Partypooper, there should be no problem with your husband listening to them. I'm pleased to hear he enjoys them also.Best RegardsMike------------------Marilyn

 

[eric]

Partypooper, I don't think I need to add anything to the responces you recieved, other then my responces to your questions.1. Within weeks I was sleeping better and that helped. As well as the general relaxation of the program. 30 days doing even better and noticed changes in how I was waking up, where I would normally wake up with pain and negative thoughts, I was waking up with no pain and good thoughts.50 days a few very minor setbacks,but all in all better.After the program I was doing really well and testing it by eating popcorn a known trigger for me. I was really testing it and ate popcorn 5 days in a row. One day bother me slightly, but I realized I over did it in the testing.

A year later not listening and I am steady at 80 to 85 percent and have gone from refractory IBS where nothing helped to extremely mild IBS. Not cured, but that may come and I have been realistic about it and optomistic at the same time. I think I will go back soon and listen again as that is only reinforcing the process, but I personally wanted to see how long the improvement would last and it has not only lasted but gotten better.2. That was answered for you and as others have mentioned it is normal for some including myself. A side note here. The holidays can be stressful more so then perhaps some other time of year.3.80 to 85 percent in all my symptoms. Major improvement in my thought patterns and I notice things I was even aware of before. Pain almost eliminated and I went from four severe attacks of pain a week to a mild one maybe once a month. Usally traceable to something I shouldn't have done.4. Discontinued all meds for IBS( But do this with your doctors advise as this is very important.) I am also eating things that use to bother me, but don't bother me anymore with a cautious eye on not over doing it.Hang in there. The holidays can add to how we feel and the changes can be gradual, but will build up over time. I can just say stay motivated and postive and I think you will get there.

------------------ http://www.ibshealth.com/ www.ibsaudioprogram.com

 

[cookies4marilyn]

Bump for Partypooper