Surviving Multiple Chemical Sensitivity!
Any success with brain retraining?
Discussion started by Maff 11 years ago
Brain retraining seems to be gaining more and more popularity as the number of people with MCS that have used one of these programs and report positive results continues to grow.
I decided to write an information page on the subject which you guys may find useful. It can be found here.
It would be great to hear from more people who have tried these programs and what the results were...positive or negative!
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CazNZ
October last year my TSH was 4.3. As of today it is 3.8 !!!!!! Yah. Success. So yes, for me the Gupta programme is reducing the stress in my body. I sweat now, which I didn't before and my gut operates normally. Sensitivity and symptoms are still getting less and less. Obviously my body is in healing mode.
11 years ago
CazNZ
Thanks Maff for the support. Yes I'm accepting invites to go out now. Mixing a bit more. I've been in the City for the last four days. I went to the ART of Living course (destressing). The course is run over four days and yes, it is deep breathing in a room full of (fumey) people. I arrived each day without a mask or nose filters and as soon as we started exercises and deep breathing I did put the mask on. I just felt more comfortable doing that. I'm tired from being at the event but I've have no reactions at all (not even from the traffic) and I've learnt some very good techniques to add to my arsonal of techniques for reducing my MCS symptoms. I've also gone back to doing EFT - fasterEFT with Robert Smith - a bit of variety. I'll continue to leave messages here until I am 100% better.
11 years ago
Maff
Wow, it sounds like you are greatly improved Caz. I am delighted for you!. Especially with you being able to enjoy new hobbies like gardening...and even help with other people's gardens. That really is great news. Being able to get outdoors without being fearful of exposure is very uplifting for mind and soul!
I agree with you that most of our illnesses have at their root - dysfunction (specifically excessive sensitivity/activity) of the unconscious mind i.e. the ancient instinctive part of the brain, the limbic system. Exactly what the Gupta Programme and similar therapies are designed to work on.
Thank you so much for continuing to report on your positive progress. It's understandable that when people feel better they no longer have the desire to visit support sites like ours. It's great that you are motivated to share your journey of recovery with us - I am sure it will give many people hope
I agree with you that most of our illnesses have at their root - dysfunction (specifically excessive sensitivity/activity) of the unconscious mind i.e. the ancient instinctive part of the brain, the limbic system. Exactly what the Gupta Programme and similar therapies are designed to work on.
Thank you so much for continuing to report on your positive progress. It's understandable that when people feel better they no longer have the desire to visit support sites like ours. It's great that you are motivated to share your journey of recovery with us - I am sure it will give many people hope
11 years ago
CazNZ
11 weeks on the Gupta programme and I am recovering. Not even bothering to wear nose filters when out and around. My heart rate would average 85 beats per minute last month. It now averages 74 beats per minute. Sleeping lots better too. When in a crowd I still smell the chemicals from personal products which is still fowl to smell, but there is no pain. After about 8 hours I feel an uneasy feeling that sticks around for a few hours and disappears. Managing to do a little work too, gardening for others. I'm very happy.
11 years ago
CazNZ
Now eight weeks into the programme. Still seeing benefits. I'm now confident enough to go out to the market and shops which I previously avoided (still wearing nose filters though).
I would say neurologically my brain is a lot more quiet. Things that caused me distress in the pass are now in the pass and don't "churn" in my head any more. I feel normal. I still wake a few times at night but go back to sleep easily. Any chemical exposures are causing only minor reactions. I do breathing exercises and mediation morning and night. A couple of times a week I rewatch a session of the Gupta DVDs. Still 100% positive that the unconscious part of the brain is responsible for causing my MCS symptoms to continually get worse.
Have been reducing the Pall supplements and seeing no changes. Just getting on with life. No hassles and living as stress-free as possible. Enjoying the free time I have to do some new hobbies. The garden is getting lots of attention. All's good.
I would say neurologically my brain is a lot more quiet. Things that caused me distress in the pass are now in the pass and don't "churn" in my head any more. I feel normal. I still wake a few times at night but go back to sleep easily. Any chemical exposures are causing only minor reactions. I do breathing exercises and mediation morning and night. A couple of times a week I rewatch a session of the Gupta DVDs. Still 100% positive that the unconscious part of the brain is responsible for causing my MCS symptoms to continually get worse.
Have been reducing the Pall supplements and seeing no changes. Just getting on with life. No hassles and living as stress-free as possible. Enjoying the free time I have to do some new hobbies. The garden is getting lots of attention. All's good.
11 years ago
Jodie
I am not putting effort into "brain retraining doesn't work", as I said I am happy for you that it is working. But if anyone here is thinking of using this system they need whatever info we can find for them before they make a decision.
So what do we know so far:
- It works (almost miraculously is the feeling you get) for some.
- It doesn't work at all for others.
- It has some effect for some (Julie Genser's 'finishing touch')
- There's no reliable evidence either way (Maff if you know better let us know)
- It's hard work, a lot of effort has to be put in.
- There's very little information on the content of the (very long) course as to what exactly goes on
throughout the course.
- It's expensive, but there's a cash-back offer if you see not progress after 6 months.
- Sometimes it takes more than 6 months to work.
I've requested a copy from my local library - will see what happens. (It's Christmas! maybe they're feeling generous!) I really hope they come up with the goods - if they do then not only can I do a write-up for everyone demystifying the whole thing but that copy will be circulated across the country and lent out for a teeny hire fee to anyone who wants to give it a go. Fingers crossed!
So what do we know so far:
- It works (almost miraculously is the feeling you get) for some.
- It doesn't work at all for others.
- It has some effect for some (Julie Genser's 'finishing touch')
- There's no reliable evidence either way (Maff if you know better let us know)
- It's hard work, a lot of effort has to be put in.
- There's very little information on the content of the (very long) course as to what exactly goes on
throughout the course.
- It's expensive, but there's a cash-back offer if you see not progress after 6 months.
- Sometimes it takes more than 6 months to work.
I've requested a copy from my local library - will see what happens. (It's Christmas! maybe they're feeling generous!) I really hope they come up with the goods - if they do then not only can I do a write-up for everyone demystifying the whole thing but that copy will be circulated across the country and lent out for a teeny hire fee to anyone who wants to give it a go. Fingers crossed!
11 years ago
CazNZ
I'll leave you putting effort into proving that "brain retraining doesn't work". I plan to just continue getting better, putting effort into using the Gupta techniques I have learnt, and getting on with my life - minus MCS.
11 years ago
Jodie
I'll have a go at getting my library to order Hopper or Gupta. If it works I promise to put up a 'blow by blow' account of exactly what's involved and spread it around, I don't care if it takes me all year - no more mystery!
Unfortunately it seems the Mayo study was discredited..
1. They do not state what criteria were used to diagnosis the patients.
2. They put patients with "chronic fatigue" together with patients with "chronic fatigue syndrome" which are two entirely different medical conditions.
3. The sample size is far too small for it to be valid.
Apparently Mayo admitted this after it was carried out.
Makes me wonder who put them up to it and how much they were paid. Shame, I always had quite a lot of faith in Mayo 'til now.
Unfortunately it seems the Mayo study was discredited..
1. They do not state what criteria were used to diagnosis the patients.
2. They put patients with "chronic fatigue" together with patients with "chronic fatigue syndrome" which are two entirely different medical conditions.
3. The sample size is far too small for it to be valid.
Apparently Mayo admitted this after it was carried out.
Makes me wonder who put them up to it and how much they were paid. Shame, I always had quite a lot of faith in Mayo 'til now.
11 years ago
CazNZ
Yes, I have watched the MCS section prior to purchasing. I also watched the 3 hr free course. I wasn't convinced after watching these. My five senses, sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch were not always involved with my sensitivity. I can get ill after 7-8 hours of eating certain chemical additives.) I did further study to find out that the brain does indeed receive messages via receptors when there is a cellular change. (I worked for a Uni Physiology Department for 13 years.)
At 1st the stop stop stop sent my heart racing and created panic. The Gupta support site was very helpful in getting this under control. Further into the DVD sessions there was a lot of info and support from Ashok Gupta on how to deal with the issue. It takes a lot of learning to learn the exercises, they really mess with your brain too and when you get it right they do what they are suppose to do. It's all very weird but fantastic. (Sometimes I can read a newspaper and other days my body reacts in a very negative way. I haven't been able to go into my husband's workshop without wearing a mask but now I can go in there, close the door and stay for as long as I like . . . no delayed reactions at all. Perhaps next week of will not be able to.) My unconscious part of my brain is indeed involved in my reactions and I suspect all my other health conditions. Which are real physiological symtoms in the body.
At this stage I see brain training as a "Get out of jail free card". When I have a reaction (end up in jail), I can get rid of the reaction in about 30 minutes (freed).
The Gupta programme only cost NZ$245, I haven't had to pay for anything else. I may sign on to a webinar. There is a fee for that. It costs me NZ$185/month for the Pall supplements (I am reducing these with no side affects) and every time I go to the doctor it costs at least $50 and that is without tests. I still think the Gupta programme is a bargin.
Yes, I have been very guarded too - the 1st few weeks I felt very vunerable. There is a lot of information involved and a lot of learning Jodie. You have to be really "gutsie" to commit to doing one of these courses. Negative, critical remarks, etc., only discourage. You need a self-belief that you can do it, you can rewire your brain. I 100% know now that my unconscious mind is seriously involved in making me very very ill. I will continue interrupting and stopping my brain whenever I become aware that it is not functioning the way it should and I will do this for as long as it takes for me to get better.
At 1st the stop stop stop sent my heart racing and created panic. The Gupta support site was very helpful in getting this under control. Further into the DVD sessions there was a lot of info and support from Ashok Gupta on how to deal with the issue. It takes a lot of learning to learn the exercises, they really mess with your brain too and when you get it right they do what they are suppose to do. It's all very weird but fantastic. (Sometimes I can read a newspaper and other days my body reacts in a very negative way. I haven't been able to go into my husband's workshop without wearing a mask but now I can go in there, close the door and stay for as long as I like . . . no delayed reactions at all. Perhaps next week of will not be able to.) My unconscious part of my brain is indeed involved in my reactions and I suspect all my other health conditions. Which are real physiological symtoms in the body.
At this stage I see brain training as a "Get out of jail free card". When I have a reaction (end up in jail), I can get rid of the reaction in about 30 minutes (freed).
The Gupta programme only cost NZ$245, I haven't had to pay for anything else. I may sign on to a webinar. There is a fee for that. It costs me NZ$185/month for the Pall supplements (I am reducing these with no side affects) and every time I go to the doctor it costs at least $50 and that is without tests. I still think the Gupta programme is a bargin.
Yes, I have been very guarded too - the 1st few weeks I felt very vunerable. There is a lot of information involved and a lot of learning Jodie. You have to be really "gutsie" to commit to doing one of these courses. Negative, critical remarks, etc., only discourage. You need a self-belief that you can do it, you can rewire your brain. I 100% know now that my unconscious mind is seriously involved in making me very very ill. I will continue interrupting and stopping my brain whenever I become aware that it is not functioning the way it should and I will do this for as long as it takes for me to get better.
11 years ago
Jodie
Hi Caz, have you watched that 36min MCS section? would you say it was an accurate description of what you know about the course? Slightly unfair question as you have only been on it for a month but I guess you can judge on what you've done so far. If that turns out to be the case then that's what anyone with any questions needs to watch. Tho for an 8 DVD course 36 mins seems a fairly brief explanation.
Well I found the link to the No!No!No! stuff, turned out to be Stop!Stop!Stop! D I got it slightly wrong .. there was a discussion on PlanetThrive as people were saying it was too aggressive and were trying to come up with alternatives...
planetthrive.com/2012/05/brain-retrainers-stop-with-the-stop-stop-stop/… do think it's way overpriced. I have a friend who produces similar training DVDs (for Tai Chi/Judo) - it costs about £400 to produce 8 of them and books are not expensive to produce these days. Double that to pay for their time & add a cheap production run might be £1500..they'd only have to sell 10 packages before they start making a good profit I reckon, not to mention all the seminars and group get togethers they run.
But my main problem was with the lack of information on what is in these courses - everyone I asked seemed to get very precious about it ...it seemed way too carefully guarded to me. However if that info link is accurate & totally explanatory then that's what needs to get passed on to anyone who asks.
Glad its working for you, girl!
Well I found the link to the No!No!No! stuff, turned out to be Stop!Stop!Stop! D I got it slightly wrong .. there was a discussion on PlanetThrive as people were saying it was too aggressive and were trying to come up with alternatives...
planetthrive.com/2012/05/brain-retrainers-stop-with-the-stop-stop-stop/… do think it's way overpriced. I have a friend who produces similar training DVDs (for Tai Chi/Judo) - it costs about £400 to produce 8 of them and books are not expensive to produce these days. Double that to pay for their time & add a cheap production run might be £1500..they'd only have to sell 10 packages before they start making a good profit I reckon, not to mention all the seminars and group get togethers they run.
But my main problem was with the lack of information on what is in these courses - everyone I asked seemed to get very precious about it ...it seemed way too carefully guarded to me. However if that info link is accurate & totally explanatory then that's what needs to get passed on to anyone who asks.
Glad its working for you, girl!
11 years ago
CazNZ
Hi Jodie. You have to find what works for you. As I stated the programme comes with a large A4 book and 8 DVDs - lots of information and guidance. No you don't jump up and down shouting NO NO NO (nothing stressful like that at all). :> The Gupta Programme offers a three-hour "free" introduction to the programme. If you want to find out more about the programme, just sign up for that. The link to the MCS portion is at:
">www.youtube.com/…. I also realise that the DNRS (Annie Hooper) programme is a good retraining system also.
Yesterday, I had the misfortune when out at a gardening job to walk into the smell of a wood sealant that builders were using. Normally an accident like that would have a painful affect for a long long time. What I did was quickly stick my nose filters in my nose (luckily I had some in my pocket). I thought ok, that was only one wift, I should be ok. But alas 10 mins later a reaction did start. It took 30 minutes to stop this reaction, which I did 100%. A reaction is usually extremely painful for me and the symptoms would last for at least three days. It is now 18 hours later and I have had do further side effects.
Yes, my body has become damaged also, but it WAS continually getting worse and worse over the years. Now I'm in reverse. When I first arrived on this site I asked "where do I start". Maff suggested the Pall supplements . . . wonderful advice Maff. Thank you. (I have already started reducing these.)
I am committed to the Gupta programme for the time they recommend (6 months) and now for longer because, I am getting better and I am fully convinced I will leave MCS completely behind in the near future.
Yesterday, I had the misfortune when out at a gardening job to walk into the smell of a wood sealant that builders were using. Normally an accident like that would have a painful affect for a long long time. What I did was quickly stick my nose filters in my nose (luckily I had some in my pocket). I thought ok, that was only one wift, I should be ok. But alas 10 mins later a reaction did start. It took 30 minutes to stop this reaction, which I did 100%. A reaction is usually extremely painful for me and the symptoms would last for at least three days. It is now 18 hours later and I have had do further side effects.
Yes, my body has become damaged also, but it WAS continually getting worse and worse over the years. Now I'm in reverse. When I first arrived on this site I asked "where do I start". Maff suggested the Pall supplements . . . wonderful advice Maff. Thank you. (I have already started reducing these.)
I am committed to the Gupta programme for the time they recommend (6 months) and now for longer because, I am getting better and I am fully convinced I will leave MCS completely behind in the near future.
11 years ago
Jodie
Caz, I had trouble finding this, even a search didn't bring it up, I had to click on your profile then find the link to this post. Also I don't know why it doesn't show up on the RH side - most new posts seem to do that.
Sounds to me like this is a sort of deep relaxation program, touching on hypnotherapy & psychological tweaking. I've had hypnotherapy for insomnia before and it worked very well, tho don't know if it would have if I'd been watching a DVD rather than have an actual person to interract with. Re exercises, I've noticed an hour's yoga will get rid of the exhaustion and groggy headaches & even stomach pains, tho I don't have those very often. Personally I don't feel like a 'victim', I think I've somehow become damaged so my body can't deal with some natural (and a lot of artificial) substances. It's life - stuff happens. What's much more frustrating is the scientific community can't seem to get to the bottom of what's going on. I don't need others to 'build me up' either, just be a little considerate with the chems they use. So I think whether this is helpful of not might depend on how you feel about the situation you're in. Stop searching for cures? doesn't this put itself out to be a cure? that's certainly what its fans believe.
I'm still not clear exactly what happens - could you describe a couple of sessions for us? someone once told me you have to jump up and down shouting NO!NO!NO! and do similar bizarre things so its best to have an empty house at the time. b
Sounds to me like this is a sort of deep relaxation program, touching on hypnotherapy & psychological tweaking. I've had hypnotherapy for insomnia before and it worked very well, tho don't know if it would have if I'd been watching a DVD rather than have an actual person to interract with. Re exercises, I've noticed an hour's yoga will get rid of the exhaustion and groggy headaches & even stomach pains, tho I don't have those very often. Personally I don't feel like a 'victim', I think I've somehow become damaged so my body can't deal with some natural (and a lot of artificial) substances. It's life - stuff happens. What's much more frustrating is the scientific community can't seem to get to the bottom of what's going on. I don't need others to 'build me up' either, just be a little considerate with the chems they use. So I think whether this is helpful of not might depend on how you feel about the situation you're in. Stop searching for cures? doesn't this put itself out to be a cure? that's certainly what its fans believe.
I'm still not clear exactly what happens - could you describe a couple of sessions for us? someone once told me you have to jump up and down shouting NO!NO!NO! and do similar bizarre things so its best to have an empty house at the time. b
11 years ago
CazNZ
Maff stated: "My advice would be that any combination of techniques such as meditation, yoga, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (MCBT) etc...will have a similar positive brain retraining effect and most importantly are free" I agree Maff. I tried this but just couldn't connect with the process doing it unsupported.
For me personally the Gupta programme is a bargain. You get a A4 sized accompanying book (147 pages) which contains the script of the DVDs, exercise sheets and further guidance; 8 DVDS, supporting emails; separately supplied MCS video and exercises; a discussion site and contact details if you wish to have a personal councillor, etc, he even runs webinars frequently and seminars throughout the World.
Ashok Gupta is very supportive and encouraging. One step at a time and stress free. He educates you about your brain functioning, and explains how you can consciously take control of your unconscious brain and then works/teaches you how to do the exercises that will eventually rewire your brain. You are encouraged to NOT continually hunt out cures but to stop and give 100% for 6 months to the course and getting better. The retraining is very personal and would effect everyone very differently.
As you will see from my post below I haven't been doing the programme for very long (six weeks). The benefits so far are just "mind blowing" excuse the pun. There has been lots of trauma in my past and then add to that the fear I (we) face just leaving the house was causing no end of stress.
Yes, you can find exercises for free on the web that will deal with the above issues, but having a personal supportive coach (because that is what it feels like listening to the DVDs) is worth every dollar I have spent on it.
To date these are the gains: For me I've become very happy in my "own skin" - I've stopped needing others to build me up and support me. I don't feel a victim anymore. My digestive system is now working normally; by headaches have gone etc etc. I feel 100% healthy and that is weird because I haven't felt that way for a long time. Reactions are not so severe and I can get rid of the majority of the reaction with exercises (I use to be rolling around in pain and suffer for up to three days); I'm not frightened any more . . . and the biggy is I know the rest of my life is going to be free of MCS.
The only negative for me is that I wish Ashok would make the DVDs for MCS only, there again he cannot say CFS, ME, FM, MCS every time. Some of the DVS he says CFS and others he says ME. In this instance, I am happy to be the "tack-on".
For me personally the Gupta programme is a bargain. You get a A4 sized accompanying book (147 pages) which contains the script of the DVDs, exercise sheets and further guidance; 8 DVDS, supporting emails; separately supplied MCS video and exercises; a discussion site and contact details if you wish to have a personal councillor, etc, he even runs webinars frequently and seminars throughout the World.
Ashok Gupta is very supportive and encouraging. One step at a time and stress free. He educates you about your brain functioning, and explains how you can consciously take control of your unconscious brain and then works/teaches you how to do the exercises that will eventually rewire your brain. You are encouraged to NOT continually hunt out cures but to stop and give 100% for 6 months to the course and getting better. The retraining is very personal and would effect everyone very differently.
As you will see from my post below I haven't been doing the programme for very long (six weeks). The benefits so far are just "mind blowing" excuse the pun. There has been lots of trauma in my past and then add to that the fear I (we) face just leaving the house was causing no end of stress.
Yes, you can find exercises for free on the web that will deal with the above issues, but having a personal supportive coach (because that is what it feels like listening to the DVDs) is worth every dollar I have spent on it.
To date these are the gains: For me I've become very happy in my "own skin" - I've stopped needing others to build me up and support me. I don't feel a victim anymore. My digestive system is now working normally; by headaches have gone etc etc. I feel 100% healthy and that is weird because I haven't felt that way for a long time. Reactions are not so severe and I can get rid of the majority of the reaction with exercises (I use to be rolling around in pain and suffer for up to three days); I'm not frightened any more . . . and the biggy is I know the rest of my life is going to be free of MCS.
The only negative for me is that I wish Ashok would make the DVDs for MCS only, there again he cannot say CFS, ME, FM, MCS every time. Some of the DVS he says CFS and others he says ME. In this instance, I am happy to be the "tack-on".
11 years ago
CazNZ
I have been 100% committed to the Gupta Programme now for a month. I have also been on the Pall supplements for two and half months.
As you will see from my other posting I now have a process in which to deal with reactions. I can stick my nose into a benzene containing product, get a full reaction, pain and all occurring and dissolve away all the pain and disorientation I had previously. I feel as though I am back in control.
Three days ago I was in the city and had extensive work done on my teeth over a two-day period (two 1-hour appointments). No reactions at the dentist, which seemed really weird as I usually end up coughing etc. A few hours later I had a few threatening headaches which I managed to dispurse with Gupta exercises (at the same time as driving myself home, I didn't even need to stop).
My view is, the purchase of the Gupta Programme was an absolute bargain. I haven't even finished watching all the DVDs yet and I still have lots to learn, but it is certainly working for me.
Note, I am still wearing either my mask or nose filters when in an enclosed space with lots of people around, afterall it is still very early days.
As you will see from my other posting I now have a process in which to deal with reactions. I can stick my nose into a benzene containing product, get a full reaction, pain and all occurring and dissolve away all the pain and disorientation I had previously. I feel as though I am back in control.
Three days ago I was in the city and had extensive work done on my teeth over a two-day period (two 1-hour appointments). No reactions at the dentist, which seemed really weird as I usually end up coughing etc. A few hours later I had a few threatening headaches which I managed to dispurse with Gupta exercises (at the same time as driving myself home, I didn't even need to stop).
My view is, the purchase of the Gupta Programme was an absolute bargain. I haven't even finished watching all the DVDs yet and I still have lots to learn, but it is certainly working for me.
Note, I am still wearing either my mask or nose filters when in an enclosed space with lots of people around, afterall it is still very early days.
11 years ago
