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Neuropathy and Brain Neuroplasticity

Neuropathy | Last Active: Aug 14, 2023 | Replies (89)

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@jesfactsmon

@user_che214927 @dont
Hi Barry, a day or so ago in a post you reaffirmed your belief that Chapter 7 of Doidges book The Brain that Changes Itself is a key to understanding how the concept of neuroplasticity can be used to help one's neuropathy pain. Here is a link to that post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/why-all-the-testing-if-there-is-no-cure/?commentsorderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header

I just reskimmed chapter 7. Like the first time I read it, I didn't see anything in it to help a person directly affect their neuropathy. Most of the chapter discusses phantom pain experiments. There are a couple vague statements about somehow using one's imagination in some way. Would you mind pointing out the specific things in chapter 7 that you found helpful? I am missing it. You say in your post "You dominate the problem, not the other way." It sounds like you are exerting will power to effectively ignore your discomfort and by doing that you diminish it. Does that sum up your approach?

Personally, I am not seeing anything in that chapter to use as even an inspiration for how to reduce nerve pain, let alone any specific instructions, other than shear will power. And maybe that is the crux of it. Just want to confirm with you if that sums up your take.

Any elaboration on this from you would be appreciated, by myself and by Don T. Thanks, Hank

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Replies to "@user_che214927 @dont Hi Barry, a day or so ago in a post you reaffirmed your belief..."

@jesfactsmon @user_che214927 @dont Hi guys, I also read chapter 7 of the book, and do not remember specific neuroplasticity activities to follow that were written there. I also don't understand how you follow these type of activities when your pain is pretty much all day long, at different levels. No one can do this all day long! I do what I can to not focus on pain by distracting myself to other activities that I like, and sometimes, that works. Sometimes the pain is too severe. Sometimes I imagine that my pain is a red box, and in my mind, I imagine the box to be getting smaller and smaller. Sometimes, with burning pain, I go along with the burning, and picture myself on the beach, in a hot, pleasurable sun. That actually seems to help!!! I did this with hot flashes during menopause, as well. I just go with the burning, instead of fighting it. Interestingly, and I do know I told Rachel this, I talked to Jonathan Kuttner's daughter all about my nerve pain. Jonathan Kuttner is a prominent pain doc in Australia, and his daughter Naomi works with him. I did a lengthy survey about my pain, and essentially, Naomi responded to it via a personal video to me. She essentially said that neuroplastic activities for neuropathic type pain do not necessarily work very well. She was very honest with me. And her dad is a top pain specialist in Australia. So that is that. Just thought I would contribute what I know. This pain sucks. I know that. Lori Renee

You are right Hank, that chapter, on its own, will not totally solve the pain, nor explan neuroplasticity. Both of Doidge's book are not for casual reading. It took me just on 2 months to read his first book.I have double and triply checked his credentials, and other mentioned scientists regarding this new sensational breakthrough that the brain really is plastic and can regrow itself. Then on reading his second book book " The brains way of healing", plus the many of his films on youtube, I am now totally convinced that I will recover from peripheral-neuropathy, if I do the work required. That is why I am so enthusiastic. Now I also understand that if a person does not have that beleif, after their research, they will be right; It will not work for them. Now regarding pain. It is a necessary part of life as it warns the brain of danger. It is our choice how to handle pain. Take pain killers and thwart messages being sent to the brain, or grit you teeth until we can create many , probably miĺlions of new neurons to reduce it as best we can.In my youth I was an elite athlete in foofball and athletics, but at age of 21 suffered an ACL of my right knee. From that dayI never played any sport, not even vigorous dancing.Since then I have battled huge weight increase, and surgery operations on knee, hip, and spine, and with it a life of pain. So I do understand pain in all its complexities. I have studied nutrition and said farewell being very overweight. I have studied meditation, and that has helped reduce pain but not totally, and I am happy with that. I am aged 89 and on nil medication of any description. I totally believe in neuroplasticity, and WILL BEAT this scourge of peripheral-neuropathy. Incidently I inherited it from unknown Irish ancestor, and recently found that my 62 year son has been diagnosed with it also. Now I hope that explains why I am so excited , and beleive it will happen, pain or nor pain. Best wishes from down under Australia.