Neuropathy and Brain Neuroplasticity

@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

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.

@user_che214927
Thanks Barry. I have not yet finished the first book, am reading it slowly. I agree neuroplasticity is fascinating. I still don't know exactly what it is that you do, other than use raw willpower to overcome pain. I know my wife who has PN is too weak to muster the amount of energy that would take to achieve. She is barely able to just be. Her pain drags her down SO MUCH! If her feet would just stop burning I know she would be much more energetic. She is very frustrated not to be able to do the things she wants to do.

I guess I will keep reading and maybe watch some of Doidge on YouTube. I didn't know about his videos. I think it is great you are not using any painkillers. Did you used to, before neuroplasticity came into your life? Also commend you on the weight loss. You seem like a very young and vibrant person for 89, I have a feeling you will be posting for years to come. Best, Hank

Alhttps://youtu.be/5WzFSbX9hHwl For those interested in Norman Doidge, and neuro plasticity, a great you tube video. One of the best I have found. Lori Renee

@user_che214927 @jesfactsmon and to all my fellow Pain sufferers; I have been watching Norman Doidge extensively today. Had an extremely bad pain day, and plodded through. This distraction helped my pain a lot. I really started thinking, and want to convey what may be important insights. Doidge explains that there are 12 places in the brain that can signal pain, and are attached to various areas. For instance, pain can be signaled in the emotional part of the brain, and that is why it is often associated with irritability, sadness, crabbiness. It can be signaled in the motor parts of the brain, and that is why certain parts of our bodies hurt. Doidge's main pain study that he talks about involves a guy who kept imaging 3 MRI's of his pained area. He would concentrate on these images over and over during a very long period of time, and his pain finally went away. I don't think I could do that, so I started thinking about what I could do to kind of trick my brain during pain battles. I know I love to sing, and in one of my most painful episodes, I changed the lyrics to a Barbra Streisand song, and belted it out for about 15 minutes, and the pain went away. I am planning on doing this every time I am in pain. I am not giving up. Because I write parodies to songs, I wrote a quick parody to Barbra Streisand's song, "He Touched Me." Hear it on you tube to see what I am talking about. Anyway, this is it, kind of; still working on it!

It hurts me,
I simply have to face the fact;
it hurts me!

Control myself, and try,
to manage my pain.....

Won't let it hurt me,
Can't hurt me,
And every, every, every thing....

WILL CHANGE!!!!!!!!

Repeat 1,000 times, or until the pain stops, or the police knock on your door cause of all the noise.....

John, you can use any Rapid Shave commercial you want to. Am I remembering that right? Make new lyrics.

Anyway, hope you don't all think I am nuts. I gotta do something!!!!!!!!!

Lori Renee1

Hi Lori and congratulations. Now you can see why Iam so excited and enthusiastic about the practice of Neuroplacticiy. Iam getting results and believe thatIwill back to normal in a couple of years . Just keep on researching. Best wishes and go for it!

Hi Lori and congratulations. Now you can see why Iam so excited and enthusiastic about the practice of Neuroplacticiy. Iam getting results and believe thatIwill back to normal in a couple of years . Just keep on researching. Best wishes and go for it!

@user_che214927 Yes, Barry, I am on your road now. I really do not think there is anything left, and besides, the Science behind Neuro Plasticity is the only thing that makes sense to me. Besides singing pain away, if it works over time, I will learning Spanish on line. I know a lot already, but want to learn more. Anything to build new brain pathways!!! Thanks, Barry!

Wow thats fantastic! I have made many changes to my habits, but my current change is using chop sticks instead of the knife and fork. A very amusing battle, in fact could be used to thwart pain. Shortly I will use the chop sticks with my left hand. So Lori , all of these change are really making my brain work out, and in doing so, massively grow new neurons, and that is what it is all about. And try and make all of our challenges, not only challenging, but fun!

@user_che214927 Hi again, Barry. I love your spirit! Awesome! And not only are you learning to use chopsticks, but are learning with the hand you don't use for eating? Norman Doidge would be so proud of you if he knew! I may steal your idea, and try chop sticks, too! What the Hell! And yes, it is fun, as I dribble food all over myself. I am washable! Last night I sang Barbra Streisand's "Don't Rain on My Parade," with my version; "Don't Pain on my Parade." I sang inside my head for about 20 minutes and no concentration on the pain. Drifted off to sleep. The challenges of a painful life. I hope to conquer some of it, at least! My best to you, Lori Renee1