Rebecca Tolin's CFS recovery story - TMS success story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ย. 2021
- Rebecca Tolin was an award-winning Bay Area news reporter until Chronic Fatigue Syndrome knocked her down. She was initially bed-bound, then mostly housebound for 13 years. Here is her full recovery story. Starts 0:24 TIMESTAMPS:
Overview:
Rebecca tried countless treatments to get better until she discovered a new approach. She shares her full 13-year recovery story and wisdom from her powerful journey. She is now living a vibrant life with renewed purpose.
Her former key symptoms included post-exertional malaise, insomnia, extreme fatigue and weakness, chronic body and joint pain, migraines, 24/7 flu-like feeling, digestive issues, hormone imbalance, and many more (full list in our interview).
About this channel:
I share all types of CFS recovery stories. I kept hearing Dr. Sarno's name mentioned (who coined the TMS approach) and was honored to interview Rebecca Tolin about her story.
TIMESTAMPS coming soon:
0:28 Intro: Meet Rebecca
1:23 Rebecca's life before CFS as a TV news reporter & the traumatic event
2:18 Rebecca's onset with CFS
3:07 Rebecca's key CFS symptoms (4:27 Chart of her Key Symptoms)
4:45 Experience with doctors and getting a diagnosis, different things she tried
6:17 Her experience with IV antivirals for elevated EBV antibodies
7:17 Holistic things that helped her
8:50 The power of sitting in nature
9:54 How things some doctors said made her WORSE
12:45 Rebecca shifts her approach - turning point
15:22 Finding our OWN healing path
16:14 Book rec - I loved this book, too!
16:33 The online writing class & the phone call that CHANGED her life
18:19 Intro to TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome), Dr. Sarno's work, and neuroscience behind it
19:46 Why she was READY
21:18 She describes her approach of applying TMS knowledge
22:17 The fifth piece & why taking "baby steps" were ESSENTIAL
24:36 How Rebecca felt her emotions - she breaks it down
26:06 How TMS is DIFFERENT than talk therapy - Rebecca explains "somatic tracking" and what she actually did
29:30 Personality traits not helpful for healing (not meant to be self-blamey!)
32:23 We talk about the deeper invitation of CFS
35:09 Rebecca talks about the length of her upward trajectory & her renewed purpose
36:44 Rebecca's lists her mentors including Dr. Howard Shrubiner, MD.
39:07 I love what Rebecca says here about what's going to help your symptoms (very thoughtful words, friendly reminder: nothing is medical advice)
39:35 Diets Rebecca tried and what actually worked
43:49 Reassuring words for people who ask "What about my weird symptom?" (friendly reminder: not medical advice)
44:57 What routines and recovery practices does Rebecca STILL do today
48:13 How friends and family reacted to Rebecca's major life change, and did she lose friends along the way?
49:13 Putting the ego aside (and a pic of her old Emmy)
53:32 Rebecca's POWERFUL words of wisdom & encouragement
55:22 Resources you can find on Rebecca's website & what specifically she helps people with
56:52 Rebecca's life now & activities, I can't believe her actual age!!
58:20 Rebecca hopes that her story doesn't detract from others who healed differently - love her thoughtful words here
59:10 A new tide!
Rebecca's new Be Your Own Medicine program:
courses.rebeccatolin.com/cour...
Rebecca's TH-cam:
/ @rebeccatolinmind-body...
Unlearn Your Pain by Howard Schrubiner (her mentor):
www.amazon.com/Unlearn-Your-P...
Written transcript of our chat:
healwithliz.com/rebeccas-powe...
Follow me on Instagram for more health recovery inspiration:
/ healwithlizc
So glad you have Rebecca's recovery story on your channel! Such a great interview! Dr. Sarno's approach and emotional work has been huge for me in my own recovery from CFS and Fibromyalgia (I am 90-95% recovered). I have done a ton of somatic meditation/somatic tracking and I highly suggest it. There are a couple somatic tracking and emotional tracking videos on Jim Prussack's TH-cam channel called "Healing Chronic Pain- The Pain PT" if anyone is interested.
Thanks so much Eveline! So glad to hear that! 💖💖 Really appreciate you sharing these resources! 😊
Eveline... here I am again... begging you to tell your story on here. I see your comments a lot and they are always inspiring.
I'd love that - Eveline feel free to reach out if interested! 💖
Thank you Eveline! I recognize your name from Sarah's little CFS/TMS Facebook group. So wonderful to hear you've experienced so much healing through Sarno's approach and emotional work!! Isn't it just amazing when we start to connect with ourself as a whole person with feelings? Somatic tracking was also pivotal to my recovery and Jim Prussack was my personal mind-body coach who turned me onto it! Thanks for sharing his excellent TH-cam channel and your own experience. I'm happy for you!
@@rebeccatolinmind-bodycoach did u have swelling and itching please tell me 🙏
Rebecca rocks! She is a recovery super star in my recovery sky!
Aww, thank you, what an awesome metaphor FreshAgenda! May your healing be sky high!
Liz, you did such a beautiful job conducting and editing this interview! Thank you for all the love and attention you put into every detail. I know the graphics, photos and edits take a lot of time, and you make every interview sing. Your compassion, open-mindedness and joy are healing in themselves! I loved talking with you and your viewers. Thank you for all you do and give to this community!
I'm late of course, but thank you so much rebecca! My own little 10-minute (3 hours) phone call.
One of my favourite recovery interviews. Thank you. So much wisdom
Another great interview Liz. Rebecca shares her experiences of her journey in such a lovely, calm manner that it made easy to listen to and I also really enjoy your enthusiasm and smiley face!
Your comment warms my heart Viv! And I SO agree that Liz's true kindness and enthusiasm shines through her facial expressions. I felt so comfortable and happy talking with her! She is a gem.
Again, another video that knocks it out of the park for us on the recovery road! A million thanks to you Liz and Raelan for all of your hard work. It doesn't go unnoticed. Every single video has another gem and strengthens me for my recovery. This video and its tools are spot on! Hearing the part about how Rebecca went into remission for a short period has answered a very long lingering question that I've had on how I went into a 2 week remission when I went onto SSRIs, Benzos and a 2 week holiday.. I know it gave me the ability to sleep properly again for those 2 weeks, but it must have shifted my ANS too. I didn't have the knowledge and these tools at that time so I kept pushing myself with physical exercise and stress, and of course the ME symptoms came right back. But from watching this video it now confirms that I wasnt just imagining that remission period and that it can happen.
Thank you for your kind words and sharing! It sounds like you're making great discoveries about your own healing. Remission can absolutely happen and in the mind-body world, we see that as an excellent sign! If symptoms can resolve for any period of time, they can do so for longer or even permanently. I so understand the tendency to push from personal experience! But that scares the brain and nervous system, which then perpetuates symptoms. So a key "prescription" can be to bring acceptance and self-compassion to where you are while gently challenging your limits from a place of safety. Wishing you well!
@@rebeccatolinmind-bodycoachNo, thank you for your wonderful interview. I signed up for and did my first Somatic meditation with you last night. It was amazing! Your voice is very comforting and soothing. You know that after I had finished my session I had this wisdom come over me that as crummy as this illness is and has been, that I'm actually enjoying the journey. I'm enjoying where this is taking me and watching my old habits change (albeit difficult at times). This illness has forced me to change and find purpose . Without it I wouldn't have. Already searching for more Somatic meditations and will be doing them daily from now on! I'd be interested to know what you charge Rebecca. I'm in South Africa so our exchange rate isn't great, but perhaps it's still affordable for me, who knows. Have a blessed day x
@@patrickhall7884 I'm so glad you're enjoying my somatic meditation! Those were a huge part of my healing. I practiced them everyday or night, to process emotions and retrain my brain that even the symptoms were safe.
I love your wisdom!! That is so wonderful that you're able to enjoy the journey, see old habits changing and find new purpose. Yes to all this! Acceptance and purpose have great healing power. I cannot overstate that. Keep going... you're on the path of healing!
@@patrickhall7884 You're welcome to reach out to me through my website for more somatic meditations or information! Also, Jim Prussack at The Pain PT has some great somatic meditations on his TH-cam channel. He was my coach and has a soothing voice as well!
@@rebeccatolinmind-bodycoach Thank you Rebecca! I shall do so. Take care
This video was really good, so many good points . I can’t believe I haven’t seen this till now. I’ve watched all of Rebecca’s videos. This one was amazing too
Amazing recovery story, thank you both! Love the facial expressions Liz, they always give a smile :-)
Hahhah, this made me smile!! Thanks Lee! Glad you enjoyed it.😊
Thank you Lee! I'm right with you about Liz. She's such a joy to watch and know!
Very articulate woman, another great interview Liz
Just found your channel and love the way you do the interviews.
❤️❤️❤️
This was a great interview. The tips on writing your emotions, "lovingly talking to your amygdala", and honoring what gives you peace were all very helpful. I am watching videos from your channel and Raelen, one a day, for my encouragment. (trying to not get sucked into the list to the right of YT suggestions). Hugs to you, hope you are well, haven't seen you in a few weeks. ~Dee
I'm so glad our conversation resonated with you Dee! Whatever gives you peace is truly medicinal. 😊
amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
❤
Wonderful interview!
Glad you enjoyed it, Dianne!
Amazing, thank you for this inspiring story!
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful and confirming what I know is my next step. Really appreciate Rebecca sharing her journey. Gives me hope.
. Liz, the facial expressions are priceless.
Thank You Sandra! Glad it was synchronous for you! Sending you good vibes. (And I feel so seen!!! 💖)
That's wonderful that you're feeling hopeful and clear on your next step Sandra! It's always one step at a time. I just love Liz' caring engagement too!
Can all of this apply to protracted benzodiazapine withdrawal? The reason I’m asking is because not everyone who tapers off benzos has years of withdrawal symptoms. And all of the symptoms are stress/fear related, including extreme fatigue, digestive and hormone issues, as well as ANS symptoms.
Hi Robin, yes I personally know multiple people with those prolonged benzo withdrawal symptoms who found a mind-body approach helpful for healing. There are different types of mind-body methods to return the nervous system to homeostasis, including somatic practices (like Rebecca found helpful and is now an expert in - I have heard she is a wonderful coach), neuroplasticity and health visualizations (like DNRS - see Astra's story), meditation, breath work (can even be as simple as belly breathing, though some find things like Wim Hoff or other methods helpful), and more. Some people find it helpful, once their nervous system is in a safer place, to address and release trauma (this is not a part of most neuroplasticity programs, but is a part of somatic work). You can check out my blog and other interviews for more. Some people also find certain diets supportive of their energy, digestion, and nervous system and for others, diet played less of a role in their healing. There are other things of course to support healing, but I hope this answer was encouraging.
@@HealwithLiz - THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! I actually have been doing DNRS for almost a year, and it helped me eliminate almost all of the physical health issues that usually develop during benzo withdrawal. However, I’m still in fight/flight/freeze daily- I’m either extremely anxious or extremely exhausted. If possible, it would be great if you could find someone to interview who has recovered from protracted benzo withdrawal. I know there are thousands and thousands of people who would be very interested in watching!!
@@robinelliott5561 Thanks for the input! Alina Bachmann at Brain Gardening healed from benzo withdrawal among many things, and I'm hoping to interview her. Dr. Cathleen King on my channel healed from benzo addiction among many chronic illnesses, and teaches polyvagal/somatic and rewiring practices in her Creating Calm course and goes deeper in her Primal Trust course (many of her mentees have done DNRS but still have a sense of "I'm not okay" ). Check out my interview with her if you haven't seen it. Rebecca Tolin teaches how to feel safer in your body through the TMS approach and is amazing at this. Vanessa on my channel did DNRS then the TMS somatic approach. Hope you find the right fit. I'm not promoting any specific method just want to share options!
question for both of you ... do you or did you feel better in evenings ?
I now feel good throughout the day/evening. When I was in the thick of things, I remember early mornings were rough. But I'd usually be okay by 11 am to walk 2 blocks to my grocery store and back (except on days I was recovering from a PEM setback or had an environmental reaction). Sometimes I'd feel better in evenings, and things could fluctuate throughout the day either way.
Hi Jay, I have a similar experience to Liz, in that mornings used to be really rough for me. Even now, since my recovery, I'm not the cheeriest morning person around! But I never was, even before the CFS. With mind-body work, we understand that the subconscious mind is driving symptoms and that part of the mind is most active when we sleep. So many people wake up with more symptoms. The main thing from my perspective is that we don't want to worry or stress about that, but tend to ourselves with care and reassure our brain we are safe!
I usually feel (much) better in the evenings. The mornings are indeed rough for me as well.
@@HealwithLizI’m the same with the mornings, but I think it just proves more that’s it’s just the nervous system. A real problem structural wouldn’t be there in the morning and away at the evenings, I try to see it as more proof than horrible breathless fatigue in the morning haha
love these two. i would love to work with rebecca but being on welfare it is impossible. i am even going to have to give up my wifi in august as uk fuel bills are literally doubling as is food. i have started jim prussack's somatic tracking videos on youtube, but in august i will no longer have home access to youtibe. Does anyone know of any good somatic tracking audios that i can purchase to download ? that way i will be able to continue when i lose my wifi in august. Many thanks x
Hi Dom -- sorry for the delay in my reply. I will ask around for somatic mp3's. Sending you my support
Hi Dom, I'm sorry to hear of the financial struggles. I have a couple free somatic tracking meditations on my website. I think you can download at least one of them. Try these and if you want more, email me and I'll send you a couple for free. 😊
www.rebeccatolin.com/newsletter
www.rebeccatolin.com/blog/somatic-tracking
Jim is a good friend and was my coach. If you email him, I bet he'd email you his YT audios to download. Best of luck and keep at it!
Hi Dom -- Realize you're in a very tight spot financially. For Rebecca's free stuff -- I believe she has a free download if you sign up for her newsletter. She also has an entire page on her website with free resources including podcasts which I believe you might be able to download to keep for future? She now has a 10 week program, that is more affordable than 1-2-1 coaching, but not free. For free stuff, I did come across is a recommended free holistic healing program including neuroplasticity and processing emotions and many other modules by Daniel Vanloosbrooek called the Alignment Recovery Program (he asks for donations only for those who are able to pay) , however you'd need internet access. I encourage you to check those out while you still have internet access -- and I hope you can get financial support from people to help you get by. all my very best.
@@HealwithLiz You're the best, Liz! I love that you dug up some free resources for Dom! I will offer loads of somatic meditations in my upcoming course (about 15 - 20 guided audios). And as you say, I offer free ones on my site. I'm also happy to send Dom some extras if he emails me. Thanks for sharing your huge heart!
This one is a bit too new agey for me. There are practices Rebecca employed that are not options for Christians. Tried to take some of the overarching mind/ body connections lessons she learned and reapply them in a way that feels safer to me without risking opening demonic portals into my life.
Thanks for your comment John! I am a big believer in doing what feels safe (and Rebecca says this too) and customizing things to you. Glad you're able to take some overarching lessons from this in a way that feels right. You've got this John!
@@5000NATE ha! Famous last words 🙄
There's other processes of spiritual you cannot be dogmatic but just like she says whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable