Anyone with severe CFS doing AR program?

[EmeraldDreams]

Hello fellow searchers,

I was just wondering if there was anyone on this forum doing the program who has severe CFS??

I have had CFS for 20 years now and for the last 11 have been totally housebound and bedbound - the symptoms are obviously totally debilitating and oppressive, needless to say! and too many to mention!! A good day is managing a shower and putting on clothes to lie on the bed as opposed to being in it!! There are only a few of these a week, at that!! I don't have or never have had any depression or fear or anxiety - I have and will continue to do and try anything to get my life back and so am embarking on the ARP - nothing to lose - am finding it quite difficult though in my position - anyone else here in my boat severity wise, and when you are able, any chance you could post your experiences of how you actually managed to do the program and what effect it is having?

Many thanks,
Always with hope of better days!

[Kiwi]

Hi Emerald


I've been severely affected and was in your condition for about 4 years.

I managed to get better. But AR program on its own on DVD would not have been enough. Not that it can not work, but there are lots of things that make it harder when your that ill. I spent time in a nursing home because I was so bad, but made progresses from there on easier than at home.

I profited a lot from understandng doctors and nurses, spent months in hosp or psychiatric care.

It's definitely possible to get better from such a bad state. But in my opinion it would be easier to have someone who helps you on your way when your that ill. And progresses have to be taken slowly and steadily.

Best wishes

Kiwi

[JR]

Hi Emerald. I was diagnosed with CFS about 18 years ago, at age 21. I had gradually improved over years to about 50% functioning, and then had a severe relapse which left me totally bedbound for 9 months. I was too weak to feed myself, or get to the bathroom. I needed bed baths. I spoke in a whisper and that exhausted me.

I could only do the AR technique (stop, stop, stop) in my head. I was too weak to stand. It worked for me. Sometimes the negative thoughts don't seem like negative thoughts. Apply the stop technique in your head to any thoughts you have about your body. The way I could tell that I needed to apply the stop technique was if I was having a thought that someone without CFS wouldn't have....like "if I do that I'll have to rest afterwards". After about a week on the program, I started to get gradually stronger.

Progress has been gradual for me. After 14 months, I can now cook, do dishes, laundry, drive for 15 minutes or so, go into small shops, go out to eat, get together with friends, work on my online business, etc. I do have to say that after the first 4 or 5 months, life got kind of stressful and hectic with other stuff and I haven't been very good at keeping up with the AR. I listen to the meditation a few times a week. When I feel myself noticing my body and feeling tired, or whatever, I just shrug and say to myself "I'm not doing that"...or "stop". I continue to improve, so I guess it's okay for me. I suspect I could improve faster if I was was more compliant with the program, but I try not to stress about that!

All the best to you, Emerald. Don't give up on the program. Feel free to PM me, if you like.

[kenvj]

I think I should point out the Emerald is a different person to the one making this post which is "EmeraldDreams"
Hi EmeraldDreams - I was suffering severe CFS for 5 to 6 years. I had improved tremendously with the Gupta Program but went backwards again - however I am presently slowly coming back and I'm better than I used to be - I would not dream of giving up on the Gupta Program and I still believe that I will get a fully recovery from it.

[JR]

Thanks for clarifying the Emerald/EmeraldDreams thing kenvj. I was confused at first, too : )

kenvj, can I ask: Do you know what caused you to do worse after doing so much better on the Gupta Programme? You may have posted this elsewhere, but I don't remember. It could be helpful information for all of us to have....things to watch out for, etc.

Thanks!

[efly]

Hi Emerald dreams.
just to let you know..I was totally bedridden for 10 months...on all fours to get to the loo some days, severe pain, light intolerance ,migraines,diarrohea,nausea.no sleep, mcs.sore throat.twitches, tics,numbness.chestpains....shall I go on? so i started with as much as I could do, I found when i could do the whole process of stop this was more effective for me .Do what you can. That was 13months ago !
Ive just come back from a long walk along the beach...I drove there.
Best of luck
efly

[kenvj]

I am not totally sure JR - I think it was the intense tension which built up because of the deep breathing I was doing. I made a post recently about it under "Deep Breathing Problems" - as I said I am picking up again and hope that will continue.
Hope things are going well for you.

[JR]

kenvj: Yes, I caught your other post after I posted my question. Your experience is interesting. Glad to hear you're improving again!

[flyer]

Emerald questions if AR works. Well, I started with CFS in 1992. I had ups and downs for all those years. Last year I started the programme. I am back at the gym up to SIX times per week! I'm back traveling AND doing a university programme. I do not know how to stress that this is IT - FINALLY a cure. The only requirement is for you to consistently stick with it. I've Efly (of this link) and I can attest to her improvement. We've been to the movies together - to a lecture together and yes, she drives and walk on the beach. Don't listen to the naysayers - to coin an old phrase - 'just get with the programme'. What do you have to lose?

[CFSGeek]

Hi Flyer - it was very motivating to read your post - well done on having achieved such improvements.

I am particularly interested in the process you used to start exercising. For example, did you start just by walking, then move up to short runs, or did it happen more quickly than that?

It would be great to learn more.

[caro16]

Hi Emerald Dreams,

Its interesting you say you don't have any fear or anxiety or depression, because I think most of us do have this, and I think that the Gupta programme is designed to target this 'anxiety cycle' and once it is 'broken', his theory is that we get better.

I have CFS to about the same degree as you do, in that I am mostly bedbound or housebound. I am managing to do the programme layed down on the bed and relaxing. It has had a very positive effect on my lifestyle in that I now relax before I make a decision on what task to perform, when to go out, how long to stay out, or whether to go out at all. Before using the programme I would be so backed-up with jobs to do (as always is the case, shopping needs, garden, house jobs, other stuff) that I would go out and push myself to try to get everything done. Now, I stop and consider what state I'm in. If tasks need doing and I cannot do them, I simply have to stop doing them.

Energy-wise, I am no better for doing the programme. I am calmer, and more positive, and try to enjoy the things I have, despite being isolated and having no help available. Up to now I am not convinced it is a cure.

In fact if you do not have the fear/anxiety thing going on, and you are improving on the programme, it would at least prove that the Gupta programme can help in other areas. I would love to know if it has helped with the energy levels? How are you getting on?

[CS1]

"I do not know how to stress that this is IT - FINALLY a cure"

Thats great - I would urge anyone going down this route to do the programme with a coach - there a few good ones out there.

For me I have had to go deeper to clear out my CORE Issues and find my Inner Voice.


Regards
CS