I haven't mentioned my neuritis for a while because I believe that it is slowly getting better. I started a program called Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS) which has offered me new insight into how to work with it through the use of imagination.

The program relies on strategies from Neuro Linguistic Programming, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques. It requires that you spend an hour every day going through a scripted meditation process for 6 months to heal from limbic system injury. The premise is that symptoms from many chronic illnesses linger past the point of resolution because wiring in the brain is crossed. There are a lot of hairs to split here, but the main take away is that neuroplasticity exists and learning to encourage it can have very positive results.

The magic of the program is re-discovering and re-directing the power of your own imagination. Much of the work involves disrupting cycles of pain/discomfort and replacing them with sustained periods of hedonic thought. Essentially, DNRS teaches students how to re-route thought from pain to pleasure.

For anyone in pain, forcing yourself to contemplate a life that feels so out of reach is taxing which is why the DNRS program immediately starts to try and upsell private coaching, support groups and educational materials. For a majority of participants, the act of constantly hitting reset can take a lot of time and determination and spending any amount of money to get your life back makes sense in this context.

Because I am stubborn and a terrible rule follower, I took the concepts and cheated my way through the entire program.

Here was my formula:

• Disrupt symptoms immediately with imagination, ditto for fear, depression, doubt, or frustration

• Create a few scenarios that evoke pleasure and recall them any time symptoms arise

• Do not talk about the process or the illness that often

• Do not share this practice with anyone who will doubt it

• Change the script to keep it fresh

• Notice any improvements but hold them lightly

It is an arduous process. I'm at the point now where the triggers for my symptoms are getting more specific and I'm running the script less often. If any of this is interesting or relevant to what you or someone you love is going through, please know that change is possible, even with a diagnosis like mine, that was deemed permanent. I suspect I'm about 6 months away from nearly total recovery.

Here to help always, and thank you for all of your concern. If I can do it, anyone can!

With folded palms,

Jennifer