| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Michael D |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 14:09:33
Hello everyone!
I am new to the forum and to TMS. I have been reading your posts for a couple of weeks now and I have been reading and re-reading Dr. Sarno's books for about a month. My symptoms are classic TMS and have been with me for 30 years. I have been to dozens of doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, a specialized dentist, chinese practitioner, holistic healer etc etc. I have read hundreds of books, tried dozens of diets (including the ever fun bean and rice diet - Macrobiotics), Transcendental Meditation, Sedona, and Tapping to name a few. I studied and taught Stress Management classes. Tried Yoga, back pain management classes, traction, ultrasound, massage, lifestyle changes, Body for Life, retreats, vitamin, mineral and enzyme regimens, miracle powders sold by mlm “friends”. I have done the 12 steps, counseling and … anyway you get the point. I have been diagnosed as having arthritis, fibromyalgia and back trouble caused by subluxation (a word not in my spell checker). I read about Dr Sarno in the Readers Digest of all places and immediately got the books.
I am absolutely convinced that “TMS” is the cause of the pain. I saw a post last night that argued for not discussing our pain. As a newbie I would like to just say one time what I have experienced over all the years as it might also be a help to someone else who is wondering about their pain. I have had continuous back pain, neck pain and pain down the sides of my legs and on one hip (Illiopsoas), about 15 years ago I got prostate pain (paid $287 to a doc who prescribed antibiotics and made my prostate uninsurable, and no better), recently I have had pain in my hands, shoulders and the sides of my heels, Dermatitis on my face and hands, pain in my knee joints, headaches and other stuff like TMJ.
A few years ago I decided to deny the Fibromyalgia diagnoses and live life anyway. That was a good choice but I always felt like I had some kind of thing that would grip my body like a hand that went from my eyes around the back of my head and down my back. I would wake up in the morning feeling like a truck ran me over and the muscles around my neck would be shaking. All this led to depression or at least contributed to it. I have read the information on equivalents. It makes sense. I have always heard that depression is anger turned inwards.
Anyway, you might be thinking that I am a mess. I am actually doing really good and I have great hope and I really believe what I have read about TMS and I am looking forward to being pain free. I believe that every thing that I have written about above is caused by my own unconscious mind. The reason for my post is to share with some understanding fellow travelers and to get some ideas on how long it might be before I will see a dramatic reduction in the muscle pain. I have had some successes already but I have had knots in my neck for 30 years. On a good note, I am playing all sports like I was a teenager. I had given up racquetball because of an AC tendon diagnoses and I am back and loving it and telling the pain where to get off.
Thanks
Michael D
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/30/2005 : 19:34:45
welcome to the board and best wishes with your efforts and I wish you a speedy and full recovery. I hope you start journaling some of your feelings, concentrating on past traumas, personality characterisitcs and current stressors. Read the psychology and treatment sections over anf over again in Dr. Sarno's books until the message sets in.....
I here post chapter 30 and 31 of Dr. Marc Sopher's book To Be or Not To Be... Pain-Free
SO WHAT DO I DO NOW? (OR, LET’S GET
PSYCHOLOGICAL)- Chap 31)
OK. You’ve read this far and now are wondering, “what now?”
It is surprisingly simple, even deceptively so, yet it can be very hard
work. The first thing you have to do is forget everything you have
ever been told about your body. Forget whatever diagnosis you have
been given before. Forget all of the well-meaning advice you’ve been
given by physicians, other practitioners, friends and family. Forget
what you’ve read in magazines, newspapers and other self-help
books. Put all of it aside. See, it’s not so easy, but it is essential to
getting better. You must undo all of the conditioning that has you
believing in a physical or structural process responsible for your
symptoms.
While you are contemplating the previous paragraph and before I
go any further, another point bears mentioning. This is integral to re programming your mind, to thinking differently. Attacking your
TMS symptoms does not require positive thinking. While it is good
to think positively and have an optimistic outlook with regard to your
self and life in general, it is not positive thinking that will cause
symptom resolution. If so, most of you would not be reading this. If
so, there would not be an epidemic of mindbody disorders. How do I
know this? Virtually everyone wants to be well. It is the rare
individual who wishes to experience pain and suffering. Most people
try very hard to ignore their symptoms, to soldier on. They try to
think positively; they try to put “mind over matter.” In one form or
another, this is what most self-help books promote. Think positively,
just do it, mind over matter are common themes. Others focus on
stress management, behavioral modification and relaxation
techniques. Don’t get me wrong; these are great skills to have.
Undoubtedly we could all do better with stress management and could
benefit from honing these skills. However, this is not what will
eliminate your pain. It doesn’t require positive thinking. It requires ACCURATE THINKING. Accurate thinking means understanding
how psychological factors affect our physiology. Only when this
exists can we truly heal ourselves.
Forgetting all that you have been told, in essence creating a new
belief system, is extremely difficult. There are many obstacles, both
within and without. Many people speak to me about fear. Invariably
each has undergone a comprehensive evaluation by their physician (or
multiple physicians). They may have been told they have one of the
diagnoses that I have mentioned here. Very possibly they have been
told that they must avoid certain activities or they will risk further
damage or escalation of symptoms. For many this can be devastating,
particularly if they have been advised to give up or curtail an activity
that has brought them much pleasure. I have dealt with runners,
cyclists, tennis players, hikers, etc., who were despondent about
giving up or reducing their form of exercise. Even when they say
they believe TMS is their problem and I’ve told them to resume
exercise, they admit to being fearful that their symptoms will recur or
increase. Fear is powerful and it is part of the conditioning that has
occurred over time. It takes courage to put aside the fear.
Even when someone tells me they have gone ahead and done their
activity with minimal or no pain, they may admit that they remain
nervous or fearful about the next time. In many cases this may be a
reflection of personality, as well as previous conditioning that needs
to be undone. Remember, many with TMS are prone to worrying –
they may be perfectionists, placing much pressure on themselves to
do well, succeed or be well thought of, or they may be concerned
about their ability to care for, or do for others. They may also have a
more simple fear that their symptoms represent a physical decline or
deterioration that heralds future morbidity or mortality.So, when someone confronts their fear, does the activity and feels
fine, I tell them to celebrate. CELEBRATE! I tell them to talk to
their brain – tell themselves that they are fine! There cannot be a
physical problem if they were able to do the activity without
difficulty. Celebrating is an important way to re-program the mind.
It is conditioning yourself to think differently about your body and
will help you immeasurably to undo the old conditioning. It will help
you to forget all that came before.
On the flip side, it is important not to be discouraged if symptoms
arise during the course of an activity. It simply means that more
mental work must be done. It is easy for fear and its compatriot,
doubt, to creep in. “Maybe it isn’t TMS, maybe I do have a physical
problem” are common thoughts. The best advice is to simply
acknowledge this fear as part of the old conditioning, of the brain’s
strategy to have you believe there is a physical problem.A common question I hear daily is, “What should I do when I
have pain, especially a lot of pain?” Here people acknowledge that it
can be very difficult to ignore it and carry on. First, you must talk to
your brain and remind yourself that you are physically fine! Tell your
brain that you are on to its game, that you know about the reservoir of
rage. Like Dorothy discovering the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain,
you won’t be fooled! The pain is not because you’ve done something
that you are incapable of or that you are so feeble or fragile. Try to
pay it as little attention as possible; the goal is for it to distract you
and keep your attention and focus on pain, rather than on what may be
in the unconscious. Many become obsessed with their pain—they
must learn to shift their focus (this is the re-programming, or reconditioning
process). Try not to give in! Try to remain active, doing
the activities that you enjoy.
What about medication? As medication is a physical modality, it
cannot fix the problem. This fact is essential to assimilate. As I’ve
stated earlier, use of medications can, in some circumstances,
exacerbate the problem. Having said this, I do believe there are
certain occasions when use of over-the-counter pain medications may
be done without adding fuel to the fire. It is acceptable to take
medications like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen if
you tell yourself, “This is not fixing the problem. This may take the
edge off or ease some of my discomfort while I continue to do battle
with my brain.” Again, remember that frequent use of even these
medications can worsen the situation, but used appropriately may be
acceptable.
For reasons that are not entirely clear to both Dr. Sarno and
myself, there is great variability in the time required for symptom
resolution. This gets back to the notion of doubt. If someone states
they truly believe that TMS is the problem, that they have been doing
the mental homework and yet are distressed that their symptoms
persist, they may question whether they have TMS. This has the
elements of a catch-22. If you begin to doubt there is a psychological
cause, that there could be a physical cause, then the work is undone
and the brain’s strategy of creating a physical distraction will triumph. This is part of what I refer to as The Calendar Phenomenon. By this
time, everyone may know of someone whose symptoms vanished
immediately after reading the book or shortly after seeing a physician
trained in TMS treatment. So, an expectation is created in their mind
that their symptoms should recede soon after incorporating this
philosophy. They look at the calendar and become upset as days and
weeks go by. This is where I tell people to look back at their
personalities. The calendar phenomenon is another manifestation of
perfectionist tendencies – it is self-imposed pressure to succeed and
succeed quickly. If they can recognize this aspect of their personality
and add it to their “list” of sources of stress, relief will be on the way.
Fear, doubt, the calendar phenomenon and the failure to think
accurately are examples of some of the internal obstacles to healing.
Several external obstacles bear mention.
#1 You have read this book and become convinced that this
approach makes sense. When you mention it to your physician,
he/she either dismisses it out of hand or nods indulgently, and advises
a traditional regimen including medication, physical therapy, etc.
#2 You have read this book and become convinced that this
approach makes sense. When you mention it to your friends, family
and/or co-workers, they look at you as if you have lost your mind.
They, too, may nod indulgently and then recommend a physician,
practitioner, medication, herb, etc.
#3 You have read this book and become convinced that this
approach makes sense. When you pick up a magazine and read an
article discussing symptoms like yours, there is no mention of TMS as
a possible cause. Or maybe, just maybe, there is a brief mention of
Dr. Sarno’s work with TMS, but other quoted sources dismiss it out
of hand. As you trust the members of the media to do their homework
and provide accurate, complete information, you begin to wonder
whether TMS is for real.
These scenarios occur every day. They may contribute to the
conditioning that allows the pain to persist. Even in my own office,
when I am introducing one of my established patients to TMS
concepts, they may get angry or look at me as if I have two heads.
You see, they have come in unsuspecting. They have come in to see
me for evaluation of some physical symptom and did not expect to
hear that it may have a psychological cause. Some are delighted,
enthusiastic and quite willing to think outside of the box. To the
others I explain that I can only expose them to this different way of
thinking, that I cannot make them believe it. I will certainly try to
make my case and be convincing, but it is ultimately up to them to
decide.
Perhaps when TMS theory and treatment becomes embraced by
the medical mainstream, more people will be open to this way of
thinking about themselves. For those that do, it is extremely
gratifying to see them succeed at getting rid of their pain and
improving their quality of life. Trite as it sounds, I became a
physician to help others, to help them when they are ill and keep them well. I am saddened when people refuse to accept the possibility of a psychological cause and so continue to suffer.
*********************
Chapter 31
WHAT ELSE? (Think Psychological – The Recipe)
Make a list.
Think of anything that could be a source of stress for you. Think
about what makes you angry or enraged. Think of what things you
worry about. Think about your personality. Identify perfectionist
and/or goodist traits. Are there people in your life who did not treat
you as well as you would have liked? Write all of this down. It is
impossible to know what is in our unconscious (hence, the title “unconscious”),
but it is possible to contemplate what might be there. By
acknowledging the presence of these unpleasant thoughts and
emotions, you can thwart the brain’s strategy. As you undoubtedly
recall, the brain’s strategy is to create pain, pain that will serve as a
distraction. Focusing on the pain is a type of defense mechanism – it
keeps us from thinking about those things that make us upset, worried
or angered. The pain keeps the reservoir of rage hidden. When we
recognize that it is there and what it may contain, there is no need for
the pain, no further need for distraction.
Making a list is like keeping a journal. Many studies have shown
that those who write regularly in a journal, about themselves, their
thoughts and concerns, are healthier than those who do not journal.
So, start your list or a journal, and add to it or review it regularly.
Reflect.
By now you have figured out that it is the process of selfeducation
that will help you to feel better. It is amazing – no
medication, no physical remedies and no side effects. Set aside time
each day to think about TMS theory and treatment. Read and re-read
this book and Dr. Sarno’s books. It’s not necessary to re-read
everything, but it will be helpful to re-read passages that you find
particularly pertinent. Even when you feel well, spend some time
each day on this material. This will help you to remain well. It is
good preventive medicine and I include it in my Top 10 Lists of
Things To Do To Be Healthy.
DR. SOPHER’S TOP TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR GOOD
HEALTH
1. Thou shalt exercise every day (or almost every day).
2. Thou shalt not use tobacco.
3. Thou shalt eat right.
4. Thou shalt acknowledge stress.
5. Thou shalt consume alcohol wisely.
6. Thou shalt not burn.
7. Thou shalt smile.
8. Thou shalt see thy physician.
9. Thou shalt see thy dentist, too.
10. Thou shalt take thy medication.
Discard your physical remedies.
Get rid of the special back supports, heel pads, orthotics, pillows,
chair cushions, etc. They cannot fix the problem and you don’t need
them. Physical modalities cannot help symptoms with a
psychological cause. Their very existence is part of the old
conditioning and will only perpetuate the symptoms.
If you are taking narcotic pain medications, you will need to wean
off of these gradually under a physician’s supervision. Similarly, you
should also wean off of benzodiazepines (such as Klonopin, Ativan,
Valium, Xanax, etc.). These medications only mask symptoms and
cannot cure them. In addition, they are physically and
psychologically addicting and will only perpetuate the symptoms.
They will also impair cognition and interfere with your efforts at selfeducation.
It is reasonable to take non-narcotic medication for pain, like
aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen or naproxen (all available over-thecounter).
However, each time you do, it is important to remind
yourself that these drugs will not fix the cause of the symptoms and
will just temporarily take the edge off while you continue to apply
yourself mentally.
There is a myriad of other medications prescribed for the host of
ailments discussed here. In most cases medication can be safely
discontinued, but this should always be discussed with your physician
first.
Be eternally vigilant.
Celebrate the good days. This is essential to reversing the old
conditioning. Tell yourself you are indeed fine – if you had a
physical problem, where did it go? However, do not be discouraged
if pain returns or occurs at another location. Remember, your brain
will never give up this strategy – this is how we are made. This is
why it is necessary to spend some time each day reflecting. This
eternal vigilance is the proverbial “ounce of prevention.”
Resume activity.
You are not really well until you are back doing the activities you
formerly enjoyed. While you may have to start slowly (it is still
necessary to follow appropriate guidelines for exercise training), you
should be able to do whatever you want. We are capable of far more
than we have been told. I think very few of us approach our potential
because we have been misinformed about the limits of our bodies. I
have patients in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s running marathons,
bicycling across the country, climbing mountains and participating in
other strenuous activities. They are not supermen and superwomen;
they are simply folks who have taken good care of themselves and
refused to believe that they are fragile.
Many people who read this and Dr. Sarno’s books will be able to
get better on their own, with this new knowledge. Some will not,
even if they believe everything here. They may need the validation of
their symptoms as TMS by a physician. There are a number of
physicians in the United States who are able to diagnose and treat
TMS. Several websites keep lists or links for these physicians:
www.themindbodysyndrome.com
www.premierhealthonline.com/directory.htm
http://tmshelp.com/links.htm
While I cannot speak for the other physicians treating TMS, it is
clear that the diagnosis of TMS is usually suggested by the history
and then supported by examination. After I take the patient’s history
and complete the examination, I then begin to explain TMS
concepts—how very real physical symptoms may have a
psychological cause. For those well versed already, this can serve to
validate their symptoms and allow them to apply themselves more
confidently to “thinking psychologically”—the process of selfeducation
and thinking differently about the mind-body connection.
For those new to the ideas of The Mindbody Syndrome, it gives them
a new focal point, a place to start incorporating this knowledge.
After
the visit, I encourage all to work on this on their own, as I’ve outlined
above, for at least several weeks. Most make gains in that time,
though others do take longer (see the calendar phenomenon). I ask
everyone to follow up with me via email or phone, to let me know of
his or her progress. At that time I can help to clarify certain concepts
or help to identify obstacles that may be interfering with
improvement. Those who live near my office may return for follow
up and further discussions. A not uncommon scenario is for an
individual to successfully get rid of their symptoms only to
experience “new” symptoms at another location. As with the initial
complaint, a new history and examination often confirms that the
brain has not given up its strategy and the “new” problem is again
TMS. When this occurs, I have found that most are able to succeed
more rapidly than they did before. This is not only gratifying but can
be very empowering for my patients. It is empowering to recognize
how much control we have over our bodies.
Instead of traveling to see a TMS doctor, another option would be
to try and educate your own physicians. If they are open to these
concepts, lend them this book or one by Dr. Sarno (or encourage them
to get their own copy). They will not only then be able to help you,
but should also be able to help others. By getting them to expand
their knowledge base, they will be better physicians. |
| pault |
Posted - 10/30/2005 : 05:36:56
Sounds like you have a very clever unconscious brain! Might take some doing to convince your brain to act differently after all these years of very successful pain by distraction ,as listed by the miriad of treatments you have been through.Educating yourself with the good book and time/patience will eventually do the trick.The biggest hurtle is admitting to yourself you have tms. You are on the right track and will feel well.Keep up the good work. Paul. |
| HilaryN |
Posted - 10/28/2005 : 15:24:52
quote:
I did get the impression from the books that it was often very quick for some people and I do not want to get discouraged because of unrealistic expectations
That's a very good point, Michael. I gave up initially because I got that impression, and I did get discouraged when I tried again and I didn't have much improvement for the first couple of months. However, things did improve after that, and I'd say it took approx 6 months for me to be able to resume fulltime the activity which had previously given me pain (typing and mousing).
All the best.
Hilary |
| Baseball65 |
Posted - 10/28/2005 : 05:16:40
..Sorry..HAD to jump in on this one.
And than of course,there's people like me who were virtually 100%symptom free in a month,after a lifetime of debilitating pain.
Not to contradict Dave,but Sarno DOES say in HBP not to count days or weeks,but most people should expect to see a major resolution of symptoms in 2-6 weeks(I took 4)
Remember...people who are struggling use this forum for support,so it might appear that there are a lot of strugglers....The way human nature is constituted,when something is no longer a problem,we forget about it...that's why I drop in here from time to time...I remember..the fear,the frustration and the wondering.
Yes..I had a couple of relapses,but they might have all,in 7 years added up to a total of...2 weeks?? 14 days out of 7 years??? and during those times,I knew the symptoms were on their way out!!
Do the big Three intensely and with purpose and there is no reason why you too shouldn't be 90Plus per cent healed in 2-6 weeks.
Refute the diagnosis,return to activity,recondition the mind
-piggy
Baseball65 |
| ladyblue |
Posted - 10/27/2005 : 18:36:09
Hello Michael,
Just thought I'd drop you a line and say hi and wish you all the very best on your journey.
Try not to think in terms of days, weeks etc passing but just try to be in the day you're in, the moment you're in.
LOL..I'm the most impatient person imaginable, but I soon discovered that spending all my time looking ahead meant that I wasn't dealing with how I was feeling in the "now"
It's been 6 or 7 weeks since I began and the time has really passed very quickly, I now have more good days than bad, I've dealt with numerous emotional issues that I now know were contributing to my pain but most importantly, for me anyway, my pre-occupation with pain has almost gone. It's no longer governing my days or controling my actions. I've a long way to go and it's really hard work but well worth the effort.
Wishing you all the very best and looking forward to reading of your progress....Jane |
| Fredarm57 |
Posted - 10/27/2005 : 12:51:20
Recovery time varies with the individual. It's often a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of process. It took me about two years the first time through (1990-92), two months the second time through (2000) and two weeks the last time through a major episode (spring, 2005). I had some mjor issues to deal with the first time around, plus there weren't the resources in 1990 (like this board) that there are now, so don't be disouraged by my two year process back then. Many of us are prone to recurrances, the key is once you known what's going on, they don't last as long because you don't get into the pain-fear-pain cycle, or at least not as deeply. In my experience the "read the book the pain is gone" type of miracle cures are the exception rather than the rule. The good news is if you accept the concept and let it guide your thinking about the pain, it will eventually more or less go away. It's rarely 100%--as Dr. Sarno says, "everyone is entitled to a little pain"--but it's whole lot better.
Fred |
| Dave |
Posted - 10/27/2005 : 12:31:00
quote:
Originally posted by Michael D
...I feel a little chastised for asking ...
My blunt style takes some getting used to 
If my post made you angry, try to explore why. Sensitivity is a trait of many TMS-prone people. It often means self-esteem issues are hiding underneath; and self-esteem issues are often responsible for TMS pain. |
| redskater |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 17:02:13
That question has kind of been a sticking point for me as well. I have finally just gave into the fact that my body will heal on it's own time. Since I have relaxed my attitude towards it, I have been better. I'm into this about 2 months and have had good and not so good days, but I am so much better than when I started. So for me, I just keep applying the principles, reading related material and giving myself permission to relax. I'm doing most of the things I hadn't been able to do for the last 5 years and I'm almost off the anti-depressants and have been off the anti-inflamitories since the second day of reading Sarno's book. I'm thrilled with the progress.
So I'd say just let the issue of recovery time go and get on with the business of getting pain free!
Gaye |
| Michael D |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 16:04:55
Dave,
Thanks for the answer. I feel a little chastised for asking but this is what I was looking for with my question
...how long it might be before I will see a dramatic reduction in the muscle pain...
because I did get the impression from the books that it was often very quick for some people and I do not want to get discouraged because of unrealistic expectations.
 |
| Dave |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 15:18:17
quote:
...how long it might be before I will see a dramatic reduction in the muscle pain...
Great post up until that point.
I say it often here ... don't put a timetable on your recovery.
It's essential to take a long-term view. Follow the process. Some people have miraculous results and are totally pain free in weeks. Dr. Sarno's book might have you thinking that most people fit into that category. If that is true, then it is probably closer to 50.0001% than 90%.
Weeks, months, years ... it doesn't really matter. From this point forward, for the rest of your life, you will treat the pain in a totally different way than you have in the past. If you try to track your progress it will just slow down the recovery because the frustration due to lack of results will add to the repressed anger. Just do the work and recovery will come. It won't necessarily be quick, or steady. The pain may get worse before it gets better. TMS will try its best to shake you off the path of recovery. Stay committed and do the work and slowly but surely the pain will dissipate. |
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