| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Suz |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 08:56:57
Hey all,
Having accepted that my TMS never went away four months ago, I am on a mission to do the work and really get rid of the pain. I sat down last night and really read the "Healing Back Pain" with as much focus as I could muster - reading slowly and digesting all the info. I realize that I never took the time to do this. I then wrote down all things bothering me for about half an hour.
This morning - the pain is still there but less so and I can feel it shifting around! After 12 years of pain, I think my unconscious is VERY slow to change.
I have heard some of you mention that you read and reread Sarno's books about 3 times over. Is this so that your unconscious will get the message and so it can sink in properly?
I do find it challenging to switch to thinking psychologically - for example when I get off a chair and feel the pain - I almost need a quick list of problems to refer to! I am at least getting used to ignoring the pain - sort of laughing at it. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Suz |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 14:34:32
Mat,
Another thought - you might want to check through your church to see if they have a therapist on call - most of the time it is either much more reasonable or one can just donate to charities instead. You never know - it could be worth looking into. I personally was not prepared to drop $175 every week. I cannot say how good my therapist is other than she has trained in traditional psycotherapy and strongly believes in Sarno's work.
I just received Schecter's work book via Amazon - looks very interesting. Have you done any journalling? He recommends spending 45 mins a day - reading a chapter and answering the journal questions. I guess he is a doctor practicing in Beverly Hills who was diagnosed during his residency by Sarno back in 1981. He says in order to really kick the TMS, you have to do the work - often the pain goes away initially as a placebo response and patients think they are cured and then it comes back and they are disappointed. The unconscious takes a much longer time to catch up with the conscious. |
| Dave |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 13:23:33
Obsessive thoughts are a distraction, even if those thoughts are about getting rid of TMS. Beware of falling into the "trying too hard -> frustrated by lack of results" cycle. It's important to do the emotional work, but also to accept that it will take time, possibly a long time, to get relief. You're doing all the right things. It's a good idea to carry that list of problems with you, so you can refer to it when you aware of the pain. It is a good idea to read the books repeatedly. And definitely pat yourself on the back when you are aware that the pain is less or moving around. That's a sign of progress.
But the most important part is your last sentence:
...getting used to ignoring the pain - sort of laughing at it.
If you can do that on a regular basis, the relief will take care of itself. |
| Suz |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 13:20:07
Where do you live, mat? I you any where near Dr. Sarno in New York. He is back from vacation on September 13th. I actually went through a whole batch of tests to confirm that I did not have anything structural. I was told I had a herniated disc but the Orthopedic doctor said it was so small that it would be unlikely to cause any pain. The chiropractor really thought it was from flat feet! Then earlier this year, a rheumatologist was convinced I had ankylosing spondilitis - a rare inflammatory disease that is incurable. I had about 10 mris and ct scans done and a many blood tests looking for inflammation. I was about to start the Enbrel shots every week until right at the end, the doctor said he knew I didn't have it because my tests were so clear. He felt that the inflammation he thought he saw was probably just normal wear and tear and a little arthritis of the hip. At that point, he said you are at the end of the line and need to see Dr. Sarno.
I have to say that sitting face to face with Sarno and hearing his diagnosis was the absolute turning point for me - I had read the book the week before and saw myself on every page. Then when Sarno did the trigger point tests - and confirmed it was TMS, I accepted the diagnosis totally.
I have more of a struggle accepting IBS and my skin problems (mild acne) as TMS equivalents. I am very interested in the nutritional affects of food lectins on the body and am torn between my knowledge of that and the emotional component. I strongly suspect these conditions might be equivalents. I am in the process of studying to get certified as a nutritional practioner as I want to open my own practice - so there is some conflict there.
I think your hesitance to fully accept the TMS diagnosis could be really helped by seeing a TMS doctor - definitely take your xrays with you.
I feel it is absolutely necesary |
| 2scoops |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 11:40:49
Suz free therapy, you lucky dog you. One thing that I thought about when I awakened from sleep was, I used to go to a chiropractor, well I remember my Otho said be careful because the chiro could actually cause where I have the crack to seperate the two vertebrae. Which is then called spondylolithesis. Well Sarno does say that spondylolisthesis can cause pain, although he has not seen a patient where it has. I almost want to go and get an x-ray just to make sure that it has not slipped, but I know that causes me too think structural. The sad thing is that I had to have a dream to stir this thought process up, because I was doing so well at focusing on the emotional side and evaluating my emotions.I wish I could go see a TMS doctor. |
| Suz |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 09:24:34
Laura - great idea re: tapes from Schecter - I just purchased the workbook and will get the cds as well. I live outside New York and went to see John Sarno - so I know I have TMS.
The unconscious is very very slow to receive the info but I am confident it will change in time.
2scoops (Mat I think!), you hit the nail on the head - that little thought - crack in the vertabrae- right there you are still experiencing some doubt and focusing on the physical.
I think that might be the key to your slow recovery. I also think that I have slacked off a bit! It is worth putting the time in as the pain affects me so much! After journalling last night and reading the book slowly and deliberately - I am in less pain today. I guess it really works! I also am going to go back and see my therapist. She has read "Healing Back Pain" and believes in it totally. She is retired and does this as volunteer work so luckily it costs me nothing. |
| 2scoops |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 09:10:27
I am kind of in the same boat as you Suz. I have never had my back pain, butt pain and leg and foot pain go away. It has been reduced but has not left after 5 months of reading Sarno. I did buy Healing Back Pain on cd, so eveywhere I drive I keep listening to the book. I am to the point now where I am not playing around. I am considering some type of therapy. I do however find myself thinking about the crack in my vertebrae, and I know I am not suppossed to. All that time I spent on the computer and going to those doctors really conditioned me. I am doing my best not to think structural, but I remember having a dream where I was not able to do things because of what the doctors said is causing my pain. Looks like I have more work to do. But months ago I was getting better so I guess I slacked a little bit. I have been experiencing more symptoms, like allergies, increase in acid reflux, burning foot. I am just tired of it like yourself Suz. |
| Laura |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 09:08:30
Suz,
You sound like you're right on track. I personally have read and re-read Mindbody Prescription several times. I recently bought Healing Back Pain and am doing the same. Also, it helps to use a highlighter and highlight things that really pertain to you. I'm not sure where you live but I'm here in L.A. and saw Dr. David Schechter. I purchased his CD set, which is really helpful cuz I listen to it over and over in my car. He says to do this because although the conscious mind can accept things easily it does take some repetition for the unconscious. You can buy his CD set online as well. I think the website is Mindbodymedicine.com.
Laura
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