| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dsk |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 20:44:50
I'm a first timer who has just started examining TMS as a source of my many pain issues. In fact, I have never posted on a message board of any kind. I think I am just ready to vent and share my story with people who can relate. I just read Sarno's book last week and have begun the process of taking my life back. As I look back on the last 36 years, I can't believe how much TMS has impacted my life.
First off, the pain profile is a perfect description of my personality. I honestly think my TMS started when I was 13 and had a terrible case of acne. Just what you want when you hit puberty. I had my first serious back issues when I was 16--of course, the x-rays, MRIs, and bone scans have all been normal. In fact, many have been described as "grossly normal." Since then I've had neck, shoulder, knee, wrist, and elbow pain--it always came out of nowhere, and was equally painful on both sides of my body. I have seen so many doctors and had so many tests done, but you know where this is headed. Much of these eventually went away, but the back and neck pain was a constant--I just learned to deal with it, and stayed active running, biking, and swimming. That is until last year.
During a particularly stressful time, the balls of my feet really started to bother me. They were intensely achy, and no amount of rest made a difference. It became painful to stand for more than a few minutes, and they often kept me awake at night. Soon after, my left shoulder started really bothering me, as did my left knee. MRIs on feet, shoulder, and knee were all normal, and I was diagnosed with Iliotibial band syndrome, plantar faciitis, and tendonitis. No running, no biking, and swimming and plenty of PT. Nothing helped, and I continued to see doctors in many different states. 6 months ago I started having pain in the other knee as well. Needless to say the last year has been pretty terrible, and nothing has helped. My best therapy has been to take a hot shower.
Fortunately, a friend gave me the Sarno book. I have just started the process, and mostly I am shocked by how many different pain symptoms I have had--nearly every joint has been affected in some way. I haven't really tapped into the emotional issues just yet--I am really considering a therapist for that. I'm really trying not to spend 90% of my day assessing how my body feels--which is like s**t. I have started biking again, and went out today without having any significant pain. Today, I feel better in some areas (knees), and worse in others (neck, shoulder). I am really trying to be at peace with things, and to realize that this is coming from within. Hopefully, I am on my way.
Anyone else suffer with this many symptoms? I haven't even gotten into my insomnia and voice issues. It is almost embarrassing to admit all of this, and this is the first place I have done it.
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| dsk |
Posted - 08/03/2007 : 13:18:35
I really used the bike riding as a true way to prove to myself that I am fine. If I truly had knee problems, would I have been able to do this? Of course not, and it just served to reinforce the idea that this is TMS. This renewed confidence is helping me break the cycle.
I stopped the icing, the anti-inflams, and the million stretches/exercises I was doing daily. Not surprisingly, I still feel better. I've got a long road, but this is a positive start. |
| JohnD |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 21:37:01
No need to keep reading about TMS for those who are pain free....
Also, if someone is one week into treating TMS they would probably be better off just learning the basic techniques that Sarno teaches. If at first they need to ride a bike instead of running, then nothing wrong with that....things will move along in time if that person chooses to keep progressing |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 20:09:24
quote:
Originally posted by h2oskier25
quote:
Originally posted by shawnsmith
. . . especially where he goes into detail about how physical exercise can indeed become a crutch which in turn impedes recovery.
Shawn is NOT going to be happy until we all quit exercising and turn into soft, flabby people.
Beth
Well Beth, I don't know if you are serious but I will assume you are. Just go read what Dr. Brady has to say on this topic and then come back and post again. Sadly, most people don't read on this board and cannot possibly know what those who do read are talking about.
*******
Sarno-ize it!
Read chapter 4 of Dr. Sarno's "The Divided Mind." It's all you need to know in order to recover. |
| h2oskier25 |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 13:32:43
quote:
Originally posted by shawnsmith
. . . especially where he goes into detail about how physical exercise can indeed become a crutch which in turn impedes recovery.
Shawn is NOT going to be happy until we all quit exercising and turn into soft, flabby people.
Beth |
| CrystalP |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 10:57:56
Hi dsk,
I was happy to find your post because it affirms to me that I am not alone. I also have many TMS issues and have spent years (12+) running to doctors of every kind in my search for resolutions and explanations. I have had all manners of tests (MRI and CT scans) and prescription drugs, everything from pain meds and muscle relaxers to mind and mood altering drugs such as Paxil. I honestly feel like I have been chasing smoke all these years and found no resolution to the almost constant back/hip/knee/neck/shoulder and chest wall pain as well as frightening episodes of dizziness/weakness and balance problems. I have had heart echos/stress tests and EKG's as well as cardio and artery ultrasounds. Two years ago I was hospitalized after an especially bad episode while driving home from work. I was so frightened by what was happening to me that I called 911 from my cell phone. Nothing was found even though I honestly felt I was dying. They just sent me home after three days with orders to follow up with my family doctor. Yeah-right.... I too have tried to stay as active as possible and still am able to work but each day seems a struggle and I am so sick of it. I just want my life back. I also struggle with the doubts that creep in about whether or not all this is really explained by TMS but I am reading and following the program and as strange as it may sound, I am hopeful that TMS is finally the answer I have searched for so long. |
| Michele |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 10:49:31
Now you've been caught and TMS is pissed off and is in full swing to convince you that your pain is something other than the unconscious emotions. It is going to fight you tooth and nail, so you just dig in and fight back.
You can do it! |
| carbar |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 10:40:11
Re: setback
Yes, they are normal. You are retraining your BRAIN to stop going to these symptoms as a source of distraction from uncounscious feelings.
It takes a little while for the brain to get used to new style of thinking. You are on your way, though. Good luck! And welcome to the forum.
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| JohnD |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 09:47:05
DSK,
Setbacks are to be expected, don't stress too much over it. I think it can be considered to be a part of the process and provides a great opportunity to undo those old thought patterns and feelings. The fact that you are aware of it is a huge step in and of itself. Keep up the good work.....it takes most people atleast a few months to become painfree. It usually doesn't happen in a week. |
| dsk |
Posted - 08/02/2007 : 09:38:05
I had a bit of a set back yesterday. Just a bit of doubt crept back in. Maybe some of this is physical. Maybe I should keep that appointment with yet another doctor. That was all it took to start a cycle. Insomnia, soreness, and some of hte pain came back. Wow is TMS is powerful syndrome.
I realize that I have done this many times in the past, but at least I am aware of it. I'm not really sure what triggered it, but I'm working to get it under control. |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 14:06:35
I sugggest you read what Dr. Brady writes in chapter 11 of his book titled "Seven Crutches of Pain-Prone People," especially where he goes into detail about how physical exercise can indeed become a crutch which in turn impedes recovery. No one is saying stop physical activity, but ask yourself why you are doing it. Honestly, when one reads this chapter it is a real eye opener.
*******
Sarno-ize it!
Read chapter 4 of Dr. Sarno's "The Divided Mind." It's all you need to know in order to recover. |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 11:12:19
dsk, I wouldn't worry about using physical activity as a "crutch" unless you notice that your relationship with it becomes obsessive. Sarno suggests return to normal activity and it sounds like that's exactly what you're doing, since you've always been quite active it sounds like.
Good luck on your journey!
--
Wherever you go, there you are. |
| dsk |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 08:47:12
Thanks for the advice and support.
Right now, I am just trying to slowly break the cycle of pain. I feel best in the morning, but I have a hard time not checking on my body throughout the day. It's almost as if I say to myself, "Wow, I haven't thought about my feet for awhile," and the moment I focus on them, they start to hurt. When i think back to many of the issues that I have had that have gone away, ultimately I just stopped worrying about them.
I have ordered the book ss, but would like to hear more about the idea of using crutches. I have tried to start resuming normal activity because there is nothing truly wrong with my body, and biking represents that. However, I know this is a powerful disorder, and I would really like to avoid some of the pitfalls that people new to this fall into.
I feel 30% better, and more importantly I have a more hopeful optimistic attitude. I nknow ther are tons of messages about advice, but I'm always looking for good mental startegies to overcome this. Thanks again.
Darrin |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 08:00:44
Be careful that the biking does not become a crutch where you tell yourself that I must bike to work out the pain. Dr Scott Brady talks about these crutches in his book "Pain Free For Life" and they can be really subtle and impede progress as they are based on a physical model of explanation for the pain. I can go into this more if you like.
Obviously, something was going on in your life and within yourself udiring the onset of your various pains. I feel that personality traits are the most important elements for investigation.
*******
Sarno-ize it!
Read chapter 4 of Dr. Sarno's "The Divided Mind." It's all you need to know in order to recover. |
| sensei adam rostocki |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 22:05:19
Welcome aboard! Good luck and God bless. I think you have already made significant progress over the majority of people who are new to TMS. Hang in there...
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
| kelvin |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 21:34:58
Welcome to the forum, dsk!
You are not alone. And, on this forum, your situation is not unusual at all. If you browse the previous (and, some current) posts you will find that having multiple symptoms is quite common. I haven’t experienced the same variety of symptoms you have, but once I realized what TMS was, I found that many of the physical problems I experienced were caused by it.
The proof of that for me was that when the back pain started to go away so did all the other symptoms. Or, some new pain or symptom would develop as my mind continued to try and distract me from what the real issues were. The mind wants you to continue to think about the physical problems and not address the psychological issues under the surface.
But, the good news is that if you apply the treatment plan in Dr. Sarno’s books you can expect to gradually see improvement. Some people see rapid improvement, for some it takes much longer. You really can’t put a time table on it. In the link below you might find some additional resources to help you on the path to recovery.
We all look forward to your future report of finding relief from this multitude of physical problems you have suffered with for so long.
Kelvin
My favorite TMS files and links http://www.etex.net/kelving (may not work with FireFox browser) |
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