| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| scoob48 |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 09:00:29
I am fairly new here. I've been emailing Dr. Strom in Seattle about possibly seeing him for a TMS diagnosis. He charges a flat fee of $2000 for his treatment protocol, which includes unlimited access to him. I asked him if I could just see him for a diagnosis, since I've read Sarno, Brady, and Schecter, and have been doing the work on my own for a while. I felt that I just needed a diagnosis of TMS to finally allay all of my recurring doubts. I'll paraphrase what he told me:
I really can't help you unless you agree to the full course of treatment. It wouldn't be fair to either of us any other way. In order for you to recover from TMS you must have a very intimate relationship with your doctor.
Do you agree with this? I don't want to have an "intimate relationship" with my doctor, and don't feel I need this. Just want to get others' opinions on this.
Thank you!
Dawn |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| skizzik |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 15:39:39
Dr. Marc Sopher put that same disclaimer on a couple of e-mail replies to me too. I would'nt worry. |
| scoob48 |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 14:31:54
Webdan: I decided to edit my post by paraphrasing what the doctor said, since others who posted after me used his name as well.
I was concerned because I saw something on the end of the email he sent me (after I had already copied and pasted it) to the effect that none of this is allowed to be copied and distributed, or something.
But I don't mind everyone knowing who I'm talking about. I think it's a good thing for people to know something about a doctor they might be considering seeing.
Thank you, everyone, for your encouragement!
Dawn |
| Webdan65 |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 12:34:53
Scoob:
If you're concerned, edit your very first post in this thread and take the doctors name out so nobody in the future see's it. Stop worrying about that - you're among friends. Now get back to the TMS work of reading and journaling. wink
Dan |
| scoob48 |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 08:57:53
quote:
From reading your posts I've determined you have TMS and nothing else!
quote:
Skizzik, I loved that!! I think I'll print it out and put it on my wall! I know you meant it in jest, but I'm just suggestible enough that it might keep me convinced! 
I am a bit worried right now that I shouldn't have quoted from the doctor's email. I wonder if I could get into some kind of trouble should he discover it. Does anyone know? (This may be my usual paranoia setting in. Whenever I "fight back" against something or someone I disagree with, I become fearful that I'll be "punished." I hate that about myself, and I think it's a key reason I repress so much anger.) |
| weatherman |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 21:18:28
quote:
Originally posted by skizzik
If we could be simply diagnosed by a professional TMS doc then you'd have the confidence to do the work on your own or w/ a psychologist knowing physically you could'nt harm yourself anymore w/ phys activity.
The cure is the diagnoses. Just give me the damn diagnoses and rule out the serious...ugh!
Congratulations Skizzik! That's the best I've ever seen anyone state the dilemma that those of us with peripheral TMS locations struggle with (i.e., things other than back pain). "The cure is the diagnosis" - 5 words that say it all.
Weatherman
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." |
| ralphyde |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 20:00:29
Here's a link to his website:
integrativehealthmd dot com
Ralph |
| westcoastram |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 19:13:34
Dawn,
I understand why a psychotherapist would say that. Some would consider it unethical for them to treat you without them knowing that there wasn't underlying issues (say a tumor) causing your symptoms (no matter how certain you are of the TMS). That's not to say that all therapists will feel this way, each must use they're best judgement with what they're presented with.
That being said, perhaps it's worth trying to find another therapist. Some might be willing to: A. Take you on without a clear knowledge of TMS but a agreement to work under Sarno's precepts B. Know about TMS and work with you on a trial basis to see if your symptoms change without a diagnosis (you could try approaching the old psychiatrist with this idea) C. Just attempt therapy and apply the TMS principles on your own.
Do you live in the Pacific Northwest... westcoast... could you possibly see Dr. Schecter in LA?
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| Scottydog |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 17:43:57
Hi Scoob48,
I think from what you write you are already there. Where already there is knowing and believing you have TMS and what will really convince you is when you start some serious journalling / anger expression (eg yelling and shouting and thumping the bed) and feel the changes.
It's over two years since I discovered Sarno and I am so different (happiness levels) than at the start without the help of a TMS doctor or psychotherapy. So get started on your own, there will be some major emotional upheavals on the way, you may want therapist to talk to in the future, but many people do it on their own.
Best of luck,
Anne
Peri-menopausal is the latest 'illness' to appear in the media. I would try to ignore anything you read about it. Last thing I saw said the cure for it was some special head massage - yeah right.
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| skizzik |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 17:27:06
From reading your posts I've determined you have TMS and nothing else!
Your'e welcome. Now please E-mail me for where to send payment |
| scoob48 |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 17:14:35
westcoastram: You asked if I'd be willing to see a psychologist who understands TMS. Yes. In fact, I was in touch with one a year or so ago, but she said she would require that I have a diagnosis of TMS from a doctor before she'd treat me. At the time, I just accepted that and let it go. I didn't know of a TMS doc in my area. But as I have thought about it, I wonder why she would require that. I know it's to rule out any serious physical ailments, but I have already been seen by many doctors over the years, and been diagnosed with fibromyalgia--which I believe is always TMS!
Dr. Strom's words creeped me out, too, and that's why I am not going to see him. I agree that I can do the work on my own. I have all the TMS personality traits. I had a chaotic childhood. I know I am repressing stuff. I just need to stay focused and do the work, and not give up when I have a setback.
I think the doubts come in when I hear that hormones can cause aches and fatigue. (I'm perimenopausal) So, off I go trying to fix myself with vitamins and natural hormones. It helps for a while, but the pain and fatigue always return. (As they have with every treatment I've ever tried!)
I can tell that I am causing them! I really know it. But doing this alone, up to now, has been difficult. I am glad I found this forum. I really think it well help me stay focused.
-Dawn |
| westcoastram |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 14:33:05
$2000 is a chunk of change. I've never heard of Strom so I can't speak to how reputable he is. Does he offer a payment plan for the $2000?
Scoob48, where are you in the process, what still ailes you? What doubts still occur?
While $2000 is a lot of money, what would you be willing to pay to get rid of your TMS for good (or at least send it into remission).
Have you thought of seeing a psychologist open to TMS? If so, that may be as helpful or more so than Strom... although the cost may end up being the same.
For some people, treatment for TMS is as simple as reading the book. In my experience, they are the minority.
If you've given it the old college try by yourself, maybe $2000 isn't that bad especially considering the "unlimited access." |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 14:06:29
The way you described this doctor creeped me out.
*******
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 - 08/14/2007 : 14:02:02
"Very intimate" sounds weird to me.
If he had said "ongoing, trusting professional relationship" I would be less leery. I think that kind of statement would be true.
If you feel put off by this doctor, then don't go to him, would be my advice.
Maybe the money shouldn't matter, but jeez, $2000? That's more expensive than the Good Doctor himself.
--
Wherever you go, there you are. |
| Dave |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 12:06:01
I don't know about other TMS docs, but Dr. Sarno insists on establishing a relationship with his patients that goes beyond a single office visit. You must commit to see his lectures, participate in one or more group sessions, and if necessary, see an affiliated psychotherapist.
Frankly, you don't need a TMS doc to make a diagnosis. You can diagnose yourself. Do you see your personality traits described in his book? Do you say to yourself "holy sh*t, he's talking about me!" If so, then chances are, you will be diagnosed with TMS.
There is no magic test or examination that will diagnose TMS. It is based almost completely on a profile of your personality type, lifestyle, upbringing, etc. There is a physical part to the examination but it is rudimentary, mostly checking for sore trigger points that are common in TMS patients. |
| scoob48 |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 10:10:27
I never got around to asking him how long the treatment would/could last. I was a bit leery from the start, because in my initial communication with him he wouldn't answer when I asked him "How much do you charge?" I finally told him I wouldn't consider seeing him till he told me that. I was also a bit cautious because in an earlier email, he described the protocol as a sort of "marriage" between him and the patient.
I just feel that doing it his way would set up another unhealthy dependency in my life. I have abandonment issues, and get very attached to my various practitioners. I haven't yet weaned myself from my chiropractor or massage therapist.
I must admit that I felt some conscious anger when he told me it was all or nothing! But then I got a headache!  |
| skizzik |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 09:40:22
I understand your fustration totally. If we could be simply diagnosed by a professional TMS doc then you'd have the confidence to do the work on your own or w/ a psychologist knowing physically you could'nt harm yourself anymore w/ phys activity.
The cure is the diagnoses. Just give me the damn diagnoses and rule out the serious...ugh!
On the flip side, unlimited access....hmmm...is that for life? I don't know, 2k isn't chump change. |
