| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 15:18:08
I have been suffering from anal pain for the last 20 years. The pain is worse after I defecate. I am also an OCD sufferer. When I suffer OCD badly the pain is reduced and vice versa. The pain had been diagnosed as psychosomatic by several psychiatrists.
I am already aware of TMS as I had bad back pain a few years ago which was cleared up by the Mindbody Prescription.
I am aware the anal pain is psychological (as when I managed to get rid of most of the OCD for a time in 1989-90 the pain went too). However Sarno’s techniques don’t necessarily seem to work as well as they did with the back pain.
I have also underwent cognitive behavioural therapy, which is the best therapy I have had, however I am having trouble with the pain at the moment.
Any one else had psychosomatic anal rectal pains (tightness, aching and burning particularly after defecation but lasting most of the day) and found any method of relief?
Is this Levator Ani Syndrome perhaps
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| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| moose1 |
Posted - 09/08/2008 : 21:59:08
oh yeah, i've had this lovely little symptom before. seemed related to the other gastro hell i went through as part of my TMS odyssey. it's insanely painful, too. honestly, it's one of the most awful sensations i've ever experienced. if you've been checked out and everything is OK, it's probably safe to assume is the bastard TMS at work.
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| Paul |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 18:47:43
Rob, did you ever get better from your rectal pain? |
| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/17/2007 : 14:15:18
Well in the short term the rectal pain is much improved. I took part in activities I would normally avoid on Saturday and I feel much better. |
| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/13/2007 : 11:29:30
quote:
I feel that BELIEF is the most important element in the process.
As it is for CBT.
Gonna give TMS treatment a shot. |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 12/12/2007 : 12:35:23
I have not had CBT so can't really comment, but I think therapists vary greatly in their approaches even within a type of therapy, so you might find it worthwhile to check a few different ones out. But if this is not your cup of tea and more personal introspection would be better, of course, do what works for you.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/12/2007 : 10:36:15
quote:
With regards to the other pain you have, I assume you've seen a GP/MD about the pain to rule out any physical problems?
Yes, my anus has been investigate throroughly
:)
quote:
'Anus - Releasing Point. Dumping ground.
Pain (in anus) - Guilt. Desire for punishment. Not feeling good enough.'
That is interesting and definitely applicable.
Thank you.
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| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/12/2007 : 10:29:00
quote:
Originally posted by la_kevin
I have "OCD" too. When my pain is the highest, my OCD goes away, completely. Pain goes away, OCD returns. In fact I battled OCD returning this week using the TMS theories and the OCD left now too.
I have that two. Almost a split between OCD and anal pain. If one's not occupying your mind then the other is.
quote:
I have a theory that OCD is not what we have been told. I became an "expert" at OCD after years with it and I think it is just another form of distraction by the subconscious. Yes exposure herapies work with it, but I think the underlying cause is a predisposition toward ruminating thoughts, obsessions, invasive thoughts, rituals, mental rituals.
I am not sure of the root cause of my OCD, even after 20 years of suffering.
There are new CBT therapies specifically aimed at OCD although the base idea is the root of all CBT approaches (i.e. that irrational beliefs are kept in place by irrational behaviour which reinforces the belief)
quote:
Also, you might notice that if your OCD is more "intrusive thought" based, the pain will come when the intrusive thoughts get out of hand or too much for you.
That is not quite true for me although it is on a similar track. When I can enter environments/situations where I can escape the OCD then the pain takes over (although that is not necessarily true vice versa). |
| Big Rob |
Posted - 12/12/2007 : 09:47:59
quote:
Originally posted by armchairlinguist
If you are still having trouble, is psychodynamic (insight) therapy an option for you? CBT is often helpful but it may not necessarily deal with the emotional issues that are at the root of ongoing TMS problems.
To be honest, from what I have seen from psychodynamic (insight) therapy, it is more or less the same as the self-acceptance regimes prescribed with CBT.
Or at least that is my experience anyway......... |
| mk6283 |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 22:04:09
"Anal pain" for >20 years after having r/o whatever few serious medical causes there are in a patient w/ a history of OCD sounds a hell of a lot like TMS to me. In my experience, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome was most definitely a TMS equivalent. There were instances when the pain moved around and appeared to be more focused in the anal/lower back vicinity. It is TMS. Any diagnosis s/a levator ani syndrome, piriformis syndrome, etc. carries little meaning/value in my book. It's a way of explaining the unexplainable that is only unexplainable because most people refuse to think outside the box. As for why the pain appears to be refractory to TMS methods, at least in my case, this was always the result of DOUBT, as I feel that BELIEF is the most important element in the process. I always found it impossible to do the work that was needed to get better w/o full confidence in what I was doing (although others on this forum tend to disagree). Keep at it and best of luck.
Best,
MK |
| golden_girl |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 20:02:08
I suffered from (sometimes really quite severe) OCD and paranoid thoughts on and off for about 3 years. This has now completely "worn off" of its own accord. I too believe it's a distraction (and a very good one as it's ALL you can think about  ) from other, subconcious thoughts. CBT did little to nothing for me, unfortunately.
Not much help I know, as mine wore off, but it gives me hope when I can't imagine that my generalised anxiety will go, that it can and it's possible for me to be able to live without intrusive thoughts dominating my life.
With regards to the other pain you have, I assume you've seen a GP/MD about the pain to rule out any physical problems? If so, I mention this only as a suggestion, so if it's not something for you, I apologise - but many different authors in this sort of area draw parallels between our thoughts/lives and the specific parts of the body that we find pain in - for example, Louise Hay says in 'You Can Heal Your Life':
'Anus - Releasing Point. Dumping ground.
Pain (in anus) - Guilt. Desire for punishment. Not feeling good enough.'
Just something to consider?
I wish you the best,
"F.E.A.R.
Forgive Everyone And Remember
For Everything A Reason"
Ian Brown |
| la_kevin |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 18:18:59
I have "OCD" too. When my pain is the highest, my OCD goes away, completely. Pain goes away, OCD returns. In fact I battled OCD returning this week using the TMS theories and the OCD left now too.
I have a theory that OCD is not what we have been told. I became an "expert" at OCD after years with it and I think it is just another form of distraction by the subconscious. Yes exposure therapies work with it, but I think the underlying cause is a predisposition toward ruminating thoughts, obsessions, invasive thoughts, rituals, mental rituals.
Back to your post though. If you notice the pain switches with OCD, that's a VERY GOOD indicator you are dealing with a psychosomatic/phycological syndrome. OCD hasn't been discussed in the TMS literature I've read as much as I think it should be. There is a definite link between the two.
Also, you might notice that if your OCD is more "intrusive thought" based, the pain will come when the intrusive thoughts get out of hand or too much for you. The pain takes over to give your brain a break from the mental torture. Same thing as symptom imparitive in my book. Chalk them up as coming from the same place. My experience showed me this is true.
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"It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment." Armchairlinguist(?) |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 16:01:38
If you are still having trouble, is psychodynamic (insight) therapy an option for you? CBT is often helpful but it may not necessarily deal with the emotional issues that are at the root of ongoing TMS problems.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| pericakralj |
Posted - 12/11/2007 : 15:29:16
i had some rectal pain,and it was TMS.
All gone now. |
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