| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CALF |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 21:04:34
I have been following the self-treatment plan given in The Divided Mind and have written page after page after page. I have totally believed that I fit the TMS profile very well and have committed to doing the work. However, if anything I am getting worse, not better. Then I finally read a description of what is the main cause of my back pain--spinal stenosis. I have scar tissue from 3 previous back surgeries. So now I am wondering how the entangling of scar tissue with my nerves, especially my sciatic nerve, and the narrowing of the canals out of which the main nerves emerge can be overcome by psychological therapy. Dr. Sarno does say that there are indeed a certain percentage of people with back pain who may really have a problem that does not stem from TMS. How am I to know if I am one of those few? |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Allan |
Posted - 04/09/2008 : 19:21:31
There is a reference on the opening page of this forum to Fred Amir's book, Rapid Recovery from back and neck pain.
In one of the appendixes, he refers to a Federal study of surgery for back pain where almost all were worthless and some were harmful. It sounded like an exageration, so I wrote to the Dept of Health and got a copy. It was a correct quotation.
I am an authority of spinal stenosis which is the spinal cord rubbing against the vertebrae. The technician that read my MRI said that I had it. My doctor said that I had it. An ortopedric surgeon said that I had it and recommended surgery. I schelduled surger in the Brigham and Woman's Hospit in Boston.
Before my date for surgery I read Dr. Sarno and Fred Amir. The pain went away and never came back. I cancelled the surgery. Having a TMS doctor tell me that it was TMS helped. He looked at the MRI and said yes the MRI indicates that I have spinal stenosis, but it is not causing pain.
Thanks to Dr. Sarno and Fred Amir, my back pain went away, my sciatica went away, my ringing in the ears went away and my heart murmur of 50 years went away. All TMS and they never came back.
Allan
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| drziggles |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 12:15:15
The great thing about spine surgery (or abdominal surgery for chronic pelvic pain) is that as soon as the surgery fails, everything from then on can be blamed on complications of the surgery! "Well, before you had a herniated disk, but now you have scar tissue and are a failed back". Before you had endometriosis, but now you have adhesions.
And so they operate, over and over again, to correct the new problem that is suddenly a cause for the symptoms that didn't get better after the first surgery (or second, or third) to treat what was supposed to be the initial cause.
The fact that you had three surgeries and are still having symptoms suggests that TMS could be the problem. Naturally, you should consult with your physician before making any medical decisions... |
| mk6283 |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 10:00:37
I suggest you see a TMS doctor, if you can. It is impossible to comment on your condition over the internet. Where are you from?
Best,
MK |
| mizlorinj |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 09:46:19
Wow, what an experience.
My dad was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and went to another doc for 2nd opinion. The doc had his own spine surgery and said NEVER AGAIN. He recommended dad read The Divided Mind!! Dad went to TMS guy and was diagnosed with TMS. But he's of the older generation who really have a hard time believing it's brain-induced. . .
Dr. Sarno says there are "normal abnormalities" like herniated disc, curvature, etc. Isn't stenosis mentioned as a harmless condition in TDM too?
Happy to hear you've started the treatment plan. Keep on writing. There's a lot in there--at least there was for me!
Though it is human to think you are the exception, it is highly unlikely you are in the very tiny percentage whose "condition" is causing physical pain. Reading about physical conditions in books or online keeps reinforcing the wrong thing in your brain. And can cause you more physical pain as it did me because it scared me so much.
My back/butt pain was the most excruciating of my life--yes, worse than childbirth, and after a lot of journaling and yelling and crying, went away. No surgery, p/t, pills. And the orthopod said the herniated disc appeared to be leaning on a nerve that was of course responsible for my pain. Then I found Dr. Sarno, and my pain is gone w/o doing anything to my body. Therefore, physical things can appear to be responsible but really aren't.
Best wishes,
Lori
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| Jeff4460 |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 09:08:50
Too much detailed information! Tangled nerves, scar tissue, canels, etc. makes my back hurt just thinking about it. After going through 3 surgeries...I'm sure you know more about the back then many people, and this may be one of the obstacles to your recovery.
Instead of visualizing what the inside of your spinal canal looks like...visualize yourself fully recovered and living the rest of your life pain free. In your mind's eye see yourself playing golf, skiing, running, or whatever brings you happiness. Look past the healing process...all the way to your complete recovery. |
| h2oskier25 |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 21:41:20
I am no Doc, so would be scared to advise you.
But for what it's worth.
If you get a little better, get a little worse, are sometimes able to get through the day quite easily, but other times are totally disabled, or very afraid you will be disabled, its TMS.
The fact that you got worse over journaling sort of leads me to the TMS conclusion. Remember, the gremlin gets worse when you are getting close, because he doesn't want to be found out.
I wouldn't be worried about scar tissue and closing of canals and all that physical crap. Rule #1 of Sarno, discount the physical.
Here's what I would try if it were me. Every time I get pain, I would say "I wonder what's going on psychologically with me right now?" You don't have to give that question MUCH thought, but a little. Your answer might be "Well, there's all this stuff going on with my family, and I am concerned about this at work . . . "
Remember, you don't have to solve all of your issues, just acknowledge them.
Try that for a couple days.
Let me know how it goes. |
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