| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| steffi |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 05:14:28
12 years ago, I was one of the "instant cures." I had suffered with intermittant back pain for 15 years prior to seeing Dr. Sarno. I had "done it all" to no avail. All it took was an examination and talk with Dr. Sarno and it was WAY GONE!!!
Fast forward to now and to make a long story short I have been having what appears to be hip issues for the past 20 months with a particularly bad flare occurring 5 months ago. I've been doing all the "work" (back in therapy, journaling, rereading) but I did go the MD route too. I faxed my MRI to Dr. Sarno and practically begged for his opinion of it. He said that he cannot make any determination concerning the MRI. When I pointed out to him that he always requests that an MRI or CT scan be done to rule out certain issues, he just repeated that he could not help me. I didn't say this but the bottom line is that he is an orthopedist. I can't understand why, as my doctor, he would not even give me a grain of assistance.
I needed to vent.
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| steffi |
Posted - 04/10/2009 : 18:35:23
I do appreciate the notes. I feel somewhat tortured, though. Believe me I am not thrilled about going through a surgery but I feel as if that is where I am headed. Sometimes, "something" really is WRONG and I believe that the arthritis I have in my hip has eroded it to the point that I am experiencing all of this pain and disability.
I remember about two years ago it was a real pressure cooker at my work and my boss was on me something fierce. I turned to answer my phone and suddenly felt a horrible jolt of pain in my lower back. At that very moment, I said to myself "no f**ing way" and with that, the pain was gone. Last March my brother-in-law, who was very dear to me, passed away. The evening he died I was sitting in a chair crying my eyes out and when I got up, my back "went out". My back was sore for a week or so and gradually, the pain subsided. I can understand these two situations and I KNOW they were TMS scenarios in the making.
This hip s**t is very different. No matter what, the stiffness has never let up--twenty months and counting. It is always there. In October or November of 2008, I decided to try just a little jogging and it made the groin stiffness MUCH WORSE!!! The left leg symptoms started around then and all of this is unbearable now. Even Dr. Sarno acknowledges that hip replacement is sometimes necessary. I've done the work, I know the game but this is not changing AT ALL!
I try to hold on to all of this but no matter how convinced I am, it still doesn't take away from a natural fear of surgery and recovery. It is a frightening prospect but more frightening is thinking, that I will remain in this debilitated state unless I go ahead with the surgery. |
| Baseball65 |
Posted - 04/10/2009 : 14:26:02
Hi Steffi.
I have never met Sarno, yet I had a 'close' to instant cure (about 5 weeks) from the first trip through the turnstile.
After reading the string, I'd have to agree with the idea that it would have probably been negligent of Sarno if he DID make any sort of assumption based on the MRI report. That doesn't tell him what's going on in your life, what went on in your life , and what your particular 'mindframe' is currently set at. If it is TMS the MRI is meaningless.
quote:
This incident does not seem to be resolving and I know in my heart that something is truly "wrong" this time.
I know you expressed your thought parenthetically, but there is something 'wrong' EVERY time I have had a new manifestation of TMS. Last year when my knee inflated and was excruciating, I got a firm diagnosis from a sports medicine doctor that I had some sort of condition (I have forgotten the diagnosis accidentally-on-purpose...selective amnesia) that was structural, but after looking at what was going on in my life it was too damn coincidental that my 'real' knee problem happened right before I left my wife......and after I discontinued medical treatment, continued to work it hard and FINALLY stood up to my WIFE, the pain vanished...the swelling stuck around for months after the pain left.
I learned that even 'real' looking symptoms can be TMS.
A friend of mine who is a Catholic priest told me about meeting Mother Theresa. He said she was a bit terse and he wasn't too excited about the 'living Saint', but he also said she was absolutely the tireless, altruistic ,hard working, self effeacing person she was portrayed as.......her shortcomings in casual personal relationships did nothing to diminish the inherent magic of her existence.
Likewise, it's probably a good thing I never met Sarno...from the CD's he sounds a bit rough around the edges, but I am sure glad he writes,reads and researches.
I hope you sort this out
-marc |
| tcherie |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 09:05:31
Steffi,
I can imagine the doubt or concern that must play in your mind when you have experienced a quick recovery, and now you do not seem to recovery. It can probably make you question if what you have this time is TMS.
I am no doctor, and I have not personally dealt with arthritis. The only thing I can recommend is to seek members of the forum who have are personally dealing with this diagnosis. Ask them about their ups and downs, and how are they doing since having the TMS diagnosis. Reread Sarno's and similar books, but focus on arthritis. Consider a face-to-face meeting with a tms doctor. Then make your decision. |
| marsha |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 09:48:31
Hi Steffi,
I had a similar diagnosis not in my hip but in my thumb. I saw the x-rays and the picture was clear. Bone on bone. Joint replacement was advised, but I was very frightened of the surgery and recovery. It would mean not working for six months. I was an art teacher and not being able to use my hand was out of the question at the time. So I decided not to have the surgery. Gradually my thumb improved. I have never had a problem with my thumb again.
I continue to have problems with my back with pain, numbness and tingling. I know that all of this for me is TMS. I saw Dr. Sarno in 1999 and after about 7 months was pain free for about seven years. In October of this year I saw Sarno again but am still battling.
Maybe your disappointment with Dr. Sarno and your continuing pain has made you feel that this is a structural problem. I think what you needed from Sarno was a conformation that your pain is TMS. Sometimes relapses last longer than we would like (mine included). If someone could give me a pill to stop the torture I would gladly take it.
I have no simple advice for you. It is truly a dilemma and I certainly understand the pain you are in.
Let us know what you decide and gook luck.
Marsha
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| steffi |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 05:59:45
Hi Tcherie-
The consensus is that I have severe (bone on bone) arthritis in my left hip. They are recommending a hip replacement and although I am frightened, I feel as if this is the only way. I don't want to take endless pills for the rest of my life. I have been living on motrin for months now and I have a sensitive stomach. I want my life back. I have been so debilitated by this. I saw a hip specialist last night and I am going to two others for their opinions. I was only hoping that Dr. Sarno would give his opinion as well. I saw Dr. Sarno concerning this in November 2007.
When I was 46 and saw Dr. Sarno after years of back incidents, the "cure" was immediate and complete for 12 years!!!!! This incident does not seem to be resolving and I know in my heart that something is truly "wrong" this time.
Best wishes to you. |
| tcherie |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 15:37:35
That's a good point that Dave made, and if I had not thought about it like that myself then it would have seen like a real blow off. But my understanding of the purpose of an MRI like Dave mentioned is to determine if there are any serious issues. If your doctor says that their are no serious issues, or he says that you have one of the various conditions that Sarno mentions in his book,then TMS is most likely what is causing the pain, and not something structural.
I have heard others mention visits to Sarno or trying to contact him and felt like it wasn't involved enough. It seems in those circumstances the individual's perspective may be a little skewed on what Sarno does.
Steffi has the doctor mentioned to you what he felt the problem was? Or have you mentioned that in a previous post? |
| Dave |
Posted - 04/05/2009 : 11:08:05
quote:
Originally posted by steffi
Actually, I did see Dr. Sarno concerning this recent bout in November 2007. It is for this reason, in particular, that I felt his "response" was out of line.
Sorry, but I think it is you who is out of line here.
Dr. Sarno is not an orthopedist. His primary expertise does not include interpretation of radiology reports. Dr. Sarno treats TMS. He was doing this long before MRI scanners were invented.
If you are looking for a second opinion on an MRI, then see another orthopedist. Dr. Sarno suggests MRIs for his patients only to rule out serious structural issues or disease. I trust that the physician who ordered the MRI has sufficient expertise to do this.
If the MRI was inconclusive and did not reveal significant stuctural problems or disease, then it has served its purpose as far as TMS treatment is concerned.
In this scenario, Dr. Sarno was simply being honest with you. He said he "cannot make any determination concerning the MRI." What more do you want from him?? |
| marsha |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 20:33:54
I agree with you then. What a let down.
Marsha |
| steffi |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 17:45:33
Actually, I did see Dr. Sarno concerning this recent bout in November 2007. It is for this reason, in particular, that I felt his "response" was out of line.
I'm still a believer, and I plan to continue to utilize the techniques, but it was not a good feeling.
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| marsha |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 10:21:53
Dr. Sarno only keeps records for 10 years. If you have not see or spoken to him during that time he would expect that you would make an appointment to see him again.
I saw him in October 2008 after a 10 year period. The fee was much less than it would have been if I were a new patient.
It would seem he would not make a diagnosis over the phone Which I believe is a good thing.
Giving his opinion would have been nice but medicine is a business as well as a science.
Hope you are feeling better.
Marsha |
| steffi |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 08:09:14
Sorry. I was unclear. It was the MRI report that I faxed to Dr. Sarno. |
| mseymour88 |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 08:02:16
Thats interesting.
I went to see him with my MRI and he wouldn't even look at it.
He would only read the report.
Now my brain(I suppose) is using that,to keep me from repudiating the structural diagnosis I have always gotten.
Thanks for venting.
Mike |
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