| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/18/2011 : 18:57:34
I've had a reoccurrence of back pain after a very long time without having any. I'm talking about many years.
I've recently been working with a TMS/PPD style therapist and working on Howard Schubiner's workbook.
I also recently read an extremely eye-opening article on anxiety. So much so, that I felt almost instantly changed. Not fixed, but my understanding and attitude were immediately different and more positive and focused. I've read loads of anxiety articles/books... but this feels like it might have been life-changing.
I've also had a rough couple of weeks between work and some other life factors.
That said, my anxiety has started to feel better. Suddenly today during therapy (couples therapy not my personal therapy) I noticed my lower back stiffening. A couple hours later here at work now and I can hardly stand up. I had unexplained back issues as a young kid, then in my early 20s, and VERY minor and random since. This feels fairly intense. It also feels very suspicious as to the timing, which I think most would agree.
I'd love to hear input from any and all... and additionally, what do you think I should do to go right after this? This feels like a moving symptom to me. (Anxiety better... now this?)
I can't afford more bodily nonsense. Any suggestions? This is starting to suck... and I want to do whatever I can to undermine this.
Thanks all.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 01:09:02
Thanks Hillary.
Yeah, I'm a huge believer in Claire Weekes' work. I basically have everything she's written and most of I memorized at this point. :)
I agree on my back going out, though. It was so new and so acute, it did scare me. I got past that phase though. I'm now just working through it and trying to get through the life issues I have going on right now. I think a lot of my TMS symptoms are circumstantial right now. So unfortunately, I don't believe that acceptance is the only medicine in this case. I have psychological issues to work through based on real life happenings.
However, acceptance will always be a key ingredient. I know this well, even if I can't always act on that knowledge.
Thanks again for the support.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| Hilary |
Posted - 11/24/2011 : 11:57:26
Hi Bryan
teachme's post is really good. the article you cite is based on Claire Weekes' work: FACE the symptoms(don't run away from), ACCEPT (don't fight them, stop trying to figure it all out), FLOAT (let go of the tension in your body) and LET TIME PASS (don't be impatient with time). This is the cure for anxiety. However, true acceptance takes time to achieve because we are so used to fighting, battling, trying to work it all out and being impatient for cure.
Reading your post it's clear that when your back pain increased you immediately started doing the opposite of this: you tensed, you started trying to 'figure out a strategy', you decided that you 'couldn't afford any more body nonsense'. This is not accepting, this is resisting and fighting.
Apply the techniques that seem to have helped your anxiety to your back pain and you will be fine.
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| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/20/2011 : 22:47:51
My pleasure to share it, Ophelia. It's an amazing article. I think I'm going to need a few more reads with it to have it sink in, but I think some of the concepts in it are life-changing.
To me, TMS is a two-part issue. Fear and understanding. Some seem to think it's JUST fear, and some seem to think it's understanding.
I think you have to master both to some extent.
It's a process of evolution in my opinion, and I'm (hopefully) in the middle.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| Ophelia |
Posted - 11/20/2011 : 11:48:37
Very col idea Bryan I really like it ....many thanks for suggestion. Ophelia |
| teachme |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 23:09:08
Bryan,
From reading your post I can tell you have not completely accepted or understood the article "Nothing Works". The answer is in that article you submitted you just need to follow the instructions. The solution is to do nothing as ironic as it sounds. Continue on or even pretend if necessary that nothing is wrong with you because the truth is, nothing is wrong with you. I say to pretend at first if your still lacking in belief. It may seem difficult to believe in only because the solution is so simple. All you need to do is continue on with your life. Do NOT allow any physical symptom such as your back pain hold you back. In addition, if or when you feel pain intensify, simply do not be concerned as there is no reason to be. Going about your normal activity sends an extremely powerful message to your brain. By understanding there is no reason to worry about your symptoms your brain will accept this and break cycle. If I were you, I would immediately stop reading Howard Schubiner's book and any other literature on the subject. Continuing with your life and not holding back will cure you 100%. |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 19:48:21
quote:
Originally posted by bryan3000
I know... it's just so hard to believe. But, what else could it be? I did some mild, light weight lifting which I do almost every day in my office. Nothing heavy, felt no pain.
You believe it on a conscious level but not on a cellular unconscious level and that's where the gremlin resides. You must brainwash your mindbody to believe that the back is strong and can't be hurt by sitting in counseling or doing some light weights days earlier. IT'S ALL IN THE BOOKS.
Read, watch and listen to as much TMS info as you can until you dispel the old thinking that the body is fragile.
I think it's GREAT you went to your daughter's tennis lesson today, that took balls being in such TMS pain! The pain is REAL but benign, caused by slight oxygen deprivation to the area. It's like when you get a cramp, excruciatingly painful--but harmless. Think of it as a cramp that doesn't go away until the mindbody decides it's no longer needed as a psychological protective device.
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| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 19:21:45
Thanks TT! Yea, I know... it's just so hard to believe. But, what else could it be? I did some mild, light weight lifting which I do almost every day in my office. Nothing heavy, felt no pain.
I already have HBP, and I just ordered the audio version so I could listen to it all day. (A little uncomfortable to read right now.)
Thanks for the input. I'm indeed trying to refresh my brain on what's going on.
My daughter had her last tennis lesson for the class today. I went and was in pain, but wasn't missing that for stupid TMS. :)
Still hurting, though. Can't believe the back pain is back. It will go away.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 15:39:22
quote:
Originally posted by bryan3000
*I mean, can it really be so predictable that it starts during my couples therapy?
*I guess this may be symptom shifting.
*I just need to figure out a way to get through this pain and formulate a plan to deal with this new symptom, which I suppose will be similar to dealing with the old ones.
*Absolutely yes, you didn't fall out the window during your couples therapy and break your back so what else could it be?
*This is the TMS Forum, so the answer is SYMPTOM SHIFTING!
*NO! You DON'T need to formulate any plan! The beauty of this is it's simplicity, the Good Doctor has done that for us. You need a TMS "KNOWLEDGE PENICILLIN" booster. I recommend getting a copy of Dr. Sarno's first book, "MIND OVER BACK PAIN". It's still in print, 150 small pages, and cheap. I just gave mine away a few days ago to a friend complaining of a sore neck who I know is under much stress (who isn't in our culture?)
Good luck Bryan, back to TMS basics. |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 11:28:32
By the way I should add, on the article...
I'm not over anxiety by any stretch. But, I feel like something clicked after reading this. It just felt different. Like maybe the plan was finally really in place. I've made strides with my panic/anxiety in spurts over the last year. I'm better than I used to be. But, it's a work in progress.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 11:07:51
The Holiday Inn reference refers to a commercial where a guy was acting as if he was qualified to do things like surgery, flying airplanes, etc. They'd ask... "are you a doctor," and he'd reply "no but I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night." (Meaning that he was that much smarter for doing so.) Pretty funny commercials.
The article I read was here:
http://nothingworks.weebly.com/
I don't want to oversell it, but for me... it was extremely effective. It's long and at times repetitive, but it spoke to me in ways other anxiety articles could not. (And I've read a lot.)
If anxiety plagues you, I really do recommend reading it and letting the info sink in. I can only promise you that it's very different than anything you've probably ever read in its presentation.
As for my back, it's bad. I can't believe it. I haven't had ANY back problems in years. (Of note.) I'm not even here because of back issues. I was looking into TMS for headaches and anxiety. I mean, I can it really be so predictable that it starts during my couples therapy? I mean... really? It seems SO stereotypical that I almost want to discredit it as coincidence.
But, I'm here... which means I don't think it's coincidence.
I guess this may be symptom shifting. I just need to figure out a way to get through this pain and formulate a plan to deal with this new symptom, which I suppose will be similar to dealing with the old ones.
Thanks for any input, guys. I appreciate the knowledge and stories you've shared.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| wrldtrv |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 10:53:54
Brian, curious to know about the "eye-opening article on anxiety." |
| Bugbear |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 09:06:07
Hi Bryan, I agree with Tom. It's no coincidence your anxiety is diminishing and your unexplained back pain has reared its ugly head all of a sudden. I also find it very telling that your back stiffened up while in your couples therapy, a place where "painful" issues tend to be discussed. I was once speaking to my clinical supervisor at work about I can't remember what when suddenly I had this eye watering sciatic pain hit me like a bolt of lightening. By the time I walked out of there I was perfectly fine. That's TMS for you.
Off topic: I am curious to know what this joke about Holiday Inn Express is. Tom? |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 11/19/2011 : 08:04:13
Hi Bryan,
This sounds pretty obviously like TMS symptom shifting, with the usual boilerplate warning to make sure it's not a "tumor", or you didn't roll over in your sleep, fall out a four story window, fracture your L4/L5 vertebrae and sleep-walk your way back to bed, with-out realizing you broke your back. (I'm not a doctor, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express several years ago).
Given you're in personal therapy, couples therapy, having job and marriage problems and a life history of what sounds like TMS back symptoms, it just may be TMS symptom shifting. Perhaps reading all the books about anxiety fixed that issue, but like bop-a-mole, TMS has popped back up in your back. I would recommend continue with your TMS practitioners if you think they are helpful and caring for you and get back to reading your Sarno--sometimes you can't see the TMS forest for the trees.
Good Luck,
tt |
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