| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| hotshot468 |
Posted - 02/15/2005 : 13:35:00
I have been fighting lower back pain, mid back pain, and sciatica for over 3 years now on a chronic level and I am at my wits end. I have read Sarno's books and many other trying to find the answer. For about 2 years I believed 100 % it was TMS, but after 2 years of working through all my garbage I am still in the same boat -- even worse today. I am so tired of not being able to live my life to the fullest without severe pain, muscles cramping up, muscle spasms. The pain does move around but stays mainly in my LOWER LOWER back and butt and legs. I even muscle twitches sometimes all over in different areas but that has been going on for years. Just not sure where to go from here. I was diagnosed with herniation at L5-S1 and T9-T10 in the thoracia area of my back. Any one ever had a herniation disk at that area? I still really do not think the disk are the problem -- but I am not sure what is at this point
Any ideas or recommendations to get me on the right track -- I have a baby due in about 4 months and I really need to be able to carry him and etc.. Please help Thanks Jimmy |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 02/17/2005 : 09:37:50
I too can definately relate to muscle twitches. For many years I experienced facial twitches, especially--in hindsight--during times of great stress. I also experience a sort of leg jerking twitch when I'm lying in bed at night, but ONLY when I'm lying in bed; a sure sign, in my opinion, that it's TMS.
Seth |
| Tunza |
Posted - 02/16/2005 : 22:00:28
Hey Jimmy,
I just wanted to say that I've had the same kind of muscle twitches as you. For me they have been worst at times of stress. For example I had them almost continuously when I was going through a patch of anxiety that lasted for months. i couldn't tell anyone I was anxious so I had to constantly repress it and I ended up with continuous tics that would jump from one muscle to another. There were muscles I didn't even know existed!
The other day i had my first psychotherapy session and when the therapist asked me to let myself be angry my muscle tics started again really dramatically!
Kat |
| campo |
Posted - 02/16/2005 : 09:30:05
quote:
Originally posted by hotshot468
I was diagnosed with herniation at L5-S1 and T9-T10 in the thoracia area of my back. Any one ever had a herniation disk at that area?
My diagnosis (based on an MRI) was herniation at L5-S1. Most of my pain was in the lower back, extending around the right hip. I suffered from it constantly for two years. By "constantly" I mean continuously; there was never a time from April 1989 to April 1991 when I was pain-free.
Sarno's approach cured me. I read the book four times in a month, and spent another 30 - 45 minutes a day thinking about the issues. By then I was 90% cured; a few more readings and I was 100%.
The first thing you should do is try to relax. It's clear from your post that you're anxious and frustrated, which I well understand under the circumstances. It's not helping though.
Have you read all of Sarno's books? I was cured by "Healing Back Pain", but I have since found value in both his earlier and later books. I get minor relapses (just stiffness, not pain) once every couple of years, and I return to Sarno to help eliminate it. It usually takes about a week. During those times I've read all of his books; it gives similar information in a few different perspectives. Also helps alleviate the boredom of repetitive readings.
It was important for me to address the negative emotions, particularly anger. I spent a lot of time thinking about all the things that bothered me. I agree that the focus should be on what's bothering you today, not just what disturbed you in the past. Be specific. For me it wasn't enough to say that I was annoyed by work; I had to compile the specific events and people that upset me, on an ongoing basis.
Also, think beyond the obvious. It took me a few weeks to realize what bothered me the most -- it wasn't what I first thought was the main issue. So despite all the garbage you've worked on, maybe you haven't hit the deepest issues.
--
Campo |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 02/15/2005 : 20:56:00
Hotshot468'
Have you seen a TMS doctor?
Are you willing to undergo TMS psychotherapy? |
| menvert |
Posted - 02/15/2005 : 18:21:28
quote:
Originally posted by hotshot468
but after 2 years of working through all my garbage I am still in the same boat -- even worse today.
In my experience/opinion I don't think working through your garbage is important at all. And Sarno does say many times it is not required
BUT what I think happens is when you do work through your garbage . it is very beneficial if in that work it allows you to see the correlation between emotion and pain. If it allows you to perceive and understand the depth of emotional content, you have, which contributes to your unconscious pool of rage.
If all you are doing is attempting to/resolving past emotional issues/events I don't think that is particularly going to help TMS. sarno does actually say he does not believe you will ever get rid of the rage you already accumulated from past events.
BUT from examining those events, you can learn to avoid the same situation, adding to your rage pool in the present.
I believe there is actually an opportunity to create more emotional issues by dredging up events/emotions which are not relevant to your present life.
I have got very good results, without specifically examining my past life events in major detail as an anti-tms exercise. What I do do so is examined Present-life for patterns and emotions which affect me... some of which are because of past events and then I would examine the past event.
so yes , in closing, I would say for some people yes, it is important to 'work through all my garbage'(particularly the more severe % sarno would send to psychotherapy) and others it is not . but either way , I believe it must be done with the correct focus. If it is not for the purpose of learning about how TMS operates within you in the PRESENT I'm not sure it is of any benefit.
Anyway, that's my thoughts(could be right could be wrong)... maybe there is a part in that which could give u a key to your situation?? |
| Allan |
Posted - 02/15/2005 : 16:49:15
First. Go back and read Dr. Sarno again. This time read it slowly and for understanding.
Second. Get a copy of Fred Amir's book. See link on home page. Some say tha Fred Amir picks up where Dr. Sarno leaves off. He suggests short and long-term physical goals to overcome the pain. As you set higher physical goals in spite of the pain, it reinforces the concept that the pain is TMS (oxygen deprivation) and not physical.
Third. Listen to Dave's advice. The pain is a distraction for something that is bothering you, i.e. Rage, anger and anxiety. Review what may be causing you grief.
Comment. Pain moving around is a good and great indication that you are progressing. You may not think so, but you are.
Lastly. Be of good cheer. Others have recovered, you can also.
Allan. |
| Dave |
Posted - 02/15/2005 : 15:50:27
Have you confronted all of the potential sources of rage related to the impending birth of your child, or are you just glossing over those feelings? |
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