| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jennypeanut |
Posted - 05/25/2012 : 23:03:39
I used to run. The most menacing thing I dealt with was side cramps. Could those have been TMS? Anyway, I had a Dr. tell me, after completing training for a marathon that my shin splints were so bad, I shouldn't run any more - give it a year's rest. Another doc said my knees were "bone on bone" and that there was no cushion, esp. in one knee. I came to believe I shouldn't run anymore - that I was falling apart from it. Could that all have just been TMS? I know I've had TMS now since childhood. I was one of those unfortunate sufferers of "growing pains" in my legs, which was severe. Anyway, I'm currently reading Steve O's book and a thought struck me today: I bet I could run again! It's been a long time. Years. But it excited me. I don't know though - thoughts??
Also, anxiety: Is anxiety TMS? What about anxiety over health? (I have this). I would think this would be TMS bec. of the obsession/distraction of focusing on the body. And finally, what about panic attacks? Is this also TMS? I have had these. They serve as a distraction mainly in the waiting - as in waiting and fearing when another will come because you just don't know and you have no control of your crazy, crazy body!
And lastly, perfectionism: I'm not sure I identify with this personality trait.But I do worry about EVERYTHING. In fact, I'm more of a procrastinator. Hmm... This makes me doubt TMS because I don't fit that mold so well, which makes me doubt the TMS... |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Back2-It |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 08:31:55
quote:
Originally posted by jennypeanut
Yeah, I'm not expecting "smooth sailing" at all, but thanks for the encouragement. I have not felt such freedom from anxiety in years. Maybe my whole life (?) This feels like the first time I'm able to see that the monster who has haunted me is just a puny little thing hiding behind a curtain. You know, like the Wizard of Oz. I've known it, I've just never felt it before. I ran again tonight. 2 miles! I'm in pain. Maybe it's TMS, maybe it's soreness from running, but I have to make the choice, like you said, not to worry/obsess over my body. So I'm choosing to let it go. Hopefully I'll keep making that choice.
Keep running, and you will outrun the Anxiety Monster.
"Bridges Freeze Before Roads" |
| art |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 06:59:01
Since you've not run in many years, that's a lot of running, and it would be a surprise if you're not sore. I'd recommend days off in between runs to begin with. |
| jennypeanut |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 22:48:23
Yeah, I'm not expecting "smooth sailing" at all, but thanks for the encouragement. I have not felt such freedom from anxiety in years. Maybe my whole life (?) This feels like the first time I'm able to see that the monster who has haunted me is just a puny little thing hiding behind a curtain. You know, like the Wizard of Oz. I've known it, I've just never felt it before. I ran again tonight. 2 miles! I'm in pain. Maybe it's TMS, maybe it's soreness from running, but I have to make the choice, like you said, not to worry/obsess over my body. So I'm choosing to let it go. Hopefully I'll keep making that choice. |
| art |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 14:51:00
It's great when a newcomer gets it so quickly. Congratulations on having the brains to figure this out (not everyone does by any means), and the courage to press on.
It's rarely clear sailing. Doubts set in. TMS is stubborn. But I can virtually guarantee that if you do nothing else but STOP WORRYING about you body, you'll do fine.
All the best.
A> |
| drh7900 |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 09:51:11
That's great! Congratulations on making your progress and overcoming the obstacles.
And quit running on your elbows, you're likely to "injure" them  LOL
--
Dustin |
| jennypeanut |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 22:47:07
I will say that oddly enough my "tennis elbow" is now acting up - TMS's attempt at staying alive? Because, you know, the elbow has so much to do with running and all.... |
| jennypeanut |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 22:45:38
I did not get an MRI. I'm sure it's TMS.
I RAN TONIGHT!!! I ran 2 miles. I don't think I've run in something like 6 years. It didn't feel great because my body is out of running-shape, but I ran 2 miles and once I walked a mile more I felt good. (and proud). I think I said "F you TMS" about a hundred times until I gave way to praying instead as that was far more encouraging than repeating "F" over and over again. Anyway, I am not limping, I am not hurting (though I'm sure I'll feel it tomorrow in the normal out of running-shape way). I felt some of the old pains that would come on when running in the past but when I yelled at TMS in my head, they went away almost instantly. Weird, huh? Even that "side stitch" came back towards the end but when away when I acknowledged it as TMS. I learned tonight that my mind can be my greatest enemy or my greatest friend - it's my choice really. :) |
| art |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 19:48:24
Jenny,
Did you get an MRI? Bone on bone implies very little cartilage, so why aren't your knees hurting when you walk (I'm asking myself).
YOu're a classic TMs'er by the way. Health anxiety is rampant among people with psychosomatic pain. We tend to be worried ALL THE TIME. Eventually all this fear and worry translates into physical pain.
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| jennypeanut |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 08:40:45
Thanks Back2it! You have encouraged me more than you know! I've pondered your comment about procrastination and it's true for me!
Art - yeah- the Dr. said the cartilage was worn away in my knees. However, I have no pain when walking.
Dustin - I bet those side cramps are TMS.
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| Back2-It |
Posted - 05/27/2012 : 06:54:09
I was never a competitive runner, but at your age and before I used to run a lot. I had a resting pulse of 47. (Oh, to be there again!) It was good stress relief, though that was not why I was running. I had bad shin splints from time to time, but didn't obsess over them, because I knew they were not "dangerous". Eventually, they went away. The knees are another thing. I had no hand/eye coordination, so I could not play football or basketball or baseball, so my knees are still as good as a baby's. Most knees are, really, unless they have been really abused and attacked.
I bet you could run again this second. The thing stopping you is above the waist, not below. I have been running since I figured out I didn't have the world's worst back problem, and it does wonders for stress relief. Walking is lame. I tried it for years. Hiking in hills is okay, but just ho-hum walking around the block -- boring.
My personal opinion is that all the bodily misfires that have no identifiable cause are due to anxiety. You can call it TMS, and this might be especially helpful when you are dealing with questions of the back and all the pretty imagery that goes along with it. Without Dr. Sarno's explanation of the spine and what it is and what the images do not mean, there would be a whole lot of people who would not be able to conquer their pain, because of the power of those images and the fact that so much good stuff about anxiety was written prior to powerful imaging (Weekes, Low, Hanna).
Fear is what drive panic attacks, anxiety problems and TMS. Procrastination is a type of fear -- fear that the project will not be good enough, usually for your own high standards. It is not a substitution for being "laid back". (My opinion, again).
Balto had it right. The next greatest book on this could be written on two pages: "No Fear" hence "No Pain".
"Bridges Freeze Before Roads" |
| art |
Posted - 05/26/2012 : 06:49:02
Bone on bone sounds pretty extreme for a young woman of 35 (I checked your profile as I was curious). Shin splints would have long healed assuming they were genuine in the first place. If I were in your situation I'd spend the money to consult with a top notch knee guy and see what he says. Are you walking without pain?
BY the way, I've at one time or another suffered just about ALL your symptoms, including "growing pains" as a kid which Sarno assumes is TMS. |
| drh7900 |
Posted - 05/26/2012 : 00:04:37
Sarno identifies many personality traits of TMSers...perfectionism is one extreme, but then he identifies "goodists" or people who like to make people like them or want to help everyone or avoid confrontation or generally just try to be a really good person. He also mentions worriers or hard workers (doesn't have to be vocational), people with low self-esteem and procrastinators. TMSers are often very hard on themselves too...their own worst critics.
Anxiety (and the "pain" of anxiety in the form of panic attacks) is considered a TMS equivalent. TMS is specifically pain related, but there are many equivalent Mindbody syndromes including allergies, anxiety, depression, and more.
As for type A personality...Sarno says that TMS personalities are generally NOT Type A personalities. If I recall correctly, Type A personalities are rather expressive in their emotions and TMS is a result of your conscious mind suppressing unwanted emotions.
If you think you could run again, DO IT! And do it without fear of pain. The fear of pain can cause it.
Also, the cramps you mentioned...Ive not thought about it before now, but I was always told those cramps were due to not getting enough oxygen. Since TMS pain is caused by mild oxygen deprivation, it could very well be that those side cramps you get when running are TMS related.
Hope that helps!
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Dustin |
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