| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 01/21/2014 : 19:42:00
Hi, everyone. I'm going to try to keep this as brief as I can, because as my title implies, I can only sit at my desk for so long before I have to lay down.
For two weeks now I've been battling horrible leg and butt pain on my left side. It's mainly in the butt, but sometimes it'll radiate all the way down to my foot. Have a hard time bending over, too, without getting a severe shock down the length of my leg.
I first experienced these symptoms about six months ago while on the tail-end of a trip I really didn't want to be on. At that time, the pain came on initially after doing a short but difficult run. Anyhoo, by the time I got back home, I could barely sit, but I thought it very likely to be TMS and continued about my normal routine--exercises and all--with the assumption that it would go away all its own now that I was back where I actually wanted to be. Surprise surprise, it returned to normal after about a week.
This time, it's far worse, and occurred after using an elliptical machine I'd purchased for myself. I'm no stranger to either fitness or running, so when the pain started the next day after using it, I looked at it as a good sign; that the machine was working muscles not used to being worked a lot. The pain got progressively worse from there, however, forcing me to stop using the machine altogether after just three times. And yet, despite having not used it since, the pain seemingly continues to get worse. Far worse at night, by the way, and it only goes away or subsides after laying down for at least thirty minutes.
I want to chalk this up to TMS because I had a lot of stuff in my life coming to a head right around the same time when the pain came on, and I'm a stressful person at base, anyway. This is not my first rodeo with TMS, and I have conquered other symptoms with the theory before, but this--I'm guessing it will be referred to as "sciatica," but I'm not really sure--pain just isn't seeming to ebb at all.
I guess what I'm wondering is, has anyone dealt with this type of pain before, and how did you manage to get rid of it? It's really playing heck with my life, not being able to sit down. I've had to eat standing up the past two nights, and I can no longer drive. I've continued to exercise after taking the weekend off and spending the majority of it in bad with no signs of improvement, but I'm thinking I'm going to lay off for a good week now. Probably going to the doctor tomorrow, even though I really didn't want to spend the money, but I have to rule out anything structural at this point. If it is indeed TMS again (like it was on the trip), the doubt I have this time from the prolonged nature of it is helping to keep it going, I think.
That said, however, I'm worried the doctor will start talking up bulging and herniated discs, and that does kind of frighten me. I'm reading The Divided Mind again, and Dr. Sarno seems pretty adamant about discs being the cause of pain being a whole lot of BS, but when doctors throw that stuff out there (as one did before for a previous TMS-related malady I had), it really puts the fear in me.
Anyhoo, I've prattled on long enough. Thanks for any advice and support you guys can give me. I lurk these boards a ton, but don't like to post or get too involved in other people's issues unfortunately, as I'm one of those people highly susceptible to suggestion when it comes to new aches and pains. Just know that every post you guys respond to is much appreciated, even though it's not often expressed in words. |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 03/20/2014 : 18:21:48
Thanks for sharing your experience, Sarah. If it helps, I have a stiff knee on my right leg that I'm about 75% sure is TMS. Either way, it bugs me 90% of the time, but I don't let it stop me from doing anything anymore. |
| sarah430 |
Posted - 03/12/2014 : 13:48:16
quote:
Originally posted by Kyle M.
My question for this board, then, is the numbness or--perhaps a more accurate description--tingling in my foot a normal trait of TMS sciatica? I'm very much a fatalist, unfortunately, as seems to be standard with us TMS'ers, and I don't want this to turn out to be something serious. If anyone here could share their experience with similar symptoms, that would go a long way in helping to alleviate my mounting fear. In The Divided Mind, Dr. Sarno does indeed mention numbness and tingling as TMS symptoms, but not specifically of the foot when speaking of sciatica. And in the case of searching old posts on this fine message board, I try not to do that for fear of inciting some sort of new symptoms.
Thanks everybody, and sorry for being such a neurotic. Again, goes hand in hand with the TMS diagnosis, I think.
I've been battling TMS for the past 3-4 years (and likely my whole life, I just didn't realize it) with periods of recovery before it returns again. Still working on beating it for good. Yes, sciatica, nervy leg pain, numbness in my foot and similar have been part of it. My recent bout started in Dec with sciatica/"piriformis syndrome". I'm pretty good at ignoring that so after a few weeks of pushing through (I'm a runner too) it went away. Now I have knee pain, which is new to me so harder for me to ignore. But I'm 90% sure it's TMS. Just need to get over the last 10%. Good luck. It's tough I know...especially when you're active and there are other plausible reasons for the pain..over-training, etc. |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 02/27/2014 : 19:25:24
Thanks for your replies, especially yours, aokay. It's very heartening to hear that someone else is experiencing the same thing as I am. Guess I'll just keep on keeping on with the TMS work.
I'm in a similar boat with the insurance fiasco, too, by the way. My old plan wouldn't have covered all of my costs, but my deductible and copay are both higher than they were before the "Affordable" Care Act went into effect. |
| aokay |
Posted - 02/27/2014 : 14:59:21
Hi, Kyle. Just found your thread and don't know how I missed it previously as you are describing my symptoms nearly exactly.
My left leg and hip "froze" up with what I consider to be sciatic pain after much bending and twisting doing yard work last Labor Day. I'd had this on and off in the past, but it never lasted more than 10 days. I've used Sarno techniques to "heal" this and other issues, but have not dedicated myself to the Sarno work this time yet.
My symptoms almost disappeared the two weeks before Christmas and then came crashing back after stressful personal news on December 26. The fact that the pain went away for two weeks convinced me it is TMS, but now I need to do the "work" to find the cure once and for all.
On my worst days I too am tempted to go to the doctor to rule out a catastrophic cause, but when I mentioned it to my primary care doctor soon after it started in September, she merely suggested "core" exercises, something I've tried without success. I would rather not go through the routine of specialist visits and MRI's, particularly since I'm now "out-of-pocket" for all such expenses under my new mandated Obama-care policy. (My old policy would have covered it all, but that policy was cancelled because it was apparently too good. I'm sure this is part of my underlying "rage".)
Keep your chin up, Kyle. I have a feeling you and I will both start to feel better, using Sarno techniques, as soon as we can resolve whatever is bothering us. |
| Dave |
Posted - 02/26/2014 : 10:26:38
quote:
Originally posted by Kyle M.
Well, new wrinkle, everybody...
That is TMS. It will give you new symptoms when you have learned to ignore the old ones.
By focusing on it, seeing doctors, and seeking physical treatments, you are reinforcing the process and it will continue. |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 02/25/2014 : 20:59:04
Well, new wrinkle, everybody. The pain has slightly improved, to the point that I can now sit fairly comfortably for extended periods, which is nice. Although, it does usually return upon standing, sometimes severely so even, but that's not the point of this post.
My problem now is that my left foot (same leg as the pain) is very gradually becoming more and more numb as the days go by, and I'm admittedly beginning to worry about it. I broke down and went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago (before the numbness really kicked in) and received the expected mantra: sciatica, could be my back, got some muscle relaxants, and was sent for x-rays, the results of which I still haven't heard.
Anyhoo, my current dilemma is whether or not I should go back to the doc and risk wasting more time and money. It was absolutely worthless the last time, and as far as mounting rage goes, sitting in an empty waiting room for thirty minutes waiting for x-rays that I wasn't even convinced that I needed can't be good for one's soul.
My question for this board, then, is the numbness or--perhaps a more accurate description--tingling in my foot a normal trait of TMS sciatica? I'm very much a fatalist, unfortunately, as seems to be standard with us TMS'ers, and I don't want this to turn out to be something serious. If anyone here could share their experience with similar symptoms, that would go a long way in helping to alleviate my mounting fear. In The Divided Mind, Dr. Sarno does indeed mention numbness and tingling as TMS symptoms, but not specifically of the foot when speaking of sciatica. And in the case of searching old posts on this fine message board, I try not to do that for fear of inciting some sort of new symptoms.
Thanks everybody, and sorry for being such a neurotic. Again, goes hand in hand with the TMS diagnosis, I think. |
| icelikeaninja |
Posted - 01/26/2014 : 12:28:17
Yes, take a week off. Most athelete I know do do every few months. Mine felt better during workout and bad about an hour after
**Sure I can lay down on a bed of nails and not have pain but why am I having back pain when laying down on a soft mattress? |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 01/25/2014 : 19:50:20
Well, I went for a fifteen-minute run today to try and face the pain down. Didn't hurt at all while running, but tonight it's pretty bad. I'm telling myself that it would've hurt anyway and not to regret running, which I honestly don't. I am, however, starting to think that maybe I'm suffering from overtraining, and am now seriously contemplating taking the next week off from my normal workout routine.
I'll keep you guys posted on any progress I hopefully experience, mostly for the benefit of any future sufferers who may search this site. I know looking back at a lot of the older posts regarding sciatica pain has been an immense help to me, at least. |
| icelikeaninja |
Posted - 01/24/2014 : 11:47:39
Honestly I do not know how to decifer what's real and what's not. I asked at a Sarno meeting many years ago and people just said " you just know".
I swear I knew my pains were real but eveyting from rib, back, boils on skin, pink eye, pelvic pain, were all tms. Fortunately my doctor although not a tms doctor understands mind body illness and said all these were from stressors.
Find a tms doctor or one who is hip to this. If you look at my posts I've suffered after workout pains etc.
Yea, to bad you were so healthy all these years haha. They sound like they just want money. Look up more reputable practices.
**Sure I can lay down on a bed of nails and not have pain but why am I having back pain when laying down on a soft mattress? |
| Kyle M. |
Posted - 01/23/2014 : 19:27:01
I live in Florida.
Well, yesterday I did my best to ignore the pain and built a new PC for myself (one of those aforementioned monkeys riding my back) with a friend of mine. After I finished, my leg wasn't exactly doing great, but it did seem better than it had been, despite bending over and going from kneeling to standing positions throughout most of the day.
Tonight, however, after doing a moderate workout and walking my block a couple of times, it's really bothering me again. On the plus side, I am able to get down and touch my toes, something that I typically do every night before bed, but it's still very painful to put on socks or sit for any length of time.
Still haven't gone to the doctor, either. I called to make an appointment yesterday morning, but then they started giving me grief about how long it's been since I'd been in there (how horrible; I've been healthy!) and wanted me to jump through a bunch of hoops before allowing me to see the doctor. I guess I'll just go to a walk-in if it's not better by next week, but I'm really just trying to ignore--or maybe accept is the more appropriate term--the pain and continue on with my routines unabated.
It's just that things like a walk and a workout seeming to cause it to flare up are real mental setbacks for me. I know the TMS-prone brain uses those things to create or intensify the pain, but how does one know the difference between legitimate structural pain and TMS when both are seemingly set off by the same things? |
| icelikeaninja |
Posted - 01/22/2014 : 13:31:45
Alot of us tmsers would benefit from limited activity in the board. When I worked in billing for a hospital here in nyc I read people's diagnosis so I could submit to insurances for cpm, compressed ice machines etc and I would get their pains.
In the middle of my tenure there one of the techs offered me a back brace lol. I never had low back issues.
I had to leave because it was super stressful and suggestive so I understand.
Tms is a very diverse malady. If your tests are fine and you had Tms in the past I'd go the Tms route. See a Tms doctor to be certain I know I have to from time to time.
I use to read alot of questions posted to doctors on forums and the main thing they all said was that if one suspects their issue is from their mind they are usually correct.
As much as we don't want to believe this it is true for the most part.
Where do you live?
**Sure I can lay down on a bed of nails and not have pain but why am I having back pain when laying down on a soft mattress? |
| Birdie78 |
Posted - 01/22/2014 : 03:26:57
Oh no, just wrote a long answer and pushed the wrong button  . In a nutshell: yes, I had exactly that condition (diagnosed as piriformis syndrome, what in fact is TMS). I successfully overcame it by the symptom imperative, ha ha. So I am not healed yet but I can sit without the muscles in my buttock/leg acting up! I still have sitting problems, but in another area. Typical TMS!
Kind regards from Germany sends Birdie |
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