| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kdw |
Posted - 05/18/2005 : 14:00:36
Hello everyone. I'm new here, but not so new to Dr. Sarno's teachings. However, I need some advice. I first heard of Sarno in 1999 while recovering from a "herniated disk" following (3) steriod injections. I made signiciant gains following the shots but was still in some pain and, while I had returned to weight lifting and biking (stationary only), I was afraid to run. After seeing Sarno on 20/20, I went for a short run. To my surprise, nothing happened. I continued to run and was pain free in to time at all. In the last six years, I have had no problems with my back, despite my running, bicycling, yoga, martial arts and weight lifting.
Then, about three months ago, I reincorporated some power lifting into my routine and began a more aggressive biking routine (spending time in an "aerodynamic" position). Within a week, my left foot was tingling, though I had no pain. I became afraid that I had reinjured myself and saw a chiropractor. Within a few sessions, my "pins and needles" turned into real pain - a dull, achey, deep pain in my lower back, feet and legs, "twinges" of sciatic pain in my left buttock as well as a horrible burning sensation in my buttocks, which mostly occurs during the late evening/nighttime hours and is worse if I do anything, including a walk around the block. My symptoms continued to get worse despite my attempts to employ Sarno's teachings, prompting me to slowly eliminate all activity in my life, until I finally gave in and had an MRI a couple of weeks ago.
My GP called and said the results showed a herniated disk at L4-L5 (same place as last time), significant disk degeneration and "mild acquired spinal stenosis." She referred me to a neurosurgeon, who I'll see next week. As you all may know, it's hard to find encouraging words related to spinal stenosis, and I have become extremely frightened that I may have to choose between surgery or simply living my life this way. I am also afraid to have the steroid injections again, as I've become more aware of the side effects over the past six years. However, I am aware that they made a huge difference, or appeared to, the last time, and I am about at the end of my rope here.
Worth mentioning is that at the time this "injury" occurred, I was extremely stressed about a family situation, one which is ongoing and cannot be changed. I am considering joining (or starting) a support group for people in my situation.
I would appreciate any input anyone might have offer. I guess I would like some reassurance that this could be TMS, and perhaps some advice on returning to exercise - or not - before my doctor's visit, as well as whether or not to consider the injections or other medication. (I currently take mega doses of perscription ibuprofen and minimal doses of Baclofen at night.)
Sorry this was so long. Thanks to you all. |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dave |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 08:32:49
The new physical activites were a perfect opportunity for your brain to introduce new symptoms and steer your attention back into the physical world. The trap worked. You're now going to chiropractors, considering shots, worried about what might be structurally wrong.
First of all, if you really believe in Dr. Sarno's theory, then you should never ever consider going to a chiropractor.
Your MRI ruled out any serious disease. You can rest assured it's not a tumor. The herniated disc is in the same place as last time because it is normal. I bet if you took an MRI every month for the past 6 years the "herniation" would look exactly the same.
Spinal stenosis, unless it is significant and due to disease or congenital condition, is likely normal as well. You're getting older and your body is changing. These changes are normal. But doctors don't want to believe that ... they want to stick you and cut you open. This is our world today.
I would bet that you are suffering from TMS. Read Dr. Sarno's book again, accept that you fell into the trap, and start back on the road to recovery. Forget the injections and surgery, at least for now.
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| marytabby |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 06:06:11
KDW,
I and others on this board have been told we have moderate to severe stenosis based on MRI images. Yes, it's there. So is an L4-L5 disc protrusion, arthritis all throughout my neck and back as well as scoliosis. How did I get well? Reading, reading, reading. I read all three of Sarno's books, plus Marc Sopher's book, as well as the Siegel book. I re-read them over and over and drill it in my head. I used to run for 6 years up until Christmas day, which is when my back "went out" and I had an emergency chiro adjustment which for months did nothing. Funny how the holiday brought this on, probably because I had anxiety about seeing certain family members, even though I didn't realize it that day. After I discovered TMS and this board, and did all the reading, I began to take the next step, and started TRYING to run again. I started out by power walking, which brought on the buttock pain that supposedly is from the stenosis. I walked through the pain, kept talking myself through it, you know, all the stuff about how it's TMS and not something structural. I then incorporated running little by little. Siegel says take steps toward your physical activity goal, don't just rush into it or you may scare yourself from the pain. The brain needs time to de-program. So I would do like 10 mins of walking, and 2 mins of running. Then I increased it a week later to like half running/half walking. Now I'm mostly just running. No pain, no pulling, no BS phantom stenosis buttock pain. So my conclusion is this: if I truly had some issue related to the stenosis and all the other stuff, how come it suddenly came on out of nowhere at Christmas after a good hard run and how come it's gone now? If it were structural, it would have come on much sooner than it did, and probably more gradually and it would not have gone away. Structural symptoms, if they are real, could not possibly just disappear into thin air, right? So I still read and re-read, even though I feel I have done the most important step, which Sarno says is that you have to overcome the fear or you will never truly be out of the woods with this. Now, I do have other displaced TMS pains, like in my wrists, which are not as easy to give up as the back was. However, I have faith that the wrists will someday feel better again. I also saw a TMS doctor a few weeks ago who gave me a TMS diagnosis, which helped to hear, but I had done all the work on my own and was on the path to feeling better by the time I saw him. I had already had a significant improvement. I just needed to hear for sure one way or the other what he would say. So if you can get to a TMS doc it may be the thing that puts you over the hump once and for all. |
| kdw |
Posted - 05/18/2005 : 19:26:43
Thank you both for your advice. It's making a big difference just to hear people say this spinal stenosis thing may not be a big deal at all. Maryalma, I am particlarly interested in how you beat tms, given the fact that your diagnosis was the same as mine. I'll look for previous posts where you might have talked about it ... or feel free to e-mail me sometime. Thanks again. |
| marytabby |
Posted - 05/18/2005 : 15:32:32
KDW,
For what it's worth, my GP gave me all the same diagnoses yours gave you. Guess what? In my case it's all TMS. The stenosis related butt pain that I now have none of, the L4-L5 herniation, etc. Funny how once I learned about TMS this all went away. I would venture to say based on your emotional trigger(s) that you mentioned, those are the culprits. Just my hunch. I'm not a doctor, I just learn a TON from the reading and from this board. |
| bhbauman |
Posted - 05/18/2005 : 14:41:26
Dear KDW, I would find a TMS doctor before taking ANY more action, if you can. In Fred Amir's book on recovering from back pain he included a study that only 1% of back surgery cures the pain for good! ONE PERCENT!!!
I don't think that your pain is related to herniated disc and spinal craposis. Reread the Sarno books. Keep with this forum. Find a TMS doctor if you can and remember your last recovery. You've had a herniated disc ALL of the time SINCE your 1999 pain...how come it hurts so suddenly? What has changed? Nothing physically. You are a strong person physically. Look into your heart and feelings... |
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