| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
tgnicholson
9 Posts |
 Posted - 08/18/2005 : 21:01:27
|
Hello! I have just recently become aware of TMS via Dr. Weil's website. I have had upper back pain, mostly on the left side, for six years. Went through everything from chiro to acupuncture to massage, always temporary. I actually started with shoulder pain first and also have some foot pain (left foot). I also have had costochondritis. Is this all a sign that the pain is moving around and I may have TMS?
Also, having read Dr. Sarno's book, I do feel better but not all the way. How long has it taken any of you to recover? Was it immediate or did it take a while? Thanks!
Tom |
|
|
Jim1999
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 22:27:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by tgnicholson
Also, having read Dr. Sarno's book, I do feel better but not all the way. How long has it taken any of you to recover? Was it immediate or did it take a while? Thanks!
Tom
Welcome, Tom! The answer to this question varies widely from patient to patient. I think I'm somewhere in the middle: 5-6 weeks to recover.
Jim |
 |
|
|
Tunza
New Zealand
198 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 02:08:40
|
Hi Tom,
I just looked up the causes of Costochondritis because I'd never heard of it and this is an example of what I found in the first link and only link I followed:
"Costochondritis is an inflammatory process but usually has no definite cause. Repeated minor trauma to the chest wall or viral respiratory infections can commonly cause chest pain due to costochondritis. Occasionally, costochondritis as a result of bacterial infections can occur in people who use IV drugs or who have had surgery to their upper chest. After surgery the cartilage can become more prone to infection, because of reduced blood flow in the region that has been operated on."
"no definite cause" and "because of reduced blood flow" are the parts that jumped out at me as they relate directly to TMS theory.
Tunza |
|
|
|
samthefish
23 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 07:39:14
|
The first thing I think Sarno would say would be to rule out any serious condition with a doctor. If those sorts of tests (I know in my case I had an MRI, X-Ray, nerve conduction tests, etc) rule out anything serious or point out "normal abnormalities" like a herniated disk my guess would be that you have TMS. The fact that you've had the pain for 6 years and get temporary relief from placebo treatments like chiro and massage also seem to strongly suggest TMS.
The time it takes to get better is all over the map if you look at the folks on this board. My guess is that many people that seek out a message board like this are having roadblocks on their recovery and are looking for help, so this audience might have "longer" cases than most. I had a friend visit from out of town with backpain - she had it worked up and had the diagnosis stenosis with the recommendation of surgery. I told her about my experience with TMS and she agreed to read "healing back pain" - I didn't think she'd be receptive to the idea since she was a physical therapist. Lo and behold her pain was gone in 2 days.
I am probably an unusually bad case, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia with pain essentially everywhere. For me I went to "75% better" about a month after working on it, then stayed there until I eventually dragged myself into psychotherapy after much reluctance. Psychotherapy got me "over the hump" and I have very little pain now - at this point I can do any activity and have fun doing it, when I started I was unable to bike, type, run, etc.
Good Luck!
- SamTheFish
|
|
|
|
Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 07:54:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by tgnicholson
Also, having read Dr. Sarno's book, I do feel better but not all the way. How long has it taken any of you to recover? Was it immediate or did it take a while? Thanks!
Think about it this way. You had pain for six years. How long did it take for you to develop psychological issues that led to the development of the symptoms? A lifetime.
So, is it realistic to expect immediate results from reading a book? No, it is not, despite Dr. Sarno's proud claims that "most" people recover instantly or in weeks.
It can take weeks, months, years. It depends on how much you truly believe in the theory, how well you are able to ignore the symptoms and resume physical activity, how honest you are with yourself about your psychological issues, and how deep those psychological issues are. Patience is important. If you try to track your progress or get frustrated at lack of results, you will only set back your recovery. |
|
|
|
Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 11:20:50
|
Tom
Welcome to the form. I wanted to let you know that my very first TMS symptoms 25 years ago were upper back pain and costochondritis. Of course it took another 15 years(discovering Sarno's books) for me to learn that this was TMS. The pain lasted around 4-6 months, during which time I attempted chiropractic and massage treatment. The pain then moved to my low back and neck, but the costochondritis and upper back pain completely went away. Dead giveaway for TMS! Stay persistent with this gremlin!
Curiosity18 |
|
|
|
tgnicholson
9 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 15:29:04
|
Hi all,
Thanks for all of the informatin and advice! I think you're all right, patience is key. That's hard, but I'll try. I kind of figured this is what I had, and have been to the doctor's office numerous times (an osteopath actually told me I had costochondritis), massage therapy, acupuncture, two osteopaths, physical therapy. All temporary, as Dr. Sarno states. Seemed like a clear case of TMS to me too, though I haven't been "diagnosed" as such. There isn't a doctor around here that would make such a diagnosis or take it seriously. 
Thanks again!
Tom |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
TMS or not?
