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Ricka
USA
1 Posts |
 Posted - 07/20/2004 : 16:32:33
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I am a true believer in the work Dr. Sarno has done and share his theories and books with all my friends and family who have experienced mindbody disorders since I discovered the book "The Mindbody Prescription."
My question has arisen after a few years dealing with what I consider to be "equivalents" of mindbody disorders. I am a classic 31-year-old goodist and am constantly worried about making others happy. I worry daily about being sick and what the ramifications of that would do to family and my new marriage. Almost two years ago, I began experiencing lower abdomen pain and went from doctor to doctor who attributed it to "nerves" and finally "prostatodynia." Around that time, while on vacation, I read "The Mindbody Prescription" from cover to cover. I was immediately free of that pelvic pain (probably really IBS), which confirmed my belief that Sarno is a true medical revolutionary and his theories are valid.
Then, a few months later, I began to feel a pain in my neck/throat region that I soon became obsessive about. I touched my neck so often, just wondering what it could be. After a couple more months, a lump became noticeable on my right thyroid gland. A doctor confirmed that I had a thyroid cyst -- it was aspirated and CT scanned -- no signs of cancer.
While diagnosing my thyroid problem, the ENT doctor also told me that I had acid reflux that was causing the pain in my throat. The throat pain wasn't from my thyroid. Of course, he prescribed Nexium, or Prilosec (which I could actually afford). I am really suspicious about the rise in GERD in this country and the accompanying prescription industry that is making a fortune on these diagnoses.
So here's my question: Should I just continue taking the acid reflux pills for the rest of my life, or is it worth it for me to stop and try to apply the Mindbody Prescription to this ailment? I understood how oxygen deprivation to cells could cause pain, but how does that apply to this equivalent?
Also, I have always had a problem with eczema, and lately my lips seem to get rashes easily.
If anyone has advice or a link to another resource I could read, it would help me very much.
Thanks! |
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MidwestJim
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2004 : 17:34:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Ricka
So here's my question: Should I just continue taking the acid reflux pills for the rest of my life, or is it worth it for me to stop and try to apply the Mindbody Prescription to this ailment? I understood how oxygen deprivation to cells could cause pain, but how does that apply to this equivalent?
Also, I have always had a problem with eczema, and lately my lips seem to get rashes easily.
A quasi-consensus has been formed here that O2 deprivation is just a theory as to what causes the pain in TMS; it may be via multiple, other routes. Understanding precisely how the pain is caused is actually irrelevant and unimportant. The key thing to remember is that your brain has the power to wreak all sorts of havoc within your body - thus many of the TMS equivalents of back pain, depression, IBS, anxiety, etc. The solutions that Dr. Sarno describes in MBP are a good first step for addressing this havoc.
Bottom line is that it's quite possible that your reflux and eczema issues may very well be TMS equivalents. It may be worth trying the mindbody Rx and tapering off the medicine in a few months and taking a checkpoint. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2004 : 21:30:12
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GERD is a TMS equivalent; it is mentioned in Dr. Sarno's latest book.
I have it, and have not had great success banishing it. For whatever reason the sour stomach and heartburn are particularly effective distractions for me; I find it hard to live with. So I take Prevacid which is in the same family as Prilosec/Nexium. It works wonders.
You might try treating the GERD as TMS. But don't be afraid to take the medication if you need it. TMS or not, chronic acid reflux can eventually damage your esophagus.
As for the oxygen deprivation theory, I do not put much stock in it. I believe it is far too simplistic an explanation for a process as complex as TMS. I prefer to believe that any unconscious process is susceptible to TMS. In the case of GERD, it is excess stomach acid production. It's not important to understand what happens as much as why it happens. |
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JohnD
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 06:54:31
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Dave: TMS or not, chronic acid reflux can eventually damage your esophagus.
Dave, do you think that this fact is what is hindering your progress with this particular symptom?
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austingary
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 08:06:05
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the ENT doctor also told me that I had acid reflux that was causing the pain in my throat.
Of course, I have no idea what your personal situation is but it is my understanding that, in general, there is a very strong correlation between eating bad food, overeating, being overweight and having this condition.
People who eliminate junk and fast foods and reduce their portion sizes -- with the consequent loss of weight -- typically find that their acid reflux goes away, along with other common ailments that derive from poor eating habits. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 08:21:46
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quote:
Originally posted by austingary
Of course, I have no idea what your personal situation is but it is my understanding that, in general, there is a very strong correlation between eating bad food, overeating, being overweight and having this condition.
Not in my case. I am not overweight, I do not overeat, I eat healthy foods, I exercise regularly. Various changes in my diet (eliminating coffee, spicy foods, etc.) had no effect.
I am convinced my GERD is 100% TMS. As for why I have not been able to cure it, I attribute it mostly to the convenience of the drug. I simply choose not to suffer at this time. |
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2scoops
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 08:50:59
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| I agree with you Dave. I am a little under the average weight, I have started exercising again and playing sports. I have started eating better foods, but still have it. I take Nexium and Prilosec OTC, since finding out about Sarno, I do not have to take the pills as often it used to be everyday, but now one about every three days. I also have other TMS symptoms including, Asthma,allergies,and ezcema. I think we should treat acid reflux like we do the back pain. I have had success with my back pain and acid reflux, I just think it will take a little more time with the acidbecause I am so focused on getting rid of the back pain. |
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kenny V
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 08:58:31
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*So here's my question: Should I just continue taking the acid reflux pills for the rest of my life, or is it worth it for me to stop and try to apply the Mindbody Prescription to this ailment?
Always apply MBP for ALL TMS manifestations and equivalents and you WILL get results while you are working on your emotional areas of your life.
„h I understood how oxygen deprivation to cells could cause pain, but how does that apply to this equivalent?
IMO This theory is irrelevant in applying anti TMS work and would apply to muscle pain and the like. It should not hinder you from isolating ALL possible triggers to TMS.
*People who eliminate junk and fast foods and reduce their portion sizes -- with the consequent loss of weight -- typically find that their acid reflux goes away, along with other common ailments that derive from poor eating habits.
As for this statement I agree with but not entirely for TMS elimination, isolation and maintenance.
At any time when you feel ill, get stomach viruses as well as medical complications in processing and food digesting you should consider what you have eaten. Yes you should always consider changing a diet when your body cannot relive normally nor have proper bowel cycle. Being healthy, exercising and eating proper is great advice; but this is different from having TMS equivalent symptoms such as IBS and acid reflux.
As far as acid reflux, used to get severe heart burn all the time before knowing about TMS. I used to attribute it to foods such as coffee and tomato sauce these are foods I am more sensitive to get heartburn. But now I see the pattern I used to get it 4-5 days in a row, and it was 99% tms (stess related) the other 1 % I can say was the offending foods and possible Conditioning to the foods, so you can even say it was 100% TMS after isolating all possible triggers.
Always Hope For Recovery
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austingary
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 09:16:13
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Dave: Not in my case. I am not overweight
Nevertheless, if you Google for information on this topic, you will find that there is a well-recognized correlation between overweight / bad eating habits and acid reflux disease. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 09:33:06
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quote:
Originally posted by austingary
Nevertheless, if you Google for information on this topic, you will find that there is a well-recognized correlation between overweight / bad eating habits and acid reflux disease.
Yes but you will also find a correlation between herniated discs and lower back pain  |
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2scoops
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 09:38:42
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"Nevertheless, if you Google for information on this topic, you will find that there is a well-recognized correlation between overweight / bad eating habits and acid reflux disease."
If you do a search on back pain, then you will find a high correlation between disc abnormalities and increased back pain, does not mean that it is right. The reason I accept Sarno's theory so much is that doctors conventional wisdom has done nothing for me. Yeah they give me a pill that helps with my acid, but it keeps coming back. So the doctor is making money off me and so are the drug companies. Sarno has not made one cent off me. But what he has done for me was to help give my life back and he gives me hope. |
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austingary
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:41:08
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If you do a search on back pain, then you will find a high correlation between disc abnormalities and increased back pain, does not mean that it is right.
Actually, I think even Dr. Sarno would say that that was a real correlation. Others doctors claim that it is evidence that disk problems cause back pain while Dr. Sarno would say that it is evidence that disk problems are often the site of back pain.
As for the acid reflux, there are apparently three separate things that often correlate with it: overweight, overeating and eating certain foods. They do not have to all exist at the same time.
Which is not to say that it could not be a TMS equivalent in some people. I imagine that just about every condition you could name is -- in some people, at some time -- including diseases caused by bacteria and viruses that spring up because "mental tension" has compromised the immune system.
At the same time, though, it is not difficult for me to imagine how acid reflux disease could simply be the result of bad eating habits. Occam's Razor, you know -- as someone else brought up here recently. Burping fatburgers back up into your esophagus can't be too good for it. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:56:22
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quote:
At the same time, though, it is not difficult for me to imagine how acid reflux disease could simply be the result of bad eating habits. Occam's Razor, you know -- as someone else brought up here recently. Burping fatburgers back up into your esophagus can't be too good for it.
I wouldn't doubt that in some people this is true. If you overeat then it is common sense that acid will escape into your esophagus.
But that doesn't explain acid reflux on an empty stomach (which many people get). In my specific case, doctors have found that my stomach simply produces an excess amount of acid. I have no problem believing that in my case, it is a TMS symptom. |
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kenny V
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2004 : 13:02:07
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*As for the acid reflux, there are apparently three separate things that often correlate with it: overweight, overeating and eating certain foods. They do not have to all exist at the same time.
Not to mention a woman during her pregnancy getting symptoms for 4-6 months
*But that doesn't explain acid reflux on an empty stomach (which many people get). In my specific case, doctors have found that my stomach simply produces an excess amount of acid. I have no problem believing that in my case, it is a TMS symptom.
You can also compare TMS acid reflux manifestations to what they use to say about ulcers.
It is not what you eat; it is what is eating you up inside.
Always Hope For Recovery
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Getting over ACID REFLUX and other equivalents?
