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Shadytalks
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - 09/02/2005 : 08:17:57
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I came across this forum by a miracle while I was searching for help with tailbone, rectal, pelvic pain and sciatic-like pain and numbness down my leg. It's quite incapacitating a majority of the time. I've read MBP and I re-read a few pages a day. I've also started journaling. And I'm exercising daily and returning to work, albeit part-time, on Tuesday. I've ordered Sarno's and Schecter's other books which should be here any day. So far there hasn't been any improvement, but I'm certain there will be with time and patience.
Right now I have 2 concerns: First, I live in a rural area and chances of finding a doctor or psychoanalyst familiar with TMS are nil. What other practical things can I do for myself to help with the healing process?
Also, I've had migraines for 30 years and fibromyalgia for 20 years. I'm convinced that TMS is my diagnosis for the TAILBONE problem. Every structural problem has been ruled out so it HAS to be TMS. Intellectually and emotionally, I have accepted that. But why am I having such a tough time accepting TMS as the reason for the migraines and fibromyalgia? After spending decades with those 2 diagnoses, I just can't seem to convince myself that those two long-time diagnoses are actually TMS. It doesn't help that fibromyalgia and migraines both run in my family and all my family members have rejected TMS. Any advice?
Shady in Idaho |
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JohnD
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 08:55:33
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I can relate to back in the days when I couldn't be absolutely sure it was TMS or not. I can tell you some of the things that worked for me.
1.just opening your mind to the possibility that it could be TMS, it may be TMS or it may not be....its probably impossible to know for sure at this point but just keeping an open mind is a huge first step...things will become clearer in time
2.keep a log of your pain, and other symptoms....write down how the intensity of the pain varies, make note of times you feel good, and times when you feel terrible and try to connect it with your stress levels
3. make mental notes of anything in your diagnosis that doesn't match up....i.e. people with back pain who feel great in the morning but terrible at night or vice versa despite having a "structural problem"....that just doesn't add up and recognizing this can be a big step in recovery
4. keep some reasonable goals....if you've had migraines for 30 years and fibromyalgia for 20, its unreasonable to expect that your symptoms are going to go away for good within a few weeks. maybe your goals for the time being could be something like "i am going to try my best to keep an open mind about my symptoms and try to notice my emotions when the symptoms comes on" as opposed to "i should get rid of my symptoms in 3 weeks flat or else it isn't TMS". flexible thinking is your friend and all or none thinking is your enemy and a big roadblock to recovery. Accepting this can be hard at first because people with tms tend to be impatient, but recognizing this can be vital for those of us that expect a perfect recovery
Good Luck! |
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leegold
USA
66 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 11:04:17
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When you read Dr Sarno's book you will see that HIS migraines were the very first thing he EVER used the TMS mind-body theory on. They are surely a TMS equivalent.
Also, I believe he claims that fibromyalgia is 100% of the time a TMS equivalent.
keep reading the books and, if necessary, go to NY and see Dr Sarno
You can also email him at : john.sarno@nyumc.org
Keep reading- it will eventually sink in!
Lee
"A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones" |
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 16:30:51
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Regarding your migraines and fibromyalgia, I would say to not be so hard on yourself--give things time to sink in! Think about it--these ailments have been part of your life for 30 years! Trying to undo that part of you overnight is not only not likely, it's not being realistic.
I have just started reading it, but another book called "Freedom From Fibromyalgia" focuses more specifically on the issues of that disorder, and may be helpful for you.
It is interesting that you mention a family history, because that is common (especially with migraines). I think that there is certainly a familial element to these disorders, which likely has both genetic and emotional aspects to it (sort of like alcoholism, anxiety, etc.)
You are on the right track just by learning about TMS, and being open to the ideas. Now the work begins! Good luck. |
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EileenTM
92 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 17:34:36
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Here is some hope for your migranes. My Dad who is 79 suffered from them for 50 years. I gave him MBP by Sarno about 2 years ago. Once he read that Dr. Sarno's headaches were TMS, he believed it and was able to stop his migranes the same way. When one would try and start, he would say to himself, "I wonder what is causing this?" That usually stops the migrane. Good luck and welcome. |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 07:14:03
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quote:
First, I live in a rural area and chances of finding a doctor or psychoanalyst familiar with TMS are nil. What other practical things can I do for myself to help with the healing process?
1. If it's at all practical, do try and see a doctor or psychoanalyst familiar with TMS. Have you checked:
http://www.tarpityoga.com/directory.html
for a list?
2. If 1 isn't practical, try and find a local psychoanalyst (I believe they have to be "analytically-trained") and lend them your TMP book (after you've read it, of course!).
3. 1 & 2 weren't practical for me, so I then then turned to "alternative" methods of emotional release. Another person who had cured her RSI through Dr Sarno's book recommended "The Journey" by Brandon Bays to me. This book gives you a method for exploring emotions and putting them to rest. There's also a lady at my workplace who does something called "Emotional Freedom Technique", so I'm going to give that a try, too, because any outside help would be most welcome. It's hard doing this completely on your own.
4. Get support and encouragement from people who have been through the process - as you are already doing through this forum. The most important thing which made me continue when I had already given up, was meeting a real person whose back pain had been cured through reading TMP. (I didn't know about this forum then.) Later on, when I was feeling very low and doubtful about whether it was going to work, I contacted a lady who had written an article about her experiences. I felt a bit shy about contacting a stranger for support, so I made up a question to ask. She gave me lots of encouragement and support!
Apart from that, don't overwhelm yourself by trying to tackle too much at once. Certainly be open to TMS in all aspects of your health. If you start with some "small" successes you can slowly build up your confidence and larger successes.
Another good tip I learned from Dr Schechter's Workbook is to make sure you note the successes - don't let the "failures" get you down. (I think that's a general thing in life - there's a tendency to focus on the things that go wrong, rather than the ones that go right.)
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New to TMS, Trying to Accept It
