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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
 Posted - 01/25/2006 : 15:46:30
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I haven't seen much progress symptom wise, but this is because I haven't been doing the work necessary to heal: journaling and reading.
I'm sure there are answers as to why I have been avoiding this, conscious and unconscious alike, but picking them apart is not my intention.
("Starting Here, Starting Now" begins to play softly.)
So this is where it begins; I must fully accept the TMS diagnosis in order to begin seeing progress. This is what I have avoided for so long. But I am ready now, although I do have one question:
Not too long ago I developed testicular pain--this in addition to that urethra burning/irritation that Sarno deemed TMS. Although I have experienced this symptom a handful of years back, and it always went away, I decided to email Sarno just to make sure.
Here was his response: Check with your urologist first. Testicular pain is not a TMS equivalent - it is often a TMS manifestation due to involvement of the first lumbar nerve root on that side.
So I saw another (!) urologist. He found nothing, diagnosed me with prostatitis and gave me two weeks of Cipro--which I'm currently taking.
I emailed Sarno back explaing this: I saw my Urologist last week and based on the symptoms I described, diagnosed Prostatitis. I was given two weeks of Cipro. Assuming that the medication does not clear up the symptom(s), or they return after it is discontinued, is it safe to treat this as TMS
He wrote back: Prostatis is a frequent equivalent of TMS. You will have to decide, but if I had prostatitis I would follow my doctor's instruction and also consider to be a TMS equivalent. Dr. Sarno
What do I make of this? On the one hand he is stating that prostatitis is very often TMS, but then he says to follow my doctor's instruction, which was to call if the meds do not clear up the symptoms. They really haven't done much and I want to end this once and for all, so...HELP!
Perhaps I need another opinion on what Sarno is saying.
Seth |
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savedbysarno
10 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 16:21:18
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I went to Dr. Sarno 10 years ago. I have been fine since. I never journaled, but I did read the books. Journaling is not for everyone. It makes some people worse. Reading these posts sometimes makes my back tense! It is not good to wallow too much, just enough!
But I want to say one thing. My brother had testicular pain, and it turned out to be testicular cancer. Get an ultrasound,and you can get that possibility off of your mind. It is easy to cure if it is found early.
Anyway, other than that, do what makes you feel most comfortable. Following doctors orders, or NOT following doctors orders!
Suz |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 17:32:10
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Thanks for your concern. While I have never had an ultrasound, this particular symptom has been checked by a handful of urologists, all of which never found anything. So I think it's safe to say that an ultrasound is not in order (thank god!).
Seth |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 08:22:39
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(Helloooooooooooo?)
Seth |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 14:21:13
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Seth,
I can understand your frustration. It sounds like there are certain areas that even doctor Sarno isn't quite sure of in relation to TMS. Years ago (after he had diagnosed me with TMS), I was at a party and experimented with psychedelic drugs (Never Again!) This experience triggered a very uncomfortable, but intermittent tremor on one side of my body that lasted for a number of years. I began to wonder if the continuation of this might be TMS related, so I called and asked Dr. Sarno. He said he did not think so, that it was probably related to the drug. Several years later after moving to a different part of the country I developed what I thought were more TMS pain symptoms, so I saw another TMS doctor in that area. During that appointment I also asked him about the tremor, and he told me that he thought it indeed was TMS triggered by the intense emotional experience through the use of the drug. Within several months the symptoms went away and have not returned! I realize now that my control issues got tapped in to in a major way while on the drug and my superego went ballistic! I also have found that at times it can be helpful to get another opinion from another TMS doctor. Keep in mind Dr. Sarno probably sees mostly musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Dr. Mark Sopher is a family practice physician, who will answer general questions through e-mail about TMS. His e-mail address is MDSOPHERMD@Comcast.net. In his book he has an entire section on genitourinary conditions. (He was not the physician who diagnosed my tremor as TMS, by the way). My suggestion would be for you to contact him about your situation. Also, check the active topics section. I believe that prostatitis has been discussed as being another manifestation of TMS. Hang in there!
Curiosity
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 09:02:33
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Curiosity, thanks for your thoughtful reply. But what I'm really trying to figure out is, based on Sarno's responses to my situation, is this particular symptom TMS?
Seth |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 10:10:47
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Seth,
That’s very confusing advice Dr Sarno has given you. Perhaps it would be irresponsible of him to tell you to ignore your doctor’s advice, hence his contradictory- sounding advice.
Given that your urologist hasn’t found anything wrong then if it were me, I’d treat it as TMS once finishing the meds as directed. But that’s just my opinion. I’ll have a go at treating any condition as TMS.
The question is, what do you think?
Hilary N |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 18:53:22
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Thanks Hilary. Honestly, I'm almost certain it's TMS, but there's still this part of me that thinks otherwise; there's also a part that is so upset that I have to deal with all of this! At 24! I just want it to go away. And I'm scared that it won't. I just don't feel safe for some reason.
But I guess I have no one to blame but myself. I see how I'm still chasing symptoms around instead of buckling down and doing the work. It was just a little disheartening to get that response from Sarno. If it's still bugging me I think I'm just going to go ahead and call him, although I'm sure he'll say it's TMS. Argghh.
Seth |
Edited by - lobstershack on 01/29/2006 18:58:51 |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 19:04:47
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Seth I fully understand what you are living at the moment ... I do experience the exact same thing (chasing symtoms rather that JUST focusing on the work to do).
Just to give you some courage. My TMS is very NASTY and debilitating . This afternoon. I was in my car listening to Scherer CD. It was somewhat unexpected but i suddenly felt some flush of blood suddenly reaching my neck muscles and for 2 hours .... NOOOOOOOO PAIN !!!!!
YOU MUST KEEP THE FAITH NO MATTER WHAT !!!!!!! TRUST ME , I AM A SKEPTICAL.
Pat |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 23:47:20
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Seth,
I was 24 when I first developed TMS symptoms. It was 15 years before I discovered Sarno's work. I'm so envious of you in that you can really get started working on these issues before you have years and years of unlearning to do (how to sit, how to lift, foods that are okay, etc.). I knew that you're full of doubt, but as Hillary and Pat |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 23:53:50
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Seth,
I was also 24 when I first developed TMS symptoms. It was 15 years before I discovered Sarno's work. I'm so envious of you in that you can really get started working on these issues before you have years and years of unlearning to do (how to sit, how to lift, foods that are okay, etc.). I knew that you're full of doubt, but as Hillary and Pat both said, it really does sound like TMS, particularly the worrying and obsessing over it combined with the fact that no one has found anything physically wrong. Keep at it!
Curiosity |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 07:24:41
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What's upsetting is that I was diagnosed by Sarno with TMS, yet for some reason, am still having all this trouble! I'm in psychotherapy and I just emailed him again this morning asking for some clarification on his answer.
Seth |
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h2oskier25
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 09:01:32
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Here's how I look at it.
There's only a couple of things serious enough to see a Dr. about. One is ruling out cancer, another is chest pains that could be a heart attack. I'm sure that's why Sarno is having you check it out.
Once it's nothing though (And I might continue to "complain" until I got my ultrasound), you gotta start laughing at it.
Sarno would be remiss if he said your testicular pain was TMS when it was the beginnings of cancer. I think that's what's behind his words.
Regards,
Beth |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 09:32:38
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Seth, no offense, but you keep asking similar questions and getting similar answers.
I personally told you that I had prostatitis and that Dr. Sarno told me it was a TMS equivalent and that since I started treating my symptoms as TMS I have not had a relapse of prostatitis.
Based on your post I assume the urologist ruled out testicular cancer and could not find evidence of bacterial infection (he did extract prostate fluid and test it, right?). If this is true then it is highly likely your symptoms are TMS.
Your obsession over your symptoms gives TMS the opportunity it needs to perpetuate itself. You really need to learn how to calm down and ignore the symptoms, or the cycle will continue. Your brain is playing games with you, and it is winning. |
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 10:40:41
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One annoying thing about TMS is that the people that need Sarno's theories the most are the ones least likely to believe them. Denial is the nature of the beast--the part of your brain that is producing the pain wants you desperately not to believe that you have TMS. As long as there is doubt, it is doing its job.
TMS is like drug or alcohol addiction in a way, in that many people have to hit rock bottom before they will really buy into the concept and therapeutic approach. This can mean years of tests and ineffective treatments, naturally, before, finally, people will get it. For that reason, I've found that some people with brief duration of TMS symptoms cannot accept it, even if they want to. It's just too difficult, and the underlying issues too painful to deal with, for them to be able to handle them. They have to decide when they are ready. I don't mean this in a fatalistic way, but just to say that it is common to have difficulty dealing with TMS--your unconscious is putting up its best fight. You have to fight back! As you said, look for the underlying reasons why you are having trouble buying TMS fully--those are likely the same reasons you have TMS in the first place... |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 11:45:01
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Dave & Drziggles, you're both absolutely right.
Dave: I went to two urologists and both told me there was nothing wrong--urine was taken but no prostate fluid. One even told me based on my complaints that any other test was essentially "futile." I was just confused at the answer I got from Dr. Sarno. How he noted it was up to me to decide (see my above post).
Drziggles: To liken TMS to an addiction is exactly on point! And while I have already hit rock bottom many years ago, I think one of the main reasons--as is clear from my posts--why I'm still struggling is because I'm buying into them. And I also need to be more vigilant with reading and journaling--I just started both again last night.
What I find cruel about my particular TMS situation is there here I am slowly putting myself out there and meeting people, going on dates and the like, but dealing with these distressing symptoms! Especially the urological ones. It's very upsetting and gets in the way of things.
Seth |
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savedbysarno
10 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 12:08:50
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omigod! You've got to stop going over and over these symtoms and asking the same stuff about them over and over. You will never get better this way!
Belive me, I know. Until you just stand up for yourself and take charge, you will be second in command, after your pain.
What's the deal? All of this obsessive behavior just stops you from finding the real truth. You cannot change anything if you keep doing the same things.
Cut it out already and stand tall!
This is said with compassion even if it might not sound like it. But only you can prevent forest fires, and you've got one going that is gonna burn down all the trees and take you with it! |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 12:40:29
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I was just not having any idea HOW TMS persons are obsessive compulsive people ! I now fully agree it is probably our major obstacle to heal !
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 14:02:39
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What bothers me most though was the answer Sarno gave me, it wasn't clear!
Seth |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 14:12:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Seth
What bothers me most though was the answer Sarno gave me, it wasn't clear!
You're splitting hairs. Dr. Sarno is over 80 years old and probably does not answer his own E-mail. Maybe something was lost in the translation between him and his secretary.
I think what he is saying is that the testicular pain could be due to TMS affected nerves.
Nevertheless, he said to get checked by a urologist, which you did. You ruled out cancer. You should be satisfied now and ignoring the pain but you're obsessing about it.
No doubt, once the testicular pain resolves itself you will be inflicted with another symptom that you will question, send Dr. Sarno another note, see another few doctors ... you see what I'm saying? It will never end unless you let it.
Stand up and say "NO! I'm not going to take it anymore!" Focus on your life, not on your symptoms. |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 14:35:57
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Don’t get too hung up on Dr Sarno’s contradictory advice. He said you have to decide. My understanding of that is that you have to take responsibility for yourself and do just that. Reassurance is always good, particularly from a medical professional… but ultimately the responsibility lies with you.
I sense you’ve put a lot of faith in Dr Sarno and are feeling a bit let down. Don’t be. Take what you can from him, but remember he’s a human being, not a god.
quote:
But I guess I have no one to blame but myself.
Blame isn’t useful or constructive. Forget blame and just get on with it.
quote:
What I find cruel about my particular TMS situation is there here I am slowly putting myself out there and meeting people, going on dates and the like, but dealing with these distressing symptoms!
You’re not the only one whose TMS seems “cruel” in that it gets in the way of what they want to do. Believe me, it will go away eventually and you’ll be able to be symptom-free.
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(from Dave)
No doubt, once the testicular pain resolves itself you will be inflicted with another symptom that you will question, send Dr. Sarno another note, see another few doctors ... you see what I'm saying? It will never end unless you let it.
Stand up and say "NO! I'm not going to take it anymore!" Focus on your life, not on your symptoms.
I totally agree.
Hilary N |
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Oiy!
