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Plantweed
USA
109 Posts |
 Posted - 04/28/2006 : 06:08:27
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It's really strange seeing TMS symptoms of TV shows now. Been watching the complete runs of a couple of HBO shows.
I counted three people on The Sopranos who "threw their back out": Big ***** (at a brothel), Ralph (after being pushed down a flght of stairs), and Tony B. (after getting in a fist fight). Big P. says he thinks he's getting hooked on painkillers, and Tony B. needs a cushion to sit down at a restaurant.
On Sex and the City, so far Samantha got a back spasm (during sex, natch) but soldiers on to a party, and Samantha's neck "goes out" immediately after a shouting match over the phone, and she ends up stranded on her bathroom floor. Her chiropractor gives her a neck brace.
My wife smiles and rolls her eyes when I say (every time) "They should read Sarno!" |
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Carolyn
184 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2006 : 10:39:38
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I am also constantly noticing examples of TMS both on TV and in real life- and I always got a similar reaction from my husband (the eye rolling). He was certainly glad my pain had resolved after so many years but always thought I was a bit 'out there' with my TMS theories.
I could pick out TMS occurrences in him as well however and would always tell him that I thought his bouts of back pain or IBS were psycogenic but he never admitted that I might be right. His mother passed away recently and I was on the lookout because I figured that sort of stress was bound to trigger something in him. Sure enough, he woke up in the middle of the night screaming with the worst back spasm he had ever had. He immediately went into the mode of physical thinking of what could have caused it and planning for a long drawn out recovery as he'd had in the past.
I sat up with him and essentially talked him out of his pain pointing out how perfectly it fit with TMS. It was powerful for me because it made me realize just how fully I have accepted TMS theory because I did not have a moments doubt. I also think my telling him about it over the last year or so had also worked its way into his subconscious which is why he had such a rapid recovery. I made him go to the gym with me the next day and workout and after that he was totally fine. He has had a couple of other attacks in different locations (shoulder and neck which he never had before) but since I am right there to tell him that that is exactly what to expect with TMS- I actually told him to expect it ahead of time- he has been able to quickly deal with them. I will not let TMS claim him as another victim if I can help it!!
Carolyn |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2006 : 19:28:25
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Carolyn,
You're posting on your husband's speedy recovery was amazing!
I was wondering if you would be willing to talk about strategies from your own recovery. You are obviously a very strong TMS success. I recalled that you had struggled with bladder issues for awhile. Did you see a urologist for testing? How did you make the jump to TMS for that problem? This has been my biggest, most resistant TMS struggle yet. Any info on your recovery would be very much appreciated!
Curiosity |
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vikki
95 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 00:38:52
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| I recall watching an episode of the Simpsons in which Bart creates a comic, called Angry Dad, about Homer's fits of rage. Homer gets upset and starts trying to repress his anger so that Bart won't have access to material. Every time he does this, he immediately gets some kind of physical problem, like a big bump on his neck. :-) |
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Carolyn
184 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 11:48:36
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Curiosity,
It surprised me to see that I come across as a 'strong TMS success story' because the journey certainly hasn't been so quick or so easy for me. I have been at this for just over two years now and when I look at where I am now vs where I was then, I guess I am a definite success story but I was certainly not one of those that read the book once and was instantly cured. I did improve very quickly after learning about TMS but then my symptoms came back and moved around and at some points seemed worse than the original pain so it has been a frustrating process. My confidence in the idea that this was really what was going on in my body has been growing steadily and I do feel like I finally really do 'know' it. I am currently completely symptom free but even as I type that I feel a slight twinge of superstition that I shouldn't even say it or it might come back so obviously the fear is not completely gone.
My problem started out as chronic pelvic pain and spread from there into my low back, then hip and rectum. My bladder symptoms were thankfully pretty short-lived (several months) but was diagnosed as interstitial cystitis. That was around the time I found this board so I did not go have all the testing though I did try a variety of drugs to treat it. There is no question in my case that it was an extension of the tension in my pelvis in general and a lot of studies have shown that IC commonly is associated with other forms of chronic pelvic pain.
My strategy was essentially trying everything suggested on this board. I started out by journaling every night before bed and the startling shifting in symptoms this caused along with the appearance of anxiety in me for the first time in my life, made me realize there was something to the TMS theory. For me, I think this was an essential first step in starting to bring some emotions to the surface. I now only journal occassionally though I suspect it would help if I did more often. I also tried different meditative techniques which I also don't do very regularly but did find that they helped.
All of that helped me to some extent but I found myself getting back into the pattern of trying to set up a schedule of all the different things I needed to do to try to control the TMS and I realized that that wasn't all that different than stretching and taking drugs to try to control the pain. The real cure for me seemed to come in a VERY subtle shift in perception - stop fighting the pain or the TMS and just acknowledge that you have it. It's not good or bad, it just is. I decided that it was there for a purpose and maybe that purpose is just so you will slow down and take a look inside yourself or maybe you'll never know what the purpose is but you just have to let go and accept it- try to look at it with interest.
I have been going to therapy and my therapist told me to just acknowledge that maybe I am an anxious person and I kept telling her and myself that I have never been anxious and then I tried to strong-arm my anxiety away and my anxiety just built. I was trying to control it - I'm not anxious damn it!! but when I just observed that I was anxious and thought 'that's interesting, I'm having that anxiety feeling again' and became curious about exactly what it felt like in my body- it dissolved almost instantly. It is so subtle that it is hard for me to explain but try just feeling that tingling in your bladder and don't label it as that 'awful burning that I can't possibly stand' and don't try to just ignore it but instead become curious about how your body works and the fact that you have this interesting sensation. Sounds too simple to be true- but give it a try. I think you can beat TMS - but not by force.
Carolyn |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 15:42:16
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Carolyn,
Thank you so much for your insight and suggestions. Your emphasis on noticing sensations without labeling makes a lot of sense. I know this may seem like a bizarre question, but how did you mentally deal with the symptom of urgency? It seems like I'm constantly rushing to the restroom, and I sometimes wonder if I'm just "giving in to the symptoms". I've thought of gradually forcing myself to "hold it a bit longer, but haven't had the nerve yet to try it.
Also, did you do any dietary changes,like they recommend for IC, or did you totally embrace it as TMS?
I realize this is an awkward subject, (one that you would probably prefer to forget!), but I do appreciate your feedback.
Curiosity
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Carolyn
184 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 18:41:57
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Just approach the urgency like any other sensation. You know that you don't really have to 'go' so just say to yourself- hmmm there's that sensation again, I don't have to go so I wonder what is causing it. Then try to feel the sensation with curiosity- focus on it and accept it without letting it upset you (I'm not saying this is easy but with time it gets easier- you are trying to make it an unconscious habit). It's sort of the opposite of what you think you should be doing which is just to try to ignore the symptom and pretend that it's not there. Instead acknowledge it but don't let it change your behavior.
At least with my symptoms, trying to urinate didn't really lessen the symptoms -or at least not for more than a few minutes- so don't think of it as having to train yourself to hold it a little longer, just begin to know that you don't really have to go. If you are treating it as TMS, I absolutely would NOT modify your diet in any way. Maybe drink more water but that's just a healthy habbit all around.
I have also had some success with a lot of my symptoms by focussing on the tension in the area in pain. For you that might be pelvic muscles like it was for me. Just try that and you may feel some of the tension dissolve which is a step in the right direction. Again, it is just noticing it rather than trying to force it to relax. Overall relaxation or meditation also can't hurt as long as you don't let it become something you obsess about. You will not necessarily see your symptoms go away immediately and that is frustrating and makes you want to fight it harder. Reist. If you need to feel like you are doing something proactive, then journal like crazy and dig into your psyche- see if that causes your symptoms to spread or shift around and if it does take that as evidence you are on the right path which will spead your recovery.
Good luck!! Just stick with it. It is much easier to look back and tell someone what works than it is to do it when you are in the midst of the pain but someday you will be posting your sucess story here to help others on the board.
Carolyn |
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TMS and TV Shows
