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ndb
209 Posts |
 Posted - 05/13/2006 : 09:22:59
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Yesterday was my first visit to the therapist. He was recommended by Dr. Sarno's office, so there was no trouble with having to convince them about the TMS theory/approach. I thought I would share my thoughts about it.
The structure was as follows:
1. I described the progression of my symptoms. He didn't in particular ask about emotional stuff at the same time, so I also concentrated on describing the physical symptoms. So a list like: upper back, neck, shoulders, jaw, eyes, hips and foot.
2. I was asked to descibe what I thought TMS was, to ensure we were on the same page.
3. He talked about the mechanism of TMS, same stuff as in the books.
4. Talked about the components of rage and asked me to estimate how much of my rage was due to each. He asked me to descibe my childhood, as childhood rage is one of the components.
5. Gave me the handout which Dr. Sarno gives patients which defines the structure on which I can base journalling of emotions (roughly, classifing rage according to its source)
All in all, here are the two new things which I learnt from the session, the rest I had absorbed already from Dr. Sarnos books before the session.
1. When journalling and writing about stuff which bothered you, try to think of things that you didn't *consciously* think then. e.g. suppose you hypothetically felt resentment against a parent for having to take care of them. That might have been a conscious thought even. Dig deeper, and explore (unthinkable) thoughts such as "I wish he would *die*! Then I wouldn't have to take care of him. I *hate* him for the demands he is making." etc.
2. The therapist was a little hesitant to attribute some of my symptoms (eye pain, and foot pain) to TMS, and he said he was only somewhat conviced because there was no physical evidence of abnormality for the foot, and because I said my eye symptoms got better after reading the book. After the appointment, we drove back in a lot of traffic and for the first time after reading the books my eyes felt stingy and tired like they used to B.S.(before Sarno). I think I had quite a bit of anxiety that the therapist had not unequivocally attributed the eye symptoms to TMS. I am trying to apply the approach now...am typing a really long post, which has always hurt my eyes B.S. to sit at the computer for long!
I guess my point is that at an early stage of the recovery one could be very susceptible because of doubt about symptoms or in the approach from other people. The therapist said: you will want to tell everybody about this approach and what you are trying and your confidence in it. It will be very hard to take rejection from people you love and/or respect (parents/advisors/spouse) so try not to overdo the 'proselytizing' at this early stage.
thats it for now,
ndb
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Edited by - ndb on 06/03/2006 10:02:18 |
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allen_non
55 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2006 : 12:07:33
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ndb,
Is your therapist in the Atlanta area by any chance? I've been reading this forum for awhile now, and will post later once I can organize my thoughts/ questions. I've found 2 therapists in the Atlanta area, Dr. Leonard Weiss (who Sarno's office says they've not heard of) and Dr. David Lipsig, who has been trained by Dr. Sarno. I spoke with Dr. Lipsig, and he does indeed work with TMS patients, but he told me at the time (about 3 weeks ago) that he does not do a physical exam, or make determinations from Xrays or MRI films.
Personally in my situation, I'm afraid I am needing the actual phyical exam and/ or MRI film evaluation to have the necessary confidence "deep down" that physically everything is OK.
Feel free to private email me or post here to respond.
Thanks,
Allen |
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2006 : 17:59:21
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Hi Allen,
I did in fact see David Lipsig. He doesn't do a physical exam. However, he had told me to bring in all my medical records of past exams relating to all my symptoms, and he did read them all, though he did not look at the films. Fortunately in my case there really wasn't anything more 'scary' than a little scoliosis and what was described in an x-ray report as the reversal of the curve of the lordotic region (the curve of the neck) due to muscle spasm. He said 'it was highly likely' that my symptoms were due to TMS.
I went to the Emory spine center to see an orthopaedist a couple of times when my neck, arm and upper back pain was at its worst...they gave a diagnosis first of nerve impingement, and later did an MRI, which found no impingement, and changed the diagnosis to thoracic outlet syndrome. I am trying to say, that in my case it was very easy for me to come to the conclusion of TMS. Also, I'm afraid I have no good advice about a physical doctor who you could consult in Atlanta. (Personally I found it frustrating and I found myself getting irritated with their attitude)
When I spoke to Dr. Sarno's office they did recommend some doctors in other towns (I had the option of going to LA, where they recommended a neurologist Ajay Ananda) who is a regular doctor and would do a physical exam but had trained with Dr. Sarno, so something like that may be an option for you.
By the way, I'm still very new to TMS (3 weeks), so just want to stress that when giving advice to others :)
best,
ndb |
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allen_non
55 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2006 : 20:27:46
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Hi NDB,
I'm new here too, but figured out about 3 months ago that I probably had TMS.
Please let me/ us know how your follow-up goes with your therapist.
As I recall, he charges $300 for the first visit, approximately 1.5 hours, then $185 for the second 1 hour follow-up. Then you're not supposed to have to go back unless you need additional help.
Am I remembering it right?
Best to you,
Allen |
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 10:36:22
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quote:
Originally posted by allen_non
As I recall, he charges $300 for the first visit, approximately 1.5 hours, then $185 for the second 1 hour follow-up. Then you're not supposed to have to go back unless you need additional help.
Am I remembering it right?
I will keep you posted about the follow up, which is on 5/26. As I remember, Dr. Lipsig said any sessions after the intial evaluation would be 45 min each. And yes, you need to go back only in the case that further psycotherapy is needed.
Regards,
ndb |
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leonard
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 12:15:33
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I made an appointment to see Dr. Weiss near the end of May. I haven't been able to talk to him , but have tried a couple of times . He appears to be a internal medicine physician as well as a psychiatrist . I'll let you know what happens....... Does anyone have the address and phone number of Dr. Lipsig ? Thanks.
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allen_non
55 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 13:26:21
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Hey Leonard,
Here are 2 addresses I have for Dr. Lipsig. The first is the address given me by Sarno's office:
Lipsig David MD Psychiatry
3565 Piedmont Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 495-5900
This second address is from my Google search for Dr. Lipsig:
lipsig@atlantapsychiatry.com
Twelve Piedmont Center, Suite 419
3495 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
I have emailed him at the email address above, and spoken with him over the phone. Seems really nice, but does not do an actual exam to rule out physical causes.
If I may ask, have you decided not to see Dr Brady in Orlando? I think I remember you saying in another post that Atlanta is a 9 hr drive for you? Personally, I'm leaning toward Dr. Brady because he does perform a physical review of the back as well as results/ films of any tests run, to positively exclude physical causes.
Some of the people I've spoken with (who don't do the physical) basically put you thru "the program", and if you get better, it was obviously TMS. That is, if you do the program "correctly". My fear is "what if I don't do the TMS treatment correctly, i.e. think the right things, etc" and fail to eliminate my pain. Then I'd be forced to think I had an actual physical problem instead of TMS, and would be back to trying physical treatments. If I know going in that the physical issues are really non-issues, then I can concentrate on the TMS & keep hitting till I do get it right.
The only problem for me with Dr. Brady's office is it's a 9 hour drive for me.
I'm also interested in Dr. Weiss, especially because as you mentioned, he is also an internist. I don't know if he does any exam to exclude physical causes. If he does, then I'd probably be comfortable going to see him.
Please let me know anything you can regarding Dr. Weiss. Feel free to PM me if you prefer.
Thanks,
Allen
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 15:16:39
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quote:
Originally posted by allen_non
(404) 495-5900
This second address is from my Google search for Dr. Lipsig:
lipsig@atlantapsychiatry.com
Twelve Piedmont Center, Suite 419
3495 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
I've used the phone number above, and the address below is the right one.
leonard, do let us know how it goes with Dr. Weiss.
Regards,
ndb |
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leonard
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 14:17:06
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Allen ; I have a home in North Carolina as well as Florida. I originally planned to see Dr. Brady and did talk to a rep and she was helpful , but it seems that Dr. Brady only sees groups of possible TMS patients around 3 to 4 times a year. I found it very difficult to contact anyone at his office ( no answers , phone out of order , etc.) and got very frustrated. I came to the conclusion , as it is with several TMS doctors , that TMS diagnoses is just a sideline for them , which is understandable. I was going to go in March of this year , for they had a examination and seminar at that time , but again was unable to get hold of anyone. I attempted to e mail him , but that was not successful either........ Thanks for the number and address.
ndb ; Thanks for the info as well. I'm 3 hours from Dr. Weiss 's office from my home in North Carolina. When I first called his office no one knew what I was talking about when I mentioned TMS. Frankly , after reading his credentials of psychiatric addictions, psychiatry , and internel medicine I thought he might have dealt with Trans masturbatory syndrome , which is something I read one time when trying to find a TMS site. At least that is one syndrome I don't have !
Anyway , one of the assistants was able to track him down and called me back. Evidently he has TMS himself , so I felt comfortable making an appt.. It does concern me that Dr. Sarno's office has never heard of him. On the other hand , the guy must be brillant to be board certified in all of this specialties.
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allen_non
55 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 17:31:53
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Hey Leonard,
Did Dr. Weiss' office give you any clues as to what kind of initial exam he does? Physical/ read mri's or xrays/ read reports & talk only? I'm only about an hour from his office, and if he does a comprehensive exam to positively exclude physical causes, I'm there in a second!
I'm suprised about Brady's office. I emailed them & got a response the same day. Maybe my timing was just lucky...
Anyway, any info you could share re: Weiss would be greatly appreciated (by me at least!).
Take care,
Allen |
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 18:34:21
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Hi Leonard,
Do you know what Dr. Weiss charges per session? Am also interested in the answers to Allen's questions.
thanks,
ndb |
Edited by - ndb on 05/15/2006 21:14:56 |
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leonard
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 07:34:02
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When I asked about charges , my remembrance is that it was minimal and the appt. was about 30 minutes. It seemed it was forty bucks or so , but don't quote me. I tried my best to talk to the doctor or have him call me back , but no luck. Maybe ya'll would have better luck. If you do call , select option 6 soon after the recording comes on , otherwise you will go through a few minutes of options........ He doesn't have or doesn't give out an e mail address........ I hope this helps.. |
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2006 : 10:01:34
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hi,
I promised to post an update, I apologize I took so long over it.
The second session with Dr. Lipsig flew by pretty fast...45 minutes seems too short for therapy.
The main outcome was, I asked him whether I needed psychotherapy to overcome TMS, and he said "no, because it seems your symptoms go away reasonably fast, although they are replaced by new ones".
I told him I needed guidance to uncover what my rage is about, but mainly he advised thinking about all my issues, journalling etc, he didn't seem to think therapy was required, and emphasised the 'content' of the rage is not always important, i.e i think he means when thinking psychologically, don't think of there being some one magic issue, uncovering which will stop the symptoms, just feeling anger/rage about SOMETHING may be enough.
Additionally, this last week, I started reading John Bradshaw and Alice Miller's books, and it has been a cathartic experience.
One other thing, my jaw pain (which started after the first visit to the therapist) has pretty much gone down by about 90%. Most of the improvement was in the week after the second therapist visit.
thats it for now,
ndb |
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first therapist visit...and update
