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Suz
559 Posts |
 Posted - 08/30/2004 : 08:10:41
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Hey all,
I received David Schecter's work book and have been doing it for the last 3 days. By the 2nd day, my pain was reduced substantially and now day 4, I have no pain. This is such progress for me. I have also been reading the "Healing Back Pain" book for about 30 mins each day - really focusing on the words and taking my time. This is a great beginning for me -hopefully the start of a real turn around. I don't really care how long it takes as I have had the pain for so many years, it is a relief to know what it is.
I know 100% that I have nothing structurally wrong with my back/hip but I am torn with regards to my acne rosacea/hives and constipation/IBS. I have always attributed those things to diet. I am wondering now if they might be 100% TMS related as well.
Has anyone see acne or IBS symptoms (specifically constipation -sorry for detail!)disappear with resolution of their back pain? I think the diet I am on might act like a placebo. |
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sheila
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 10:08:18
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Hi Suz,
I am fighting with left buttock pain and trying to convince my brain
about TMS.
I have now developed constipation and hay fever. I am sure they are TMS.I am trying to focus on them all at once and hope when the brain gets the pain message they will cease.
I am just going to order David Schecter's which I hope will help.
this is becoming very hard work!
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 11:57:26
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Sheila,
Are you reading Sarno's books each day?
When you are in pain, I think it is as important to keep telling the brain it is TMS - and actually laugh at the pain (quite a challenge - I know) as it is to immediately shift to something psychological - try and think of what is bothering you - either family/job related etc. - the unconcious which is extremely slow to change will start getting the picture and will stop using your body to divert attention away from painful feelings.
I am finding Schechter's work book very helpful. I still have a little pain in my sciatic but it is much reduced from last week. I am also seeing a therapist every couple of weeks which is also helpful |
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sheila
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 13:00:24
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Suz.
I am reading Sarno everyday and watching his videos - virtually to the exclusion of everything else!
I cannot find Dr Schecter anywhere. Is the spelling correct?
I am laughing at it, ignoring it and carrying on with everyday tasks.
I think it just takes a while to convince the brain that there is no point in continuing with the pain. I have found that keeping busy and trying to facus on different things helps. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 13:34:50
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I agree - ignoring the pain is sometimes the best way to go. Are you journalling at all? I think this is very helpful. I agree with you - this is extremely tedious. I limit myself to an hour in the evening to do the work. I have a tendancy to obsess over things - this is part of my perfectionist and overly conscientious nature. So I find that if I know I am going to work for an hour each evening on it - I can let myself relax and be busy with the rest of my day focusing on other things. I think the key is to know that the TMS will go eventually and not to worry about it in the mean time. A big part of my progress is that I know for sure that it is TMS - all my mris were clear and then I saw Dr. Sarno.
I went for a walk at lunchtime from work today and my left hip was twinging - I talked to my subconscious telling it to stop as I really couldn't care less any more! I walked on ignoring it.
I found David Schecter's work book through Amazon.com. He was a patient of Dr. Sarno's in 1981 and has since incorporated it into his practice in Beverly Hills. His workbook is designed for a 30 days period with questions on each day to answer - like having a therapist in the room. |
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Susie
USA
319 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 14:09:48
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| Sheila-Watching the videos and reading Sarno "to the exclusion of everything else" is a very good example of our obsessive tms tendencies. I think "obsession" with this is not as helpful as allowing yourself a certain amount of time with it and then going about your usual day as if you are ok because you are. I have found that keeping busy with normal activity is in itself as helpful as the journaling and reading. |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 14:09:53
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Suz,
Glad you got the Dr. Schechter tapes. Like I said, listening to them over and over in the car really helps. Also, with regards to the IBS, I really think you are probably right about the diet being a placebo. I think 99% of the stuff that happens to people is mindbody and you just need to keep doing what your doing and you can get rid of anything. I had irritable bowel problems for years and went from doctor to doctor. Then my problem switched to pelvic pain and then to urinary tract infections. After that it was TMJ I was focused on, then tinnitus, and now it's been dizziness, although I'm happy to say that now that I've figured out what my tricky brain is doing that even that is finally easing up. Have you read any of Louise Hay's books? I have "You can Heal Your Life." With regards to constipation she writes "Even if constipated people are not actually stingy they usually do not trust that there will ever be enough. They hold on to old relationships that give them pain. They are afraid to throw out clothes that have been in the closet for years because they might need them some day..." I know some of her stuff sounds kind of out there but I find it interesting and you might too. Another great book I have is Dr. Wayne Dyer's "There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem." I just got it last week and I can't put it down. Heavy stuff but totally compliments Dr. Sarno because of the mindbody aspect. Happy reading!
Laura
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 14:45:56
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Laura,
Thank you so much for your input. It gives me greater confidence that these symptoms are equivalents to TMS. I actually did not get the tapes but the workbook - but thank you for reminding me - I will get the tapes too.
I remember reading Louise Hay's book a long time ago and thinking it was nuts - basically because I didn't know about TMS. Now, I am convinced she is right. I do tend to have an economic insecurity and am a hoarder!
I am not a huge fan of Dr. Dyer as I am a pretty devout catholic and that sort of conflict with his ideas. However I am glad you are enjoying it. There is so much that we don't understand on a spiritual level and inside of our brains! After all, apparently we only use 10% of our brains - what on earth is the rest of it up to?! Probably planning new locations in the body to have fun with! |
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sheila
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2004 : 05:46:21
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Thank you all for your help.
I am journalling eveyday and working on the emotional problems. I, too, am a hoarder, perfectionist and very conscientious but I am trying to take a more relaxed view.
I will try Amazon again for Dr Schecter's book. |
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Lou
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2004 : 08:34:52
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HIVES:
Before I had any back pain, I developed a terrible case of Hives that would come out whenever I exercised or broke a sweat. Being a person that exercised almost everyday, this was a crushing blow.
With the help of some great doctors, I got the hives under control by taking large doses of anti-histamines(sp?) and occasionally Steriods. This made life livable and after awhile, it wasn't a factor, but I always took the medicine.
Then the back pain arrived as I found out later as a TMS subsitute.
When I finally found Sarno, he asked me when the last time I had a hive attacked. I said over 18 months. He said stop the medicine ASAP. I was scared, but I did it and this was in June and I was terrified of the heat, but I bike, played Bball, etc. No Hives.
Haven't taken the meds for 2 years, no problem.
The back pain is another story that is still ongoing, but I have made strides and I work with one of his therapists from NYU.
The equivalents are amazing... |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2004 : 09:02:47
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The wide variety of TMS symptoms casts serious doubt on the "oxygen deprivation" theory. While it's still possible that oxygen deprivation is responsible for muscle and nerve symptoms, I still believe there is something far more complex going on, beyond our current comprehension.
I like to think of it this way. We have three levels of brain activity:
1. Consciousness
2. Subconscious
3. Unconscious
Level 2 is responsible for the things that keep us alive but over which we have no direct control, like regulating our heartbeat and immune system.
If Level 3 holds our pool of rage, then Level 2 is the "armed guard" preventing the pool from overflowing to Level 1. It is armed with a wide variety of weapons, because it has control over so many parts of our bodies. To distract us, it can alter our heartbeat, nerve conduction, immune system response, blood flow ... just about any autonomic activity.
This too is probably too simplistic an explanation, but to me it makes more sense than "oxygen deprivation" which can pertain only to certain symptoms. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2004 : 11:46:10
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I agree, Dave. I think that the oxygen deprivation explanation implies a much simpler process than I think really takes place. I cannot believe how many "equivalents" there are - they really should all be under the same umbrella term as they all do the same thing.
It is frightening to think how little control we have over our brains on a conscious level. I wonder if it is ever possible to get rid of all the symptoms - probably it is a life long process. I do think that one can stop something in it's tracks. I always thought that my hives and skin problems were due to diet -but now I see they are anxiety related. |
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kenny V
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2004 : 13:09:13
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Good luck Suz,
It seems your on the right track isolating all possible triggers, weeding out the placebo’s, continuing the TMS quest for relief.
It is a matter of time, patience, and understanding and you will have victory.
Dave, I too am in agreement with you on your definition and explanation of the wide range of manifestations that stem from our auto immune system that our conscious is not in control of.
As for the oxygen depravation being the cause of pain, I do not agree with it either, however during the pain spasm etc. I do believe oxygen deprivation is present, but it is not source cause of the pain. It is the result.
Dr Sarno really did not go into detail explaining physically reasoning about any of the manifestations as well as TMS equivalents; he only touched on this and gave a brief explanation about muscle pain.
If this is not correct then correct me. And if anyone has seen him in person and he said anything other than oxygen deprivation being responsible for all TMS manifestations, I would like to hear.
Thanks
Always Hope For Recovery
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2004 : 08:51:01
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Hi Suz,
>
>Has anyone see acne or IBS symptoms (specifically constipation -sorry for detail!)disappear with resolution of their back pain?
>
I actually have the opposite reaction, when my TMS is moving around. I'll often swap IBS pain (right side) with my left side LBP. So, for me, I'll often only have one symptom or the other. But also I can imagine that for some people you could have both at the same time and then once the root cause of your TMS is dealt with, both symptoms would go away.
See an article I posted today (3-Sep-2004) regarding "IBS is TMS"
Hope this helps, -Stryder |
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Progress continues and TMS equivalent query
