| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
optimism
44 Posts |
 Posted - 06/06/2006 : 08:24:52
|
I had a back pain for a long time. I've been working on the TMS issues for the last few months and now, when the pain is gone 80% of time, I feel down, I feel depressed and this is happening in the last few days. I don't experince the pain at this point. Did anyone have the similar experience? I am not sure what to do.
Any advice is appriciated. txs |
|
|
tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2006 : 09:44:50
|
Hi Opti,
Sarno says that depression is a TMS equivalent. I can attest to that having recently gone through "a severe depressive state". It sounds like yours is more mild.
I would personally prefer pain over severe depression. The shrink put me on Lexapro. When we went up to two pills I really went nuts--definitely the wrong med for me. Had to have my girlfriend drive me to the ER at 3:30 in the a.m, fearing, I was having a heart-attack. The kindly ER doctor said it was only anxiety and that it was high on the list of causes for late night ER visits, (the white-coat impramature was quite reassuring and comforting).
This occurred after stopping playing tennis and all exercise for 6 months on "doctor's orders", to see if resting my arthritic hip would help heal it--it didn't, but did cause severe depression.
At the same time: dealt with the decline of my 83 year old father's health, the loss of a law suit of 12 year duartion, the "put up or shut up" stage, of a two year relationship, and my brother/business partner's marital problems, causing rifts in our relationship. Basicly put, my life went to ****.
Well, Optimism, I don't know what all this has to do with your question, but that's my recent TMS story in a nut-shell.
In conclusion, recognize that depression is a TMS equivalent. Rejoice in the fact that you've got the physical pain on the run. Figure out what is bugging you emotionally and try to resolve or accept the issues head on.
If your not sure what is bugging you, go to the Holmes-Rahe list of causes of emotional "dis-ease", (I believe it's on page 26 of MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION). That list is always good for at least three or four sure fire sources of TMS. Maintain some daily exercise to give you the physical strength and feeling of well-being to cope with life's issues. I came out of my depression only after I started exercising again--that broke the viscious cycle I was locked in.
Reward yourself for overcoming the physical pain and having added a new tool to your medicine cabinet--the Good Doctor Sarno. If all that fails, go to Walgreen's and buy about $40 worth of junk--that always makes me feel better for a night.
Cheers,
tt  |
 |
|
|
chicago
85 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2006 : 11:34:27
|
| I too have been getting better and feeling depressed. Go figure. Logic would say if your feeling better physically you should feel better emotionally. TMS is not logical however. I won't be too concerned about the depressed fellings. If they last for an extended period of time that's a different story and then you need to get some help. You can't think your way out of major depression. If its only a couple of days here and there like I expereince I look it as more the blues. What I experience is that I'll be going along ok have a period of pain and get real depressed even though I know my situation has greatly improved. I think a big part of it is fear. MY god I've had this pain for a long time and I'm getting better- FEAR- will this last, what if it comes back? Realize that its fear, read, journal, get busy. etc. Now all I need to do is take my own advice. Hang in there, I'm going to try. |
|
|
|
bend-over-backwards
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2006 : 13:08:35
|
I have had a similar experience. In fact I remember having a depression of sorts before TMS started.
As Tennis Tom said above "I would personally prefer pain over severe depression". I think that is exactly what TMS does (diverts our unpleasant emotions.) When I first started to get great relief from the pain, I experienced depression again, and in fact now, do have some back pain or depression intermittently. I felt great for most of a short vacation, but now that I am back to work at what I would consider a pointless job I have both pain and depression. Fortunately, I will be leaving my job soon to take a year off to go to seminary. That will be the true test for me. :)
b-o-b
All is not as it seems . . . |
|
|
|
Calvin
USA
46 Posts |
|
|
Tigerlily
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2006 : 22:22:45
|
Actually I think it makes perfect sense for pain to stop and depression or something else to start. It is symptom substition, which Dr. Sarno talks about. The mind knows you are on to it's tricks and it tries something else to cause symptoms. When I first started 80% of my pain left and I started getting dizzy. As soon as I realized what was happening it stopped. I am now 95% symptom free. I stayed at 80% for a long time and here I am 7 years later almost 100% free of it. 
Tigerlily |
|
|
|
wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 00:09:30
|
I know depression is supposed to be a a TMS equivalent, but for me, it seems to work the opposite way. Not sure which comes first, physical symptoms or depression, but these symptoms almost always make my mood plummet. I can certainly get depressed w/out physical symptoms too, but then it is easier to deal with.
I just got over a depressive episode that lasted a couple of weeks after returning from vacation, where I had run a marathon and had a very enjoyable time. I think it was the letdown after a goal had been accomplished and nothing to replace it.
I'm feeling much better now and I think it is at least partly due to getting back to running. For me, running has always been a lifesaver; a tension dampener and mood brightner. For me, no other sport does it quite as well as running though other exercise also helps somewhat. |
|
|
|
Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 00:09:49
|
Yes - this makes perfect sense. When my marriage ended about 2 years ago I was intensely, intensely unhappy - desperate, panicking, grieving like I would die of it - for over a year. And my 30 years of pain and fatigue practically disappeared.
This was when I first smelled a rat!
It's all good news. I know it's glib to say this, but it's pretty well known in the world of emotional healing (I am and have been for 30 years a sort of alternative therapist) that depresssion is rage turned inwards. You just need to find a way to get it moving OUTWARDS without hurting anything or anyone except perhaps some plates.
Catharsis and exercise really work. I have more subtle methods which I will talk about eventually on this forum I guess.
All the best.
Going to bed listeing to my Monty Hueftle Get Rid of the Pain CD. Excellent.
xx
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
|
|
|
tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 01:02:52
|
Quote from Wavy Soul:
"Love is the answer, whatever the question"
Yes, in one of Sarno's books he says that falling in love can "cure" TMS. It worked for me once.
tt |
|
|
|
Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 03:59:15
|
Yes but but but...
it was falling OUT of love - being DUMPED! - that seemingly cured me
Love is the answer, whatever the question, but I really mean divine love and I'm not religious
x
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
|
|
|
optimism
44 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 10:03:41
|
Thank you all for your replies. I feel better today, don't feel depressed.
It is very strange to feel all these emotional changes, since I thought once I get rid of my pain I will be happy forever!! I guess it does not work that way.
Carolyn, thanks for the link about the depression, it was of great help.
|
|
|
|
victoria
16 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2006 : 18:22:15
|
| and I was glad (not really glad!) to read that someone else had problems with lexapro. everytime I said it seemed to make me more anxious, they just said it was a great medication and upped the dosage. I slowly took myself off it. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Feeling depressed - no pain
