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Michele
249 Posts |
 Posted - 09/22/2004 : 09:06:12
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I'm in my 7th week of reading and learning about TMS. I've read both of Dr. Sarno's books and am re-reading them both in bits and pieces. I have also read Dr. Sopher's book. I am working my way through the Mindbody Workbook by Dr. Schechter, and listening to his 3 CD's. I have cancelled all chiropractic treatments, massage, and yoga. I have not taken any painkillers. I have resumed running and walking. I am attending therapy. I believe in TMS and know it is what's causing the pain in my hip/leg since February.
However, I have made little, if any, progress and I'm frustrated.
I emailed Dr. Sopher yesterday to see if he could look at my MRI and x-ray films and diagnos3 TMS via long distance (I live in the Midwest). I thought maybe if I heard it from a TMS doctor that YES, that's what is happening, it would make all the difference. I haven't heard back yet.
Then I thought that maybe I'm concentrating too hard on TMS and that's why I haven't made any progress. I'm stumped, and I'm still hurting.
Any suggestions? |
Edited by - Michele on 09/22/2004 09:07:40 |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 09:14:56
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Michele,
It seems to me that you might still have some doubt about your problem not being structural as you are focusing on the MRIs. Maybe you do not have 100% belief in it being a psychologically caused pain? What have regular doctors told you about your MRI results? Have you been told you have a disc problem? John Sarno addresses these diagnoses really well in his books - I found this really helpful. It might be that you have a nagging doubt that there really is something structurally wrong - just this little thought can really hinder one's progress
Just a thought
S. I |
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Michele
249 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 09:39:58
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MRI results showed excessive fluid, no fractures, tumors or cysts. X-rays showed good joint space, mild arthritis, and no structural problems. My doctor's diagnosis, and I quote, "You have bad hips." Because the pain didn't go away, I agreed to see an orthopedic doctor who spent all of 5 seconds looking at the films and announced I need a hip replacement because my pain was arthritis and it would just get worse. He told me that I'm old (45), accept the fact that I'm no longer an athlete (I'm a runner), and to stop all weight-bearing exercise. After a few choice words to him - I was VERY upset - I started searching the internet and discovered Sarno's books.
I do not have a disc problem, my back is fine, but the pain in my hip/buttock/leg won't let up.
I admit, I have TONS of tension and stress in my life right now, but that's nothing new!! I even have a sign on my desk that says, "Arthritis is not painful - what else is going on?" Why do I know arthritis isn't painful? Because I have MORE arthritis in my right hip than my painful left hip, and the right side has NO PAIN!
You're probably right Suz, I may still DOUBT the pain is TMS. Even though I say out loud that I believe it. So how do people get over the doubt? |
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2scoops
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 09:45:48
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| Michelle, I too know how you feel, I have been dealing with the low back, leg, and feet burning for close to 2 years, since finding out about TMS my pain has gone down, but it is still there, you know. I wish there was a TMS doctor around here, I am in Ohio. I actually called Sarno's office last week, just wanting to know if I could just bring mty MRI in, which was done 2 years ago, and just get the diagnosis, but he does not see out of state patients. I also e-mailed Dr. Sopher last week, I believe he is in Vermont. He took about three days to get back to me, but he actually responded. He did say he would be willing to see me, but it would be quite a hike. So he recomended me post on a message board and see what others have done that do not have a TMS doctor around, well I did and no one has responded. So maybe we could help one another. I do think it would be hard for any doctor to give you a diagnosis over the phone, because they could not actually see the MRI, but could only read the report. One thing that I let concern me is that I had tried chiro right before finding about Sarno, see I was hesitant to try chiro becasue my ortho said I have spondylolysis, and if I had chiro, that my vertebrae could actually slide forward, to spondylolisthesis. I wish I would never found out about all this spine crap cause it did nothing but program me. So I believe it would be helpful for me to see a TMS doctor. Please let us know what you find out. |
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Wilf
Canada
53 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 11:55:05
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Michele & Scoops,
I have "Healing Back Pain" on tape read by Sarno. I listen to it in the car, over and over again. I must have heard it 50 times. On that tape, he addresses the exact issues you are raising. He says that spondylolysis does not cause pain. He also says, as most of us know, that it is easy to grasp the concept intellectually, but it is difficult to get the concept into the sub-concious or the "heart" as he quoted some poet.
I have fopund that reading this Forum every day has helped me a lot. I am still not totally symptom-free, but I am significantly better than I was before I started to follow Sarno over 2 years ago, and I have saved a ton of money by not going to the Chiropractor and other "hands on" practitioners.
Hang in there. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 16:02:12
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2 scoops and Michelle,
I must admit that I think it really helped seeing Sarno and officially receiving the diagonosis - just to hear it said by a doctor to my face. I had received multiple diagnoses from doctors - first they told me i had a disc problem and then i went to see a top rheumatologist who initially diagnosed me with ankylosing spondilitis - a nasty bone condition. I was about to start an aggressive "enbrel" injection every week for the rest of my life and I insisted on more mris and blood tests - after 4 months of testing they realized they had made a mistake and said there was nothing wrong. The rheumy said it was time for me to see Sarno - this was such a blessing. I also had a colonoscopy and multiple biopsies to check on the possible inflammatory Bowel disease - again nothing - totally clear - just good old fashioned IBS.
I do believe that ruling out all structural things really helped me to accept the Sarno diagnosis.
If you can get to some sort of TMS type doctor - to be diagnosed, I think it is worth its weight in gold - may have a profound effect on the rest of your life, if it reduces or even eradicates your pain |
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Thinking/Studying about TMS causing TMS?
