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Tyson R
Canada
4 Posts |
 Posted - 10/31/2006 : 18:30:47
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Howdy everyone,
This site is great and a real asset for someone just learning about TMS. Wow and thanks to all of you.
Now here is my story;
It has been about 7 weeks with a severe flair up of Sciatica due to a 'traditionally diagnosed' herniated disc. I first had pain about three years ago. I was given an MRI and 'diagnosed then however I was able to let the acute pain subside then control it with moderate exercise.
This last episode was completely disabling as to the point I was unable to walk more then 10 feet without excruciating pain nor sit, I was restricted to my back. I even had to go to Dr, PT and chiro appointments lying down in the back of our station wagon while m wife drove me place to place.
I did receive an ESI last week Wednesday and was seeing minute relief by Saturday. This was after, PT, NSAIDs, PAinkillers, accupunture, chiro, orthopedics etc etc
Then on Sunday I found out about Dr. Sarno. I got Healing Back Pain and tore right through it.
Wow... I have TMS.
Just before my most recent attack, I had just bought a new home (bigger then I ever imagined I would have as a kid), was making renovation plans, having the best year ever at work. Had just arranged for my dad to fly out and help us with the reno's on the new place (we hadn't seen each other for 5 years). My wife and I just started planning for our second child and the night before the attack I had just gotten keys for the contractors to come to the new house, and was showing it off to friends...... can you say WHAMMO?
Does this sound like TMS? Oh wait did I mention that the first episode I had coincided with my wife and I trying to get pregnant with many difficulties?
So... lets say I have made the connection, well consciously anyways.
Now here is where I am a little unclear and need your help;
I have dropped all the pills, special stretching, orthotics etc.
I am able to walk and sit for brief periods (up to 15 minutes walking now and sat for 2 hours today!) however, it is with great pain. I get a burning sensation so bad I am forced to stop.
Now reading through the success stories here and in the book it seems most recoveries are not instant, however it is a little unclear as to how the recoveries start.
Should I be fighting the pain no matter how bad even if I am in screaming agony? (recalling some stories where a 2 mile run into the pain turned into an 18 mile release). Just before this attack I was walking up to 10Km a day, but now half a Km and I am in tears and have to lie down to to get the pain to subside. Is a little increase everyday the goal? Or should I be looking to eliminate the pain completely as any defeat to the pain is 'physical' where as I know this is 'psychological'.
I have started rereading the book and seeking other sources of understanding/inspiration. Is there something else I can add?
Thanks for your help and support
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painintheneck
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2006 : 20:36:01
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I did just watch Sarno's video lectures and he did say he scribed pain pills for people to use while they are going through this. Don't make yourself suffer in pain, take something for it and do some work on the TMS every day. Do the mind-body work and when the pain begins to back off then increase your level of exercise.
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ndb
209 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2006 : 21:14:30
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Hi Tyson,
Welcome, and congratulations on getting this far. You believe you surely have TMS and that is a BIG step sometimes. Congrats on walking and sitting!
Don't focus so much on the pain when you do some activity, like walking. Start thinking about your emotions. Feel pain --- think psychological! I think it takes the edge off the pain. When I started walking again at the beginning of my recovery, I used to get horrible shin splints . I tried to train myself to use the pain to trigger a bout of introspection and thinking about episodes where I felt hurt, betrayed, or under unbearable pressure from work. You can use conditioning to your benefit! When I felt pain in my back, I would begin shouting in my mind at my parents, "I hate you, I hate you....all my pain is because of you!" and so forth.
Do the activities you *feel* like doing. Say you haven't been able to sit for long periods, suddenly you get a real urge to watch TV -- so sit and do that for a while. No need to force yourslef to go for walks etc, go if you have the urge to go, then you're going because you get pleasure from the activity, rather than because you're 'supposed' to get back to normal activity.
For me the realization that I was surely going to get better was a powerful feeling. Try to think about that, it is very soothing, and just as suppressed rage results in pain, a soothing influence can make pain less.
Best,
ndb |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2006 : 22:42:39
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Hi TR,
Get the Good Doctor's latest book THE DIVIDED MIND. I find that it explains the psychology of TMS very well. The "cure" is understanding the KNOWLEDGE of TMS.
He also says that he finds hearing it out loud can be more powerfull than reading it, thus his lectures for his patients. Buy the videos or the audio tapes for listening to during the commute.
Good luck and keep up the good work!
tt |
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Nor
152 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2006 : 19:48:08
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Good for you for beginning your recovery. If you read the old posts on this forum, you'll see that most of us don't recover in such an immediate fashion. Its usually a process. Thank goodness you've begun.
Nor |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2006 : 16:33:39
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Hi Tyson R,
You have taken your first step to recovery, bravo.
Should I be fighting the pain...
No, instead you must ignore the pain, and if you can't do that right way then accept the pain. Fighting the pain is a dead end, that just leads to more inner rage, and thus more TMS.
I fought the pain for years, and only truly started to get better whan I realized it was a trap.
Use the search feature on this forum, I've written many times about this...
(1) Go here http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/search.asp?FORUM_ID=2
(2) Enter fighting the pain in the "Search For:" box
(3) Select the "Match Exact Phrase" button
(4) Select Stryder in the "Search By Member:" box
(5) Read the posts that the search finds.
(6) Also try step (2) with fight the pain.
Take care, -Stryder |
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tallpaul
15 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2006 : 17:30:10
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I also have sciatic pain, but not nearly as bad as yours. I found it useful to set aside time each night and re-read the treatment chapters of his books. I also have listed all the stressors in my life, starting from childhood all the way through now. These should include the normal stresses of life (job, etc), which are the obvious ones as well as the other "goodism" stressors such as being conscientious, wanting to please others, perfectionism, etc. Good luck.
Paul |
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Ok Need some help...
