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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
 Posted - 02/02/2007 : 23:17:25
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Hi,
I'm new to this forum. Dealing with low-back and sciatica pain off and on since the end of August and have dealt with it off and on for many years (since I was 21 and I am 57 now), but had been pain free for about 10 years until this last episode.
Up until now, chiropractic had been my solution along with exercise and getting in shape. Not working this time. I will have relief for a couple of days, then have to go back for another 'fix'. Also, my GP sent me for one PT session which was useless (looked me over and sent me home with a sheet of 4 stretching exercises). One chiropractor did give me an xray and the disks look fine, but the chance of getting an MRI through my Kaiser health plan is almost nil since my pain level is very low, so I will have to forget about that for the time being.
I've also been working with the RebuildYourBack concept (www.RebuildyourBack.com) with temporary relief, but the symptoms just are not going away. I am quite sure I have nothing physically terribly wrong with my back since I have had this come and go over the years. In fact I am almost 100% sure it is TMS. I was a daily caregiver for an elderly friend of mine for 2 years. I was very close to him and felt very stressed through this period of time. He died at the age of 94 on Nov 1, 2006. Shortly after that is when my back issue flared up noticeably and has actually gotten a little worse overall. I am quite convinced this is all related.
Anyway, I own and have read Dr Sarno's 'Healing Back Pain' and 'Mindbody Prescription' and am starting to read them again. Just wondering if there is much more to gain by reading Dr Sarno's 'The Divided Mind' book and/or watching his videos? I plan to re-read the books I have and begin journaling. That in itself is a lot to keep me busy ;)
BTW, I am also a recovering alcoholic (21 years sober last month), so I am quite used to taking my own psychological inventory. Hoping this is an advantage rather than a hindrance in some way. I certainly fit the psychological profile Dr Sarno talks about.
Very glad to have found this forum and hope to participate when I have something useful to share.
Thanks for any responses!
Ken |
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Littlebird
USA
391 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2007 : 00:57:20
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Hi Ken,
Welcome to the forum. I have only read The Divided Mind, but not yet read Sarno's other books, so I can't compare, but I did really like The Divided Mind. Besides the chapters by Dr. Sarno, there are several chapters by other doctors, which was helpful to me. To get some idea what the book covers, you might want to check out this thread, which contains many excerpts from the book.
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
Reading through some of these tidbits may help you decide if the book is worth a look for you.
I have found the journaling to be helpful and I know many others here feel the same, so getting started on that may prove very useful to you also. It's good that you have practice with taking psychological inventory. Getting the feelings and thoughts down on paper seems to take us to another level, allowing a release from the feelings that we don't always get just by reflecting on them in our minds.
Twenty-one years is the amount of time that my older brother has been sober too. It's a real accomplishment. We lost 3 family members to the health problems caused by alcoholism. TMS is really just another form of avoiding the emotional pain, so in that way it could be compared to excesses with alcohol or drugs or food or anything else that we may use to escape the emotions. While those are conscious efforts to avoid the pain and TMS is an unconscious effort, I think that anyone who has tried those methods may be more likely to develop TMS when they give up their other coping mechanism. Sometimes I think that if I had followed the family pattern of using alcohol to try to cope, I may not have developed TMS. Not that the alcohol would have been a better choice. But both alcoholism and TMS are signs that we need to look inside and acknowledge feelings that we'd rather avoid. So I think your experience may prove to be a benefit, rather than a hindrance in your efforts to eliminate the physical pain.
Best wishes,
Corey |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2007 : 02:33:56
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Thanks Corey! Looks like TDM would be worthwhile to me.
One thing I may have to deal with to recover is the fact that I am probably on a 'dry drunk' as is termed in AA. Having been sober a number of years and literally having not been tempted to drink for 21 years (lost the temptation suddenly after being in and out of AA for 3 years), and taking care of this elderly friend (in reality, watching after him for more like 10 years: the last two he was in a nursing home where I visited him daily) for so long, I slacked off the AA meetings and really have not followed the AA program. My life the past few years has been one filled with lots of anger and fear. I've always been a control freak, but I think I have turned into an ultra control freak the past few years. I have an idea that my unconscious mind is in ultra rage. Considering this, it makes a lot of sense to me that I may be a prime TMS subject.
In any case, this episode now has my full attention and hopefully, in the long run, this will prove to be the medicine I need to get me back on track to a comfortable sobriety.
Ken |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2007 : 11:53:02
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I liked the Divided Mind. I figured any investment in my recovery was worthwhile and I wanted the most up-to-date information available. While some is the same, Dr. Sarno give the most current understanding/treatment plans for TMS. Lots of other people's experiences in the book too. I own all the books and would not say one is better than another, just more current. Maybe try to get it from your township's library if unsure? I have the DVD from 1999 too, but the new book has more current information. He has updated that lecture quite a bit (I went to his lecture 2 weeks ago).
I was suspect I had TMS when I could think about what was going on when I had the pains and come up with things that were plaguing my mind! I was happy to hear from Dr. Sarno that "there is nothing wrong with your back" even though MRI shows herniated disc (and orthoped was suggesting surgery -- NO WAY). So I am almost fully recovered from the worst pain of my life (worse than natural childbirth) that put me out of commission for a month. I am definitely a believer that his suggestions to learn and then write about your issues works. Even simple everyday issues I've learned to get off my by writing or venting out loud (privately of course). Things I wouldn't used to think would be bothersome, but I now realize even little annoyances can get put into that reservior or anger/rage/fear/guilt. 
I will now be suspect of various pains and try the TMS treatment to alleviate them first before I get scared.
In summary, a lot of pain really is TMS or its equivalent. The treatment plan took me 1.5 weeks to be able to function normally, but I've been back to work and walking, sitting, etc for 3 glorious weeks now. 
-Lori |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2007 : 22:06:04
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Hey WC,
Ha. I get it. Wood. Chuck. First post on February 2nd. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I have read HBP and MBP. Need to get TDM. Some people really like the videos, I have never seen them. I did see the 20/20 segment on the internet with John Stossel.
Welcome aboard, -Stryder |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2007 : 22:49:38
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Yes, TDM is a very good book. Quite serious in its exploration of the concepts - in fact for some of my friends there is too much theory. But I love it. The more deep cognitive proof and new belief structure around illness, the better for me.
Re the AA and dry drunk thing. I'm in Alanon and float around 12-step programs for inspiration at times. I'm also a therapist and work with addiction. What I'm about to say is a bit radical and sweeping, but I have to say that my sense is that all addictions are in the same category as TMS - attempts to distract our here-now awareness from what we're feeling unconsciously.
Since depression and anxiety are now on the list of "TMS equivalents," even Sarno is getting bolder about saying what I am coming to suspect - it's all TMS!
Another way of saying this, and how I work with it, is that we all have this reservoir of rage and unacknowledged and unfelt feelings. This manifests in different ways for different people, but the tendency of the divided mind to want to help us avoid feeling our feelings is pretty generic. How it does manifest (back pain, depression, alcoholism, food addiction, workaholism, chronic fatigue) may depend on chance factors like genes and our upbringing or even our astrology.... no wait... don't go away...
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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miche
Canada
283 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 00:01:35
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| Hey, wavy soul, are scorpios more apt to develop fibro? Just kidding! or am I ? |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 10:56:22
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Wavy, hee hee!
I think our Divided Mind can even manifest in funky ways like being addicted to reading. I use (used?) reading the way a lot of people do food or TV -- I'd rather think about other people's problems and experience other people's emotions than my own.
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 10:57:54
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| American pain associations estimate that 40-80 million Americans live with chronic pain |
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alexis
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 11:44:53
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quote:
Originally posted by armchairlinguist
I think our Divided Mind can even manifest in funky ways like being addicted to reading. I use (used?) reading the way a lot of people do food or TV -- I'd rather think about other people's problems and experience other people's emotions than my own.
I tend not to like the whole TMS label and call the whole thing "Distraction Syndrome" when thinking to myself. It seems likely to me (though again I'd need numbers) that most with one branch of the tendency to adopt distraction have others as well.
Not that I'm sure distraction syndrome is all there is too it. I personally suspect the whole business is a lot more complicated, but as far as the TMS aspects are concernned, that's just my take on it. |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 11:46:53
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Oh sh**t - I can't even read a book a day any more.
Bookaholics.
The following is true: I'm writing a book about all this, and part of it is caled Sick-anon - the 12 steps of recovery from addiction to symptoms.
I'm a Leo, since you didn't ask 
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 12:43:20
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Just bought TDM today. This is one of my days off, so looking forward to a relaxing afternoon with my nose in the book.
Ken |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 11:36:16
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Woodchuck,
I would seriously suggest that you are blocked off from your higher power and need to do a very thorough inventory - 4th step. Please please do it from the Big Book - the recovery program has not changed in 70 years and is so marvellous. My life is full of peace and joy now because of it.
I had to let you know this because people are not doing this any more. The big book just isn't that "sexy" really. All the answers are laid out there.
Just my 2 cents!
Suz |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 14:51:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Suz
Woodchuck,
I would seriously suggest that you are blocked off from your higher power and need to do a very thorough inventory - 4th step. Please please do it from the Big Book - the recovery program has not changed in 70 years and is so marvellous. My life is full of peace and joy now because of it.
I had to let you know this because people are not doing this any more. The big book just isn't that "sexy" really. All the answers are laid out there.
Just my 2 cents!
Suz
Very good point, since it has been 21 yrs since my 4th Step ;) This what my journaling will be in fact. Thanks for pointing this out!
Ken |
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alexis
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 17:21:41
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OK, I admit I was a bit confused here and thought at first that the Big Book meant the Bible. For others like myself, so you don't lose track of the conversation here, I looked it up and it is a AA publication:
http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/
This is sort of a religious thing, as far as I can tell, and I'm guessing we don't want to get into the big TMS and Religion arguement again. I'm just linking this to clarify what's being talked about for anyone else who was confused. |
Edited by - alexis on 02/06/2007 17:23:31 |
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Woodchuck
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 18:07:29
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Yes, there is a "Spiritual" element to the 12 Steps taken as a whole.
http://www.recovery.org/aa/misc/12steps.html
I agree alexis...probably not good to discuss here, getting off on that tangent. However, to clarify: I say "Spiritual" to distinguish from "Religious" as I had to abandon "Religious" beliefs to get sober....that was my case. Everyone is different. Also, there are many Atheists in AA. The ones I know accept the Group as a "higher power" for the most part. Whatever works ;) "Taking the 4th Step", as it is termed, would be a good way of journaling for me as it forces one to look at such issues as anger, jealousy, resentment, fear, etc.
Anyway, that's my statement on the issue and won't comment further on it. No debates, arguing on this end :)
Ken |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 18:57:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Woodchuck
Yes, there is a "Spiritual" element to the 12 Steps taken as a whole.
http://www.recovery.org/aa/misc/12steps.html
I agree alexis...probably not good to discuss here, getting off on that tangent. However, to clarify: I say "Spiritual" to distinguish from "Religious" as I had to abandon "Religious" beliefs to get sober....that was my case. Everyone is different. Also, there are many Atheists in AA. The ones I know accept the Group as a "higher power" for the most part. Whatever works ;) "Taking the 4th Step", as it is termed, would be a good way of journaling for me as it forces one to look at such issues as anger, jealousy, resentment, fear, etc.
Anyway, that's my statement on the issue and won't comment further on it. No debates, arguing on this end :)
Ken
If whatever you want to discuss is relavant to TMS, then you go for it. Last time I looked, the first amendment was still in effect here. Don't let anyone deter you from discussing anything or it may add to your TMS reservoir of rage. |
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alexis
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 20:29:26
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| I'm all for people discussing whatever works for them. I just wanted to make clear that I wasn't posting that link in any for or against effort, but just as information. Sorry if that wasn't clear. |
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The Divided Mind - Recommended?
