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chrisb89
42 Posts |
 Posted - 02/27/2007 : 06:18:35
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I live far from any doctors who diagnose this and I also don't have much money. My X-Ray's were negative, and I am awaiting the results of my MRI which the docs also expect to be negative.
If it is negative, can I then assume that I have TMS - or is there a different kind of test that the doctors perform? |
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h2oskier25
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 09:37:51
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Chris,
You are not alone. I never saw a TMS doctor, and completely cured a 7 year near debilitating bout with TMS.
I know the TMS doctors have been known to check "pressure points" on the back. Frankly, I don't care what points I do or do not have, just that I knew I had it, and got better through belief.
I have to say, I believed it "MOSTLY" and was able to resume lots of activity, but didn't conquer it FULLY until I believed the TMS diagnosis a hundred percent. That seems to ire certain people around here, but it was true with me.
If your doctor has ruled out any serious conditinos through x-rays and mri's and such, I really don't see that not seeing a true TMS doctor will impede your healing. So many of the rest of us had to do it that way.
I did speak with Dr. Don Dubin once, as he does phone consults, but I was already cured by then.
Regards,
Beth |
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chrisb89
42 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 09:58:19
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| Beth when you say "completely cured" do you say that you never have back pain anymore? I seem to be feeling better but part of me wonders if this is something I will always live with... even though I've only had it three months as opposed to some here have had it for years. I guess I'm a bit pessimistic sometimes... |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 10:20:51
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Chris, yes, Dr. Sarno presses 8 pressure points from neck to thigh. I had all 8 sensitive; most people have 6 of them. I loved when Dr. Sarno said, ok, now if the herniated disc is the problem, then why does it hurt you here (on left side when herniation is on right)? I have a herniated disc at L5 S1, and the severe pain I had was TMS--no relation to herniated disc. It is mostly gone; I had a twinge this week due to very unpleasant circumstances at work. When I talked to my brain about it and did some essay-writing, the pain went away. So it is for sure TMS, even though I never doubted that and am in fact relieved it is TMS.
You can do a search for TMS docs in your area; those consultations should be covered by insurance.
-L |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 10:27:30
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Additionally, I am doing a lot of mind/body health reading and am learning just how many physical conditions are brain-induced and not really harmful. It's quite incredible. I'll question every pain I get from now on and analyze what's going on in my life before panicking and going to the doc.
One book says more than 90% of pain is psychologically-caused, while only about 15% of people will accept that to be the case.
-Lori |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 11:48:58
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As Beth said, if your doc says you are no danger then treat your pain as TMS. You have nothing to loose but your pain and $14.00 for one of the Good Doctor's books.
Key point. Even though the pain is real, the cause is by your brain, not your body. So, your body is not broken at all. Your inner repressed rage is the cause.
Take care, -Stryder |
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chrisb89
42 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 18:05:37
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quote:
Originally posted by mizlorinj
[font=Century Gothic][purple]Chris, yes, Dr. Sarno presses 8 pressure points from neck to thigh. I had all 8 sensitive; most people have 6 of them.
Do you know where those pressure points are, or is there a link on the web with an illustration? Do they correlate at all to the 16 (I think that's the right number) of fibromyalgia trigger points? |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 07:45:16
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Hmm. If I recall correctly, they are top of shoulder, lower back, somewhere in the butt cheeks, and outer thighs. No one knows why TMS patients have these specific sore spots.
I do believe they are mentioned in the Mindbody Prescription book. I don't know about the fibro points so I can't answer that.
-Lori |
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sonora sky
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 08:03:37
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As I recall, there might have been two points on the back, and also there's a spot on the back of the arm, just above the elbow. This one really got me--zowie!  I would have never known it was there, and probably wouldn't be able to find the spot on my own. But he (Dr. Sklar) knew exactly where to press.
ss |
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h2oskier25
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 08:31:22
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quote:
Originally posted by chrisb89
Do you know where those pressure points are, or is there a link on the web with an illustration? Do they correlate at all to the 16 (I think that's the right number) of fibromyalgia trigger points?
Chris, I think you're getting caught up in the physical a little bit with this question?
Yes, I am completely cured, now let me qualify that.
Right now the following is happening in my life. I bought a business I thought I could run mostly passively, and keep my regular job. Now, it's looking like I will have to quit my job, to start the business, and possibly go months without pay. Very scary financially. I am getting ready to finally live apart from my boyfriend of 15 years. Very scary emotionally.
I'm more unsettled emotionally on all levels than I probably ever have been in my life. For a week I didn't sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a night, and woke up panicked.
In the last few days, my right knee (new spot - old injury) has started bothering me.
BUT I DON'T LET IT KEEP ME FROM RUNNING 5K twice a week, as I'm also training for a triathalon.
Now, it took ALL THAT STRESS for TMS to recur at all, and even then, it is so minor. It isn't keeping me from doing anything physical. When I feel the pain, I do the same thing I always did (since learning about TMS) and the same thing any of us can do. I say "What's going on with my phsychologically?"
Right now, there's plenty of answers to that question . . .
I know you want a DR to say you have TMS so your conscious and unc mind can be convinced easier. We all do, but few of us have that luxury. My advice to you is to get busy at your TMS work. Read more, journal more, and search for repressed negative emotion.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to pick a crisis to freak out about now.
Best wishes to you,
Beth |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 09:22:43
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Since TMS doctors are few and far between, one way you can dx TMS is by medical testing NOT finding anything wrong. This can have it's own pit-falls depending on how hungry the doctor is. In today's medicine a doctor almost feels obligated to send you off with a prescription makeing you and him feel like some medical transaction has occured in the brief time you spent together.
Due to the boooming malpractice arena, most doctors will run a lot of tests, playing it safe, so they won't be accused of over-looking something serious and being sued. If you faint in a public place or a business, an ambulance will probably be called and you will be transported to ER. A CAT scan, along with numerous other tests will probably be ordered to make sure you didn't suffer brain damage. If you're a senior, they might dx a TSA (transiet ischemic attack) or "mini-stroke". Maybe you just fainted but to justify all the expense of the ambulance ride and the thousands of dollars of testing it helps to come up with something serious sounding.
I had a pet cat that had diabetes not long ago. I took him to almost every vet and vetenary specialist in a 50 mile radius. He was examined by perhaps 20 vets and I quit counting the expense when it went over $20,000. The point being that we go to great lengths for our pets and somtimes our parents to get the right dx. But it seems like with ourselves we may settle with the first dx from whichever doctor we saw.
With TMS due, to it's lingering chronic nature, we may see several doctors and specialists, with no conclusive dx or conflicting dx's depending upon their medical specialty. For instance, a neurologist might dx pinched nerve at c-6/c-7 for neck, shoulder, arm, wrist pain and tingling. But a orthopod may diagnose rotator-cuff tear.
If it's TMS, you need to become your head doctor and take a pro-active role in making a TMS dx. You can dx TMS by elimination, by becoming KNOWLEDGEABLE with ACCURATE TMS information, seeing several conventional doctors, taking a plethora of routine tests to eliminate anything OBVIOUSLY SERIOUS like tumors. If a doctor reccommends a procedure that feels too big for you to swallow (in my case hip-replacement) you can ask if there is a "CONSERVATIVE APPROACH"?, there usually is one.
If you have the economic means, you can travel to a TMS doctor for a dx and combine it with a vacation. Most of them are listed on this web-site or a site called www.tarpityoga.com which has a good list of TMS practitioners.
Good Luck
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Edited by - tennis tom on 02/28/2007 09:31:28 |
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weatherman
USA
184 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2007 : 00:38:30
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Of course, if the doctor doesn't find anything obvious via x-ray or examination there's always that old standby of "inflammation" due to "strain" or "overuse", at which point you KNOW absolutely nothing. Monte Hueftle's book (Get Rid of the Pain in Your Butt) has an interesting discussion on this kind of diagnosis, basically to be vary skeptical of it.
Weatherman |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2007 : 02:43:39
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quote:
I seem to be feeling better but part of me wonders if this is something I will always live with...
No you won’t. I thought I had RSI for life. Now I’m cured.
Beth, all the best with your new life.
Hilary N |
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Sean
34 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2007 : 15:14:16
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mizlorinj,
Just out of curiosity, are these pressure points hard to find? In other words where you able to find the points and reproduce the pain yourself?
Thanks |
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How do TMS doctors determine if you have TMS?
