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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2008 : 14:59:15
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I was reading a chapter of the book Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks last night. This particular chapter is about focal dystonia, which is a diagnosis given, usually to musicians, when they get RSI-like symptoms but with loss of function instead of pain. It is described as a neurological disorder where part of the brain's sensory representation of the area (finger, hand, face) is actually messed up.
I found this curious and wondered if there might not be a TMS connection. Maybe the brain imaging is reflecting something real, but the real process is initiated by TMS. Those mentioned are all people who are highly driven and highly successful in a very stressful profession. Some of the things that raised red flag: stretching exercises done constantly after restoring function, "once a dystonic always a dystonic", after one person was diagnosed people started diagnosing others more and more, most in vogue in a particular community, has shown up in various professions over time (social epidemics), discussion of changing to large muscle use (as in RSI recs), use of rolfing and acupuncture as symptom treatment. In the Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_dystonia) Scott Adams is also mentioned, and I believe at one point we discussed whether he might not have TMS with his vocal cord problems (spasmodic dysphonia, which he now says he has recovered from) as well.
Yet, can the brain really do something this crazy? Reducing bloodflow is one thing, totally changing the way the brain represents the body is another thing. But it can totally change the immune system (IBS, allergies, colds) and other nutty stuff.
No one will know the answer to this, but I thought it might be an interesting discussion.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
Edited by - armchairlinguist on 02/01/2008 15:00:41 |
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mk6283
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2008 : 15:47:44
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Absolutely. I think the focal dystonias are quite interesting as a matter of fact. One of the more common occupational dystonias is actually the so called "writer's cramp" that I have seen in a few patients. Maybe they are unhappy with what they are writing? Instead, they might be better off journaling to try and uncover their hidden stresses and rage :). Interestingly, in treating a Vietnam veteran just this past week, he actually had a focal dystonia that he had developed in his trigger finger since the war!!! I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, I'd put my money on the fact that both "writer's cramp" and "musician's dystonia" are TMS equivalents. Have a great weekend everyone.
Best,
MK |
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2008 : 15:50:29
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I second that. For what it's worth, recent data suggests that people with dystonia are more likely to have psychiatric issues like depression and anxiety. It just seems so suggestive on a psychological basis as well, that people who become successful at an artistic endeavor (whether it be singing, playing the piano, etc.) suddenly become unable to perform anymore (like pianist Leon Fischer).
Clearly there is a neurological basis for the disorder, but the idea of TMS as a related cause is interesting. |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2008 : 04:55:30
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What about "actor's cramp," since we're diagnosing celebs?
Darling Heath Ledger was very depressed because he had been playing a very dark, sick version of The Joker in the Batman movie. He is, after all, a real "method" actor - although I don't know if he went gay to play in Brokeback...
So then he couldn't sleep. Then he took too much sleeping stuff...
I don't think there's any illness that couldn't be psychosomatically caused or at least encouraged. What about people dropping dead shortly after their spouses (spice?). They use all kinds of illnesses to achieve this.
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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Penny
USA
364 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 16:50:02
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Really interesting conversation guys. One sx I had at height of TMS was an uncontrollable shake and tic-like activity in my right hand. It wouldn't stop twitching, only if I sat on it but I could still feel the sensation of the attempted twitches. This was really frightening and also was the sx that started doctors down the MS path for me. Ironically, the more they tried to diagnose me (tests), the more attention they gave my "illness" the WORSE I became. By the end of that week I was bedridden, starving myself, dehydrated convinced I was dying. Gosh, hindsight is such a powerful thing. That was nearly 2 years ago!
>|< Penny
"Feeling will get you closer to the truth of who you are than thinking."
~ Eckhart Tolle
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mk6283
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 08:45:12
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Just wanted to relay another interesting (and very sad) story from a few days ago. I had an older patient who had buried his wife and both children, all of whom died of myotonic dystrophy. One of his major complaints was of burning, rigidity, and pain in his hands. Recognize that myotonic dystrophy is a genetic disorder and one of its earliest or more classical manifestations is that of hand stiffness. This man did not have MD nor did he have any reason to develop it. After we ruled out any other causes of neuropathy that may have been contributory, my resident said "you know, this might be psychological." I think so...
Best,
MK |
Edited by - mk6283 on 02/09/2008 08:47:08 |
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Focal dystonia -- TMS?
