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O2BWell
United Kingdom
9 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2008 : 14:14:49
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About seven years ago I fractured two ribs - unexplained injury.
Since, I have experienced ever increasing discomfort in the rib area and down my left side.
I have been examined for gall stones, had an endoscopy, and am now awaiting results from rheumatology. Everything has so far come up as 'negative'.
Have got to the point where, even though its worrying, would just like to know what is wrong.
I have discomfort every evening, as soon as I try and settle to watch tv. read etc. Can't get comfortable.
My diagrapm tightens and all down my left side very sore. If I press on breast bone and around that area very sore.
It's very frustrating when you're told nothing is wrong and yet every evening you have the same problems.
I might add once I go to bed and have slept for awhile syptoms disappear totally and first thing in the morning I can honestly say nothing is wrong.
Perhaps someone on the site can solve the mystery.
I hope I've managed to describe ok.
Thanks.(oh, I'm border line osteophorosis).
O2BWell in Cornwall |
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mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 18:04:15
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Hi there O2BWell,
Were the rib fractures related in some way to the osteoporosis? if they were then maybe you need to explore this further with your doctors . If not, then there should be no reason why the ribs have not healed after 7 years.
When you have TMS the muscles aound the 'injured' area can get very tight due to Oxygen deprivation. That and the fact that your are fearful of the pain coming on at a certain time in the evening suggests that your mind is doing a dirty on you, and trying to keep you focused on the pain.
Are you physically active?
I would suggest that you first check whether or not yr condition is related to osteoporosis and if it isn't to read Sarno's books.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
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Dor
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 19:12:02
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| Are you taking any of the drugs for osteoporosis/osteopenia? |
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 19:23:05
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O2BWell,
My understanding is that mild osteoporosis does not cause pain, and that only when there's a resulting fracture from severe osteoporosis and does it becomes painful. This was my experience years ago as a physical therapist, and was also later confirmed by a TMS physician. TMS can definitely impact the intercostal muscles around the ribs and can be very painful. Rib pain was my first TMS manifestation (before I learned about TMS). My fellow therapists gave me frequent rounds of hot packs, ultrasound and massage to that area, all of which did nothing. It finally went away when I developed back and neck pain. I am now 100% certain that it was TMS, as was the neck and back pain. It's interesting that your pain started out as an actual injury to that area, which could definitely be a potential breeding ground for TMS.
I would agree with mala that you should explore the osteoporosis issue further with your doctor to make sure it hasn't progressed. Are you being treated for it as well with supplementation and weight-bearing activities?
By the way, my mother suffered a compound fracture due to severe osteoporosis 5 years ago. Initially of course it was very painful, but it healed within several months, and she has not had any pain from its since. (She is obviously not a TMS person like her daughter)!
Take care-
Curiosity
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O2BWell
United Kingdom
9 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2008 : 11:56:07
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Thanks Mala
Can I just change the subject for a moment. My son, his wife and my grandson live in Hong Kong. Hoping to see them in June when they come to UK for a holiday!!
Anyway, back to TMS.
It was a while after my rib fractures that I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and was offered medication. This was about three years ago and I was borderline. I was offered medication, it was dreadful. Whereas Osteoporosis in the early stages is a silent disease, taking the medication made me feel ill. So decided against it and increased my 'dairy' and took extra 'calcium + D.
I'm waiting for the results of reumatology xrays etc. and latest bone scan. Have had various tests this year - all negative - and after reading what everyone has to say on this site - I would be surprised if these latest will give me a name to whatever it is I have!!!
I've ordered one of Dr Sarno's books and can't wait to read it.
I know this might sound strange, but since hearing about TMS, today have told myself it's TMS and I've stopped worrying so much and I think things are a bit easier at the moment. (I'm so gullible!!).
The only thing that is bothering me with Dr Sarno's theory is the fact that emotions can be the cause. We all have 'baggage' of some sort - how do you just 'let it go' so to speak. It makes sense that all our negative thoughts can tense the body and therefore aggravate some conditions.
Thanks once again for taking the trouble to write.
O2BWell in Cornwall |
Edited by - O2BWell on 03/07/2008 12:00:57 |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2008 : 12:09:50
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You don't have to necessarily "let the baggage go" in order to break the relationship between baggage and symptoms. It's important to become more aware of the emotions and less afraid of them or condemning of them (some of them are not "nice" but they are normal and we need to give ourselves a break about these "not nice" feelings), because this calms the need of the unconscious mind to be distracted from them. But we don't have to necessarily process or let go of the feelings, though some people do take this approach and find it helpful (it's been good for me, for example, but I started it after conquering the pain, rather than in order to do so).
The big part of the work is just breaking the relationship between emotions and pain, by refusing to allow the pain distraction to work: returning to normal activity and not giving the symptoms great physical or mental importance, rather paying attention to our psyche and simply acknowledging and accepting the feelings.
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It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2008 : 20:44:36
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yes, armchair, what you just said!
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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Chronic Pain
