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stephanie
2 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2004 : 19:36:58
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I read Dr.Sarno's book a few months ago and lost it. I'm now having back pain again. However, there is a loss of feeling in my foot and numbness. My doctor says this is a sign of neurological damage. I'm scheduled for surgery... can anyone remind me if this is one of the warning signs that it's not TMS causing the loss of feeling? I'm pretty sure this is one of the cases where he says TMS doesn't apply, but I could be wrong.
Thanks
Stephanie |
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molomaf
119 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2004 : 20:41:59
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I had a loss of feeling on the top of my foot and a little on the sides and part of my calf. I saw a top neurologist and was told it was a pinched nerve. It was TMS as I know now.
Michele |
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pault
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 05:02:28
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| Sounds like tms.When I had that problem,I went to a famous hospital in Boston and the chief of surgery said: we may be able to relieve some pain,but the numbness will stay.The surgery was necessary to relieve the nerve of pinching.I never got the surgery as I did the first time(which did not work,by the way!)I applied Sarno tecnique and completely healed.I believe the success rate for surgery is pretty pathetic.I thnk if you ask your surgeon for a percentage of success and ask she/he to sign it (as they will ask you to do before surgery),they will dismess you as a patient ! Try it and see what happens!See a tms Doctor if possible,first or if you cannot find one see a Neuroligist for another opinion.Your case is not special,as everyone thinks the same thing.I just had a friend get surgery and several months later he is worse and is getting cut again for scar tissue from the first cut!Work hard at the Sarno method as long and as hard as necessary and get well (for real)the correct way,feel good soon. |
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pault
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 05:05:28
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| P.S. After returning to running most of the numbnes is gone! |
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holly
USA
243 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 05:36:15
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Stephanie,
I have that numbness in my toes. Pins & needles like feeling too. I was diagnosed with RSD but it is clearly TMS. Order another book & start reading. You will be fine! |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 13:58:33
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| If I am remembering right, regarding numbness, Sarno distinguishes between a complete absence of feeling (like not feeling a pin prick at all) and a feeling of pins and needles or tingling. I've had 5 back surgeries for the latter-mentioned sensations in my left foot and ankle (plus pain there and in other parts of the leg), but I never felt improvement in terms of the tingling type of numbness until I immersed myself in the thinking and practices recommended by Sarno. I did get some (but not complete) pain relief on the 5th surgery, but I now think that this was a placebo effect because I really believed the doctor's structural analysis when he said that I had a "massive" ruptured disc that uncharacteristically gushed out "to the side". My fourth surgery , a two level anterior fusion, didn't help at all and actually resulted in horrible,additional functional limitations...So for me, to tally up the results of the surgery scene, it was no change for 3, worse problems after 1, and unclear and only partial benefit from the last surgery....So, you can see from my pitiful example that the odds are pretty rotten....Nevertheless, if I had complete numbness rather than tingling, and if the problem hadn't gone on for too many months (because I understand that after many months the absence of feeling can become irreversible), I might consider surgery....But the best thing for you to do is to find the section of Sarno's book (don't remember which of the three books) where he mentions numbness and review that closely. Also, it would be best for you to see a TMS physician before undergoing any surgery. |
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Louise
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 16:38:10
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I've already had one back surgery (lumbar laminectomy in 2002) and after about a year or so saw a return of back/tush/leg pain accompanied by a numb area on the bottom of my foot. It feels like my sock is bunched up right between my toes and the ball of my foot. Irritating, but not really painful. When I saw my neurosurgeon again last year, he said that I needed another surgery to reduce my herniated disc, which would probably produce good results for a year or two, and then I'd be back for a spinal fusion. But, funny thing - he said that whatever surgery he did probably would not help with the numb spot.
If I were you, I wouldn't rush into any kind of surgery. My pain level has been significantly reduced with TMS treatment, and while I still have the area of numbness, it doesn't really bother me. Get another copy of the book and treat your back pain and foot numbness as TMS. Good luck> |
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stephanie
2 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 23:03:11
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Thanks for all the responses!
I think I should clarify my question... It's not just tingling, it's actual loss of feeling, and loss of control of my foot. For example, I can't flex my toes and if I really try to, they can easily be pushed down. Basically I'm extremely weak in the left leg. I wondered if this weakness was one of the things that other people experience, or if it was something that was mentioned as one of the warning signs of a serious problem. I have to go get another copy of the book, I was just wondering if anyone knew off the top of their head.
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 00:27:38
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Stephanie, let me take a stab at it. If you have been suffering pain in that leg for some time, then the muscles are TMS spasming/holding in an unnecessary attempt to "protect" the leg. I am guessing, that through lack of use, the limb is atrophying. This will cause weakness through disuse.
I can visibly discern the difference in the musculature between my left and right legs. Through years of limping, due to an unnecessary TMS attmept at protecting the leg, the muscles have logicaly suffered some atrophy and consequent weakness. I can walk fine but am still working on full usage under the pressure of running on the tennis courts. It is coming back by improved footwork using "baby steps", (thank you Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss). |
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pault
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 05:16:30
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| Stephanie ,what you are experiencing is foot drop and will improve with the return of blood/oys flow as you get better. Read,read asap!Get well soon. Paul. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 11:22:16
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quote:
...I wondered if this weakness was one of the things that other people experience, or if it was something that was mentioned as one of the warning signs of a serious problem.
It is a common TMS symptom; one that Dr. Sarno looks for in his examination.
If I were you I would seriously reconsider the idea of having surgery until you re-read The Mindbody Prescription and try to apply its concepts. |
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numbness/loss of feeling.... surgery?
