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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2004 : 23:15:18
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Hi board,
I'm busy finishing up all my schoolwork for the semester, but have a question that has been on my mind nonetheless. I feel that every week I am getting stronger in the sense that my brain is really starting to believe my chronic headache, etc. are rooted in my emotions (in the beginning, even though I believed all of Sarno's ideas, it was still hard for me to accept even though I wanted to). I also am getting better at dimissing all my fear, labeling it "illogical" and a product of the unconscious which doesn't know any better. But I have yet to see improvement in my pain/physical symptoms. Now, I know my brain desperately wants me to stop at this point in favor of a different diagnosis, but I am trying to be strong. Also, one of the recent posts--davidg's I believe--suggests that you have to find the "exact" reason why your symptoms started in the first place. Is acknowledging them just as good? Because even though I do spend time trying to trace things back in hopes of something "clicking" and everything instantly disappearing, I do not believe TMS works in this fashion. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!
Seth |
Edited by - lobstershack on 12/15/2004 23:16:17 |
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Dr. Fatteh
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 02:05:03
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Seth,
You've essentially hit upon the answer to your question within the body of your posting. TMS does really require understanding the origins of your emotional baggage, which is more than simply accepting that emotions are the reason for your pain and disability in general. You must know WHAT you fear, rather than simply trying not to be fearful. You must know WHAT has you worried, rather than simply trying not to fret. And, you must know WHY you are still carrying anger, rather than simply acknowledging that rage has something to do with your condition. Journalling will be a big part of this discovery process. I recommend reading Dr. David Schechter's "The Mindbody Workbook," and Fred Amir's "Rapid Recovery from Back and Neck Pain," for a nuts-and-bolts strategy for the self-discovery necessary to conquer TMS. Things can "click" for you. I wish you many "Aha's" and "Eureka's"!
Parvez Fatteh, M.D. |
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n/a
374 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 02:12:36
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Hi Seth
I can only speak for myself, but I still don't know exactly where the pain/fear/anger thing came from. I only know that I have had these tendencies for much of my life. I do know, however, that I am very, very much better since I began treating my symptoms (mostly lower back pain in my case) as TMS.
It took time, though. Like you I felt much stronger right away, but it took some months before my unconscious mind got a handle on what my conscious self understood very quickly.
Another thing that worked for me was that I worked on the anxiety/fear that so often (always?) accompanies TMS as well. Not everyone who posts here would agree that you need to do this, but as I say, it has worked very well for me.
I did this with help from a psychotherapist and I read widely on anxiety conditions. The books that I found most helful were those by Dr Claire Weekes (I think there is a link to those in the resources section of this site) and Rick Carson's 'Taming Your Gremlin'.
Best wishes
Anne |
Edited by - n/a on 12/16/2004 02:14:23 |
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diverlarry
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 06:23:04
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| In MBP Dr Sarno states you do not need to know the exact reason for your symptons. Just being aware of them is enough. If the repressed feelings are in the unconscious and unknown, how can you really know what they are. I think very few people "click" and have everything instantly disappear. Being aware that the symptons are a diversion from repressed emotions worked for me. I don't think i will ever find the exact reason because i think there are many reasons. The time frame for the subconscious accepting the TMS theory is different for everyone. Your brain will fight you in accepting the TMS theory. Its a uneven path to recovery. Don't give up. Keep applying the theory. In my opinion you have the best books(Dr Sarno's). |
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Jim D.
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 07:26:14
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| I agree with diverlarry (and Dr. Sarno). You cannot know exactly what is causing your pain simply because you cannot know what is in the unconscious. The most you can do (it seems to me) is to acknowledge some aspects of your personality or some recent events that might have contributed to the pain, but you will never be certain--that is one of the aspects of the TMS theory that makes it difficult to grasp and to apply. On one occasion I noticed a probable causal relationship between an unpleasant occurrence and neck pain (the person was a real pain-in-the-neck), but for most pain, this does not happen. I wish TMS worked that way, but I don't think it does. In fact, it might be that thinking you must find the exact cause of your pain is another character trait of those with TMS: "I must have perfect knowledge of the workings of my mind." |
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Dr. Fatteh
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 19:39:41
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I'd like to clarify my post lest I mislead anyone. While it is not required that one pinpoint the exact source of their rage, it can quite commonly be necessary for certain TMS sufferers to go that extra step to trace the nature of their emotional baggage. I sensed that you, Seth, were in this other category. And, I have had patients of my own who benefitted greatly by tracing the source of their fear by way of journalling. But, yes, TMS theory does not dictate that this done, as simply letting go of our addiction to MRI results and structural causes can be liberating enough to free us from our pain. Best wishes, all.
Parvez Fatteh, M.D. |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 08:14:47
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Thanks everyone. I have noticed that since starting the Sarno program not only has my headache and knee "pain" (it's not relly pain per se, but for all intents and purposes) gotten a bit worse, but my OCD has as well. I am no longer afraid of this because I understand it's my brain's way of trying to distract me anymore and keeping me "safe". But about 3 days ago I developed soreness in my hamstrings (the kind you get when your muscles are not used to working out for example). Now, I consider myself to be in excellent shape and pride myself in going to the gym on a regular basis. Even though I haven't been in two weeks (end of the semester crunch) I usually do not get sore, except if I do a particularly intense weight lifting regime. But the funny thing is, not only have I not been to the gym, but I have not done anything to my knowledge that would have caused this soreness--all I've been doing is sitting here typing (unfortunately) for weeks. This is TMS right? I mean at least this is what I am telling myself. I even look at it is a good sign, maybe that the TMS is struggling to survive? Who knows...any thoughts? Thanks!
Seth |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 08:54:04
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I would bet the hamstring soreness is TMS.
The worsening of your prior symptoms, combined with the emergence of new symptoms, is actually a good sign. We say that you have TMS "on the run."
Once you start figuring out what is going on, your brain goes into panic mode and tries even harder to distract you, hoping that you will not blow the cover on its undercover operation. Keep up the work! |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 00:41:57
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Congratulations Seth, it sounds like you are experiencing a genuine incident of TMS pain movement  . You are outwitting the gremlin  . You are getting TMS smart and you are showing the little TMS schmuck for the hapless, helpless  sorry little troll that he is. Score a big TMS breakthrough for you! |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2004 : 22:24:09
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Hey all,
I cannot thank you enough for all of the encouragement I have been receiving as a result of posting on this board. My hamstring soreness has since gotten better, although I do feel it slightly. I mentioned this several postings ago, but for the past couple of years, I would get horrible shin splint pains whenever I attempted to run. Being an avid gym enthusiast, I merely switched to non-impact cardio and my problem was solved, although in the back of my mind I missed running. Now even though the shin splints were never a problem aside from when running, they were neither my main symptom of concern either (that would be the headache). But yesterday I decided that I best try to run again using the knowledge I have attained and that it might help my other symptoms by helping the overall TMS situation. So I did it! For fifteen minutes, and I just kept telling my brain what I needed to tell it and even though I did feel the pain a bit, I did it. So I guess I should be celebrating!? Okey Doke that's all for now. Bon nuit.
Seth |
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Vexing Question
