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zhimbus
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 03/04/2009 : 00:05:33
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I've just started working with a neurologist to rule out any serious problems before pursuing TMS. The doctor mentioned the possibility of getting physical therapy and taking anti-inflammatory drugs based on results of x-rays.
I'm wondering how many of you have pursued PT and drugs. If you come to the conclusion that your symptoms are caused by TMS, then wouldn't is be counter-productive to take drugs and get physical therapy, since doing those things would reinforce the belief that something is wrong with you?
I'd appreciate hearing how all of you have dealt with this.
Jane |
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positivevibes
204 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2009 : 00:56:05
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Yes you are correct, Jane.
The anti-inflammatories or pain killers can help you deal with the pain to help you think more clearly or relax (as long as they're not narcotic or don't put you to sleep, that is! :-)
Dr. Sarno believes in taking only pain killers, because he says that nothing is really inflamed. But everyone is different. I think that some people on this board take anti-inflammatories, because they do have pain killing properties. I think the eventual goal is to not need any pain killers or anti-inflammatories, because you will not have any (or much) pain anymore.
If you're truly on board with the TMS diagnosis, you are not supposed to pursue any physical treatments, including physical therapy. If you feel that you need to have physical therapy, it will be counter-productive and only reinforce the belief that your problem is structural/physical instead of being caused by your thoughts and emotions.
If you have doubts and want to go to physical therapy, then go. See if it helps. If it doesn't, and if you have read the books and believe that TMS is your problem, then you know that it is probably TMS and nothing else.
You have to remember that most MD's tell their patients the same thing...conservative treatment is considered PT/chiropractic and drugs. The mindbody connection never occurs to them, and if they know about it they often dismiss it. They are in the business of diagnosing structural problems via MRIs, CT scans, and such. So of course they're going to look at some film and tell you that you have this and that wrong with you based on the film. That's what they do all day long. The thinking on TMS is that things like disc bulges, stenosis, etc are NOT the cause of most pain. But the MD's are in the business of looking at the films and finding some reason on the film for your pain.
It's good that you're seeing a neurologist. As long as your doctor doesn't think you have serious nerve damage or serious problems with your reflexes, and doesn't see tumors or fractures on your films, then you know that your condition might very well be TMS, if you have read the TMS books and feel that you fit the profile.
I've waffled a lot over the past year but just today decided to re-commit myself 110% to the TMS diagnosis, because PT has not been helping me, and it seems that every time I pursue a physical treatment, my pain gets worse or my symptoms just shift and change but never totally go away.
Like you, I saw a neurologist to rule out nerve damage. Knowing that my sciatic nerve is just irritated set my mind at ease and clears the way for me to totally commit to the TMS diagnosis.
Just be careful when talking to the MD's. They may mean well, but often label your condition, and then you walk around thinking, "Oh no, I have blah blah wrong with me." This only tends to make the pain worse. Remember that Dr. Sarno advises to "think psychological, not physical." |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2009 : 09:26:17
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quote:
Originally posted by zhimbus
If you come to the conclusion that your symptoms are caused by TMS, then wouldn't is be counter-productive to take drugs and get physical therapy, since doing those things would reinforce the belief that something is wrong with you?
Jane
Yes. PHYSICAL therapy is strictly physical. Personally I did not care for the exercises the guy had me doing, though I did like the electric gizmo he put on my butt where the pain was. The pain never went away completely so I knew it wasn't the answer for me.
Got vicodin for my pain but it really didn't help after the first one. When I got writing and ridding myself of emotions, the pain subsided and then was gone. I ditched the pills.
Best wishes Jane. Hope you write your own success story sometime!
-Lori |
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LuvtoSew
USA
327 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2009 : 12:31:16
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I take muscle relaxers but not anti-inflammatories, and sometimes ultran. It isn't curing the problem but can make it more tolerable at times. PT just has never helped me for some reason, altho I do believe ultrasound can be good for an acute injury.
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PT, drugs and TMS
