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jambutler
2 Posts |
 Posted - 03/27/2009 : 10:39:27
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Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and so far its been great. I've already benefitted from reading many of the posts. I've been 95% free of back pain since reading HBP in Jan 08. This weekend however, I had a recurrence of back pain that I'm sure is TMS.
I intend to write my story here soon, but first have a more immediate questin.
I've been in bed the last 4 days. Every hour or two I attempt to sit up or stand and walk holding an office chair with wheels. The pain is excruciating and I sometimes end up flopping back down on the bed.
I'm wondering, should I
a. stay in bed and let this acute phase pass? or does this just let the muscles get stiffer and the pain more entrenched?
b push through the pain and get moving again? or is this prolonging the problem by sending the muscled into spasm?
Thanks you for any advice
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iyusaf
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2009 : 13:05:58
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Jambutler,
I feel your pain and it hurts. You say your pain is excruciating which in my book means it is more than you can tolerate at this time. You do not have to beat yourself up. We are all human which means some days and weeks we need to stop and recollect ourselves. In your cases this may mean taking a break from the TMS struggle at a physical and psychological level. I recently used a narcotic pain reliever with good results since it sedated me enough to sleep at night. You mileage may vary.
Pushing through the pain is a very personal thing so only you can decide how long to rest. Will staying in bed make the pain more entrenched? I don't think so. As long as you resume the TMS work when you are ready you should have full recovery.
If you want to do the work now, there are some things you can try. Since getting up and trying to walk around seems to reinforce your "disability", I would get comfortable and focus on the psychological chapters in Sarno's book. I recently discovered Dr. Schubiner's online coursework. Schubiner's material is very effective and complementary to the Sarno books.
The other thing I recommend is ratcheting up the soothing things in your life. Would it be helpful to have someone care for you while you are down? Give your family or friends a call and tell them you need them. Is making food a struggle? Order in if finances allow. Eat some ice cream. Make love. Watch a movie. You know what you find to be soothing. Tilt the scales the other way.
Finally, think of the how you beat the back pain in Jan 08 by reading HBP. That is a powerful experience!
Feel better soon. |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2009 : 20:02:02
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I had a similar episode in July of 2007. Bending over my desk, a spasm hit me so hard it dropped me to my knees. Somehow I relaxed, got myself ready for bed and went to sleep. It was late anyway.
4:00 AM I wake up writhing in pain so bad it causes me to break into a sweat. It continued for a solid few minutes. Somehow it stopped and I find a comfortable position and somehow get back to sleep.
In the morning, I stare at the ceiling afraid to move, let alone get out of bed. But I have to pee, so I work up the courage.
Half way out of the bed, the spasm hits again. Dropping me to my knees again. Clutching the bed, my wife walks in - sees my face and asks what she can do. If you've been there - you know you don't want anyone to touch you, let along try to help. LOL Somehow I find my way onto the hardwood floor and get flat on my back with my knees up.
There I stayed for the next 14 hours. Peeing into a plastic container, answering work calls and using the laptop on my stomach. Every time I tried to move - another wave of spasms. Thank god I had an exercise mat and we were able to somehow get it under me. Even so, that was one damned hard floor.
I ran my own business at the time and my assistant was on vacation that week. My wife offered to stay home to help. I told her to go to work since having her stare at me all day wouldn't help.
My amazing 12 year old son brought food to me and emptied out my piss container. LOL
It was 10:30 that night before I was able to get off that floor and into bed.
It was another 24 hours before I could get out of bed.
It was 3 days before I could hobble around without firing off new spasms.
9 days after the 14 hours stuck on the floor, I played golf, carrying my bag and walking all 18 holes. My wife thought I was crazy.
Me, I did it to prove I wasn't broken physically. I knew it was TMS.
Give this acute episode time to settle down. Work on the TMS stuff as you lay in bed. Review they "WHY" of the pain episode.
Let your body tell you when you can get moving again. Yes, you'll have to conquer fear and push yourself a little bit. But push to soon and you just reinforce the fear and expectations even more.
Hang tough, do the TMS work and you'll get through it.
Dan |
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2009 : 14:04:42
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I say get out of bed and get moving. TMS aside, research shows that people do better with early mobility in acute back pain, rather than the weeks of bed rest that were previously thought to be beneficial.
Naturally, you should consult with your personal physician before making any medical decisions. |
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jambutler
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2009 : 19:23:32
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Thanks for all of your thoughtful and helpful responses.
Webdan,
Wow, I've had a similar experience so far.
Last Sun – Wed, I was in bed almost all the time. Like you I used a bottle to pee in.
Thurs, Fri – I could get up and push an office chair to get around the second floor of the house.
Sat – Today, I can get up and get around without the chair, go downstairs, go for short walks. Standing and sitting for more than a few minutes gets painful.
I worked from 9:30 to noon today in a recliner. It was very painful, but for some reason, I pushed myself to make it until noon.
The I rest of today, worked in bed with the laptop on my stomach.
I never knew spasms could be so painful. At one point, I sat in a chair and a spasm hit, I don't remember thinking about it, but just dove off the chair onto the floor knocking over the chair and a side table, scared my wife, but no damage done.
iyusaf,
I did take some oxycodone (percoset) that I had left over from a few years back. It helped with the pain, but even more with the mood. After a couple of days taking it, I cut down and then stopped it. It may sound strange, but it scares me how well it works to improve my mood. Along with the tms problem I had and am having now, I've also had alot of anxiety and depression which I think were initially brought on by the back pain and lack of any progress to improve it (before reading about tms) Now it seems to have a life of its own. The anxiety especially sometimes 'trades off' with the pain. I can actually notice it as it is happening. Anyway, other than klonopin, none of the many psych drugs I've been on made any difference to my mood or pain. The oxycodone has been an exception, it helps my mood, but I've read and heard that it will lead to tolerance, addiction and withdrawal, so have kept it to a minimum.
I will try to do more soothing things as you suggest. Thats not one of my strong points. And look into the Schubiner material.
drziggles,
Agreed
I've tried to strike a balance and have managed to get out, play with my daughter, have dinner with some relatives. But also spending a good amount of time laying down. I'm not doing much consulting with my personal physician this time around. I've been through ice, heat, alternate ice and heat, physical therapy, 'back school', x-rays, mri's, cat scans, etc... I felt like a full time patient. Maybe I should look for a new physician.
Thanks again,
Jim |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2009 : 05:50:00
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quote:
It may sound strange, but it scares me how well it works to improve my mood.
I know what you mean - the thought of being dependent on a drug is scary.
quote:
Maybe I should look for a new physician.
Preferably a TMS one if you can find one (although it's always worth mentioning TMS to your current one, some will accept that the pain can have psychological causes).
Hilary N |
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spasm
