| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Thizznick
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - 06/12/2009 : 10:57:55
|
Hello,
About two months ago I awoke to find both of my hands had gone numb and tingly. When I used the computer I would have shooting sensations from my hands to my shoulders. Shortly after that I developed a very strong neural pain in my upper back. About three weeks into my symptons I performed some strecthes and somehow tore a muscle in my upper shoulder. What terrible luck, I thought. Since then I've experienced pain in my feet and it appears I have tendonitis (tennis elbow, flexor tendonitis, shoulder tendonitis) all over both arms. My docotor said it was an RSI but if all this is the result of overuse, why did it flare up so suddenly and why hasn't it gone away after two months of inactivity? I read Sarno's Healing Back Pain and want to accept the TMS diagnosis. However, I can't compel myself intellectually to believe in TMS, the Freudian unconcious or the primacy of emotions in different pain syndromes. Perhaps I need some convincing.
Brief background: I am 25, male, and unemployed. I lost my job in December and had to move back in with my parents. I also have to admit that for the past year I've experienced bouts of terrible insomnia, conciouss blinking (where I am fixated on every blink I make), and compulsions to make lists sometimes up to two hours a day.I was studying for the LSAT intensely when all this developed and have been pushing myself very hard to get into a top 20 law school. Does it sound like I could have TMS? Are there any other diseases I should rule out? How do I "think psychologically" anyway? I need to get back to studying for the LSAT, typing full time, going out and meeting people, etc. This is all very annoying.
David |
|
|
scd1833
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 11:21:37
|
Hi
read dannord's story, you'll learn a lot about tms and how quickly you can recover.
IMO you're a textbook case of TMS, everything you mentioned is a TMS equivalent. keep reading the sarno book, keep a tms journal, do the things people here talk about.
you're lucky, you're still young, I dealt with these issues for 20+ years before I finally saw Dr. Sarno on TV:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6660313127569317147
you ask a lot of the right questions, you just need to "get it" on a deeper level maybe.
best,
S
|
 |
|
|
sarita
130 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 14:10:52
|
living with my parents at age 28, i developed tms-rsi.
in my opinion people make such a huge deal about the link sarno-freud. he himself says he achieves the greatest success by educating his patients, explaining to them the mind body connection, understanding that there are underlying, emotional factors, not really uncovering all of them. |
|
|
|
mk6283
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 14:36:35
|
Clearly, you have TMS. I have yet to meet anyone diagnosed with RSI in whom I didn't strongly suspect TMS.
Max Weinberg, drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, developed RSI in his wrists and had 7 (unnecessary) surgeries. The Boss might be the biggest perfectionist in rock history and I am certain that his frequent criticism of Weinberg probably played a role in the development of his symptoms. Weinberg felt something missing in his life after Springsteen dissolved the band in the late 80's and so he also decided to enter law school at that time. Another TMS poster child, in my opinion.
Anyway, get to work! Good luck.
Best,
MK |
Edited by - mk6283 on 06/12/2009 14:38:57 |
|
|
|
sarita
130 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 15:48:47
|
i am a musician, we are very prone to overuse as well. with me, i was having minor issues that would not go away and then, when i fell in the hands of some idiot doctor who scared the hell out of me (this is serious, we need an mri, emg, inflamation, gave me boxes of celebrex which didnt help AT ALL) the pain in both arms became acute, JUST as you describe it, same, and also in the neck. i know what you mean with neural pain.
this "doctor" was talking about possible hernias without ever seeing an MRI of mine (both mri and emg were normal).
ok getting off the subject: my arms were hard. and yes it can go to the feet. thats more proof that it originates in your brain, not in the cause overuse. you are right in suspecting the acute beginning. it does sound like classic tms to me...
i must say one more thing: i am ANXIETY FREE since i have my upper back pain. its unreal!! and i am NOT talking mild anxiety. i had to take ssri, xanax, was unable to function. i suspected such a thing as symptom imperative existed, and then i FOUND it in sarnos books... this is meant as a hint at your insomnia and blinking.
you have plenty to think about.
if you feel better with it, get a neck mri, dont know, ask your doctor to rule out some stuff and then commit to TMS. Its the only sane approach for those things. a friend of mine , a pianist, has struggled with arm pain (both arms) for 4 years. i gave him the mindbody prescription, useless. he has spent thousands and thousands of dollars in treatment. he is into light therapy now, 150 usd a session. 
i have been thinking a lot about the RSI TMS connection. i think overuse happens, but it will be chronic on those who have emotional/mental issues going on...i feel pretty sure about this. that part of us needs to be adressed. and there is a HUGE factor sarno mentions, its in vogue. musicians 60 and older have said to me "this really didnt exist when we were your age, not nearly to the extent it exists today"...makes you think... nowadays there are clinics just for RSI. |
Edited by - sarita on 06/12/2009 15:59:29 |
|
|
|
Thizznick
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 16:53:20
|
Going to give it my best. I think I should really relax, try to be happy and move on with my life. This has consumed for the past two months. I can't stop obsessing about it. I'm still really scared to type because the doctor told me that i could potentially set myself back permanently if i don't rest my hands. I think its only rational to be scared of losing my hands. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for your encouragement.
David
David |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
New to this--wondering if it's TMS
