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theohiostateq
USA
43 Posts |
 Posted - 06/18/2010 : 12:17:44
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I'm a 58 year old ultramarathoner who has been dealing with R leg numbness for the last three years. I ran a marathon in Phoenix, AZ in January of 2007, and two weeks later, I had numbness down the side of my R leg, and in the outer aspect of my R foot. I went to a physican, who, after noting my inability to stand on my R toes- and the location of the numbness- diagnosed me as having an L5/S1 disk herniation. This was later "confirmed" by MRI. The lower back pain that I had at that time eventually went away, but the numbness remains to this day.
I have been a believer of TMS for years, but it's been hard to accept it when the numbness won't go away. I'm currently dealing with some sciatic-like pain going from by R glute into my R calf, but it's getting better, and I'm thinking that it's TMS. Historically, I've always felt that I could get rid of any "injury" when I got to the point where I didn't care if it stayed or left. The effectiveness of this attitude is very consistent with TMS.
I'm well aware that there are many people out there with L5/S1 herniations that are asymptomatic, and I'll add that I am not particularly worried about this herniation. It still may be causing the numbness, though. Not everything is TMS, right?
Still, I'm more inclined to believe that TMS is the culprit, and I'm trying to fully accept that idea.
Are there others out there who have had long periods of numbness that did or did not resolve? |
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alexis
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 20:48:01
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Not everything is TMS. I had a dog with a herniated disc problem that would have left her paralyzed if it went any further - it was so diffused they had to peel it off the surrounding blood vessels. That dog did not have TMS.
And just because most back pain is TMS, or otherwise psychologically related, doesn't mean it all is. There's probably no way you can know for sure...and I think coming to terms with that lack of certainty is the real defeat of TMS. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
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forestfortrees
393 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 10:04:40
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quote:
Originally posted by alexis
And just because most back pain is TMS, or otherwise psychologically related, doesn't mean it all is. There's probably no way you can know for sure...and I think coming to terms with that lack of certainty is the real defeat of TMS.
Wow, what you said about 'coming to terms with the lack of certainty being the true defeat of TMS' - what a beautiful sentiment. That really rings true for me.
Forest (My story at tmswiki.org) |
Edited by - forestfortrees on 06/19/2010 10:11:45 |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 08:01:14
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| Yes, you can have long periods of leg and foot numbness that is not structurally based despite MRI readings...I have had over twenty years of left leg and foot numbness plus periodic pain (sometimes strong and sometimes light)- plus other odd sensations in the leg...Three ruptured discs were documented per MRI...Five surgeries were undergone but to no avail - with the last one being about 7 years ago....90% better over the last three years - after got serious about Sarno/TMS. |
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theohiostateq
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 13:06:27
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Thanks for all the responses. I'm continuing with reading and listening to John Sarno's CD's. Marc Sopher has been particularly helpful, too.
Does anyone know of any TMS docs anywhere near Columbus, Ohio?
Thanks. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 18:42:26
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quote:
Originally posted by theohiostateq
Does anyone know of any TMS docs anywhere near Columbus, Ohio?
Thanks.
Peter Zafirides, MD (Physician)
Dr. Peter Zafirides is a psychiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. He is President and Co-Founder of Central Ohio Behavioral Medicine (COBM). Established in 1997, COBM is a premier behavioral healthcare practice with a multidisciplinary staff of MD, NP, RN, PhD, LISW, and LPCC clinicians. Dr Zafirides is also Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University. Dr. Zafirides' specific interest is in the psychiatric aspects of chronic pain management. He been published in this area of Psychiatry. Dr. Zafirides continues to be an active speaker on Psychiatric Aspects of Chronic Pain, speaking both nationally and internationally on this subject. Dr. Zafirides has incorporated core TMS principles along with his orientation in existential psychotherapy as part of his psychiatric practice for the last 10 years. Several years ago, Dr Zafirides was fortunate enough to have spent time in New York personally learning from Dr. Sarno.
5025 Arlington Centre Boulevard, #500
Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 538-8300
(614) 538-1656 (fax)
zafshrink@yahoo.com
Insurance Accepted: Ohio State University Health Plan, Ohio Health Care
John Nadas, MD (Physician)
Canton, Ohio
(330) 489-1495
john@nadasweb.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Medicaid, Medicare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Sierra, Wellpoint
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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aokay
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 11:23:42
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About 5 years ago I fell and my neck snapped backwards. About a week later my pinkies and ring fingers on both hands began to tingle and feel numb. The orthopedic neck specialist I consulted ordered an MRI which revealed spinal stenosis of the neck and I was told to learn to live with it and come back if I started to lose bowel or bladder control. Nice.
After considerable work with the Sarno technique (reading and re-reading all Sarno books, Marc Sopher's book, Fred Amir's book, Scott Brady's book, David Schechter's workbook, and journaling)the numbness and tingling went completely away after about 8 months and has not returned. I assume that if I had another MRI today, the spinal stenosis would still be there, so, apparently, that was not the cause of my symptoms.
Count me as a big TMS believer. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 11:50:23
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quote:
Originally posted by aokay
...The orthopedic neck specialist I consulted ordered an MRI which revealed spinal stenosis of the neck and I was told to learn to live with it and come back if I started to lose bowel or bladder control. Nice.
...I assume that if I had another MRI today, the spinal stenosis would still be there, so, apparently, that was not the cause of my symptoms.
Count me as a big TMS believer.
Good going AOKAY! The "spinal stenosis" DX would be what Sarno would probably term "gray hair of the spine", a normal skeletal anomaly. The ortho had to dx you with something structural to hang his white coat on, TMS doesn't show up on imaging very well.
That's a nice nocebo effect he was laying on you with the "loss of bladder and bowel control" parting shot.
Cheers
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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theohiostateq
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2010 : 10:35:33
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Here's an update:
After several months of back and sciatic pain, I am pain free. The long lay-offs from running made me feel like a neophyte when I laced up the shoes again. It was a struggle to run more than three miles.
Just in this past week I ran six miles two days in a row. Not quite as fast yet, but it's coming.
The numbness through my R leg and foot has not changed. Sometimes I feel like that R leg is just along for the ride- especially when I'm trying to run up a hill. I do get frustrated that that numbness won't go away, but it is what it is.
One thing that stays on my mind: If I could more fully believe that TMS was causing that problem, then maybe the damn thing would go away.
No, I haven't seen a TMS doctor. There is a psychiatrist who is a believer that works here in town, but I was hoping to go a different route. Not sure yet how I'll proceed.
It would be very significant- especially to me- if this numbness would go away after 3 1/2 years.
I have definitely not given up.
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Extended period of numbness
