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avik
128 Posts |
 Posted - 11/08/2010 : 17:27:38
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Quick backgorund on me: accepted the TMS diagnosis about 2 months ago after falling into a horrible pattern of pain, that was labeled as fibromylagia (after 10 years of a variety of chronic pains). Through intense writing, reading, audiotapes and now therapy, I have eliminated 80% of my pains.
These include: horrible paresthesia, leg pains, CFS, earaches, TMJ, tendonitis, tooth pain and some others.
For some reason, the one thing I cannot seem to get any relief from is my persistent neck and middle back pain. Almost two years ago I "injured" myself while stretching and had a minor disc herniation and bulging in c5 and c6. I went through extensive PT and had two epidurals but the pain always seems to return. I seem to keep "re-injuring" it, whteher in the gym or through some quick movement while sleeping.
My pain is located at the base of the neck on the left hand side and, there is referral pain in my middle back, in the paraspinal. The pain is super sharp, gets worse with working out and activity and is the bain of my existence. If I move to quickly and/or do too much moevment when its very painful, this will bring on a spasm and then im &%$#$ed for a week.
So, some questions for you:
1) Is it even possible to have chronic pain for two straight years from such a benign injury? Wouldnt the body have healed this already?
2) Why is exercise making it worse if its TMS?
3) Should I NOT be stretching and/or using traction for this? What to do in the interim for the pain?
4) Im doing everything possible including therapy. What else should/could i be doing? Ive tried to physically just forget about it too but what do you do when moving to much hurts too much?
the MRI two years ago showed minimal damage; im thiking maybe I did more damage since then and need another mri?
I know theres alot of questions here but anything you can share along with a specific description of your pain would be most helpful.
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Back2-It
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 19:11:37
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Since nobody has answered I'll offer an opinion.
One, you said your injury was while stretching. In Sarno's books and with a little thought on what stretching really is and does, it might be worthwhile to question if this action served as any basis for an injury.
I fell backward out of a van and felt no pain for months, then when I was under extreme pressure, some vague symptoms developed. Then I stressed to a level 10 and more symptoms developed, including persistent pain around my chest, a band of pressure around my chest and a sensitivity to clothing on my chest. Also, my back felt like it was on fire, as was my chest and there felt as if there were a hand gripping my upper spine.
An MRI showed a large protrusion T-7/8. Want to see the blank stares when doctors are asked about that? I did. Scared me even more than not knowing what was wrong with me. And nobody understands mid-back problems, so relatives, friends eventually dismissed me. Over the months I guarded my movements and still do.
I am working now under the assumption that I have TMS/Anxiety symptoms, what-have-you. I am trying to reverse all the physical tensing I have been doing to try to avoid pain.
The chiro I visited all along said he just cannot believe my pain/discomfort, which wraps around my abdomen is still from the disc.
Your questions:
1. Chronic pain? See above. The body does heal, so is the chronic pain from your discs? You have to decide for yourself. No doctor can really tell you for sure. That's a fact.
2. Exercise can move muscles you may be guarding, which will cause muscle tightness and even spasm.
3. Other people and doctors have said in relation to TMS that it is ok to relive the pain short term, but to address the real reason for the pain. Sarno says somewhere that traction is not consistent with TMS nor does any good.
4. I am new to TMS and its thinking, yet in the last two weeks or so I have just gotten out there and done things I have put off, moved and accepted the pain. Yes, it hurts, but it won't KILL me.
Finally, I know I have to address some big issues in my life. Issues that will effect other people besides myself. I was obsessing on these issues when the trouble started. Anxiety plays a big role in this, I am really beginning to believe. TMS could be an anxiety manifestation causing real physical reaction and symptoms. An important question might be: what's really bothering you?
Another MRI will just show you back which may or may not have more discs doing this or that.
Maybe a real back pro will sign on and answer who has been more closely down your road.
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Darko
Australia
387 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 23:07:28
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Avik,
I'm hardly a back pro but I can offer you some advice based on my experience....and I've had a bit of it now. I have in the past had pain that seems very real. In fact when things get bad laying on the floor is too painful, doing certain stretches just kills me. You have to be careful not to box yourself in. There is what Sarno talks about and then there is the anxiety/stress related part of it. They appear to be the same at first glance but there is a slight difference.
What happens to me is that my brain starts to talk trash to me and I'll get uptight....but not always consciously. My nervous system becomes over stimulated and my muscles start to tighten up while asleep, and parts of my back really hurt when I bend in certain ways...or stretch. Sciatica is very similar to what your have going on. It's nerve pain and it just kills no matter what your do....especially when stretching !
you have 2 options. freak out about the pain and suffer with it OR take some pain killers and put it in the TMS basket. Does it ease when you get less stressed?
Basically I don't think you have anything to worry about.....but your mind will do it anyway so find a way to ease it. Don't take my word for it, read this study that proves MRI are crap and not worth the time
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100313115328.htm
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2010 : 19:06:24
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Whats amazing to me is that ive gotten rid of the real life-altering problmes but cant seem to overcome this annoying neck problem.
Im just not sure if im suppossed to be telling myself constantly that its a diversion or, ignoring and trying to just move on with my life?
Truth is its not really stopping me from doing much (other than weight lifting) but its definitely a nuisance and the fear of pushing it and it going to the next level is definitely on my mind.
It feels like my spine is just weak...cant remember what it feels like to be "strong". |
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Need some help from the back/neck veterans:
