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heelsdown
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2010 : 21:30:58
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So, I posted before about the screws in my ankles to prevent overpronation and them causing pain, and not knowing if it is TMS or real. And possibly getting them removed.
Now I am obsessing. I think I have convinced myself that I want them removed. But is this just tms talking?
Here are my thoughts:
1. This surgery was not necessary b/c overpronation does not cause pain. It was TMS all along.
2. I now have continued pain in surgery area. Not all the time. Only with certain movements. The screws have to be removed in 5% of patients due to pain.
3. I am not sure if this pain is TMS or real. But I know I would have been fine without them. And now I am worried about them, A LOT. I am angry that I had the surgery (didnt know about tms then). I keep obsessing about problems they cause causing me, and problems they might cause me in the future.
So... I guess the obsessing about problems/wanting them removed is kind of tms-ish thinking. ie- repeated internet searches, consuming my daily thoughts, anxiety provoking.
BUT, the pain from them is not really causing me to limit activites. the pain is not affecting me the way tms pain does. but the thoughts are?
Any suggestions? Should I continue thinking about getting them removed, even though I feel like I am totally obsessing about it? Help.
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Forfeet
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 13:36:07
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Heels,
Is there any way you can put a mental moratorium on thinking about removing the screws? In other words, can you somehow tell yourself that you won't worry about them for a year and then give yourself permission to think about it again? Focus on just doing what you like/want/need to do. Observe what happens without obsessing.
When I was working on some school papers with a critical deadline earlier this year and was debating on how I was going to deal with my feet issues (doctors, attorneys, etc.) I just made the decision that I was going to put all of that off (quit worrying about it completely) until the papers were done and I graduated school. Interestingly, most of the pain virtually went away. It became more noticeable after everything was done and I started thinking about what to do about it again? Hope this make sense and gives you food for thought. |
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heelsdown
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 20:45:13
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hmmm, thanks forfeet!
You are very right. That is what I SHOULD do. Stop thinking about it for now. Because the thing is, I DO feel like I have a deadline. If I get them removed, I want to do it SOON so that I am good to go by summer time... b/c that is when I work most. And I NEED to be working this summer. So I think that is part of why I am obsessing.
The smart thing would really be to stop thinking about it. Wait for like a year. And then see how it is. I can get them removed then and it will be no harder than getting them removed now. I think the thing is, I kind of feel like if I get them removed now, then I will finally be "fixed" and can go on with my life. I don't want to put that off. But the whole being "fixed" and finally living life thing is ridiculous and what I've been telling myself my whole life. Starting with my eating disorder, loosing weight, etc. It was always "if so and so would just happen (lose weight, be the best at a certain skill, get rid of pain) then I can finally start my life." I recognize getting these screws out as just another part of that pattern. And funny thing is, I didn't even once think about getting them out until I realized that they were not necessary in the first place. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 17:04:43
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No one's tired of hearing from you, not even close. Nobody asked more questions than I when I started. I still ask my share.
I've recommended giving consideration to removing those, but it's not a snap decision. In the meanwhile, as Forfeet advised, better not to obsess. Give yourself 6 months, a year, see how you're doing while assuming your pain, including pain from the screws, is benign. It's a good operating assumption and should serve you well unless and until you find evidence to believe otherwise.
As always, just my unqualified, inexpert opinion |
Edited by - art on 11/12/2010 17:05:12 |
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