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JODDY47
USA
4 Posts |
 Posted - 01/15/2011 : 15:40:24
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| I have read a lot of posts on this forum about how some people have cured or reduced the severity of their Levator Spasms(Levator Ani Syndrome) by using Dr Sarno's method. I would like to give Dr. Sarno's method a try before I try anything else.Which one of his books should I read first? I have suffered with this terrible condition for 19 years.I am disabled because of these spams. I have to lay on my back all the time to get any relief.When I get up and walk it makes the spasms worse.Any help will be appreciated. |
Edited by - JODDY47 on 01/15/2011 21:40:53 |
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maccafan
130 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 13:31:19
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This is a hard topic to discuss because it is about a very personal place on the body. But I'm going to. For anyone who has never suffered from this condition you can't understand how painful and miscerable it is.
First of all JODDY47, I suggest you read Healing Back Pain, then The Mindbody Prescription (these are two short paperback books) and then The Divided Mind (a hardback book with contributing medical authors). This is because if you've never read any of his books before you need a good overall understanding of this information. Although there is no mention of this specific condition the concept is definitely there.
Here is a short version of my rectum pain story. Around 2007 I started to feel this pain and thought it was because of the hemmorrhoid I was diagnosed with years earlier. As it worsend I started researching hemmorrhoid info. I became obsessed with trying to figure this out by myself because I didn't want to go to a doctor. The pain confused me though because it didn't seem to be coming exactly from where a hemmorrhoid would be. Just a little above and to the left. I couldn't sit to drive my car, it burned, it felt like sitting on a knife, I couldn't lean against anything, the pressure was awful, and I stayed pretty constipated but there was no bleeding like you'd think this would cause. I thought I had the mother of all hemmorrhoids.
Finally I started researching which doctor to go to. I found one in a near by town that was an actual protologist. So off I went. Here's what happened.
He took a look with a proctoscope and said that I had several mild to moderate hemmorrhoids but that I was healthier than I thought I was otherwise. Then he said that he could see that my levator muscle was in hard spasm and blocking me up. I said my what? A muscle spasm?! What can I do for it I asked. He said basically nothing and they don't know what causes it.
By the time that I got to my car it hit me...muscle spasm! I heard the Rocky theme and I jumped around in the parking lot like Rocky not caring what people thought. Muscle spasm is the first basic concept of Dr. Sarno's info. It still hurt to drive the 45 miles home but I was determined to ignore it and it did start to lessen some. Within several weeks of the psychological work the pain was about gone. I kept working on my mind and all that I had learned and after a couple of months it was entirely gone.
Having read all of his books helped me to reinforce my conscious will over my unconscious mind even tho like I said this condition is not specifically mentioned. Maybe some people could have done it with reading one book. But anyway...
I suffered with this condition for about 2 years. I can't imagine having it for 19 years!
I hope what I've said to you helps you. Get as comfortable as you can, open your mind and start reading. Your questions will be answered.
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holms
2 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2011 : 13:03:29
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2011 : 10:04:28
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| I've had this now for 14+ years and it is as bad as ever. :( You name it, I've done it for this condition. It feels like a tennis ball up my rectum with spasm, burning and constant tightness. Kills sex drive and also seems to cause me hemorrhoids now. It's a nightmare. |
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JODDY47
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 20:49:19
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| Paul, I call my problem,"The Golf Ball Syndrome",because it feels like a golf ball is stuck in my rectum. I don't have any burning in the rectum or constipation problems,just a lot of tightness in the rectum.I have tried different medications,EGS(Electrogalvanic Stimulation),and I have seen two Physical Therapists.The last PT I seen said I could have PNE(Pudendal Nerve Entrapment). I done a google search and came across a forum called Tipna.A lot of people on this forum have the same symptoms as I do.According to some of the posts on this forum,the Pudendal Nerve runs down each side of the buttocks and then branches off to the levator muscles,scortum,and penis.When these nerves are inflamed or pinched, it causes the levator muscles to go into a spasm and causes tightness in the rectum(aka golf ball feeling)Most of the people on this forum are like me,they have tried everything. Some have had Pne surgery to correct this condition.The people who have had this surgery say they are 50%-60% better,one year after the surgery.About 30% say there was no change in their condition.I don't really like the idea of being cut on, but I don't like the idea of living with this condition for the rest of my life. |
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JODDY47
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 12:38:29
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| Paul, Have you tried Dr.Sarno's method yet? |
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 16:53:57
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Trust me, it is very rare that it would be Pudendal nerve stuff. I've been down that road. Had pudendal injections, Pudendal nerve tests, etc.etc.
I have not followed the TMS route 100%. With the pain for so bad, for so long, I'm having a hard time getting to truly believe that, A. Something that hurts this bad, can be subconsciously caused and B. That doing the mental work can actually make things which have been so tight, so bound up, and so irritated simply revers in my rectum.
But with that being said, nothing else has worked for this. I've seen the best physical therapists for pelvic pain, neurologists, you name it. All of course, have their own theories, but none of them seem to stick for a cure.
So, here I am again, and I think I have no other choice but to start doing the Sarno work full fledge. Maccafan has been a HUGE help and motivation as well! |
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Carolyn
184 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2011 : 21:20:23
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Was just checking in and saw this thread.
Joddy- I had an awful case of Levator Ani Syndrome and many other diagnosis down there and I did beat it 100% once I really realized that Sarno was right. You can read my story if you go back through the archives. I am happy to report that it has not come back- or rather that as soon as I get a twinge, I immediately know what it is and it instantly dissappears. Every time that happess, it just strengthens my absolute certainty that it is psychological so it rarely even happens momentarily anymore. You can beat this! I had to learn it the hard way and exhaust every physical treatment first but Sarno is right and the cure is so very simple.
Paul- I'm so sorry to hear you are still fighting this. Not to sound like a broken record but I can still see why in your posts
I have not followed the TMS route 100%. With the pain for so bad, for so long, I'm having a hard time getting to truly believe that, A. Something that hurts this bad, can be subconsciously caused and B. That doing the mental work can actually make things which have been so tight, so bound up, and so irritated simply revers in my rectum.
It's not so hard to believe- I'm telling you that was my exact experience- something that hurt that incredibly badly for so long was subconsciously caused and I CURED it by doing the mental work. There was no permanent damage in my rectum and it did just relax itself away and go back to normal once I didn't allow it to distract me from my emotional pain. You have heard everyone say that it really does have to be a 100% commitment or don't bother. You are always giving your subconscious an out!!! And it will take it every time and keep you focussed on the physical. I am cured of physical TMS pain- really it is something I only occassionally even think about and doesn't influence my life at all but the flip side is that I definitely do have emotional pain that is much closer to the surface than it was when I was in physical pain. And emotional pain is very yucky too no doubt about that and I am actually quite aware of the desire to stuff it away and not face it- which makes me understand TMS all the more. But even though I occassionally think it is, the emotional pain is not as bad as the physical pain and it is more transient- so I just have to ride it out. The more often you let yourself feel the emotional pain, the less scary it becomes. I've been seeing a therapist for a while now. It is very slow and steady- just working out some understanding of my childhood which I think has been incredibly useful in letting go of some of the pain that I never even knew was there. I don't know if you've tried that yet- it's definitely not the quick fix but I see it more as making sure the cure remains permanent. Sarno's method is the fastest way to relief but you have to commit to it 100% and there must be something holding you back from that for all this time.
Carolyn |
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 06:56:50
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Carolyn, I really appreciate your post here. I know I still struggle and I'm the one to blame. I appreciate your swift kick in the butt on this. You are always an inspiration to me.
This past year I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in the bottom two vertebrae in my spine. And of course, they told me this could most likely be the cause of the rectal pain, spasms, etc. due to nerves. But I just don't know if that is necessarily true. It could be, but then again, as Sarno has pointed out...it may not be. There is a fine line there.
Did anyone else in this thread, including you Carolyn, have any signs or diagnosis of disc degeneration in your lower spine? |
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Back2-It
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 07:12:20
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Paul...
quote:
Did anyone else in this thread, including you Carolyn, have any signs or diagnosis of disc degeneration in your lower spine?
I'm sorry for your problems, Paul. I do know from reading HBP and MBP that lower back disc degeneration is common in many people, including those who don't have your malady. Sarno's thought is that if nerves were being "pressed" or squeezed or compromised in some way that they would eventually be numb.
My back, side and abdomen problems have been blamed on "pinched" nerves. The thing that is perplexing to me is that the herniation (mid-back) is to the left and the symptoms have always been to the right.
I also from time to time get a feeling a a lump "up there". There is no reason for it. The only thing I can harken it back to was a Pilnidal cyst, which was lanced by never removed surgically. Unlike my present condition I did really ever focus on it and it comes and it goes. It feels like I'm sitting on last night's Meatball sandwich. |
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Carolyn
184 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 15:17:19
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Paul,
You're not "to blame" but there must be some reason you just can't let the pain go. I don't think you've ever just decided to treat it 100% as a psychological issue.
I was never diagnosed with disk problems but I never had an MRI -thankfully- or I might have found out I had degeneration and not been able to get better. I would actively avoid tests now because I have had so many doctors give me explanations for my symptoms over the years that only served to feed my pain and cause me to submit to surgeries and countless therapies. I wish I knew then what I know now which is why I keep trying to refocus you. Once you start to pay attention to all the little inconsistancies in your symptoms- you will find such strange things happening with your symptoms as they start to move around just like everyone on this board describes it that you will know that Sarno is right. And once you KNOW, you will always know and then you will see examples of mind body symptoms everywhere in yourself and in others.
Carolyn |
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 15:54:48
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Thanks again Carolyn. I know it is taking me a while to get to 100% belief in this, but I'm getting there. I think some can do it quickly, others like myself, take some time for it to sink in and "click".
I'm going to dive back into the Sarno books, and start to really work on not fearing the pain, and working on emotions, etc. |
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ZachWaldman
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 21:51:04
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My story is almost identical to maccafan's.
I have never been in more pain in my life and for the last month I've barely been able to do anything. All I want to do is run back to a warm bath because that's the only thing that gets rid of the pain.
I told my sister I suspected it was TMS and she reminded me of something that made sense:
My mom died when I was 20, just a couple of days after my birthday, from colon cancer. My birthday just passed (I'm 37 now), and I wasn't consciously thinking about this being the month she died.
The first time I ever saw blood in the toilet because of a hemorrhoid, I was sure I had cancer. That happened a few years back and I noticed that when I was stressed or anxious, my hemorrhoids flared up. Usually, after an hour or so, the pain would go away.
However, over the last month or so, the pain doesn't go away and it's worse than ever. Still, I've noticed it's heightened when I'm stressed.
Because of the horrible pain I've been in, I went to the doctor. When he saw my family history, he had me get a colonoscopy. They did find a polyp but they weren't able to remove it because it was on top of a hemorrhoid.
As a result, I have to go back to have it removed next week. They think it's benign but they won't know for sure until they remove it.
I think the combination of this being the month my mom died along with knowing I have to go in for minor surgery has caused my current condition.
I read a couple of Sarno's books a few years ago but I let friends borrow them. I figured I had this TMS thing licked.
Now that I'm suffering, I wish I had the books. I don't really remember the steps he outlined for dealing with TMS.
Reading the forums, and even typing this, seem to be helping. I'm going to buy the Sarno books yet again and keep them this time.
Incidentally, my MD is a pretty smart guy. He's in charge of the colo rectal department at UCLA. When he examined me, I thought he was going to tell me the problem was hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Instead he said, "We've been seeing this a lot lately. It's hard to say what causes it, but we think it's stress." Cool, eh? Him telling me that makes it easier for me to accept this as TMS because he told me there's nothing wrong with me physically. He didn't find any fissures and he said my hemorrhoids weren't bad.
Until I re-buy the Sarno books, can anybody suggest steps I can take when I'm hurting bad?
I hope me sharing this helps some of you. I didn't even want to continue living the other night because the constant pain is making me crazy. I'm starting therapy soon and I'm hoping that will help too.
Zach
P.S. I've always been healthy but I shattered my shin and ankle back in August. I had to have surgery and the whole thing was pretty traumatic. The point is, I've been through the wringer for about seven months. Is it any shock I'm stressed? Don't even talk to me about hospital bills, ugh!
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 07:14:38
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Sorry to hear about your suffering. My Mom had kidney cancer, her first symptom was blood in her urine. A few years back, I had blood in my urine and the first thing I thought of was kidney cancer. As it turned out, I had a kidney stone, but it's funny how the mind works. My mom didn't die from the cancer, but from complications of surgery to stop it.
Until you get your Sarno books, you may want to take a look at the links, in my signature below, for some inspiration.
Good Luck!
DR. SARNO'S 12 DAILY REMINDERS:
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6415
TAKE THE HOLMES-RAHE STRESS TEST
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Jiddu Krishnamurti
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Paul
134 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2011 : 08:57:02
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I was doing so much better for the last few weeks. I started just yelling at my brain things like...
"STOP it! Give it up! You are just muscle spasms, it's all harmless. I'm going to feel and deal with emotions. There is no need for pain anymore."
I did notice after that died down, then I had some reflux and gastritis popup and give me big problems.
But then this past week, I started to go running again, and the pain (rectal tightness, spasm, pain) all came back with a vengeance. It really sucks. I must admit, it is hard not to think that running is aggravating something. So frustrating!
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Levator Ani Syndrome
