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todder
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2012 : 14:24:27
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Hi Everyone,
I read Sarno's books at Christmas and became convinced I had TMS (gradual low back pain turned into persistent sciatica since September 2011). Ended up having corticosteroid shot into disc in November due to confirmed herniated L5/S1 on MRI.
I began journaling at the start of January, and a number of 'issues' surfaced and I was quite emotional and I talked (and cried) them through with a trusted friend. Afterwards I had a couple of brief periods (an afternoon and then later an evening) of no pain.
However, since then (mid Jan) the pain has been fluctuating quite between not bad to quite bad to very bad and back again with little respite. The strange thing to me at least is that I have noticed a strong correlation between the level of current pressure and pain level, so if I am under any pressure the pain is worse and when I am not the pain level is reduced. This change can be almost instantaneous sometimes which I find quite remarkable. However, this makes me wonder if it is indeed structural, with normal day to day pressures making it worse which I would have though would make physiological sense.
I have been carrying on journaling, but I feel like the obvious issues have been dealt with and I am now not sure what to do, as my journaling feels quite factual and dry, with no emotional reactions of any significance, and I am even beginning to doubt the TMS diagnosis - I even read up on microdiscectomies again which I know is probably not very good.
Hope this all makes sense to people! I would love to hear your thoughts.
Many thanks,
todder |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 15:26:16
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quote:
Originally posted by todder
The strange thing to me at least is that I have noticed a strong correlation between the level of current pressure and pain level, so if I am under any pressure the pain is worse and when I am not the pain level is reduced. This change can be almost instantaneous sometimes which I find quite remarkable. However, this makes me wonder if it is indeed structural, with normal day to day pressures making it worse which I would have though would make physiological sense.
I'm confused. Why would you think the pain is structural if its intensity is so variable? In fact this should help reassure you that the pain is not due to structural cause. Perhaps you are questioning the diagnosis because subconsciously, you do not want to face the issues that may be troubling you.
I suggest to re-read Dr. Sarno's book and pay special attention to the section on conditioning which seems to apply here.
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PhilMid
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 15:30:38
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I am recovering from TMS in a similar time frame to you.
The fact that you are seeing a correlation between pressure and pain would indicate TMS. I find journaling useful but like you the pain persisted but I will still use as it helps to get emotions to the surface. Journaling helped me uncover the behaviour patterns and the links to the past. For me that was not enough.
I now realise that my thoughts are contributing to my problem. I am going through the TMS wiki pages by Monte Hueftle and I found them worth reading. From this and other sources the path seems to point to mindfulness and living in the now.
I recommend looking at the TMS wiki Structured Education Programme. Just going through the days provides so much written and video information that will make you doubt the medical profession’s diagnosis of back pain. This may remove your own doubts about TMS and whilst that persists it will distract from your problem. I found that increasing my physical activity gave a message to the mind that there really was nothing wrong with my back.
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todder
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 15:33:36
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Thanks Dave. I suppose I was worrying that there was an underlying physical problem that is aggravated by pressure, and if the physical problem was resolved then any pressure can no longer affect it. However, you are right that the symptoms do suggest a TMS cause.
I have been reading chapters of Sarno's books every day since 1st Jan. I will look again at the conditioning section.
Thanks for replying! |
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todder
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 15:37:58
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quote:
Originally posted by PhilMid
I am recovering from TMS in a similar time frame to you.
The fact that you are seeing a correlation between pressure and pain would indicate TMS. I find journaling useful but like you the pain persisted but I will still use as it helps to get emotions to the surface. Journaling helped me uncover the behaviour patterns and the links to the past. For me that was not enough.
I now realise that my thoughts are contributing to my problem. I am going through the TMS wiki pages by Monte Hueftle and I found them worth reading. From this and other sources the path seems to point to mindfulness and living in the now.
I recommend looking at the TMS wiki Structured Education Programme. Just going through the days provides so much written and video information that will make you doubt the medical profession’s diagnosis of back pain. This may remove your own doubts about TMS and whilst that persists it will distract from your problem. I found that increasing my physical activity gave a message to the mind that there really was nothing wrong with my back.
That is really interesting Phil. I did the first 25 days or so of the structured program and then thought I was getting better and stopped doing it presuming I was sorted and the pain would then go away completely over the next few days or weeks. I will take a look at Monte's stuff and get back with the program!
Thanks, todder. |
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Aussie
Australia
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 15:44:08
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todder, Have you visited a TMS doc? If you live in the UK then you have access to one. If you still have lingering doubts then surely this would assist in overcoming these. I would definately take this step first as it will speed up your recovery.
All the best. |
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Could do with some advice... doubting diagnosis
