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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - 08/08/2012 : 19:36:27
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Hey all I'm new to this forum and also the idea of TMS and Mind Body Syndrome. I've suffered from migraines for 25+ years, and daily chronic headaches for what seems like the last 10 years. I've seen numerous neurologists, chiropractors, Ear Nose and Throat specialists, etc. Nobody can tell me why I get these headaches every day. All my MRI's and Cat Scans have come back normal. I've read the Mind Body Prescription and the Divided Mind, and I'm currently reading Unlearn Your Pain. I think my headaches are from TMS and MDS, but I'm not sure what to do to help relieve this pain. I'm trying to think more about the Physchological then Physical but its hard at times. Any ideas or advice on how I can work through this and how long will it take before I start seeing some relief? I've been at this for about 1 month now.
Thanks everyone!
Patrick |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 19:49:34
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Hi Patrick
If you've had the full workup then you most likely have TMS. What is MDS?
Have you seen a TMS doc?
If you're going to try TMS healing you have to jump in all the way. That means you have to stop going to the doctors for your pain, as well as ceasing all other modalities for healing. Each time you try something to relieve your pain you set healing back again. So belief is the most important factor in healing.
Next, I tell people to start with conscious breathing. TMSers are normally short breathers. If you've had headaches as a result of unconscious emotions then you need to release your sympathetic nervous system.
So you begin to look inward for answers instead of outward. You can get some control over your SNS through the breathing; then further through guided imagery. Take control of your pain. Stop thinking someone else must heal you. And don't put a time frame on healing,it it slows the intent by adding more unconscious anger.
Good luck
Steve |
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 19:56:59
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Thanks Steve. I mean MBS..Mind Body Syndrome. I haven't seen a TMS doctor. I've been having trouble finding one in my area. I'm located in the Philadelphia area. So I should give up all over the counter medication for the pain? I've been able to give up my prescription pain meds, but haven't been able to give up the over the counter stuff yet. What about avoiding so-called food triggers? Do you think they really effect people and cause headaches or is it more mental? I do have a lot of fear and anxiety around these headaches.
Patrick |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 20:36:26
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It's normal to have fear and anxiety around pain, but which is the chicken and which is the egg? From psychological overlay they add to one another.
I'm trying to think of someone in Philly you can see. I'll have to think on that. But if you've been thoroughly checked out and you're healthy beyond the headaches, then it can't hurt you to try TMS, in fact it most likely will take the hurt away.
I never saw a TMS doctor and I healed. There weren't many back then in the old days, you know, 2001.
So you're not on meds by a physician's orders? I can't give advice contrary to a physician even if they are dead wrong on some things. It's not moral or safe. If you're on otc meds then they are by your personal choice right? I'm just guessing from experience but they may be keeping you in pain. I was helping a guy in 2005 who had severe back pain and I had him stop taking his pain medication for one day and his pain suddenly stopped.
What happens is, the brain can associate the drug with the pain. So he was taking the pills in a maintenance fashion and his brain connected the pill to pain and so the brain created the pain every time it sensed the pill. I believe a sugar pill would have done the same thing, as long as he used the pill as a crutch his brain was going to know to initiate pain. It's the intent that matters.
I've seen these food triggers disappear through TMS healing. The same for pollen triggers.
If you take the reason away for necessitating symptoms then you deny the trigger any value.
Go learn all you can about TMS and try it. The migraine is a tensionalgia paragon. Dr. Sarno, the man himself got rid of his through the psychological inroad.
Good luck Patrick, all you have to lose is your headaches if you truly believe,
Steve
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 20:57:03
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Thanks so much Steve. Do you have a book that you sell? I thought I saw on another post someone mention about a book you wrote. I'd be interested in it if you did. THanks for your advice.
Patrick |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 22:04:50
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I do have a TMS book but you didn't hear it from me. I don't want to come here to sell my book, and I don't tell people here to go buy it. I tried to put my TMS website address here before to Help people but some people didn't like it.
I like to drop by here when I find time to see if someone needs some clarification or is stuck. And to say hi to the motley crew.
Steve
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 00:37:15
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Hooray! It's official, SteveO's book is on the TMSHelp Forum's bibliography (Thank you Dave)!
"The Great Pain Deception: Faulty Medical Advice Is Making Us Worse"
by Steven Ray Ozanich
Here's a link to his website:
http://www.paindeception.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=157a
Looks like the only TMS doc in Penn. is no longer taking patients, bad luck. But, there is a TMS therapist.
Pennsylvania (From the TMS Wiki, thanks wikied people over there):
Randy Cohen, DO (Physician)
Update: Randy Cohen is no longer seeing TMS patients.
Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists
2207 Oregon Pike
Suite 301
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 560-4480
(717) 560-4485 Fax
Larry Montemurro, PhD (Therapist)
902 West Main St
Mount Pleasant, PA, 15666
(724) 423-6217
Check my sig below for info on finding TMS docs in the other colonies.
Cheers & G'luck on your healing adventure.
TT, a motley crewman, "Row faster, the captain wants to water ski."
==================================================
DR. SARNO'S 12 DAILY REMINDERS:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dKBFwGR0g
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
==================================================
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Jiddu Krishnamurti
"Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." Author Unknown
"Happy People Are Happy Putters." Frank Nobilo, Golf Analyst
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." Mark Twain and Balto
"The hot-dog is the noblest of dogs; it feeds the hand that bites it." Dr. Laurence Johnston Peter
======================================================
TMS PRACTITIONERS:
John Sarno, MD
400 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-6035
Here's the TMS practitioners list from the TMS Help Forum:
http://www.tmshelp.com/links.htm
Here's a list of TMS practitioners from the TMS Wiki:
http://tmswiki.org/ppd/Find_a_TMS_Doctor_or_Therapist
Here's a map of TMS practitioners from the old Tarpit Yoga site, (click on the map by state for listings).:
http://www.tarpityoga.com/2007_08_01_archive. |
Edited by - tennis tom on 08/09/2012 08:11:11 |
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 11:18:46
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| Thanks again everyone for your advice. Steve I went ahead and ordered your book. It should be here by tomorrow. I forgot to answer your other questions. The only meds I'm taking by prescription is Protonix for Acid reflux, and clonazepam to help me sleep because of my restless legs. For my headaches I usually just take advil or drink some coffee or other caffienated drink. So do you think food triggers really do cause headaches or is it more from the TMS? I'm always struggling if I should stay away from caffiene or certain foods? I get desperate because I just want the pain to stop but it never does. I'd love to not take any meds but its always the fear and the anxiety that get to me and I eventually cave in. Any suggestions? Thanks!! |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 15:15:21
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Phila, those "other things" you have like heartburn and restless leg, are good indicators that your headaches are TMS. They almost guarantee it. You would benefit greatly from daily guided imagery and relaxation, and daily conscious breathing techniques. Everyone would benefit from them but few will do them. I would have never healed without pulling my SNS into line. It's a kinda unconditioning process.
I can't say if food is triggering your headaches, but don't confuse having triggers as being something opposed to TMS. Much TMS is triggered.
But when you heal from your headaches, which you will if you act on the knowledge you're now gathering, the triggers should fade too--if you have any.
If you set a timeline for relief you will delay healing, it's the paradox of healing. The idea is to not pay attention to how you're healing, and to continue to integrate that your pain is from unconscious anger cycled by a daily conditioned pattern that your brain has developed over the years for coping with the past and the current stress. And don't forget that the anger stems from childhood somewhere in some type of trauma or separation anxiety.
Good luck
Steve
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 15:24:03
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| Thanks Steve. Your book just came in the mail today. I already started reading it. Can't wait to learn more about TMS. Is it okay to take OTC meds to help relieve some of the pain or should I try and avoid them and caffiene as much as possible? |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 16:16:36
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Whether you take meds or not depends on whether you can do without them, of course. I'm just saying that the otc meds and coffee could be triggering your pain through association. Plus you think you need them right now and that's important for delaying healing.
I do know that Dr. Sarno often told people to get off the meds because they didn't need them (once they were diagnosed with TMS). You may think you need them so getting off of them could make your pain worse. When you finally determine that you don't need them at all, at the unconscious level, you will not need them anymore. You create your own reality by your perceptions and deepest beliefs.
If you believe that your pain is caused by an emotional process you won't need any medication, eventually. But be patient and open your mind to a new paradigm.
Read away
Steve |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 21:59:52
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Hi SteveO,
I'm finding it impossible to read small print. I don't want to go the prescription glasses root as I'm having a TMS flare up and from what I understand the vision problem might be that. But TMSers are raving about the book and so I think I should have it. Just wondering if it is available on audio or downloaded online? BTW, I don't have Kindle.
Thanks,
Taylor |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 09:07:12
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Taylor I started working on an audio version but I had to stop for several reasons, so that project isn't done, but I will resume it again in the near future.
If you are unable to read I don't know how you can get the book material. I understand the problem with reading small print I've had 2 eye surgeries recently. You may have to wait until I finish recording it.
I would suggest reading non prescription reading glasses, or having someone read it to you.
Steve |
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drh7900
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 09:26:55
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quote:
Originally posted by TaylorJoh
Hi SteveO,
I'm finding it impossible to read small print. I don't want to go the prescription glasses root as I'm having a TMS flare up and from what I understand the vision problem might be that. But TMSers are raving about the book and so I think I should have it. Just wondering if it is available on audio or downloaded online? BTW, I don't have Kindle.
Thanks,
Taylor
You don't need to own a Kindle to buy the Kindle version. You can buy the Kindle version and read it "in the cloud" (using your browser). Through the browser, go to read.amazon.com and sign in with your amazon account (you'll have to create an account to buy the book if you don't already have one). Then you can read the book on your browser and you can even change the font larger/smaller and change the color scheme (black on white, white on black, sepia tones) to help create a more soothing reading experience. Hope that helps!
Oh...and if you get a Kindle or iPad or other tablet that can use the Kindle app, it'll be available for you to download on your device. Very convenient.
--
Dustin |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 09:52:26
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quote:
Originally posted by TaylorJoh
Hi SteveO,
I'm finding it impossible to read small print. I don't want to go the prescription glasses root as I'm having a TMS flare up and from what I understand the vision problem might be that. But TMSers are raving about the book and so I think I should have it. Just wondering if it is available on audio or downloaded online? BTW, I don't have Kindle.
Thanks,
Taylor
Edit: Here's a website that explains it and has lists of eye docs who are schooled in the Bates method:http://www.bettervision.com/msbio.html
Not being able to read small print is part of the normal aging process beginning in middle-age. Fearing you will do harm to your eyes, by putting on a pair of readers, is part of the TMS fear process. I've read several books about vision/VISION by the noted behavioral eye expert Dr. Robert Michael Kaplan. I found the books complementary to TMS theory, teaching me how vision/VISION works. Your eyes have muscles too, which can lose tone like everything else. I'm not going to wait ten minutes in the aisle at Safeway, for my eye muscles to warm-up, to read the calorie count on a package--I put on my readers for that.
Here's a link to Dr. Robert Michael Kaplan : http://www.beyond2020vision.com/
The two books I read by him that taught be a lot about vision/VISION that are complementary to TMS are:
"THE POWER BEHIND YOUR EYES" and "SEEING WITHOUT GLASSES"
After reading his books, I don't worry about seeing.
I can see the big fuzzy optic yellow spheroid, that is a tennis ball, just fine. Watching the ball IS my eye exercise and my first thought on the court is to warm-up my eyes--at Safeway I put on my readers. Like the back, and the rest of the body, the eyes are strong and you won't damage them by looking through some cheap readers for a while. Read a book by Dr. Robert Michael Kaplan and he will explain it.
If you do get some glasses, go to a behavorial eye doc for a proper pair, I paid about $500 for my first work-up and pair at about age 50. They have two different strengths, one for each eye to balance out the weaker one and make it work. In fact, I'm typing this with a pair I got last year, forgot all about it, 'til this moment. I keep the cheap Costco readers strewn about for quick reads. You can buy them in three packs for $20 and keep bringing them back for free as they break exchanging them for new ones. I've posted before about this and if you google you can find eye-doctors who do therapy exercises and rx properly--look-up Blake method docs and there should be a list of them. Mine's in Novato, CA., Dr. Larry Jebbrock and he's a good tennis player. |
Edited by - tennis tom on 08/15/2012 18:09:07 |
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tmsjptc
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 12:02:10
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| Patrick, I don't respond often to threads anymore because there are enough great folks on here that already do. But, I feel inclined to respond to yours simply because of my similar history. Although I had some back and neck pain (and other stuff too from time to time), my number one complaint and longest standing concern (16 years) was chronic tension headaches. I just want to let you know that they are a form of TMS and most definitely can be resolved completely by following Dr. Sarno's books and the advice of others on this site. I found that it took me longer than the 6-8 weeks mentioned in the books. I know now that is because I took a while to get to 100% belief level. For me, headaches were harder to resolve because I simply couldn't laugh at them and know that my unconscious mind was doing this. I think this might be because not only did my head hurt, but also because my thinking felt "foggy". Maybe this is because of the reduced oxygen in my blood to my head (as Dr. Sarno explains is the cause of your pain). With other things, even if it hurt, I would laugh at it and found that it went away pretty quickly. But, the headaches it took longer. Nonetheless, it did work and I am feeling better than ever. I wish you the best of luck. |
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 13:51:04
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| tmsjptc can you give me any tips on what you did that helped resolve the headaches? I really don't know where to start. I feel like most of the books I've read tell you about what TMS is but don't give you details about how to resolve the issues. |
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tmsjptc
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2012 : 17:34:03
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| Patrick, the first is to realize and acknowledge that the source of your headaches is not anything you have been blaming them on. You will want to deny that they are stress related because you think to yourself "I had stress before and didn't have these so that must not be it". But, they aren't from conscious stress. They are from unconscious stress (anger, fear, resentment, worry, etc) that you currently aren't even aware of. It sounds crazy at first but it is so true. You have to start asking yourself, "what am I upset about or anxious about right now" even though you think there is nothing. There is. The headache is proof of it. You just haven't been experiencing those negative emotions in an emotional way. They are being hidden by your mind because your mind doesn't want to admit they are there. But, it has to do something with them and it does so by having your body experience them as pain. Any pain will do. It varies from person to person. You and I just happen to be headache sufferers. Your mind has been successful in using these headaches on you to get rid of unexperienced negative emotions. It won't stop until it realizes this isn't successful anymore because you have figured out what is happening. Sometimes when you do, you may find your mind finds another pain to try on you instead. It happened with me. Don't be afraid of that. Be happy that you now have proof that there was no physical problem and that this is just your mind working on you. That new alternate pain will go away too. As far as tips that help while you are waiting for your mind to stop doing this to you, I used warm showers, nature walks, listening to peaceful music, playing games like solitaire (it keeps your mind busy on something besides fear and anger), icy/hot patches on the back of my neck (to increase blood flow to my head), and icy/hot balm on my forehead. Sometimes I would still take OTC meds but they gradually were needed less and less. Oh, and coffee isn't a bad thing, at least not for me. The caffeine actually speeds up your heart rate a bit and I think for this reason it helps in getting more blood and oxygen to your head. Everything else everyone says about TMS helps too (journaling, breathing, etc). Good luck! |
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SteveO
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2012 : 17:43:40
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That was nice of tmsjptcxyz to come back and tell you that Phila. Very nice post by him or her. To give back is to recognize the gift which has been given.
It was also very well written and phrased, that person is a good writer.
Me rite good two.
Steve |
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Phila-PM
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 08:37:41
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Thanks tmsjptc and SteveO for all your help. Now that I think about what stresses me out it I think it may be related to my current job situation and financial goals. I have a good job but I'm not happy with it. I feel trapped in the fact that I'm the sole provider for our family and I have to keep this job to pay the bills. I've also always put a lot of pressure on myself to start a successful business so I can have the freedom to do something I enjoy. I know that I'm disappointed with myself for not already reaching those personal goals. I'm also a very impatient person and want instant results so I think that is another sense of tension. I noticed that personality trait in whatever I'm doing...dieting, exercising, financial goals. I just want results. Thanks again for all the support.
Patrick |
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drh7900
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 11:25:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Phila-PM
Thanks tmsjptc and SteveO for all your help. Now that I think about what stresses me out it I think it may be related to my current job situation and financial goals. I have a good job but I'm not happy with it. I feel trapped in the fact that I'm the sole provider for our family and I have to keep this job to pay the bills. I've also always put a lot of pressure on myself to start a successful business so I can have the freedom to do something I enjoy. I know that I'm disappointed with myself for not already reaching those personal goals. I'm also a very impatient person and want instant results so I think that is another sense of tension. I noticed that personality trait in whatever I'm doing...dieting, exercising, financial goals. I just want results. Thanks again for all the support.
Patrick
Sounds like we might be kindred spirits! I'd have thought you were describing me here!
--
Dustin |
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New to Forum - Help with Chronic Headaches
