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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
 Posted - 10/31/2012 : 12:00:05
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I am new to the forum and have been reading the recent posts without finding any mention of GERD. A search turned up a post by gronesy on 07/30/2012 called Intro and GERD Question. I found that thread very interesting and informative.
After periodically suffering with back pain all my life I read Sarno’s first book (about 15 years ago) and was “cured”. I led many of my friends to Sarno’s book with good results but during that period my GERD progressively worsened to the point where almost every night I was sitting up in a chair at 2 A.M. to stop the reflux. I subsequently went to an enterologist who said (after an endoscopy) that my esophagus was badly scarred and at risk for cancer. Now I wonder if my GERD was simply a TMS transfer?
My GERD has become a non-issue since I’ve adopted a low carb diet (for other reasons). I did this before I saw the enterologist who nevertheless insisted that I take Prilosec. I have since stopped taking any acid blockers and only get heart burn after going out to eat and partaking in the carbs they all seem to push on you.
About eight years ago my back pain returned and I have not been able to shake it even temporarily. Before that happened anytime I had pain I would try to figure out what was then stressing me out and the pain would usually disappear the same day. This doesn’t seem to work for me now. During those eight years I’ve have periods where I was in severe pain and that usually happened after or during a particularly stressing period. For example last year I had a medical problem which was followed by a fairly serious accident and in both cases I had problems even walking due to my lower back pain.
Recently I’ve been reading (and listening to) the references provided in the forum and my back pain seems to be lessening albeit only slightly. However, I’ve started to notice some minor GERD symptoms returning. It’s a trade I would gladly make! Have any of you experienced this combination? I would appreciate any help you might provide.
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 07:39:28
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I've seen people got rid of their GERD by just reducing their stress level, nothing else. I've seen people got rid of it by treating it as if it is tms (I do think it is a tms/anxiety symptoms)
reading your post I think you never did "cured" yourself of tms 15 years ago. You've just replaced one symptoms for another. Your life's stress level was probably always been high.
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No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 17:38:28
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Hi Peregrinus,
I agree with Balto about replacing symptoms. My back was cured 99% in 2000, (success from 2000). I had one re-occurrence last February after nearly 12 years of being pain free, you can read about it here if you need:
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7197
Since 2000 I have had a mild neck issue that won’t budge. I think my TMS moved house and jumped to my present Charlie-neck issues. At first it was a quiet resident, but over 12 years it has become the loudest neighbor in town, partying all day and night, as the pain is chronic(ongoing).
I think your GERD could be, as you say a TMS transfer. GERD is in vogue right now, and perhaps you have been “memed”. I love that word, it explains a lot! I answered that thread by gronesy 7/30/2012, you can read what happened to me there; my doctor insisted I take Prilosec, and I insisted that I did not!
I notice you are looking for someone like yourself here on this forum. I have stopped doing this, as the person I’m looking for is ME”. Our paths are as different as we are human. Your forum I/D name is based on a cynical philosopher, a good choice, for we have to be questioning, discerning and critical when dealing with TMS.
Good Luck
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Back on Wiki Edu Program day 15
Charlie Horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted later.)
Books:
Healing Back Pain
Unlearn your Pain
The Great Pain Deception |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 19:10:30
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Balto and Andy:
Thanks for the advice. I know that I am not cured and frustrated that while I was able to resolve the back pain earlier I'm unable to do that now.
For what it is worth Andy, I had painful "stiff necks" for awhile and successfully treated them with Indocin. I call it the wonder drug although I have not taken one for years.
I think GERD is an interesting subject. On one hand it was strongly associated with stomach ulcers: the first recognized TMS symptom. On the other hand it has been cured for many by just cutting out the carbs. Also, if it is a TMS symptom then it contradicts Sarno's affirmation that TMS does no physical harm.
Andy:
The cynical philosopher you speak of was St. Vincent of Lerin who used Perigrinus as his pseudonym. |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 21:05:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Peregrinus
Also, if it is a TMS symptom then it contradicts Sarno's affirmation that TMS does no physical harm.
I think doctor Sarno wrote the book more than 30 years ago. There are lots of changes since then and I think he does make changes and revise a few things in his thinking about mindbody syndromes.
There are many dangerous diseases in the world that now many scientist think have an emotional cause or partly caused by our negative mind, disease like cancer, heart disease, diabetes...
Dr Dean Ornish proved that he can reverse heart disease partly by using yoga and meditation, which tell me heart disease does have an emotional cause.
There are lots of cases of cancer remission without modern medicine intervention, using just mindbody medicine or belief, read: http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7668
Some study also suggested that emotional stress could be the cause of diabetes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20193636
Those disease I've mentioned here could surely do lots of harm or or even kill us.
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No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2012 : 09:31:04
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| Yes I think what balto said is right on the money. I think back pain is a risk factor for something more serious that can lead to death. So you have to try to get rid of it but not be scared of it. I know it's tricky. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2012 : 09:33:46
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| I also think you we're never really cured. I am very skeptical of the quick cures. I think they are usually just a shifting of symptoms or placebo. Some are permanent but I don't think it's common. |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2012 : 12:20:18
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Hi Peregrinus,
A few thoughts..
We both have backs that were recovered many years ago; I find it strange that yours has returned. Perhaps our recoveries were very different, or you were seriously hurt either physically or mentally in your accident.
Despite Ace1’s being skeptical I believe I had a very quick cure for my back, I grant that it did indeed move, subtly and slowly, so that I would not notice, to my present neck position. You can read about this in my Sucess2000 story.
Your TMS is also affecting two places at the same time; I would not accept any one of them as a “trade” for I believe they are both caused by the same TMS issues. You could cultivate the belief:”You are glad it’s on the move”, since this confirms the TMS is very real.
Since February I have been wondering if my back cure was a placebo, but after reviewing “Healing Back Pain” and other books, I could not ascertain whether a placebo effect can be both temporary and long term. In any event I am happy to have been free of back pain for the last 12 years.
From my understanding, GERD is caused by the LES muscle fibers not functioning correctly and causing acid leakage to the esophagus. These muscles are controlled by the nervous system. The nervous system = TMS.
Stealing a partial sentence from Ace1. “I think GERD a risk factor for something more serious like esophagus cancer that can lead to death.”- Yes this is indeed physical harm. Dr. Sarno stated TMS is harmless, and I think of it in terms of: “The reasons and symptoms are harmless, not structural”.
If you delve deeply into SteveO’s book you will read of the many different ways we wish, and allow illness into our bodies, truly great reading.
Hope this helps get well
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Back on Wiki Edu Program day 15
Charlie Horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted later.)
Books:
Healing Back Pain
Unlearn your Pain
The Great Pain Deception |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2012 : 14:05:52
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| Hi Andy, one of the hallmarks of a true cure is no recurrence of symptoms. This is taken from dr bates and dr sarno. Now no recurrence means no significant symptoms, just like when you were a teenager or child. Now this poses the question well doesn't everyone get sick and die? Well this is a tough one that I thought about for sometime. Aging makes cells less resilient and I think as one gets older the tendency of any amount of tension to affect the body gets greater, so at a certain point, age alone with very little tension can lead to serious illness or death. Just a theory, but maybe how it works. The reason I am skeptical of quick cures is the patients that get better quick, especially if they had severe symptoms, typically are still sick from something afterwards. Now if the person was stuck in a bad situation like a bad job or marriage and that ends for some reason, that can sometimes result in a permanent cure especially when they find out that their symptoms were related to tension and now they are not afraid of them anymore. Now people with habits that become engrained in their daily routine, these are the people that need a long time to get better especially if they have the constant need to be in a rush |
Edited by - Ace1 on 11/04/2012 14:09:29 |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2012 : 16:08:51
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Andy and Ace1:
It is really a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to profit from your wisdom. I agree that the symptoms (in my present case back pain) are not the major concern: it is my emotions that drive everything. I'm retired (3 years) and spend most of my time figure drawing or bicycle riding (low stess). However I have realized that retirement is a new cause for stress. There are things I always wanted to do but still can't even though I now have the time and the money. Perhaps my dreams were unrealistic. At any rate I am now trying to "think psychological" and it seems to be working, but only at a glacial pace.
With regard to GERD, after sitting up countless nights waiting for my stomach to empty I realized that delayed stomach emptying is the primary cause for GERD. In my case this was caused by carbohydrates. Without carbs my stomach empties in about two hours (as opposed to 4-6 hours). Too bad lower back pain does not have such a simple solution.
Thanks again for your advice. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2012 : 07:30:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Peregrinus
With regard to GERD, after sitting up countless nights waiting for my stomach to empty I realized that delayed stomach emptying is the primary cause for GERD. In my case this was caused by carbohydrates. Without carbs my stomach empties in about two hours (as opposed to 4-6 hours). Too bad lower back pain does not have such a simple solution.
Thanks again for your advice.
WOW! Watching and waiting 2-3 hours for your stomach to empty--that's really FOCUSING on the body! The gremlin has done a great job of distracting you from the emotional issues that are at the Emily Dickinson's "slow heart" of your TMS pains and dis-ease.
I just can't see lying in bed for hours observing my stomach emptying. Digestion is something that is supposed to be going on in the background of one's physiology, part of the autonomic nervous system. I eat tons of carbs and usually pass out to a good segmented night's sleep from them. I see too many people at this forum distracting themselves from their emotional issues, getting hung up on diet cures--although diet and farmers's markets are currently in vogue they have nothing to do with TMS. Can't you find something more entertaining to distract you from your stomach rumblings like the Tennis Channel or some good free porn on the internet? Do you have an S.O. lying next to you as you're observing your digesting? Are they part of the problem or part of the solution? Just thinking about this makes me want to reach for my Prilosec.
Retirement is a big hit to one's homeostasis, the cause of TMS tension. Lots of people didn't prepare for retirement and when it came just up and died. I know a fella, who was number one in the world in Senior Tennis in the 90's age group, had dinner with him a few years ago, sharp as a tack. He turned 95 and ran out of senior age groups to play tournaments in. He was petitioning the governing body of tennis to forma 95's tournament bracket. The next thing I hear was he died! I can't help but think it had something to do with that big hit he took to his homeostasis, traveling the world playing in tennis tournaments--what a shame he was such a young 95 too!
As per your back I have been FULLY cured of TMS lower back-pain, dx'ed by a chiro-quack-ter as L4/L5 pinched nerve. He was the one who mistook my left testicle for a tumor on his x-ray--a real PRO! |
Edited by - tennis tom on 11/05/2012 07:33:31 |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2012 : 09:10:33
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Tennis Tom:
I’m glad to hear that you can rocket 30 serves a day without any shoulder discomfort and eat a car load of bread, potatoes, rice and macaroni without having your sleep interrupted with periodic upchucking. I can do neither. Once I stopped playing tennis my shoulder pains disappeared and after foregoing carbs my GERD symptoms vanished for the most part.
I’m not obsessed with the rate at which my stomach empties: I have simply made a scientific observation. I might add that type 2 diabetics typically suffer from delayed stomach emptying: that consumption of carbs might be the cause of the disease has escaped many medical practitioners. The reason that ruminants have multiple stomachs and chew their cuds is that it is very difficult to digest most vegetable matter. It is not surprising that not being so equipped, carbohydrate digestion is a problem for some (less evolved) humans.
It was sad to hear about your 95 year old friend. I’m not sure what it has to do with me since I go bike riding by myself and all I need for drawing is a nubile female model of which there seems to be an endless supply (thanks be to Allah).
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2012 : 09:21:58
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Hi Ace,
If you read some of my past posts you will see that I fit in with your last two sentences very well. In 2000, I was in the category of about 20% for my back recovery, (I’m going to stop using the word “cure”). Now I am focusing on my personality traits and general happiness. I’m doing quite well and have had a few break throughs, thanks to your posts and others.
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Back on Wiki Edu Program day 15
Charlie Horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted later.)
Books:
Healing Back Pain
Unlearn your Pain
The Great Pain Deception |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2012 : 09:31:20
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Hi Peregrinus,
It took TT to say it, and I agree, focusing on your GERD pain like you do is as I said: “one of the many ways we allow illness into our bodies”.
There are many others, such as heavy discussions about your pain with friends or doctors, or reading up about our symptoms. This seems to be part of the acceptance process for finally believing our pain is not important, and there is nothing structurally wrong. Read my recent “Oil and Water post, it took someone 71 posts before they even started discussing their psychological issues.
Keep posting, for we are gradually finding you out!!
I have recently retired and am very interested in your retirement issues. We can compare notes.
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Back on Wiki Edu Program day 15
Charlie Horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted later.)
Books:
Healing Back Pain
Unlearn your Pain
The Great Pain Deception |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2012 : 09:47:15
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Fellow GERD sufferers:
There is a disturbing but informative article in the WSJ about GERD and NERD! You can find the link in Dr. Z's latest post. |
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GERD redux
