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lmcox
24 Posts |
 Posted - 01/18/2013 : 14:08:26
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Well, it's been a few years (like four) since I've posted in this forum, and I had sincerely hoped I wouldn't need to come back, but here I am.
To recap, I have been dealing with anxiety issues since I was twelve and have all the classic symptoms of TMS (sore spots, bouts of back pain, years of unexplained "stomach ulcer" issues, etc). I read Healing Back Pain many times and finally freed myself of an ongoing "lower back pain" issue in 2002, but now a problem has snuck up on me, and I would love some moral support just getting my head around the fact that this is, in fact, a TMS thing, and that I can overcome it.
My current issue is tinnitus, and perhaps more insidious, a constant "listening" or "straining" of my ears to hear noise that I am now phobic about hearing. It's gotten so bad I'm now very phobic about even going into hotel rooms, sitting in my living room, or going to restaurants where someone might make a loud noise.
I won't go into exhaustive detail here, but suffice it to say I had a couple of experiences about ten years ago where I was shocked and traumatized by loud noises, and now I can't get the fear of (or constant listening for) loud noises out of my head. I don't know if it's necessarily that noises seem LOUDER to me, but I definitely am agitated and disturbed by any noise that I find disturbing or that I can't control. This could come in the form of a neighbor's dog barking, someone talking in a hotel room next door, or people doing construction down the street.
At first I thought this was a normal / PTSD reaction to the emotional experience I had ten years ago, but now I need to put a stop to it.
So-- has anyone had an experience similar to this, and have you had any success overcoming it? I will tell everyone in case anyone wants to contact me for support, that I have completely and successfully gotten rid of back pain, knee pain, a constant stomachache, motion sickness, and vomit phobia. My method is to isolate the issue, and the very moment I feel it coming on, to say out loud "I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. STOP IT." I don't seem to be able to use this method with the tinnitus/ straining/ noise phobia, because it feels so much like a part of me, I can't even isolate it.
Anyhow, sorry for the long post, and for welcoming me back. I look forward to speaking with you and to hearing your insights. |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2013 : 14:18:28
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Hi LMCox
Sorry to hear of your relapse, but since you have in the past mastered the secret to getting well you just have to do a repeat performance. In other words, whatever you did before to recover then do that again, because if it worked in the past it is sure to work again, regardless of the symptoms. There is no separate TMS therapy for each symptom.
In the meantime, read and the following keys to healing daily for a month and then you will be posting your success story once again: http://tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7765
Best wishes,
Shawn |
Edited by - shawnsmith on 01/18/2013 14:53:08 |
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lmcox
24 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2013 : 14:38:42
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Thanks Shawn!
I think where I need the help is the beginning of the process, like for someone to say "Tinnitus/ Strained Listening IS a Sarno problem/ TMS equivalent." It's much more pervasive and insidious than, say, back pain, so I'm not even sure if the problem falls into the TMS category. That's why I'm back.
So.....does the tinnitus/ noise phobia sound like a TMS equivalent to you? Does anyone else want to chime in with their opinion and tell me that I've just transferred my tension to my psyche? :)
Thanks,
Lori (It's LMCox, by the by) |
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mk6283
USA
272 Posts |
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Racer
USA
129 Posts |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 10:04:31
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quote:
Originally posted by lmcox
So.....does the tinnitus/ noise phobia sound like a TMS equivalent to you? Does anyone else want to chime in with their opinion and tell me that I've just transferred my tension to my psyche? :)
Thanks,
Lori (It's LMCox, by the by)
IMO it is tms, it is a mindbody syndrome. I got rid of it with nothing else but a mindbody approach. Stop your fear or slowly expose yourself to what you fear to desensitize your mind to it. It will fade away as soon as you no longer fear it.
Goodluck.
------------------------
No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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lmcox
24 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 10:56:00
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I actually have been wondering about TRT. Would putting so much emphasis on the problem actually worsen it (from a TMS perspective), I wonder?
I do think it is a TMS equivalent. The issue is that it's not localized (like a pain spot or a panic attack, so I can't really get my head around how to focus in on it with the intent of calling it out/ letting it go. This was how I overcame the chronic back and stomach pain, so I know it works, just trying to figure out how to approach it. |
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plum
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 12:21:27
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Hello Lori,
I read something on this subject recently but can't pull the reference to mind...when I do, I'll post it for you.
Meantime I do recall it stated that noise sensitivity is due to the sympathetic nervous system being on high alert. In a fight/flight situation, auditory acuity is key, it's vital that we attend to the sounds around us.
I think you can safely assume it's tms because your nervous system is on its toes.
Does that make sense? |
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lmcox
24 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 14:00:52
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That makes TOTAL sense, and thank you! The more people I can get to say "That is TMS," the more I can work on it. Today I've been reading over Ace's steps and trying to really pay attention to the tinnitus/ ringing, calling it out whenever possible. It seems to already be working!
It's totally amazing how TMS manifestations can start small, then once they take hold, can take over your entire life, even becoming commonplace and taken for granted as fact. I actually have a relative who is permanently disabled because of multiple back surgeries over a 20 year period. Her problem was most definitely TMS when it first started, but it's just completely taken over her life. It is so important to stay cognizant of pains (or anything that might be a flare) before it gets in there and gets out of control.
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 22:35:55
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Imcox:
I recommend Erkhart Tolle’s book (The power of Now). I’ve had similar experiences and now when noise is bothering me I ask myself what is it that is really bothering me.
Good luck.
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lmcox
24 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2013 : 23:06:51
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Thanks-- I've actually read all of Eckhart Tolle's books, plus listened to them as audiobooks, plus I took his whole weekly course he did with Oprah in 2009/ 2010 and participated in the forum for that. I am sad to say that I seem to be immune to his methodology, and everything he says just seems to enrage me.
Remember, Eckhart Tolle had a complete mental breakdown before he started his books, so he no longer relates to the struggles of the "working well" or TMS sufferer. His rhetoric is only realistic for someone who has already experienced.complete ego death, and that is just not me. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 01:50:17
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Hi Lori,
Assuming it's TMS, since that's we're all here for, have you tried headphones to block out the loud noises? |
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lmcox
24 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 10:59:01
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Oh yes, headphones, earplugs, and then that gets into place avoidance, as the ringing in my ears makes everything (and everyone) seem louder, so I am constantly on edge. It really is a very insidious problem, when you get right down to it.
However, in my understanding of TMS, headphones/ earplugs would actually be the equivalent of pain medication in this scenario, since you'd be treating the tinnitus like a legitimate problem and giving in to it rather than calling it out and breaking the cycle, correct?
For instance, a person has lower back pain. They see multiple doctors/ take pain medication/ consider surgery/ talk a lot about their pain. This feeds the pain/ makes it worse. In Sarno's method, they must actually call out the pain as being mind/body and deal with the underlying issues, rather than continue to "hide" behind the pain, as it were. Headphones would allow me to hide behind the syndrome rather than facing it and dealing with the underlying issues, no?
By the way, Tom, my mother in law had hip replacement surgery-- it's actually quite common, and she now has no pain in this area. Is there a reason you don't want joint replacement? It actually sounds like your problem is more mechanical and less mind-body. If there's a cure, why not take it? |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 19:57:32
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Imcox:
I am surprised that Mr. Tolle ellicits your rage. To me he is the definition of "laid back". I mentioned him because he specifically talks about annoying sounds and how they bother those who are not living in the present. Do the sounds bother you when you are relaxed (after breathing exercises)? Are you able to listen to the sounds and simply accept them for what they are? It may be that your acoustic phobia is trying to tell you something.
All the best. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 20:42:50
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quote:
Originally posted by lmcox
By the way, Tom, my mother in law had hip replacement surgery-- it's actually quite common, and she now has no pain in this area. Is there a reason you don't want joint replacement? It actually sounds like your problem is more mechanical and less mind-body. If there's a cure, why not take it?
I'm fascinated by the battle between what is truly structural and what is truly TMS. Life is good--it's only tennis--THR is a huge operation, it's an amputation of the femur and the acetabulum. I've watched a youtube of it and when they place your foot behind your head to get it out of the way, that was enough for me.
With all the TV commercial lawsuits being filed, a lot will be learned about the true nature of hip arthritis. New arthroscopic techniques and tools are being developed on a steady basis. I'm waiting this out to see if it's TMS or, until the docs are done "practicing" and get it right for real. Eventually I think arthroscopic techniques will be so refined, it will be almost like going to the dentist--almost--I don't mind a little root canal once in a while.
Many here like Dr. Sarno, Ace1, SteveO and now Nicole think it's TMS. I'm voting for them to be right. The journey becomes more fascinating and painfully-fun all the time--life is good--it's only tennis--my bum hip has become my best coach--it's shown me who my true friends are, and they are few and far between--it helps keep my holiday gift list short.
Cheers and thanks for your concern,
tt/LSMFT |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 20:58:10
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quote:
Originally posted by lmcox
However, in my understanding of TMS, headphones/ earplugs would actually be the equivalent of pain medication in this scenario, since you'd be treating the tinnitus like a legitimate problem and giving in to it rather than calling it out and breaking the cycle, correct?
To your original question, the Good Doctor doesn't say you have to suffer in silence, no pun intended, if that was a pun or in your case an anti-pun. When the pain becomes too much to bear, he prescribes pain killers for some respite. But doing it with the understanding that: IT IS TMS!--but God almighty, give me a break from this **** already! Nothing wrong with some respite from the pain, while the slow unconscious learns, what the quick mind sees at every turn--to fracture Emily Dickinson a bit. Have a bottle of wine, it's Saturday night isn't it? Then sleep on it.
G'luck |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 14:47:58
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Mr. Tennis:
I just read an article that was posted on this forum about conditioning. It says that responding to pain with a pain killer is a positive reinforcement of the pain behavior and should be avoided. |
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Tinnitus/ Hyperacusis/ Noise Phobia
