| Author |
 Topic  |
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
 Posted - 04/05/2013 : 09:28:12
|
Hi all,
I will try to make this short but here's my story:
I'm a 23 year old guy that has been dealing with the hell that is epididymitis for the past 3 months. If you don't know what that is, its the swelling of the tube that runs from the testicle. I was told that it was an infection and that antibiotics would clear it up. Well, it actually did at first but pretty soon the pain and swelling was back. Fast forward 3 months later, I've been on 4 different batches of antibiotics and had no relief.
My urologist has said that if we can't find an antibiotic that works, he recommends that he remove the epididymis surgically. Being 23 and wanting to have kids down the road, this is an absolute last resort for me.
I have obsessed over hours and hours of research trying to find a cure. I've tried colloidial silver, prostate massages, cranberry extract, apple cidar vinegar, chiropractor, anti-inflammatories. Nothing has brought me complete relief of pain and swelling.
Earlier this week, I stumbled upon a blog of an epididymitis sufferer who after years of pain had found relief. He realized that it was TMS and started to heal himself emotionally instead of physically. Lo and behold he claims to be completely cured now.
I can't believe I hadn't made the connection before. I'm a chronic worrier and have had numerous conditions in the past few years that are most likely caused by my anxiety: panic attacks, generalized anxiety, acid reflux, esophagus spasms, TMJ from teeth grinding, high blood pressure.
I began to try to accept the fact this epididymitis may be caused by my repressed emotions and anxiety. I begun to feel the best I had felt in months! Pain had lessened to a mild discomfort.
But yesterday, I got the courage to try an "Insanity" workout. I used to be avid about my excercise, but I have sustained from physical activity, beacause I was afraid that I would worsen my condition. I made it through an intense cardio workout with no pain, but then about 30 minutes after I started to feel the pain and within a few hours there was a lot of swelling and pain. The pain has lessened but is still there today.
This is only the 3rd day that I have started to embrace the TMS approach, but this has been a setback to my psych. I'm having trouble accepting this as a mental-induced condition when physical activity appears to make it worse.
I guess my biggest question is what do you all think about my situation? Tests show no infection or problem besides the visual swelling with no known cause. Does this sound like TMS? Yesterday was a real setback to me, maybe my entire body was sore from the workout and my brain upped the soreness to my swollen area too? I have ordered Dr. Sarno's books and should have them in then next few days. In the mean time, I am just trying to get some feedback and support. I am having trouble convincing myself that this condition is mental if physical activity made it worse yesterday.
Sorry for being long-winded, but this approach seems to be my last option besides surgery. Feedbacka and suggestions would be well appreciated. |
|
|
All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 12:01:59
|
Google Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction -Dr David Wise
"Around and Around the Circle We Go....
The Answer Sits In The Middle and Knows..." |
 |
|
|
All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 12:03:39
|
PS
This is not repressed old emotions it is part of the anxiety spectrum - I have had it and recovered with meditation and anxiety work
"Around and Around the Circle We Go....
The Answer Sits In The Middle and Knows..." |
|
|
|
alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 12:12:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by All1Spirit
Google Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction -Dr David Wise
"Around and Around the Circle We Go....
The Answer Sits In The Middle and Knows..."
I have seen people struggle for years with that protocol. The emphasis on myofascial physical therapy as integral part of the protocol prevents healing in my opinion. People get completely distracted with those elusive trigger points.
Check Abigail Steidley anamsong for good info on pelvic pain and download her informative ebook.
Please note also that Dr.James Alexander that posts here has recovered from 18 years of groin pain and his book is a great resource. |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 13:09:57
|
quote:
Originally posted by All1Spirit
PS
This is not repressed old emotions it is part of the anxiety spectrum - I have had it and recovered with meditation and anxiety work
"Around and Around the Circle We Go....
The Answer Sits In The Middle and Knows..."
What makes you so sure that this is only anxiety and not emotional?
After some reading, I can really relate to the TMS type of person. I am a people-pleaser, lack self-confidence, and I rarely show my emotions.
Also, the pain has gotten significantly worse throughout the day today after feeling so good yesterday. Why did my workout cause me such pain if this is a mental disorder? Could I be missing some kind of mental trigger? |
Edited by - GTfan on 04/05/2013 13:20:47 |
|
|
|
ennio
28 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 13:20:21
|
I was diagnosed with chronic epididymitis at 24 and have had it to varying degrees throughout my life (I am now 41).
I saw nearly every kind of specialist at various renowned Boston hospitals, including pain clinics. No one could help. They just said 'chronic epididymitis'.
At one point it was so brutal I was considering getting an orchiectomy.
Then, as fate would have it, last year I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the same testicle. This wasn't the cause for the pain since I had it for so long. The silver lining was that I thought my groin pain would go away.
Guess what? One year after the surgery and my pain is STILL THERE. Which convinces me even more that it is TMS.
I am a people-pleaser of the highest order and also a perfectionist. I've also had major inferority issues in my life. I am totally convinced the pain is TMS. Now I don't worry about it anymore and it doesn't enter my mind as much. I can do activities I was afraid to do before and the pain does not get any worse. It is still there sometimes, but there's TMS for you. In most cases, it never completely vanishes, but accepting it for what it is and not worrying about it make a huge difference.
My recommendation is to continue exercising, but don't go right to the insanity workout. The point is to gradually get back to that. The first time I decided to lift light weights after avoiding them for 10 years (groin, back, achilles pain) I felt the "old" pain come back. But I kept at it and before long, I had no increased pain during weight-lifting.
I would just ease into it. As long as you have been medically tested, convince yourself that physically you are fine.
|
|
|
|
Sam908
70 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 14:00:05
|
| I have had it also; very painful and lasted about six months. However, this was in my pre-Sarno days, and it went away of its own accord, only to have the pain pop up elsewhere in my body. |
|
|
|
plum
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 14:13:56
|
Hello love. It certainly sounds like tms, all the hallmarks are there. Read Sarno to get your bearings and trust in the wisdom. There are many people here who will help and support you. Welcome aboard.
(Don't linger on All1Spirit's words. He's a grinch.) |
|
|
|
RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 14:18:28
|
I think you would find Dr James Alexander's own story (groin pain) and professional opinions helpful. He has very generously posted links to free mp3s of a talk he did, on his site:
http://drjamespsychologist-com.webs.com/training-workshops
(DEFINITELY worth a listen while waiting for your books to arrive) and you can also get more information about Dr Alexander's book there. He is also a very generous poster to this forum. - RSR
PS Welcome (and I'm with Plum)
|
Edited by - RageSootheRatio on 04/05/2013 14:22:05 |
|
|
|
eric watson
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 14:21:51
|
quote:
Originally posted by GTfan
quote:
Originally posted by All1Spirit
PS
This is not repressed old emotions it is part of the anxiety spectrum - I have had it and recovered with meditation and anxiety work
"Around and Around the Circle We Go....
The Answer Sits In The Middle and Knows..."
After some reading, I can really relate to the TMS type of person. I am a people-pleaser, lack self-confidence, and I rarely show my emotions.
Also, the pain has gotten significantly worse throughout the day today after feeling so good yesterday. Why did my workout cause me such pain if this is a mental disorder? Could I be missing some kind of mental trigger?
As much as I like all1spirit starting to see the light-
I want you to know GTfan that anxiety is emotional or how would you know you had anxiety if it weren't from your emotions
|
Edited by - eric watson on 04/05/2013 14:25:46 |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 15:13:07
|
Wow, only a matter of hours and I have received all kind of support and reference material. Thanks a lot guys.
I got off my computer and stopped googling stuff. I went out on the floor and did some wiring with my electrician to try to calm my mind.
I did some reflection and meditation while I was working, and I convinced myself that the pain I was feeling was the "burning", "sore" pain that comes from excercising. I checked myself out and realized that my epididymis wasn't even that swollen. I then re-convinced myself that this was all in my head, and that my whole body feeling like I've been run over by a train is just because I decided to do the hardest cardio workout immaginable after 3 months of inactivity. As soon as I got my mind right, the pain got significantly better. I'm still hurting, but I guess I'm not really as worried about it. My main goal right now is to maintain this attitude, becasue it is a constant struggle for me to be positive.
I'm definitely going to tone it down a bit and ease back into excercise. I downloaded Abigail's ebook and I plan to read that, Sarno's book, as well as some of Dr. Alexander's stuff.
For now, I'm going to take a rest day on the excercise. Probably going to meet up with some friends and have a few drinks and try to have a good time.
Thank you all for the support. I will continue to check in. |
|
|
|
eric watson
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2013 : 16:10:38
|
You got it- that's the perfect result of a
good state from your own thought patterns
now always remember what you did to get that positive state
and do it over and over and over
and never think again that you are the thermometer
no you control the climate of your mind-
your the thermostat
|
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2013 : 19:51:00
|
So I had good weekend with friends with little pain, but today I've started feeling some sharp pain. Can't really tell if my epididymis is swollen. I'm starting the think that there isn't much correlation between pain and swelling. I've been in a lot of pain with little swelling and not much pain with a lot of swelling.
But anyways, I did some heavy drinking this weekend and I was wondering if this could cause more pain. I seem to feel pain a day or two after drinking alcohol. But yet again, maybe there is some kind of subconcious mental trigger that is causing this pattern.
Maybe I'm angry that the weekend is over and I have to go back to work. I don't know I'm just speculating at this point. |
|
|
|
Dr James Alexander
Australia
127 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2013 : 20:57:42
|
GTfan- did you get the email i sent you last week in response to your email to me? As i didnt get a reply from you, i'm not confident you actually got it- let me know.
James |
|
|
|
Racer
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 04:51:45
|
GTfan,
I guess you have stated that you are having this pain only for the last 3 months. This may be too early to say what you are undergoing TMS.
Mine is a classical example of TMS. I was one such sufferer with chronic testicle and groin pain for few years, visiting plenty of urologists and other specialists before coming to this forum. None of them were able to diagnose what is causing the pain, with test reports coming out normal, with antibiotics not working.
After coming to this forum, and reading Dr. Sarno's books, and valuable posts of experience people in this forum, I started seeing dramatic improvement, and I'm almost pain free for quite sometime.
There are few experienced experts in this forum - Dave, Ace, Dr. James, Tennis Tom, etc. For me TTom's 12 point reminders worked as a miracle, and reading posts of Dave, especially on conditioning, Ace's affirmations, etc.
You haven't mentioned whether you had any trauma during childhood or adulthood. You may find it not good to post in a public forum, however, you may check those with the experts through private emails. I hope they will be help out whether it is PPSD or PPSD+TMS or TMS. |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 06:07:50
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dr James Alexander
GTfan- did you get the email i sent you last week in response to your email to me? As i didnt get a reply from you, i'm not confident you actually got it- let me know.
James
Yes, Dr. James, I recieve your reply. I have ordered your book and look forward to reading it. |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 07:29:10
|
quote:
Originally posted by Racer
GTfan,
I guess you have stated that you are having this pain only for the last 3 months. This may be too early to say what you are undergoing TMS.
Mine is a classical example of TMS. I was one such sufferer with chronic testicle and groin pain for few years, visiting plenty of urologists and other specialists before coming to this forum. None of them were able to diagnose what is causing the pain, with test reports coming out normal, with antibiotics not working.
After coming to this forum, and reading Dr. Sarno's books, and valuable posts of experience people in this forum, I started seeing dramatic improvement, and I'm almost pain free for quite sometime.
There are few experienced experts in this forum - Dave, Ace, Dr. James, Tennis Tom, etc. For me TTom's 12 point reminders worked as a miracle, and reading posts of Dave, especially on conditioning, Ace's affirmations, etc.
You haven't mentioned whether you had any trauma during childhood or adulthood. You may find it not good to post in a public forum, however, you may check those with the experts through private emails. I hope they will be help out whether it is PPSD or PPSD+TMS or TMS.
I know I have not been experiencing this pain nearly as long as some of you on this forum that have suffered for years. But I feel like I have been checked for everything and I have done hours and hours of research. TMS seems to be the most logical answer based on my history and personality traits.
For those that don't know about epididymitis, prostatitis, and other chronic groin pain, you can search any health forum online and find countless stories of people that have found no relief from the pain and most doctors tell them that there is nothing wrong.
When you say that I should be further medically examined before I accept this pain as TMS, this is just not an option for me. My urologist has already said that the next option would be for my epididymis to be removed surgically.
Past surgeries have showed that removing the epididymis sometimes doesn't even stop the pain! Some cases have shown the groin pain remained and even moved to the other side! If that is not caused by the mind then I don't know what else it could be.
I know that I haven't suffered for near as long as most posters on this board. And I will not try to act like I have been in pain as long as you or that I know as much as some of you do. But I am trying to learn more about this epidemic and hoping to some day fully accept this as a mental problem instead of a physical one and find relief from my pain.
Also, what is PPSD? |
|
|
|
Racer
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 08:11:57
|
quote:
Also, what is PPSD?
Oops.. typo error... read it as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 08:57:56
|
quote:
Originally posted by Racer
quote:
Also, what is PPSD?
Oops.. typo error... read it as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
So the basis for TMS is usually that you suffered some kind of trauma growing up, correct? I don't think anything that traumatic happened to me growing up, but a lot of pressure was put on me by my parents to succeed.
My parents did a great job of raising me, and I am happy that I had such a good life. But as I examine my childhood, I realize being the first-born of two other siblings, my father put me under constant pressure to do well in school. I was constantly hearing "you are going to be first one in this family to graduate college" and "you don't want to spend your life working with your hands like I do". He even threatened to make me quit the football team in high school one time when I made a C on a progress report.
I decided to study engineering which my dad loved. The problem was that I never really enjoyed math or engineering despite the fact that I was good at it. My freshman year of college I waivered and wanted to change my major and start pursuing a career in sports broadcasting which has and always wil be my passion. My dad almost crapped himself and pleaded and pleaded with me to stick with engineering and I eventually caved in and did that.
Now I have graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and landed a nice job right out of college making good money. I feel like it is a constant struggle to convince myself that I enjoy what I'm doing, but in reality deep down I feel like I'm not happy.
I know I should be venting all this to therapist probably, but I'm just searching for my source of pain. Am I possible getting somewhere in my subconcious? Is this a typical situation that TMS suffers come from? |
|
|
|
tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 09:31:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by GTfan
So the basis for TMS is usually that you suffered some kind of trauma growing up, correct?
NO, Dr. Sarno says you don't need to perform psychological archaeology in search of a black bullet trauma episode buried deep in your past. You just need to take a "leap of faith", accepting his TMS Theory 100%. It's a combination of various repressed stressors, composed of how you THINK about your past, present and future. These thoughts fill a figurative reservoir of rage, until they can't be contained any longer, erupting into TMS symptoms. The pain is real, but benign, harmless, based on a variety of mindbody mechanisms the subconscious gremlin devises. It's a defense mechanism the subconscious uses as a distraction. The TMS symptom protects us from exploding out in socially unacceptable anger. It's a substitute for a padded cell that would be good to knock about in.
Keep reading your Sarno, and take a look at the Rahe-Holmes list in my sig below for your sources of TMS stress buildup. Like snow flakes no two of us are alike with various combinations depending on our nature/nurture life history.
Keep reading your Sarno, it's the fastest way to health; internet message boards are for making friends, enemies and practicing your keyboarding.
BTW, what does GT in your moniker stand for, are you a car guy?
G'luck,
tt/lsmft
==================================================
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
"...the human emotional system was not designed to endure the mental rigors of a tennis match." Dr. Allen Fox
======================================================
"If it ends with "itis" or "algia" or "syndrome" and doctors can't figure out what causes it, then it might be TMS." Dave the Mod =================================================
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.html |
Edited by - tennis tom on 04/09/2013 06:19:09 |
|
|
|
GTfan
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2013 : 09:42:59
|
| Gotcha. And to answer your question, I'm not much of a car guy. The "GT" stands for Georgia Tech, my alma-mater. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Epididymitis - TMS?
