| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Calvin |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 12:50:51
Hello!!
I am an avid follower of Dr. Sarno - have most of his books, and definitely attribute most of my pain issues to TMS - knowing this has kept any pain issues at bay or removed them entirely from my body.
However, three weeks ago I got a vasectomy which was fairly uneventful. Normal run of the mill procedure, but did feel some pain afterwards. I googled some remedies of vasectomy pain and ran across some pure absolute horror stories - and sure enough, I developed more pain and was out of work for a week.
Two weeks later I was starting to feel fine, when I started to feel some more pain - once again after reading a horror internet story (by accident!!! I don't intentionally look these things up). Right now I feel as if I'm at a roadblock, my mental resources have run out of ideas on how to stop this. I have called the urologist who has checked me out and ruled out anything bad, but is putting me on antibiotics as a precaution.
I know deep down inside that this pain is a result of tension. I'm worried about the pain, which is causing tension, which no doubtedly is causing more pain. Reading Dr. Sarno's books puts my mind at ease, but soon the pain is back. Once my mind is distracted from the pain, I don't feel it - but just laying around (doctors orders) causes my mind to go crazy with worry about this - perhaps its because its in a very tender spot, I just don't know.
Any wise words of advice for a newbie? |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Laura |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 16:53:58
Enjoy! And let me know what you think.
Laura
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| Calvin |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 16:20:41
quote:
It's good you recognize what stressors are going on in your life. Maybe if you have to lay still and rest for awhile longer you could get yourself engrossed in a good book. Try the one I'm reading, The Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. It will change your whole outlook on life, I promise!
This sounds good. I have his other book, Erroneous Zones, which I thought was great reading. I'll check this out tonight at the library.
Thanks! |
| Laura |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 14:43:33
Calvins,
Distractions are an amazing thing. Recently I was so focused on my daughter's bat mitzvah that I was barely dizzy. In fact, the day of the actual event I wasn't dizzy the whole day, a rare thing for me. When I have stomach problems, I'm so focused on my stomach I'm not dizzy. Sometimes a bad cold will present me with new symptoms to dwell on, like a cough or how many times a day I'm sneezing.
Last year I started a business with a friend - which we since stopped - but it required us to go to downtown L.A. and purchase items to be sold for home parties. It was so much fun, quite the distraction for me because I, like any other red blooded female, LOVES to shop. I remember one day saying to my business partner "I haven't been dizzy all day. I've been so focused on our shopping excursion." It was great.
Lately, like you, I am focusing on things going on around me and they seem to provoke anxiety for me. My 13 year old always worries me - she's so sensitive and always seems to have some kind of drama in her life. She is so much like me when I was younger that it scares me. I worry about her 24/7. She is starting 8th grade and I just want it to be a good year for her. My oldest, who is almost 16, never gives me too much to worry about but I worry about her just the same. She has a heavy load in high school this year, including chemistry and geometry, and I want her to succeed.
Then, there are the worries about my husband's new job bringing in enough money for us to live on, and about a month ago my mother was in the hospital and I thought we were going to lose her (she's fine now!). It seems my life is one big worry and I am very anxious. That's where I think the meditation comes in to play - it definitely quiets the mind.
It's good you recognize what stressors are going on in your life. Maybe if you have to lay still and rest for awhile longer you could get yourself engrossed in a good book. Try the one I'm reading, The Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. It will change your whole outlook on life, I promise!
I'm glad you found this forum and it's a wonderful place to vent. There are some really caring and kind people here.
Take care!
Laura
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| Calvin |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 13:26:25
Laura, thanks for the welcome!!
First - you may have hit something on the head there with the "research" I've been doing. I have to admit, when you come across one scary thing, I do research it more. I'm an information junkie - I feel as if I need to be prepared for the worst and be on guard for everything.
I have done some small journaling and have gone over it - noticing that I am focusing on the negatives of this rather standard procedure. I do have to make corrections to this - I also find myself talking about it in a more negative way, say if anyone asks me how I'm feeling, I will tell them I am in some pain - whether it be minor discomfort or actual pain.
As for stressful events - well, there are several that are currently worrying me:
1) Teenager rebellion in the household. Anyone with a teenager knows what I'm talking about. Entering high school, I am concerned about how she will fit in and what problems she will have.
2) I have a brother that has severe anxiety/depression issues and he tends to call me to dump on me, telling me how worthless his life is and so on - he's had horrible back pain and numerous surgeries throughout the years with no remedy - hooked on painkillers, alcoholic, etc. I have had to talk him down several times from his severe anxiety.
3) Family dog nearing the end of his life. I am worried about the impact of how his death will affect us all, since he's been with us for over 13 years.
I have been seeing a regular psychologist to deal with my own anxiety and depressive issues with much success. Things I have done to remedy my pain is distraction, distraction, distraction. Distraction stops the seeds of thought from sprouting, however in this case I have a very difficult time distracting because I have to remain stationary. Normally I would go for a run, hit the gym - physical activity definitely worked for me in the past, but this one particular spot limits me to what I can do.
Actually, I can work with and through this pain. It doesn't stop me from doing what I normally do - as a matter of fact, there was one particular day when I was in a lot of pain at work, and just said to myself, "just DO IT, LIFT THAT BOX, ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD", and I did lift that rather heavy box and really didn't feel too bad afterwards. I actually had a stretch of about 5 good days after that episode - maybe that is something I can dwell on? Perhaps I'm over-exaggerating this pain?
One weird thing I've noticed - when I shared this with several male co-workers, I gained a lot of attention. People I rarely talked to would call me every day to see how I was doing.
Think I'm onto something here? |
| Laura |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 13:03:43
Oh, I almost forgot. Welcome to the TMS forum.
Laura
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| Laura |
Posted - 08/12/2005 : 13:01:52
Calvin,
Wow, of all the places for TMS to manifest that's got to be the worst! I'm sorry, but cannot even begin to imagine your pain.
I'm not sure how you "accidentally" read about it unless you were specifically looking for it. I think that you, like myself and many others of us, have become focused on this and it's not going to let up until your brain has another distraction. What books did you read? Have you done any journaling lately? That seems to be what helps so many of us, in addition to using the daily reminders listed in the book.
Was there a stressful event that happened lately or just before the vasectomy? What other pain issues do you have? Since you know of TMS and have issues with it before, the TMS gremlin just saw this as another advantage to grab your attention. What did you do in the past to get rid of pain? Maybe get in touch with whatever that is and try it again. I'm sure it must be difficult because you feel you should be resting, and when you are resting you are dwelling on the pain. By now you should probably be out doing things. Heck, women have cesarean sections and are up moving about rather quickly after that. Are there any sports you enjoy? How about simply talking a walk or doing something else you might enjoy - anything to distract yourself from the pain you are focusing on.
Good luck to you.
Laura
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