| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cieeciee |
Posted - 05/05/2007 : 11:08:17
Hi everyone,
I am new to TMS and am currently reading Dr. Sarno's first book "Healing Back Pain". I think my pain could definitely be related to TMS but have a question re: the anatomical piece of the equation. I was just diagnosed via an MRI with multi-layer disc disease - I have several bulging discs in my spine. So, my physician says the discs are bulging and pressing on 'nerve roots' that are traveling off the sciatic nerve and that is why I have pain. Dr. Sarno's book says bulging discs cannot cause pain, so I am confused! My pain pattern could fit this "nerve root impingement from several bulging discs" theory OR TMS based upon Sarno's book.
The TMS aspect of my pain is that I also have "knots" - tender spots which travel the length of my nerve pain along my hip and the side of my leg, which no one can seem to explain, they just look at me with blank stares like I am just an overly complaining patient. (My chiroprator even said the origin of my pain could be chemical because he couldn't explain how my pain could be related to my disc presentation - my discs seem to bulge forward according to him - so therefore couldn't impinge on a nerve traveling through my hip - where I feel intense pain). I feel better when I exercise and have had the most stress in my life in the last two years, coinciding with the onset of my sciatic pain. So how do I rule out what my physician says about this "nerve root impingement by several disc" explanation?
Any advice would be appreciated,
cc
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| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mizlorinj |
Posted - 05/07/2007 : 09:08:51
Cieeciee, Going to another doc will likely yield the same results--you need steriods, physical therapy or surgery. Chiropractor acquaintance does not agree w/ Dr. Sarno at all and he has hardly talked to me since I stopped coming to him for treatment for my back pain. He was sure he could help but I told him I wanted to get to the CAUSE--not continue to treat symptoms--treatment that works for an hour and the pain is back. No thanks.
I would read Dr. Sarno's books carefully--esp. the treatment sections.
I hate the term DDD--I do not have a disease but signs of wear and tear on a well-used spine! I remember the orthopod I went to telling me I was "prime age" (40) for this and herniated discs. Dr. Sarno says your spine shows signs of wear at 20 years old AND a herniated disc (or whatever spine "disorder") does not cause pain! Fortunately I found Dr. Sarno before I agreed to surgery that "might" work to relieve the pain.
I think your comment "have had the most stress in my life in the last two years" pretty well sums it up!
Best of luck
-Lori |
| wharrison |
Posted - 05/07/2007 : 04:39:32
This is all great to hear. I was diagnosed with a herniated disc two years ago and recovered 99% after told I needed surgery. I had read Healing Back Pain and got through it.
I had another episode a month ago, that I know was triggered by stress. Every one of my episodes has been triggered by stress. I had the foot drop and all on my last episode and I have it on this one, but I know it will go away.
I am working on Dr Schecther's workbook which will help me gain insight on myself if nothing else.
I feel for you, but I agree with the previous replies. Be very skeptical of these diagonsis. Test Sarno's theories before you go in for the knife. They seem to be working for me. |
| HilaryN |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 12:59:46
Welcome, cieeciee.
quote:
I was just diagnosed via an MRI with multi-layer disc disease - I have several bulging discs in my spine. So, my physician says the discs are bulging and pressing on 'nerve roots' that are traveling off the sciatic nerve and that is why I have pain.
I don’t blame you for being scared by this diagnosis. It sounds very authoritative. But it’s interesting that your chiropractor doesn’t believe it can be causing pain. S/he must know a thing or two about the back:
quote:
(My chiroprator even said the origin of my pain could be chemical because he couldn't explain how my pain could be related to my disc presentation - my discs seem to bulge forward according to him - so therefore couldn't impinge on a nerve traveling through my hip - where I feel intense pain).
Not being a medical person, I haven’t a clue about whether it could be causing pain or not, although from your description it does sound like you have TMS. The others have given very good advice here, but if you want to put your mind at rest maybe you could go back and challenge the doctor about the chiro’s view. Alternatively you could get a second opinion (again mentioning your chiropractor’s opinion.)
Remember that your doctor may feel under pressure to produce a physical explanation because that’s what they are trained to do. Very few doctors are aware of TMS.
Hilary N |
| Shary |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 12:30:59
Cieeciee,
This is going to sound extreme, but my advice is to dump the doctor, the chiropractor, and the MRI info, and pay attention to what Dave and Sensei are telling you here. Doctors aren't infallible. They are products of outdated medical school information that most of them never bother to update. While MRI's can be useful diagnostic tools, their shortcoming is that, with many things, no one really knows what's normal and what isn't...or what causes pain and what doesn't.
I would say just go with Sarno's approach and forget about the other stuff. If you feel better when you exercise, then your body is trying to tell you something. Maybe you should listen to it. |
| sensei adam rostocki |
Posted - 05/05/2007 : 16:31:51
Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most innocent of all spinal conditions. First, it is NOT a DISEASE. it is a universal and completely normal part of the aging process. DDD is a common scapegoat for idiopathic back pain. It is rarely the cause. I have severe disc degeneration throughout my lumbar spine, as well as a herniated disc and a ruptured disc. I have no pain even though I suffered for 18 years with the most dire of acute and chronic lumbar pain. DDD is a non-issue. If I were you I would find a few good websites or books and bring them to your doctor so that they might be able to learn something and stop spreading such antiquated and frightening information... -Sensei
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
| Dave |
Posted - 05/05/2007 : 12:53:10
The advice is simple. Read the book carefully. If you are in agreement with the theory, you will accpet that bulging discs on an MRI can be perfectly normal and not cause pain. You will stop physical treatments, especially the chiropractor.
Rather than focusing on structural explanations, focus on the psychological. Do you see yourself described in the pages of HBP? Are you perfectionistic or goodist? If so then there is a good chance you have TMS. |
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