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Lmvine
27 Posts |
 Posted - 08/03/2005 : 12:51:05
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Hi all, I've concluded I am a classic case of TMS. I’ll be brief using bullet points to summarize.
1) I am 64+, 5’10” 165#,retired (have small business, vineyard) generally in good health, married, good family relationship.
2) First back episode 1985 (age 44) while moving washing machine. At same time I was also being treated for work related stress. I am a worrier, critical and a perfectionist. Coincidence??
3) Been diagnosed with GAD & off and on insomnia since 1984
4) Moderate off and on back problems over the years until September 2003. Then severe back pain that 2 weeks later changed to SEVERE pain radiating down the front of my right leg. This back/leg episode occurred after a time of stress.
5) MRI showed bulged L4-L5 disk and neurosurgeon prescribed ESI, physical therapy and diagnosed foraminal stenosis and femoral neuropathy. I had 3 ESI that were of no help. Did 14 months of PT that strengthened me but hit a plateau after about 8 months.
6) Finally back surgery in 12/04 - no help. Leg pain from knee to ankle is tingly numb and sore with “knotted muscles” in upper leg. I usually wear a compression “pull-on” elastic thing, helps by keeping pressure on the nerve from knee to ankle. NO current back pain.
7) I have continued to exercise, increasing recently, am fairly physically active, and read both of Sarno's most recent books.
What has worked/helped so far: Book-Embracing the Fear, Bemis & Barrada. Week's "Help & hope for nerves" more diagnosis than cure IMO.
CD-Silva Centering meditation. Available off the net free
http://www.silvaultramindsystem.com/products/unlimited/
EFT- http://www.emofree.com. Free 70 page manual that describes technique
Tried many things that were not effective!
Wrote Dr Sarno & he recommended Dr Andrea Leonard-Segal in DC ~200 miles away.
Next Steps?? Get the Sarno videos or Schecter DVD or audio? Audio sounds more interesting. Any other suggestions?? Schecter protocol?
Dan
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 13:37:26
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Dan,
What is GAD? I have been experiencing horrible insomnia for the past two months. I can't imagine having it since 1984. I have no trouble falling asleep because I'm exhausted but I wake up several times during the night and the sleep I do have is fitfull with bad dreams. I'm wondering if insomnia is a TMS equivalent. I can't remember.
I have the Schechter CD set and enjoy listening to it in my car. Try it out and see if you like it. It's pretty affordable and it helped me a lot.
Good luck!
Laura
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 14:17:07
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| yes. Insomnia is equivalent. |
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Lmvine
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 14:37:26
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Laura
GAD=Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Best description I've seen is "Like a worry machine in your head"
D |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 14:43:44
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Oh, I was diagnosed with that about 20 years ago. I AM the worry machine!
Laura
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Baseball65
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 19:15:43
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Hi LMvine.
Without counting coup,suffice it to say I had a very similar experience to yours,symptoms,duration,epidurals,insomnia,yada,yada....except I was only 30 when it hit(and in the best shape of my life)
How long have you been Reading Sarno? Which book(s) did you read? Are you doing the daily reminders and refocusing your mind when the pain comes.Most of the info we get really rests on the "three pillars" of
1.Refute the diagnosis
2.Return to Normal activity
3.Recondition the mind
I'm not familiar with this Silva meditation and relaxing can certainly help,but as far as reducing pain permanently I think Sarno might be concerned about a placebo effect...i.e. associating it with the meditation.I think Meditation is great for people who have the ability to sit still for more than a minute(I can't) but it is not necessary for recovery.
GAD is a sort of "lump'em all together" diagnosis...Kinda' like TMS,or OCD(both of which I've been afflicted with)
Therapy was really helpful to find out WHY I'm such a ball of nerves...the awareness actually defused a large portion of it.I'm still quite a bit of a spaz,but the pain went away with reading,the 12 reminders and the three 'pillars'.After I had recovered from the majority of my symptoms I read other books,and have even heard the Sarno Cd's,but it's the info and TIME that does the healing.The more you dive into it and apply the principles ,the faster it will reach that uncrackable egg,our subconscious>>>>
...anyways,
WELCOME!!!!
Baseball65 |
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Lmvine
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2005 : 20:24:54
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Baseball65, thanks for input. Been reading Sarno for about 6 weeks - Healing back pain first & Mind body prescription. Have currently loaned MBP to brother in law who has an appointment with same neurosurgeon as I had.
What are the 12 reminders? Maybe in the book.
Not sure how to recondition the mind, maybe you can elaborate.
As I said have been quite active with vineyard, etc. Pain is always there but only in leg not back.
Think anxiety & TMS tied together so trying to defuse both.
This is a good board. Appreciate the feedback.
Dan
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Baseball65
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 12:03:09
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Hi.
Page 82 of Healing Back Pain:
1.The pain is due to TMS,not to a structural abnormality
2.The direct reason for the pain is mild oxygen deprivation
3.TMS is a harmless condition caused by my repressed emotions
4.The principal emotion is my repressed ANGER
5.TMS exists only to distract my attentions from the emotions
6.Since my back is basically normal there is nothing to fear
7.Therefore,physical activity is not dangerous
8.And I MUST resume all normal physical activity
9.I will not be concerned or intimidated by the pain
10.I will shift my attention from pain to the emotional issues
11.I intend to be in control-NOT my subconscious mind
12.I must think Psychological at all times,NOT physical.
I think it of paramount importance to actually set aside the time to do this...like setting aside time to pray.
And the re-conditioning of the mind is a conscious and forceful mental shift to a problem or worrisome concern EVERY SINGLE time you find yourself becoming aware of the pain.I had a truly profound and quick recovery from a crippling pain,but I was militant about this particular aspect.As I just wrote to another person ,I had the "good" fortune of being ripped off in a music business deal right as I read HBP....every time the pain came,I immediately thought of that A-hole.
Sarno points out that this is sending a message to subconscious that you no longer need the pain as a distraction,and like most useless functions,the pain ceases.
It's excellent that your out in the vineyard.Devote all the time you can (in your head) to focusing on your real problems.
I had the good fortune of also being alone during most of my recovery...it is very difficult to shift your focus when you have to deal with others...work,Family,friends,etc.
peace
Baseball65 |
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Lmvine
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 16:43:41
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Thanks BB65. Healing Back Pain is the one book I don't have. I have Mind over BP & Mind Body Prescription which is on loan. Don't recall him mentioning 12 reminders so concisely in either of the 2 books I have.
Dan
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n/a
374 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 01:51:00
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Hi Dan
Anxiety was a huge problem for me - looking back it was anxiety that made my terrible back pain the problem that it was for such a long time. Supressed rage was probably at the root of all my health problems, but the approach I took, which has been very successful, was that I worked hard on dealing with the GAD. Sounds like what you are doing also.
Claire Weekes was a wonderful writer on the subject, I think. Have you read Rick Carson's 'Taming Your Gremlin?' Quite a few of us who post here like that book. It's light-hearted in tone, but really hits the spot for me.
Reconditioning the mind is what I managed to do. I think of it as de-conditioning, in fact. It took time, lots of reading and self-analysis, but it definitely can be done.
Best wishes
Anne |
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Baseball65
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 02:26:00
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I used HBP as a sort of recovery plan,and recovered fast.I never browsed some of the other books until after I was recovered,but I often wonder If I would have recoverd so fast if I had read the others first.
Just one guys opinion.
Baseball65 |
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n/a
560 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 13:33:51
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I have Dr. Sarno's workshop video as well as Schechter's 3 CDS and workbook, including his patient panel CD. I also have Dr. Howard Schubner's workbook and meditation tape. I listen to this tape three times a day.
All of the above offer something new.... |
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Lmvine
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2005 : 11:19:32
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Thanks BB65, AnneG & Peter. I've done a lot of things to reduce anxiety - courses, psycotherapy, many books (too many?), medications, etc. Maybe I haven't hit the right combo yet.
I did order the HBP & Gremlin books from the library.
I just received a Deep sleep Hypnotherapy tape from Janet Decker which had VG reviews on Amazon. It has 2 parts sleep & relaxation. The relaxation is very similar to the Silva centering I referenced in the initial topic and I recommend it. I listen to the Silva centering (shortened version) at least twice a day.
Peter, you said that the CD/DVD all offered something new, any first choice?
I contacted Dr. Dr Andrea Leonard-Segal who Dr Sarno suggested as closer to me. Her rate is $300/hr and doesn't accept Medicare which I start next month... so I guess I'll order a couple of tapes before I spend that amount.
One thing that Sarno said on one of his interviews was that the diagnosis is most important. Couldn't agree more, if you pick the wrong road you won't get to your destination. Dan
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n/a
560 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2005 : 20:16:55
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Howard Schubiner, MD - a TMS doctor - has made a CD called "Reflections for healing TMS." It is three separate meditations which include:
Mindful Awareness
Healing Stressors
Dialogue with the Unconscious
He also has a detailed 160 page TMS workbook which will keep you busy digging around on the inside for awhile.
The cost is 25.00 for the 2 items and can be ordered at (checks only):
Howard Schubiner
47 Oxford Blvd;.
Pleasant Ridge, MI
48069.
Make checks to "Howard Schubiner" Please add about $6 money for postage.
Also get Dr. Schechter's patient panel and his TMS seminar. Ordered at: www.mindbodymedicine.com |
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Lmvine
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2005 : 06:55:50
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Peter, it appears you have been doing a lot of "homework". Books, tapes and therapy. How would you say it has helped your TMS?
BTW I took the do you have TMS test on Schechter's site & I scored 10 of 10.
Dan |
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Intro, What Works & Next Steps
