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Inferno
15 Posts |
 Posted - 08/09/2007 : 00:02:08
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Hi all,
I've been struggling with knee pain for some time now. MRI showed supposedly small miniscal tears (1mm) and tendonosis (I guess that means tendonitis). At any rate, even my orthopedic doctor was not too concerned about my "report", and prescribed Celebrex, etc....
All of my pain started 1.5 years ago after a rigourous workout in the gym, but nothing out of the ordinary. I broke up with my girlfriend of 7 years, 3 days later (hint, hint). All of this hints at emotional reasons for the pain. However, in previous posts, I've mentioned that I have an annoying "snap", when I move my leg in a certain way. I'm currently in the "screw it" attitude and am working it out, despite the pain. I guess I'm at my wits end. I never had the "snapping" sensation before my pain, so it has been difficult to accept an "emotional" reason for my delema. I am constantly reminded of my knee pain by the "snapping" or "catching" sensation. It's hard not to attribute the "snapping" to some sort of "physical" problem.
My life is not exactly were I would like it to be. I feel very much like my life is out of control and I'm dissappointed in the outcome. I really am the poster child for someone to have TMS. However, if it was just "pain" that I felt, perhaps I could come to terms with the TMS diagnosis. My issue is the "snapping", "popping", "cracking" sensation that I feel when I bend my knee. Nothing demonstrative shows up in my MRI, yet my knee feels big time "out of whack". All of this presumably after a simple workout.
Can TMS cause the "snapping" and other "sensations"? Should I just bull through this? I've tried journaling, "gradual return to activity, etc...". Since supposedly TMS is a "harmless" condition, perhaps I should literally force myself to do all the things that I used to. At this point it would almost be a relief to "blow out my knee", or finish whatever possible damage might have been caused. I spend practically every waking hour trying to figure this out. I've researched any and all medical solutions. I'm a believer in TMS, but this has me stumped.
I'm at my wits end. I'm 42 years old. Is my active life over after a simple workout?
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skizzik
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 05:00:20
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I don't know if TMS is responsible for clicking, popping. But my right knee clicks, and makes grinding noises that bothered me menatlly for a while as I go up stairs. I only hear it when everything is quiet. I'ts painless however. It also pops when I twist it a bit if I'm standing still. Kind of cool.
My left one I hurt in the gym. Small sprain feeling, that took mos to go away. Once every two mos or so, that same sharp feeling comes back and I think Impossible, I havent been to the gym in mos. It'll go away w/ in minutes.
For what it's worth. |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 06:08:22
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As a 42 year old, I sometimes hear snaps or pops. I can stretch my legs in bed and hear a snap or pop from both lower legs. Can't tell if it's in my ankles or knees. A deep squat also gives me a "crack" in my right knee. Fortunately there's no pain at all. I imagine it is difficult for you to ignore the pain when there is a notable "feel" or movement that wasn't there before.
In your case, the noise or movement could very well be an innocent bystander and the brain selects that area of your body because it will be so hard to get past the feeling that it's caused by a physical clicking noise and feeling.
For me, TMS pain is a lot about expectations. When I think about pain as I get up in the morning, it's more likely to be there. Other times it's just there and promptly reminds me. But more often than not, when I think to myself that I'm fine and I'm not going to let the stresses of the moment or the annoyance from last night cause me pain - I'm fine.
Easier said than done, but I find that helps me out.
For you, I recommend the daily journaling and constant re-reading of Sarno's books. Psychology and treatment sections. Read them over and over again. Look through and see what references he makes to knee and joint pain. Talk to your brain. Resume physical activity when there is a significant reduction in pain. Doing too much too fast can set you back and reinforce the belief that it's a mechanical problem.
The good news is that applying this theory certainly won't make the pain worse, it can only help. There's not much to lose in assuming it's TMS until proven otherwise. So far your imaging studies don't seem to show anything the doctors are overly concerned with. So for a period of 4-8 weeks, stop the physical exploration. The more you talk to mainstream doctors, the more you'll think you're "broken".
But in your own words, "finish whatever possible damage might have been caused." is a clear indication that you are hanging onto the mechanical cause and not believing that TMS is the cause of your pain. The fact that you spend every waking hour researching any and all medical solutions is also an indication that you are hanging onto a physical cause. Again, go on a low doctor and low information diet. If you find yourself going to websites looking for knee pain info, stop yourself. Focus 100% on TMS for now. The more you keep researching, the longer the doubt stays in your mind.
Lastly, whether you believe it completely or not, repeated instructions to your brain can "teach" you to believe something else. Daily affirmations said out loud or written out over and over can change your belief system. Write out 50 times a day..."I have TMS - there is nothing physically wrong with my knee." Or something to that effect. Repetition is the key. I sometimes find myself speaking out loud while looking into the mirror. Odd rituals I know, but it works for me.
Hope this helps!
Dan |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 06:28:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Inferno
My life is not exactly were I would like it to be. I feel very much like my life is out of control and I'm dissappointed in the outcome.
This is a classic TMS type personality. TMSers generally (but not all) like to be in control of their immediate surroundings, become emotionally overwhelmed and remain inwardly angry when they are not. They even like to control the actions of others to bring them into conformity with their wishes - sometimes like a little dictator. There are strong elements of pefectionism also resident in such people. You might want to think about these things in the course of your journaling.
Here is what Dr. Sarno says in Healing Back Pain
People often report that at the moment of onset they hear some kind of noise, a crack, a snap or a pop. Patients often use the phrase “My back went out.” They are sure that something has broken. In fact, nothing breaks, but the patient will swear that there has been some kind of structural damage. The noise is a mystery. It may be that it is similar to the noise elicited by a manipulation of the spine, which is a kind of “cracking the knuckles” of the joints of the spinal bones. One thing is clear—the noise indicates nothing harmful.
*******
Sarno-ize it!
Read chapter 4 of Dr. Sarno's "The Divided Mind." It's all you need to know in order to recover. |
Edited by - shawnsmith on 08/09/2007 06:32:26 |
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h2oskier25
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 07:10:10
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Inferno,
When my TMS was as its worst, I heard all kinds of things in my neck, and thought I must have bone on bone stuff going on. One night I just moved my neck back and forth for as long as it took - and it took pretty long. Eventaully, the sounds stopped.
Who knows, maybe my movement finally lubricated things enough with synovial fluid, I don't know.
I do know that knee problem sufferers are lucky, because science has lots if their really IS a problem. So, I'm with you. Damn the torpedoes -- full steam ahead !! What have you got to lose.
I'd start journaling about the life issues. Remember, you are still captain of your own ship, and you can start to redirect the ship of your life into waters you find more favorable.
It's not too late. It's never too late.
Beth |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 07:57:46
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Sounds like you are on the right track. Explore further those "out of control" feelings because they are key to the rage. The child inside you just wants to be left alone, not burdened with all the responsibilities of your life. The child feels like he deserves to be rewarded and have a simpler more comfortable life, without the pressures of having to control everything.
Regarding the popping and clicking sounds, this is perfectly normal. I have various joints in my body that will always do this. It is harmless release of gas from between the joints. |
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Inferno
15 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 11:39:05
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Thank you all for your suggestions. It's nice to be able and get feedback from people that have went through similar problems. I will endeavor to continue on and treat this thing from an emotional standpoint and trust that my knee is essentially normal.
Thanks for the support. I truly appreciate the time that you all have taken to respond.
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Newmom
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 11:57:43
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Shawnsmith,
The first time I completely agree with you and understand your advice. I spent one month away that has changed me and made me take a hard look at my life and stress. Your post is describing me 100% and I only recently realized that.
With this little piece of advice, I will forgive the comment you made to me on my prior post about a month ago telling me to call the vatican, somebody got pregnant on their own... That bothered me.
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crk
124 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2007 : 22:12:12
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As for the cracking or other sensations, your brain can do all that and more -- whatever it takes to assure you (or try) that you are "injured." Knee pain is a favorite for runners, and my brain has tried that one on me on numerous occasions (I run a lot). Have you gone back to the exercises that originally "brought on" the problem?
Here is some of the artillery I use against the knee pain triggers; assume you are telling these things to your brain gremlin:
-Where is the swelling? Knees are pretty easily checked for this (unlike some areas). NO swelling? Not a smidge? Busted!
-How come it's just fine sometimes? (For me this was true.) If I had a big 'ole bruise or a horrible dog bite, it would hurt all the time, and it would slowly get better. This hurts-when-I-have-a-certain-thought-while-running trick is just pure crap. Busted again!
And of course, I keep running on it. Hang in there!
CK |
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Giving it my best. Any other suggestions?
