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Bobafett
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
 Posted - 08/25/2009 : 08:05:46
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Hello everyone, here's my story so far.
I've been in IT for over 15 years now and have had instances in that time where I'd get sore hands/arms but it always cleared up quickly. I've now been suffering from chronic RSI for just over two years (which seemed to come on overnight just as I started a new job) and was starting to believe my IT career could be over, so I went for the usual tests.
I had sessions of sports physio: deep massage /nerve glides / stretching etc. The physiotherapist thought there was nothing wrong. I did strength tests which were ok and he couldn't reliably replicate the tingling in my fingers/palms.
I then had nerve conductive tests on my forearms/hands which again appeared to be normal.
I also had an upper-torso MRI scan and again no obvious problems.
My specialist said there was nothing for him to fix and that I had to change my work habits, which left me feeling pretty fed up. I've got a new work chair on order and have replaced my mouse with a RollerMouse, which does seem to have helped with my shoulder problems.
I was becoming increasingly worried until I discovered Dr Sarno's work and this forum.
I read The Mind/Body Prescription a couple of months ago and have just bought The Divided Mind, but not read it yet. I think I'm one of those people who believes the theory but hasn't accepted it, which is why I don't seem to be making much progress with my RSI.
However I have made progress elsewhere - I suffer from mild asthma (since early 20s) and had allergic rashes (since age 12). I decided one day to stop taking my anti-histamines which I'd been taking for over 20 years. It's now been almost 10 months since I took them and the 'rashes' haven't been back since.
I also decided to stop using my asthma inhaler every night (which took considerable will-power) and at the moment it's been almost 3 months since I had to use it.
I *know* there's a mind/body thing going on here and I fit the profile of a TMS sufferer. I have perfectionist traits and like to do things right. Outwardly I'm easy-going and laid-back, but very tense inwardly and don't show it.
Is it TMS I'm suffering from? I can't seem to make that final leap when it comes to my RSI and the pain is very real. My forearms are burning nicely as I type this and my neck/shoulders are very sore.
Sorry for such a long first post, thanks for reading! |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 11:55:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Bobafett
I *know* there's a mind/body thing going on here and I fit the profile of a TMS sufferer. I have perfectionist traits and like to do things right. Outwardly I'm easy-going and laid-back, but very tense inwardly and don't show it.
This statement alone means you are already ahead of most people. You seem to understand and believe in TMS but are having trouble making the leap to conclude that it applies to you. This is not uncommon.
Since you have had a full medical workup and no serious issues were found, why not take that leap and give TMS a shot? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Sometimes "belief" doesn't come naturally; you have to "act as if you believe" first. Read the book and do the work. See if you can stick to it for a few weeks or months. Don't get discouraged if the pain doesn't disappear or if it even intensifies. It took a lifetime for TMS to develop. It is a tough habit to break and it takes patience and diligence. |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 14:22:39
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Hi Bob,
If the doctors can't find anything wrong then it must be TMS.
quote:
I can't seem to make that final leap when it comes to my RSI and the pain is very real.
TMS pain IS real! All of us here have had real pain. There are links lots of RSI Success Stories (many on this forum) here:
http://tmswiki.wetpaint.com/page/Repetitive+Strain+Injuries+-+RSI
Hopefully reading these will help convince the bit of you which is doubting. Don't worry if your recovery isn't immediate - sometimes it can take a while.
It's great to hear of your success with asthma and rashes. I think you were very brave to stop using your inhaler.
Hilary N |
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makeupservice
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 14:43:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Bobafett
Hello everyone, here's my story so far.
I've been in IT for over 15 years now and have had instances in that time where I'd get sore hands/arms but it always cleared up quickly. I've now been suffering from chronic RSI for just over two years (which seemed to come on overnight just as I started a new job) and was starting to believe my IT career could be over, so I went for the usual tests.
I had sessions of sports physio: deep massage /nerve glides / stretching etc. The physiotherapist thought there was nothing wrong. I did strength tests which were ok and he couldn't reliably replicate the tingling in my fingers/palms.
I then had nerve conductive tests on my forearms/hands which again appeared to be normal.
I also had an upper-torso MRI scan and again no obvious problems.
My specialist said there was nothing for him to fix and that I had to change my work habits, which left me feeling pretty fed up. I've got a new work chair on order and have replaced my mouse with a RollerMouse, which does seem to have helped with my shoulder problems.
I was becoming increasingly worried until I discovered Dr Sarno's work and this forum.
I read The Mind/Body Prescription a couple of months ago and have just bought The Divided Mind, but not read it yet. I think I'm one of those people who believes the theory but hasn't accepted it, which is why I don't seem to be making much progress with my RSI.
However I have made progress elsewhere - I suffer from mild asthma (since early 20s) and had allergic rashes (since age 12). I decided one day to stop taking my anti-histamines which I'd been taking for over 20 years. It's now been almost 10 months since I took them and the 'rashes' haven't been back since.
I also decided to stop using my asthma inhaler every night (which took considerable will-power) and at the moment it's been almost 3 months since I had to use it.
I *know* there's a mind/body thing going on here and I fit the profile of a TMS sufferer. I have perfectionist traits and like to do things right. Outwardly I'm easy-going and laid-back, but very tense inwardly and don't show it.
Is it TMS I'm suffering from? I can't seem to make that final leap when it comes to my RSI and the pain is very real. My forearms are burning nicely as I type this and my neck/shoulders are very sore.
Sorry for such a long first post, thanks for reading!
makeupservice |
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Bobafett
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 03:03:05
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Thanks for the support :)
I think the The Mind/Body Prescription opened my mind to the possibilities of having TMS but it didn't seem to have much in the way of how to go about combating it. I know that journalling helps but I've no idea how to go about this.
Does The Divided Mind expand on the therapy techniques further, or should I be reading other books on the subject too? Fred Amir is a name I've seen but I didn't think that was specifically for TMS.
My symptoms seem to have improved slightly since becoming aware of TMS, but I still can't do some things I used to love doing. Playing games on my PC has had to stop completely and some DIY around the house (especially power tool use!) has had to stop too.
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flutterby
United Kingdom
79 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 03:55:51
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| Bobafett - you may find the 'Tips on Journaling' on Georgie Oldfield website TMSrecovery useful. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 10:22:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Bobafett
I think the The Mind/Body Prescription opened my mind to the possibilities of having TMS but it didn't seem to have much in the way of how to go about combating it.
Think you need to read a bit further ... there is a chapter devoted to treatment suggestions. Also you may want to check out Healing Back Pain. In my opinion his two most recent books became more technical in nature and may not be as effective for recovery.
But really, it comes down to some very basic steps:
1. Repudiate the structural diagnosis. Accept fully that the pain you experience is not due to physical abnormalities or injury but originates in the brain.
2. Stop all physical treaments. No stretching, massage, chiropractic, special pillows, braces, ice, etc. Even if you believe in TMS these treatments send a message to your unconscious that you are not ready to undertake step #1.
3. Resume physical activity. Do it slowly but surely. This is a critical step that sends a message to your unconscious that you do not believe you have a physical problem.
4. Think psychologically. Whenever you are aware of the pain, shift your thoughts to the emotional realm. Think about what emotions you may be suppressing. Think about what is going on in your life that is affecting you on a deeper level than you realize. This is not the same as identifying sources of conscious stress. This is about digging deeper to discover why the "child inside" is "in a blind rage." Often this comes down to pressures that you put on yourself to be a perfectionist or goodist -- pressure that you are not even consciously aware of. This is a difficult step as it requires accepting certain things about yourself that you might not be comfortable admitting. As you dig deeper, if you are on the right track, your unconscious may "up the ante" and intensify the physical symptoms or give you new symptoms. This should be seen as a sign of progress and not a source of discouragement.
Recovery is all about reconditioning yourself to think about and react differently to the pain. It will not happen overnight. Take a long-term view and do not be frustrated by lack of progress or even worsening of the symptoms. It often gets worse before it gets better.
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RSI Sufferer who needs a push
