Nancy P
New Member
“Having lived with chronic pain, 24 hours a day seven days a week, and finding no solution with doctors, surgeons, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists, etc., I have reached out for a solution, and that is how I found this forum. The idea of TMS makes so much sense to me, and I have been reading “The Great Pain Deception,” which is further convincing me that TMS could be my solution. In just a few days, I have been trying to do more physically, putting aside my fear of the pain that may follow, and I’m actually feeling a sense of freedom after five years of being controlled by my body’s (brain’s) control over my life. I am hoping that I will find techniques here to lead me through this journey. “
I wrote that paragraph about three months ago. I have been reading everything I can get ahold of to guide me through this process and practicing what has been recommended. I’ve been journaling two times a day, practicing a form of meditation explained in Back in Control, and been reading through the educational program offered here on the forum.
Some history. I began experiencing lumbar pain five years ago that came on suddenly, along with sciatica. I was in a contentious workplace situation that was very difficult to deal with, and my work as a court reporter in a very tension inducing posture and stressful situation further exacerbated my pain. My pain continued to travel further down my leg, and then I began having weakness in the opposite leg than the pain. After suffering for three years, I eventually took an early retirement, which in and of itself, created anger and frustration.
To add to my troubles, I made the mistake of filing a workers comp. case as I was sure it was caused by the hours of sitting in a tense posture and under stressful conditions. Workers comp. has been a nightmare. Most of the treatments my PC doctor requested were denied. I did have two MRIs, which according to the orthopedic surgeon I saw showed nothing that should be causing the amount of pain I am experiencing. I also had a nerve conduction, which was normal.
The weakness in my leg has gotten to a point where I am currently walking with a great deal of difficulty and am using a cane to ambulate. I have fallen down seven or eight times, bruising myself up pretty good each time.
I know that Dr. Sarno and others have said you need to accept the diagnosis, and then you need to resume all your normal activities. Although I am about 80 percent convinced it is TMS, the problem I’m having is knowing how to resume my activities when my leg is so weak that I fall. Does anyone have any suggestions in that regard? I feel if I could lose the fear and get back to moving, I’m sure I would start to feel better, but the fear of falling is more than I can conquer.
I wrote that paragraph about three months ago. I have been reading everything I can get ahold of to guide me through this process and practicing what has been recommended. I’ve been journaling two times a day, practicing a form of meditation explained in Back in Control, and been reading through the educational program offered here on the forum.
Some history. I began experiencing lumbar pain five years ago that came on suddenly, along with sciatica. I was in a contentious workplace situation that was very difficult to deal with, and my work as a court reporter in a very tension inducing posture and stressful situation further exacerbated my pain. My pain continued to travel further down my leg, and then I began having weakness in the opposite leg than the pain. After suffering for three years, I eventually took an early retirement, which in and of itself, created anger and frustration.
To add to my troubles, I made the mistake of filing a workers comp. case as I was sure it was caused by the hours of sitting in a tense posture and under stressful conditions. Workers comp. has been a nightmare. Most of the treatments my PC doctor requested were denied. I did have two MRIs, which according to the orthopedic surgeon I saw showed nothing that should be causing the amount of pain I am experiencing. I also had a nerve conduction, which was normal.
The weakness in my leg has gotten to a point where I am currently walking with a great deal of difficulty and am using a cane to ambulate. I have fallen down seven or eight times, bruising myself up pretty good each time.
I know that Dr. Sarno and others have said you need to accept the diagnosis, and then you need to resume all your normal activities. Although I am about 80 percent convinced it is TMS, the problem I’m having is knowing how to resume my activities when my leg is so weak that I fall. Does anyone have any suggestions in that regard? I feel if I could lose the fear and get back to moving, I’m sure I would start to feel better, but the fear of falling is more than I can conquer.
