How much can I do how soon?

[Rotanzania]

hi, I've been off work for 6 months with chronic acute back pain. I've had every test, seen multiple doctors and specialists and tried so many drugs.
Amazingly, on 23 December I read John Sarno's book and immediately accepted the diagnosis of TMS and my pain almost instantly reduced. Amazing!
Having been quite immobile for those months I am wondering if there is advice on how fast or slow to get going again? I went to the cinema today, first time in 6 months, and afterwards the pain came back quite hard. The cinema however, which is sitting, didn't hurt.
I am a teacher so my term starts tomorrow and I know they will want me to start back at work as soon as possible, but I wonder if there is guidance on doing too much too fast, or maybe it's better to push myself sooner?
I am also a little nervous about starting back at work in case the pain comes back as badly as it was again, or maybe I won't cope...
Any ideas gratefully received, thank you.

 

[David88]

It's wonderful that you had such success from reading Sarno!

There's no right or wrong answer to how fast you should resume activities. It depends on what you feel ready to do. How confident are you in the diagnosis? Can your resume activities without undue concern? Are you ready to deal with the stresses of going back to work?

It is possible -- maybe even likely -- that the return of pain today has more to do with school starting tomorrow than the movie you went to.

Recovery from TMS is not always in a straight line. You may have recurrences of pain, where you will have to stop to think why.

 

[KatheC]

I am only on Day 8, so by no means an expert on TMS. I highly recommend you read the book, The Great Pain Deception. I am only 1/3 thru this book, but his story reminds me of your struggle and what your post questions on how much you can take on.

 

[Tennis Tom]

Dr. Sarno says you can't hurt yourself sitting in a chair. Confidence builds on success. Just do it! You can't hurt yourself sitting.

G'luck! & Keep Reading.
tt/lsmft

 

[Rotanzania]

It's wonderful that you had such success from reading Sarno!

There's no right or wrong answer to how fast you should resume activities. It depends on what you feel ready to do. How confident are you in the diagnosis? Can your resume activities without undue concern? Are you ready to deal with the stresses of going back to work?

It is possible -- maybe even likely -- that the return of pain today has more to do with school starting tomorrow than the movie you went to.

Recovery from TMS is not always in a straight line. You may have recurrences of pain, where you will have to stop to think why.

Hi david88, thanks for taking the time to reply. I am finding this journey of recovery quite bizarre. Some of my friends and family totally get it, and others don't and I keep finding myself trying to justify myself and my actions.
I am 100% sure of my diagnosis. It was as if he had written the book just for me, so I guess I'm lucky. I've started driving and swimming again with absolutely no negatives apart from the fact that I think I am less fit than I used to be.
I've thought about your reasoning why my pain came back, which was so helpful- I think I am worried about people's expectations of the " new me". Certainly something to work on!

 

[Rotanzania]

I am only on Day 8, so by no means an expert on TMS. I highly recommend you read the book, The Great Pain Deception. I am only 1/3 thru this book, but his story reminds me of your struggle and what your post questions on how much you can take on.

Thanks KatheC, I am on day 6 and am reading anything I can get my hands on so I have just ordered this book, thanks so much for the suggestion. Each day I am trying new things and am so amazed at how little pain I have. Yesterday I had my first day since I accepted the diagnosis in which my pain stayed really low ALL day. It's so exciting!
I hope you get on well with each day and thanks for helping me.

 

[Rotanzania]

Dr. Sarno says you can't hurt yourself sitting in a chair. Confidence builds on success. Just do it! You can't hurt yourself sitting.

G'luck! & Keep Reading.
tt/lsmft

Hi tennis Tom, thanks for your support. I agree! Do you think that the same attitude should be applied to returning to work or is there a level of resilience that is needed?

 

[Tennis Tom]

Return to work. If you feel pain at work, pause and "think psychological". Shift your thoughts from the structural pain and focus on the "dis-comfortable" emotion that is triggering it. Why are you feeling tension? Even if you don't find a reason, the act of "thinking psychological" will put you into the TMS- zone.

Everyone who has been "pushed" by this forum into "doing-IT!", whether to go through with a dreaded trip to a TMS doctor's appointment, going on a family vacation to Disney World, a long plane ride, a long drive to see the relatives for the Holidays, or other dreaded/feared activities, came back to the here buoyed for the doing-IT!, and energized for more. JUST DO IT! That's the Good Doctor's message.

 

[David88]

Some of my friends and family totally get it, and others don't and I keep finding myself trying to justify myself and my actions.

It's to be expected that some people will get it and others won't. I've learned to be cautious about telling people about TMS.

You don't have to explain, and you don't have to justify to anyone but yourself. How you recovered from your pain is nobody else's business. You don't need anyone else to validate TMS for you. Confide only in those you trust.

I've thought about your reasoning why my pain came back, which was so helpful- I think I am worried about people's expectations of the " new me". Certainly something to work on!

That's a very important insight! Now that you're feeling better, what will everybody else want from you?

Don't give power to other people's expectations. That's a source of resentment, and a recipe for more TMS. You need to find a balance between doing for yourself and doing for the people you care about. TMSers tend to be overly concerned with other people's needs. Find a balance that you can live with without resentment.

 

[Tennis Tom]

Do-"good" because you WANT to, not because you feel compelled or coerced by your Super-Ego or cultural lemming conditioning. Practice acts of non-"goodism". Yesterday, at work I didn't put the toilet seat back down--that would be sexist on top of it. When you do good deeds because YOU want to they will FEEL more personally rewarding. You will be in control of your actions and fate AND your HEALTH.

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Hi, Rotanzania. Tennis Tom and David give you good advice. I too suggest returning to work and not worrying that it will be painful or make your pain worse. Work will help to keep your mind off of yourself. It is one of the best distractions to pain, while also boosting your morale. It wil give you more confidence in yourself and your healing.

Those you have talked to about TMS may just not get it. Like most others, they have brainwashed by doctors to treat pain with pills. There is as better way, and it is TMS, discovering the repressed emotions that cause pain. Believe 100 percent in TMS healing and you will heal. Good luck back to teaching.