Day 4 Messages from my doctor

Today the pain was really bad this morning when I awoke (it awoke me) and during morning yoga, but then was 100% fine for the rest of the day. A bit stiff now.

What was the most disheartening thing a doctor has told you about your symptoms? In what ways have you kept that in your mind?

My last doctor visit told me that I should look into surgery. Because I'd tried everything else, he thought it was worth at least talking to a surgeon. I balked at this and never returned despite him wanting a follow-up visit. Surgery doesn't make any sense for my herniated discs because I have so many friends that had their pain go away from the same issue without surgery. I'm pressing on with this TMS educational program! Although still tempted to return to PT and acupuncture...

 

It seems to me that PT works because it involves physical touching and manipulation of your physical body. And people crave that kind of intimate contact especially in such a narcissistic culture as ours. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is like a temporary band aid for the pain of TMS. Breaks up the programming in your central nervous system that perpetuates TMS pain, but does so only temporarily because the deep emotions that drive TMS are still there afterwards.

Don't get me wrong. I just did a acupuncture/acupressure session with massage about a week ago and really enjoyed it, especially the peaceful, relaxed feeling afterwards. But getting rid of TMS is an active (not a passive) process you have to perform yourself on yourself.

"What's the most disheartening thing a doctor has told you about your symptoms?" That they're wholly structural in origin. Hate the way the docs cling to that diagnosis. They just don't want to admit that it's emotions that are driving chronic pain, not a bulging or herniated disk. Just hate that smug omniscient stare they get when you point out the contradictions and anomalies in the structural diagnosis. Frustrating!

 

The last time I went to acupuncture I asked to focus on my addiction to pain, rather than specific pain points. Acupuncture has a protocol for that, called NADA. I enjoyed the session because I could focus on mindfulness, and not obsess about pain.
I am transitioning to mobility. The next thing I have to do is ride my bike outside for 20 minutes.
The most disheartening medical input was going to the physiatrist, and hearing that the 3 choices were, live with the pain, undergo surgery, or have cortisone injections. So of course I chose the cortisone, and guess what--it didn't help. Surprise.

 

Hi, riv44. Cortisone only gives temporary help, you know that. The doctor gave you bad advice about surgery or cortisone, but good advice
about living with the pain (Dr. Sarno says live with it, ignore it, and focus on the emotional causes of the pain). You're into Day 43 of the SEP. Have you been journaling, to discover the emotions causing your pain? It isn't easy, and can bring up some unpleasant or uncomfortable memories, or make you face realities you may think are better being repressed, but this soul-searching is good. It can lead to you becoming free of pain or other symptoms such as anxiety. Good luck. Keep working in the SEP, and keep posting about your progress.

I took acupuncture some years ago and think it helped my back. But now I think it did that mainly because I thought it helped. It's all in the mind.

 

Living with it did not feel like an option because at the time I was so anxious and in spasm and at a level 10. Much better now.I'm in day 8. Newbie.

 

My disheartening doctor experience: without spending a lot of time examining me or LISTENING to me, my family doctor sent me for an MRI, showing a protruding disc, so directly to an epidural. That epidural sent me into 7 hours of acute, 10 pain. Worst thing I've ever experienced. Much worse than 3 natural childbirths, all without epidurals! I was sent to an orthopedic surgeon, who prescribed another epidural, this time, no result. During my follow up visit I all but begged him to listen to me and give me any suggestions. He was quite dismissive, & recommended another epidural. If that didn't work, surgery was my only option, or waiting for up to 2 years for my disc to go back in! Luckily, I got him to write me a script for more PT. I changed to a new therapist, who LISTENED to me & my confusing symptoms. He knew about Dr. Sarno, because he had helped his wife. He admitted he was shooting himself in the foot, because I really shouldn't see him anymore! He was a God-send. I am a bit frustrated & bitter about my experience with the medical doctors....can you tell?

 

I can tell. I don't feel we have to apologize for seeing physical therapists. My first PTs were not helpful for all the reasons Sarno cites, but the one I have now is so empathic and emotionally present and that has made a huge difference. Even so, it seemed curious to us that my symptoms kept changing, and I still had pain, and that led me directly to Sarno.

 

Pt helped me only temporarily. I had it on two occasions and it gave very temp relief both times. Never tried acupuncture but I'm sure at best I would of gotten the same results. Don't give up keep trying. Most ppl here that have healed seemed to of tried almost every type of therapy too. Look at them as your inspiration.

 

When the "pain specialist" said, "If this 3rd injection doesn't help, we'll talk about surgery next time I see you."

Chiro was creating a placebo effect for me at the time, so I stuck with that, instead of even considering surgery, but after days, weeks and months of chiro and I wasn't getting better, I searched and finally found Sarno's books!

The part about the surgery didn't stick in my mind, but my chiro's diagnosis/advice really messed me up. I was actually able to recline or lay still for periods at a time before he told me it made the joints "get stuck".

 

There's still a few certain exercises I do, because honestly they make me feel better temporarily, but I know it's only because it increases blood flow for a little while and it will not cure my pain by building strength or fixing muscle imbalances.

 

I can sort of relate to the recliner situation. When I first developed TMS and I was playing a lot of bass I was already having some situations with my handS but my wrists were fine. After reading an article on the dangers of too much bass playing and what it could do to your wrists I started to develop the pain in my wrists. I didn't even think about wrist pain until someone mentioned it to me. maybe when your Chiro mentioned issues that could come with reclining that set it in motion

 

NO BACK SURGERY. In all the research I've done, there are VERY few structural reasons that require actual back surgery and they are: tumors or infections. I've yet to come across a "legitimate" back operation for herniations. Unfortunately doctors simply do not know any better. They are very smart people, but their entire education is based on the body as an entirely separate entity from the mind. It is a shame. Further, let's not forget all the $ involved in medical procedures, this a HUGE money-making complex, so of course surgery is so quickly recommended. I'm not saying that doctors intentionally suggest operations for the $ (although I'm certain there are many of these instances), rather the $ has influenced the medical profession to the extent that it has become common practice. It's shocking how many unnecessary operations are performed in the USA. In fact, I've read studies that show empirical and quantifiable evidence that medicine and medical practices in the USA are the #1 cause of DEATH! (here's one article: http://draxe.com/conventional-medicine-is-the-leading-cause-of-death/).

Of course this is not accepted or made readily available by the main stream, there's far too much $ to lose..... but even in more conservative studies medical treatment is in the top 3 causes of death...think about that for a moment - doctors, hospitals, treatments of all sorts, these are meant to "help", even "cure" us, yet they are either the first, second, or third cause of death among Americans?!?!?!?! That is BONKERS.

I'll end with this - I teach Spanish and I offer private tutoring. I have a client who is a prestigious medical doctor and he told me, "Kevin, don't ever go for 'physicals', they are pointless; and unless you have a cut and clear problem (e.g., broken bone, heart attack, long-lasting fever, prolonged vomiting, etc.), do not go to a doctor".... this is FROM A DOCTOR, but one who is clearly not "conventional".

 

Yeah, man. There's no doubt in my mind that some of his advice effected me for the worse and it's because of how deeply I believed what he was telling me. He is a good guy and genuinely wanted to help, just no clue about TMS. And it's great to meet a fellow bassist here! I used to do most of my practicing while reclining, but thankfully I've been able practice while standing for short periods of time. And I'm practicing more frequently now since pushing myself to get back into my old activities.

 

Thank you for the mental reinforcement about avoiding surgery! It was still a thought way in the back of my mind. But I agree with you 100%. I've heard some of those stats before. It really is bonkers! I've always thought physicals were rather pointless and it's affirming to hear that right from a Dr.'s mouth!