need support please

When I first found this forum about 8 months ago, I thought it was the beginning of the end of my pain. It turned out to be the beginning of a new journey through a different pain.

I know it probably sounds like classic TMS: Had horrible pain in one area (lower back) for over a year. That has been resolved and now have horrible pain in another area! (Pelvis, sacrum, coccyx.) Although I realize this "moving around" of the pain is classic TMS, there is more to the story. My pelvic pain has been destroying my life for about 3 months now.

I am in NYC and so I figured I would get an "official" TMS diagnosis from a TMS doctor. It turned out I had to wait over a month to get an appointment with a prominent TMS doctor (who worked with Sarno for years). I just got in with him finally yesterday, and I found the experience disappointing.

He was nice, but seemed a bit of an odd fellow. He was telling me about his $600 TMS seminars he holds, and was defensive about the price even though I didn't say anything. It almost made me think all this stuff is just a money making scheme after all.

I left with no answers or diagnosis, just a recommendation for a pelvic MRI. Which literally any doctor could have done. I asked what can I do to manage the horrible pain that has been wrecking my life and he said "try tylenol." I will add that to the list of least sensitive things a doctor has ever said to me.

Anyway, I'm just at my wit's end here. This process is too slow. Now I have to wait to get an MRI. Wait to get results. Wait to get a referral to a different kind of doctor. Wait to hear what they say. Wait for whatever treatment they recommend to take effect. Wait to see what the next step is after that doesn't work. I have nothing to look forward to in the months ahead except suffering and disappointment.

Can anyone just check in and let me know I'm not alone in this.

 

Hi, Mirepoix. Welcome to the TMSWiki community.

Most doctors know zilch about healing outside of prescribing medication or surgery, and they simply love X-rays and MRIs and referring patients to specialists. Fortunately, you discovered TMS and this web site and learned about emotions causing pain.

You are most definitely not alone in your pain. Its becoming more common because of the emotional stresses of modern living, compounded by emotions we have been repressing for years, most likely back to our childhood.

I urge you to begin the Structured Educational Program, free at the subforum on this web site. It will lead you to a happier, healthier life than you ever imagined, without medication, body manipulation, surgery, or medical bills. But believe in TMS totally, 100 percent, and not enter it with doubts that there is a next step after it. It is the only step you need to take to heel.

 

Hi Mirepoix,

Welcome to the site.

Who was the doctor you saw? It sounds like he's a dud. Or at least the wrong doctor for you.

I had a good experience with Dr. Gwozdz. He's in Somerset, New Jersey.

Hang in there. It can take time to find the right doctor and the right answers. It's worth it.

David.

 

Thanks for recommendation. I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Gwozdz, it is a couple hours away from me by public transportation but maybe I need to suck it up and make it out there.

The doctor I saw, I really don't mean to be bashing him, he may be perfectly qualified but his "bedside manner" was certainly lacking for someone who constantly deals with chronic pain sufferers. I just needed to vent about my disappointment but I do understand how he needs to see an MRI to rule out other things in order to practice responsibly.

If I have another bad experience I will publish his name for the benefit of the community but for time being I think I will reserve judgment.

Thank you for your comment, it's good just to know others go through the same thing.

 

I live an hour and a half from Dr. Gwozdz. I had to pay someone to drive me, but it was worth it.

Dr. Gwozdz has a reserved manner, but I found him knowledgable, dedicated, and understanding. He wanted me to get an MRI, just to be safe. He spent two hours with me, gave me a physical exam, and took a comprehensive medical, family, and social history. He gave me a definitive diagnosis of TMS -- not that I had any real doubt going in, but it helped a lot to get confirmation, and to talk to a doctor who knew what I was going through.

 

Dear Mirepoix - I am also a current patient of Dr. Gwozdz, and would highly recommend him. I can echo exactly what David 88 said above on his professionalism and thoroughness. I actually visit him frequently because his kind mannerism gives me encouragement when I'm either 'stuck' or facing a new stress in my family life. He calms me, re-focuses me and I am able to walk out of his office with more confidence and a renewed sense of conquering this TMS!

 

Hi Mirepoix,

I can certainly understand your impatience. It is easy to be impatient when you are in pain! I could not tell from your post what was your process in recovering from the back pain? Were you following some TMS program? I had severe pelvic/bladder pain years ago and when I started my TMS work 3 years ago for neck/shoulder/right sided occipital neuralgia pain, the pelvic pain returned off and on during my recovery. Since I had resolved this pain previously, it did not hang out too long, but it was really uncomfortable and I did feel very frustrated and disappointed when it came. I don't think you need a TMS doctor to determine if you pelvic pain is something that needs medical intervention. And if they can't quite figure out what it is(as was the case with my pelvic pain) then it would be safe to assume it is another TMS distraction. It that is the case, there are lots of things I can recommend. I worked with a somatic experiencing therapist and she was very helpful in getting my mind off of thinking about the pain constantly. When you are thinking about the pain and its potential structural/physical causes, you are doing nothing but feeding the TMS. And I know how aggravating that it to hear because no one in pain wants to think about it!! You are not alone in this. I wish I could tell you exactly when you will be out of pain, but I know from experience that you could have relief and a breakthrough at any moment.