New TMSer

Hi everyone,
I discovered this forom after reading "Healing Back Pain." My pain developed in the beginning of October, 2014. I was on a surf trip in Hawaii, surfing five hours a day when the pain started. I attribute it to overuse injury. The pain radiates down my lower back and hamstrings and I have pulsing in my left shin. After going to numerous health providers such as my family physician, osteopaths, acupuncture's, masseuses , a neurologist, chiropractors and a rolfer, I got the book. An MRI showed some bone spurs and mild osteoarthritis consistent with my age. The neurologist said everything looked fine. That's when I concluded that my pain must be from TMS. Fortunately, there is a TMS doctor in my area that I'm trying to get into see. He just has a very busy schedule. I started to get cessation of pain after reading the book, but now one week later, the pain seems to have increased. I only have pain at night when I'm trying to sleep. I can't get comfortable and I usually only get 3 to 6 hours of sleep a night. I have gotten to the point where I am trying to resume normal activity again. I was in the fear state and was hardly ever surfing and mountain biking, which bring me immense joy. I was so afraid of doing any activity, thinking it would make my back condition worse. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations from this community. Thanks

 

Hi Reddi and Welcome,

You sound like so many folks who, luckily, find themselves here. We've all been through the ups and downs and fear, and doctor visits.

I recommend you use this free program over at the Wiki. http://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/Structured_Educational_Program

I used doctor Sarno's approach to avoid nerve surgery, so you should know that this is a very effective approach. You might start the program, then see the doctor when you can, to eliminate doubts...

I am sorry for your pain. We are here to help you. I suggest you go through the program above, and post responses and questions as you go...

Andy B.

 

Thanks Andy,

I'm definitely feeling calmer now that I feel confident that I have TMS. I'm able to sit longer than I could before now. I'm also trying to resume normal activities without fear. I'm still waking up frequently at night. I have to walk and stretch for up to an hour every time I wake up, which is usually up to three times per night. Now, since being armed with Dr. Sarno's book and this forum, instead of feeling depressed and desperate, I try to relax and say that it's mild oxygen deprivation causing my pain. Hopefully this is part of the process, and the next step will be the pain diminishing further. I'm so glad that there is a support group like this available.

 

Why is resuming normal activity so important? The purpose of TMS is to keep you from experiencing unpleasant feelings. It does this by creating pain. The pain is a beautiful distraction for your TMS personality, because the moment it hits you, you want to fight it, to get rid of it. You start avoiding activities and you start doing things you wouldn't do otherwise. You must realize that you are completely HOOKED. That is EXACTLY what the brain wants. And that's why it is so important to resume normal activity, because it is the only way to free yourself from fear. As long as you avoid activities, you are strengthening your fear. The more you fear it, the more it has you. You have to stop fearing it, and this involves resuming normal activity. How else can you say that you are not afraid of the pain, if you still avoid doing things because of the possibility of pain? You see, it wouldn't make sense. If you REALLY believed in TMS theory, you would realize that YOU have been keeping the pain alive and what you need to do is to go the opposite direction. Instead of fighting it, instead of being afraid of it, instead of running away from it, you need to run towards it.

 

Hi, Reddi2bbetter.

I too suggest you do the Structured Educational Program. It helped me to heal from severe back pain.
Journaling led me to discover I had been repressing years of feelings of abandonment and insecurity
when my parents divorced when I was seven. I began to understand them better and that they had
their own TMS. That helped me to forgive them and that stopped the back pain.

Please do resume normal physical activity. It is helpful to the mind as well as the body. Focusing on
doing things around the house keeps you living in the present and not the past.

 

I did start the structured educational program, and find it to be very helpful. My pain during the day is getting better, but nights are still very rough. I get up to level eight pain. I have to spend hours stretching and walking because I can't get comfortable in bed.

Today I went to the physicians assistant for a physician that was on the list of recommended TMS doctors (I can't get in till late September to see the doctor.) I brought in Dr. Sarno's book also. She still wants me to do another MRI and go to another physiatrist. I feel convinced that it's TMS. I only made the appointment because Alan Gordon recommended I go to a TMS doctor to rule out anything else. I've already been to numerous doctors and healthcare providers.