Hiawatha922
Peer Supporter
I've written a number of posts on this website in the past. To me, TMS makes a lot of sense but either I have not effectively implemented treatment or I am missing the mark (like maybe symptoms are due to something else).
I am in the midst of a number of stressful situations. I am in the process of divorce at a time when I am in my late 50s. I moved into an extended stay hotel in September. In October, I moved out of State (to the same city where I lived prior to getting married), and I started a new job at the end of October. Lots of change. This weekend, I've been working on moving things into a new house. My symptoms have continued throughout all of these experiences, much as they did prior to my getting married. These symptoms have persisted for over ten years at this point.
But even with all of the above developments, the thing that has added pressure most recently is my dinner with my brother and a family friend last night. There were several things that were challenging about this dinner, as well as some good things. The most challenging, though, came when my brother asked me about my physical symptoms.
I mentioned what was going on, how right leg sciatica and right foot numbness were persistent (the numbness feels like it is slowly spreading across the foot). I shared how I have been to numerous doctors...and I mentioned Dr. Sarno's work.
My brother is seven years older than me. Throughout his life, he has struggled with psoriatic arthritis. He has taken heavy duty medication for it since he was in his early 20s.
When I told him about my persistent symptoms, he said "what are you going to do about it?" In his mind, doing something means pursuing traditional medical interventions as he did. When I told him I had seen numerous doctors with no definitive diagnosis, he said he too had suffered from sciatica. He said initially the doctors said it wasn't likely to be caused by arthritis...but he said after trying a medication (I forgot which one), the symptoms subsided...or at least they were no longer bothersome. He said his symptoms were definitely caused by arthritis...the response to medication proved it.
My brother, however, has numerous symptoms associated with arthritis. I do not. One of my x-rays revealed possible Ankylosing Spondylitis but I am not struggling with back stiffness. The rheumatologist I saw said she did not recommend treatment unless other symptoms emerged.
Anyway, this interaction with my brother has me preoccupied and worried. Certainly, it is likely he and I have some genetic predispositions but I don't have identifiable arthritis, at least not according to the doctors.
The conversation with my brother creates a bit of fear in me. I suppose there is some sibling rivalry and I'd like to be right about this (the mind-body connection) but the fact that I have been unable to make noticeable progress is very frustrating. I find myself doubting more than usual. I think doubt has been a challenge all along but this conversation with my brother heightened the intensity (even though a TMS doctor said I have TMS).
I wonder at times if I should try medication to see how it would affect my symptoms.
Any thoughts or observations would be appreciated!
I am in the midst of a number of stressful situations. I am in the process of divorce at a time when I am in my late 50s. I moved into an extended stay hotel in September. In October, I moved out of State (to the same city where I lived prior to getting married), and I started a new job at the end of October. Lots of change. This weekend, I've been working on moving things into a new house. My symptoms have continued throughout all of these experiences, much as they did prior to my getting married. These symptoms have persisted for over ten years at this point.
But even with all of the above developments, the thing that has added pressure most recently is my dinner with my brother and a family friend last night. There were several things that were challenging about this dinner, as well as some good things. The most challenging, though, came when my brother asked me about my physical symptoms.
I mentioned what was going on, how right leg sciatica and right foot numbness were persistent (the numbness feels like it is slowly spreading across the foot). I shared how I have been to numerous doctors...and I mentioned Dr. Sarno's work.
My brother is seven years older than me. Throughout his life, he has struggled with psoriatic arthritis. He has taken heavy duty medication for it since he was in his early 20s.
When I told him about my persistent symptoms, he said "what are you going to do about it?" In his mind, doing something means pursuing traditional medical interventions as he did. When I told him I had seen numerous doctors with no definitive diagnosis, he said he too had suffered from sciatica. He said initially the doctors said it wasn't likely to be caused by arthritis...but he said after trying a medication (I forgot which one), the symptoms subsided...or at least they were no longer bothersome. He said his symptoms were definitely caused by arthritis...the response to medication proved it.
My brother, however, has numerous symptoms associated with arthritis. I do not. One of my x-rays revealed possible Ankylosing Spondylitis but I am not struggling with back stiffness. The rheumatologist I saw said she did not recommend treatment unless other symptoms emerged.
Anyway, this interaction with my brother has me preoccupied and worried. Certainly, it is likely he and I have some genetic predispositions but I don't have identifiable arthritis, at least not according to the doctors.
The conversation with my brother creates a bit of fear in me. I suppose there is some sibling rivalry and I'd like to be right about this (the mind-body connection) but the fact that I have been unable to make noticeable progress is very frustrating. I find myself doubting more than usual. I think doubt has been a challenge all along but this conversation with my brother heightened the intensity (even though a TMS doctor said I have TMS).
I wonder at times if I should try medication to see how it would affect my symptoms.
Any thoughts or observations would be appreciated!
