Quick question: I suffer from a long history (9-10 years) of psychosomatic problems; first severe OCD, then severe anxiety, coupled with IBS and paranoia. In April of 2012 I developed a slight ache in my right hand (near the pinky and ring finger). At that point I came across Repetitive Strain Injury and deduced I was developing that as I had used the computer compulsively for years with little attention to ergonomics, breaks, or stretching. I quickly begin to panic and worry profusely about my future; the computer was what I knew and loved, it was how I met many of my friends and how I related to others in school. The computer was a huge part of my life and losing my ability to use it without pain was a crippling thought.
Past this point I continued to use the computer; partially because I had to for schoolwork and also because I was in a state of denial. The pain progressively got worse, in one week it spread to my left hand and in a matter of months it was constant and did not fade even during rest. I was at a loss until I came across TMS. Yet, even though TMS seems to be a miracle cure which not only fits my situation and personality perfectly; I have been unable to cure myself with the approach. I have been on the edge of "Oh, it's TMS" and "It's gotta be RSI" for years and I'm having trouble breaking that boundary. I'll approach the problem as TMS for a solid month and then end up back to healing RSI. Although I continually use my hands and do not limit myself (as recommended for TMS patients) I have noticed little to no improvement in 3 years, which is what keeps me coming back to the notion that I suffer from RSI.
I feel I should rethink the way that I approach the pain in my hands. The first step is not reading one of Sarno's books; nor is it reading about TMS at all. I must first get as many tests done as I possibly can to identify whether there truly is a physical abnormality or not. With this, I've come to this forum with a question. For those of you who suffered from TMS in the form of RSI; what tests should I have done to rule out a physical problem?
I imagine an X-Ray would help, an MRI too. I want to give a nerve study done but by no means do I want to get an EMG as I heard it's very painful. I'm looking for advice, thanks in advance! =)
Past this point I continued to use the computer; partially because I had to for schoolwork and also because I was in a state of denial. The pain progressively got worse, in one week it spread to my left hand and in a matter of months it was constant and did not fade even during rest. I was at a loss until I came across TMS. Yet, even though TMS seems to be a miracle cure which not only fits my situation and personality perfectly; I have been unable to cure myself with the approach. I have been on the edge of "Oh, it's TMS" and "It's gotta be RSI" for years and I'm having trouble breaking that boundary. I'll approach the problem as TMS for a solid month and then end up back to healing RSI. Although I continually use my hands and do not limit myself (as recommended for TMS patients) I have noticed little to no improvement in 3 years, which is what keeps me coming back to the notion that I suffer from RSI.
I feel I should rethink the way that I approach the pain in my hands. The first step is not reading one of Sarno's books; nor is it reading about TMS at all. I must first get as many tests done as I possibly can to identify whether there truly is a physical abnormality or not. With this, I've come to this forum with a question. For those of you who suffered from TMS in the form of RSI; what tests should I have done to rule out a physical problem?
I imagine an X-Ray would help, an MRI too. I want to give a nerve study done but by no means do I want to get an EMG as I heard it's very painful. I'm looking for advice, thanks in advance! =)
