1. Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
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Our TMS drop-in chat is tomorrow (Saturday) from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern (***NOTE*** now on US Daylight Time). It's a great way to get quick and interactive peer support, with Steve2 as your host. Look for the red Chat flag on top of the menu bar!

Welcome to the Support Subforum

Discussion in 'Support Subforum' started by Beach-Girl, Sep 1, 2012.

  1. Beach-Girl

    Beach-Girl Well known member

    Feedback and support from others is really helpful as you work to regain a pain-free life. If you are starting out and have questions on where you are, or if you simply need a little encouragement, this the place to post. It's also a great place to introduce yourself and share your story.

    If this is your first time on our forum, please take some time to visit the TMS wiki. Here you will find endless resources on the basics, book recommendations, how to find a practitioner in your area, and much more. This is also where you'll find our Structured Educational Program, a free 6 week program designed by members of our Peer Network.

    If you wish to post about TMS concepts, DVD's, books, exercise, interesting articles, etc. please post these in the General Forum.

    Post in this section if you are "stuck" or need support with your journey. Our members are a mix of those who are living pain free lives and those still working through their program.
     
    Deborahrye, sarah0924, Kathyd and 2 others like this.
  2. graeme.l

    graeme.l New Member

    Hi folks,

    This is my first post, on anything, ever, so bear with me.
    I'm in my 70's and have been caring for my wife of 49 1/2 years full time for 8 years now, and part time long before that.
    Searching for help with numerous health/pain issues I read The Divided Mind a few weeks ago and several other related books since. I started the SEP 10 days ago and have exposed a heap of things I need to work on. However, as soon as I started the programme some old symptoms reappeared and a couple of new ones kicked in one of which [hyperventilation] has been increasing steadily and is now causing me almost continious distress. I believe that this is my TMS fighting my efforts to change but the severity of it has become a real problem and I dont know if I need to see our GP or just tough it out.
    Can anyone help me with this?

    regards
    Graeme
     
  3. veronica73

    veronica73 Well known member

    Hi Graeme,

    Welcome! I think it is a good idea to see your doctor to rule out anything more serious. Then you can work on TMS without worrying it is really something else.

    Take care,
    Veronica
     
  4. Barbara M

    Barbara M Peer Supporter

    Hi I have had old symptoms resurface too while I am working on my issues. My tms doctor says this is common.

    Blessings

    Barbara
     
  5. Ellen

    Ellen Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hello,
    I was doing quite well using Dr. Schubiner's method and reading Dr. Sarno's books, and had been close to TMS symptom-free for a week. Then I decided that since I no longer had pain, I should start to decrease my pain medication (tramadol). I knew I needed to do it gradually, but never realized how difficult withdrawal from this drug would be. At first I thought that maybe my TMS was returning and I was becoming discouraged, but fortunately for the internet, I was able to read just how difficult tramadol withdrawal can be for most people. So now I believe that my pain and discomfort is due to drug withdrawal and not a relapse back into TMS. Still, occasionally, I wonder if I am thinking "physically" instead of "psychologically".

    I'm interested in hearing how others have managed their withdrawal from pain medication and other medications, as I have a couple more medications to discontinue after I am finally free of the tramadol.

    Thanks,
    Ellen
     
  6. Forest

    Forest Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hi Ellen,

    I don't think this is necessarily a thinking physical vs. a think psychological problem. With medications, specifically strong ones such as pain meds, there can be some withdraw symptoms that occur when you stop taking them. As part of our Q&A with an expert program, TMS doctor, John Stracks, responded to a similar question entitled: When Should I Stop Taking Pain Medications. In general, it is always a good idea to talk with your doctor when you begin to reduce your medications. This will help you understand what sort of side effects might happen.
     
  7. Song Catcher

    Song Catcher New Member

    I am 53. I suffer from chronic headaches on the left temple, most of the time but also on the upper left portion. Been having these headaches for 30 years now. In addition to this, I have severe anxiety attacks. One of the significant occasions this happens, is when I have to sing a solo. I love to sing and have been doing so since I was a child. I stopped in between for 26 years but have now again begun training under a teacher. I keep thinking that I am not good enough even though my teacher (who is very finicky with applying musical notes & style of singing) and my fellow students tell me that I am a great singer. I used to go to my music class feeling very nervous and the prospect of singing on stage is enough to begin a panic attack. I also wake up from sleep in the morning feeling drained out and worried. I am a Reiki practitioner and have improved my state considerably over the years through Reiki. But a lot more has to be done. Recently, I was guided by the Cosmic Energy to read about the TMS personality traits. I fit it perfectly except for one. I am not a stoic. The rest of the TMS personality traits apply to me. Am interested to better myself further so that the anxiousness & headaches disappear. Thanks.
     
    Carmela likes this.
  8. Mtngal

    Mtngal Well known member

    Hi,

    I'm new to the forum and am really struggling with a recurrence of what i think is TMS back pain (mid/upper/sometimes lower). Also have at the same time bladder symptoms ("IC" diagnosed 30 yrs ago). Thing is I was first told I had ankylosing spondylitis which was then refuted repeatedly by various other doctors.. However one doc said I had "segmental instability".. is this just another one of those age-related meaningless diagnoses? Anybody ever heard of this diagnosis before? I was training for 1/2 marathon, now having trouble just standing/walking. I've been able to rid myself of back pain before by realizing it was TMS.. but does anyone think there is actually something like unstable vertebra moving around?
    Any ideas would be appreciated.

    Mtngal
     
  9. Eric "Herbie" Watson

    Eric "Herbie" Watson Beloved Grand Eagle

    Mtngal)- I'm new to the forum and am really struggling with a recurrence of what i think is TMS back pain (mid/upper/sometimes lower). Also have at the same time bladder symptoms ("IC" diagnosed 30 yrs ago). Thing is I was first told I had ankylosing spondylitis which was then refuted repeatedly by various other doctors.. However one doc said I had "segmental instability".. is this just another one of those age-related meaningless diagnoses? Anybody ever heard of this diagnosis before? I was training for 1/2 marathon, now having trouble just standing/walking. I've been able to rid myself of back pain before by realizing it was TMS.. but does anyone think there is actually something like unstable vertebra moving around?
    Any ideas would be appreciated.

    Mtngal) -age-related meaningless diagnoses?


    Eric)- You answered your own question Mtngal, thanks for knowing your tms knowledge. I bet your already doing much better or soon will be.
    Bless you.
     
    Tabathafromnj likes this.
  10. nancy

    nancy Well known member

    Hey, I need help right now, Erik has been terrific to me, I am trying to follow all he has advised
    me too. He is so great!. Nancy
     
    Eric "Herbie" Watson likes this.
  11. Eric "Herbie" Watson

    Eric "Herbie" Watson Beloved Grand Eagle

    Nancy im so glad you are walking the path , it does feel good after the initial re-conditioning
    you hold tight to your protocol , your doing so great.
    Thank you so much Nancy
    That means a lot to me
    Bless you
     
  12. Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)

    Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021) Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hi, Nancy. I'm sorry you've had some bad days.
    Herbie really has some great TMS healing advice.
    Keep working on his techniques and being positive.
    You've been through a lot, so it's understandable that
    TMS will try not to let you go. But it will.

    Holidays are coming on... Thanksgiving and Christmas
    and then New Year's Eve. They can call give us TMS pain,
    remembering happy ones and unhappy ones.

    We have to try to remember the happy ones.
    I've had some sad or distressing holidays but spend more
    time thinking about the happy ones, and some even funny.
    Like the Christmas my older brother came over with his wife
    and lots of presents, but came into the house by opening the
    front door instead of going around to the back of the house
    and entering through the kitchen door.

    This was back in the 1950s when people didn't lock their doors.
    So Johnny pushed open the front door and knocked over our
    Christmas tree, all lighted and ornamented.

    And he wasn't even drunk (yet).

    So if holiday blahs give you or anyone reading this,
    remember the happy or funny ones, and that
    "This too shall pass."

    A few nights ago it got cold outside and I remembered
    I have a fireplace with artificial logs that light up and sound like
    logs crackling as they burn. I gave up on real fires with firewood
    some years ago, and love this artificial log set inside the fireplace.
    The sound is like a real fire but without the mess, and it's so soothing.

    For anyone without a fireplace, a DVD can be rented from Netflix
    showing a real fire in a fireplace. The next best thing.

    Happy days are ahead.
     
  13. nancy

    nancy Well known member

    Hey there Walt, so happy to hear from you!! I do have the Holiday Blue's. I
    am working on it though. I just wish it was Jan 2nd. I have no one here in TN,
    my brother and his wife are leaving to be with their son. My son is working on
    Thanksgiving, it will be the first holiday that I will be alone completely. I am
    prepared though, I will do the best I can. I appreciate your help, it is so important.
    Your story was so right on! I hope we can talk during the holidays, it will surely
    help. You are an inspiration, a wonderful person with a huge heart. Kiss Annie
    for me!!! Love to you, Nancy
     
  14. joseph32

    joseph32 Peer Supporter

    Hello everyone. I am new to this site and find it very rewarding and hopeful. I have been suffering from chronic lower back pain and some leg pain for the past 7 years. Initially it was brought out in a time of stress in my life. Like everyone else, I have gone through all treatments. Physical therapy, injections which made the pain worse, massage, acupuncture, prolotherapy, you name it. It has been somewhat manageable with medications. I recently started having some weird leg discomfort and my doctor referred me to pain specialist, thinking it was from my chronic back problem. As this was happening, I started to freak out and look at my past MRI and search the internet as to what was going on. I panicked and thought I was going to be riddled with pain for my life. I started having major anxiety and sleeping problems. The pain then became severe in my back to the point of tears. I worried about my family and job and the pain increased. I am convinced I have TMS (my MRI does not show much) as I have all the personality traits and a rough childhood. I found Dr. Sarno's books (last week) and have been reading them, journaling and reading information on this site. I find the success stories amazing. I am trying to figure all this out now. I set aside all my "back stuff" and concentrating on the emotional part of it. I want to thank everyone who created this site. I would love to find a mentor or person who has recovered to help guide me in my journey. I really want this and would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you
     
  15. Eric "Herbie" Watson

    Eric "Herbie" Watson Beloved Grand Eagle

    joseph32 you have really landed in the right place,and thank you for being here. See, were all mentors and we all can give you some great advice.
    Make sure to check out the SEP program and The Tms recovery program. Then if you have any questions go to that forum like the SEP and ask away ok- http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/forums/structured-educational-program.16/ And heres the Alan Gordon recovery program or we also call it the the TMS recovery program.
    http://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/TMS_Recovery_Program . Start with one that fits you ok. Then keep us posted - with how your doing also.
    Bless you
     
  16. joseph32

    joseph32 Peer Supporter

    Thank you Eric, I appreciate it.
     
    Eric "Herbie" Watson likes this.
  17. sara_cynthia

    sara_cynthia New Member

    Hi everyone, I had a friend who has encourged me to researched those website. I have had mutilple back and tailbone problems for years and well here I am after trying surgery and everything else I'm willing to look at this avenue for healing. My first thought after reading on this was "wow, I'm in" then of course doubt's quickly followed such as "I'm way to complicated for this to work" blah blah. But, I'm here and I'm going to give it a try. Thanks
     
    Eric "Herbie" Watson likes this.
  18. nancy

    nancy Well known member

    Hi, I have had all you pain, please follow the tms wiki! You can do it, it's really not that
    complicated, you'll have many friends here who will support and see you through this!!
    Love and caring to you, write to me any time. I am here for you as is everyone else. Nancy
     
    Eric "Herbie" Watson likes this.
  19. sara_cynthia

    sara_cynthia New Member

    Thank you Nancy, I've started the wiki program this am.
     
  20. Eric "Herbie" Watson

    Eric "Herbie" Watson Beloved Grand Eagle

    sara_cynthia what a unique name.
    Welcome aboard, so you started to wiki program, that's awesome. Is it the TMS recovery program with Alan Gordon. If so you should do fine. Ask any questions youd like. were here for ya. Itll be 1 step at a time and a commitment to yourself to enjoy life more and finally get back to doing all the things youve always wanted to do. Dont hold back, go for the gold and remember simplicity is key. Some things wont be so easy to understand at times- thats why were here as friends to help you through. Welcome aboard.
    Bless you
     

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