Day 1 A Few Questions

I have been struggling with pain for 37 years. When I was 19 I started having chronic tension headaches (that was actually the diagnosis) and as I got older and children came along I started having chronic pain in my neck and shoulders. In spite of all the pain I was able to keep up with my family and all the responsibilities. Then 8 years ago I had surgery (for another matter) and two weeks later felt stabbing pain in my mid to low back that eventually moved into the sciatic region causing many spasms. This was the pain that finally put me down and has altered my life completely. I had the usual tests, MRI, CAT scan, etc. and there are no problems structurally. Finally the doctor just diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. Last week I began reading Healing Back Pain by Sarno and have seen myself on almost every page so far. Perfectionist, hard on myself, suppressing emotions, it's all me and yet like so many others I am having a hard time letting TMS sink in as the answer but I am actively working on it. Just last night I had the revelation that TMS makes complete sense since I was diagnosed with TENSION headaches so many years ago.

So I am doing the journaling and reading everything I can get my hands on but have a few questions for those that are way a head of me. I rarely take anything for the pain because I get side effects from medication, so the main ways I get relief are through using a heating pad or ice packs. My question is do I need to give those up at this time? The last two evenings I went without the heating pad as I watched tv and both mornings woke up with spasms in sciatic area. I had actually gotten to a place where I wasn't having near as many spasms so this has been very discouraging as I begin this journey. I don't quite understand if I am supposed to try and push myself to live a more "normal" life or just let that happen organically as I work the program? After 37 years I am very anxious to shed some of this pain.

I am very thankful for this site with so much great information and for this forum of people who get what it means to have chronic pain and provide hope for the future.

 

Hi Lynn

It requires a level of faith and trust in this TMS journey you are embarking.

I have been suffering chronic lower back pain for 15 years and last year it progressed to sciatica. I had an MRI done and the surgeon recommended surgery. I however took to chiropractor, physiotherapy and accupuncture which all provided some level of short term relief. Than I read Dr Sarno's book and he had instructed on the ceasing of all back related therapies.

Both the chiropractor and physiotherapist whom I was seeing were fairly popular. Scheduling an appointment with them is akin to striking lottery. However, I had managed to secure appointments with them for up to a month. (twice weekly for chiropractor and once weekly for physiotherapist).

I vividly remember one lunch time, I took enough courage to call and cancel all my appointments for both chiropractor and physiotherapist. It was a step of faith which was contrary to common sense. I told my wife and she thought I had lost my mind from excessive pain and anxiety.

I am a christian and had also taken literally the verse "Be Still and know that I am God"! I stopped trusting in my methods and took a leap in God's direction. I stopped festering on my pain. Gave up control, stayed still and simply allowed God to revel himself.

I stuck through it (everyday thinking if I should call to re book an appointment with therapist). It was tough the first couple of days. But got easier as the days passed. The pain eventually left. I experience an occasional low level ache and some sensations running down the sciatic nerve, but no flare up ever since. I am still working on totally eliminating the remnants.

However you may choose to view the outcome - whether God or Dr Sarno's method acting, the results are the same. I have been blessed to have had both supporting me. I encourage you to take that first step in trusting that your body is fully capable of healing itself completely. It indeed is hard to break the cycle as we are all condition to the causes of back pain and the resulting resolution - in your instance the heat / ice packs.

The first steps are the hardest. In fact its the very first act that accounts for 90% of your battle. Once you take that first step, you cannot stop the momentum. Pain free existence is a given - whether you choose for it or not. Have faith in yourself, your body, Dr Sarno and God.

Don't be anxious Lynn. Just let go.

I'm rooting for you.

eD

 

Hi, Lynn. I like eD's advice to you.
Dr. Sarno is not against heat or ice packs to relieve pain. He just wants us to consider them placebos and not cures.
The cure comes from total 100 percent belief in TMS, that the pain is not structural but psychological,
some repressed emotions that may go back to our childhood, and/or from a perfectionist/goodist personality.

Read the success stories in that subforum of this web site, and watch YouTube videos on TMS.

Journaling helps us to discover our repressed emotions that cause our physical pain.

I also asked God to help me heal and He answered with healing powers. God and TMS work together amazingly well.

Practice deep breathing which is profoundly calming to the mind and body.


Nothing is worse than lying awake at night, willing your brain to shut down so you can rest. Warm milk, lavender oil, and counting sheep — we’ve all tried them. But the new solution could be simply learning to breathe.

The 4-7-8 breathing technique was pioneered Dr. Andrew Weill from Arizona, who describes the yoga-inspired method as “utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.”

Dr.Weill claims that 4-7-8 breathing can help people fall asleep in just 60 seconds by acting as a “natural tranquiliser for the nervous system” that reduces stress and tension in the body.

1. Before you begin, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth just above your teeth and keep it there throughout the exercise.

2. Exhale completely through your mouth quite forcefully so you make a “whoosh” sound.

3. Close your mouth and inhale quietly and softly through your nose for a mental count of four.

4. Hold your breath and count to seven.

5. Next, exhale completely through your mouth, making another whoosh sound for eight seconds in one large breath.

6. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three times for a total of four breaths.

 

Lynn,
It is very common for the pain to get worse before it gets better. But that is very good news. Your mind is trying to distract you away from the psychological and get you focused on the physical. I read Dr. Sarno's book 2 times before I found this site to start the program. I was going on a trip and planned to start it when I returned. When I got back I got flu like symptoms. I could not get out of bed. My stomach was very very upset. I wanted to throw up. I kept thinking "I was not around anyone that was sick. None of my traveling companions have gotten sick." Then I remembered reading in The Divided Mind that people's symptoms can get worse or they get new symptoms as the mind works on focusing you on the physical and away from the psychological.

Look at your symptoms as very good news. You can do it. Fight back with words. Talk to your mind. You will succeed. Keep working the program. You will have the most incredible experience of your life working this program. You thought you new yourself but wait until you finish. The insights are amazing.

 

Thank you all for your encouraging words. They are a balm to my soul. I keep reading them over and over again. It has been a few days since I posted this and I have made such progress on fully believing that TMS is causing my pain and that there is real hope for recovery. I do believe also that God is leading me step by step towards healing and I'm so thankful for people like you that help light the path for others. And Yes Stella, the insights are already becoming amazing!!!

 

Hi LynnH,
You have been in chronic pain for decades. I recommend Walt's advice. Don't worry so much about throwing all the traditional treatments aside, if they help you. Be patient. I used special orthodics for awhile, until my foot pain reduced, then threw them away. It will happen in its own time, in my experience.
Andy B.