The RSD/CRPS story on this site (salamander) does not sound like RSD

It seems he may have been misdiagnosed and it's not helpful as it pertains to RSD. There are color changes, temperature changes, constant burning that later turn to frostbite burning and stabbing sensations, as well as vascular spasms. The story in Sarno's "Mind Body Presc," is equally weak. I have yet to read about someone with classic RSD symtoms that has overcome it using thought retraining. Due to this lack of info. and testimonials, I have doubt! I wonder if RSD is a different kind of monster than TMS....It becomes centralized nerve pain. Walking has become so difficult and my calves are atrophying. How can I eliminate doubt when I have visible pathology and Mri findings of bone changes??? Sorry I'm just so frustrated with this disease. It is compared to MS..i alsohave the pressure of time because the chances of remission lessen over time. I have . I seen patients with this and their skin looks tattood from hyperpigmentation.I have also seen patients with atrophied limbs. I am truly terrified.

 

Who is "he?"..the misdiagnosed person?

I haven't seen anyone who has been diagnosed with RSD, who hasn't healed--that is, if they wanted to heal. RSD is TMS. The only ones who don't heal from so-called RSD are the ones who don't believe they can heal. We become what we believe in our hearts.

The story you refer to as "equally weak" in MBP is true whether you place credence in it, or not. Why do you think it's weak? Is it that the best pain doctor in America misdiagnosed it, or that you don't believe the person healed from it?

The last time I spoke to Dr. Sopher he had seen half a dozen "RSDers" who all healed.

What's this thought retraining you speak of?

There are color changes, temperature changes, burning and stabbing sensations, as well as vascular spasms with TMS. These are all part of the The Mindbody Syndrome. Visible pathology is common and part of TMS.

If you have these symptoms, and if you want to heal, open your heart to healing, don't fight it.

Learn all about TMS before you reject it. With The Mindbody Syndrome comes all of the symptoms you described above, and a million more. There's no limit to what the brain can create, and, to your healing potential. If you're terrified, then open your mind. Everyone here was once terrified. Most people try to tear apart the TMS process because they don't want to get their hopes up and then be let down. They start from the negative and move up the ladder as they climb higher.

Begin again with light in your heart instead of darkness. Healing is more often a choice. There are many here that will help you learn.

Good luck miffybunny (I believe that's the fist time I've ever said miffybunny).

Steve

 

Hi Steve, thank you so much for your reply!! I have read your book several times and enjoyed it immensely!! I actually conquered a year and half battle with leg spasms thanks to Dr.Sarno and your book but I got hung up on the lack of info. on RSD. The symptoms are incredibly intense, bizarre and frightening so I struggle with doubt. I had a positive outlook until yesterday when I ventured into a mall. After walking my feet were engulfed in wet flames and stabbing (so hard to describe neuropathic pain). Yes I agree healing is a choice and I can't fall victim to my brain trying to trick me. Thank you so much again! I feel as though a weight has been lifted. I've told so many people about your book ....I never thought I would actually have the opportunity to correspond with you! With much gratitude,
Miffybunny

 

Hi Miffybunny! I'm sorry you are struggling with doubt right now. It can really hold you back from healing. I haven't experienced RSD, but it sounds excruciating. I can relate to your situation in that I have neuropathy and neurological issues instead of the intense muscle pain that is typical of TMS. So I had lots of doubt! @Steve Ozanich's book was helpful in helping me understand that there are many different manifestations of TMS.

@Forest recently uploaded some videos from Dr. David Hanscom. In one segment he talks about patients with RSD who elected to have amputations, I think it was 28 people. Of those 28, only 2 were relieved from pain when the limb was removed. That tells me that TMS is to blame!

My former boss had a colleague whose daughter was diagnosed with RSD after going through some emotional trauma. They sought opinions from countless doctors until they found a specialist in Boston that treats children with RSD. Interestingly enough, the treatment regimen from this MD did not include drugs or surgeries. It consisted of CBT and exhausting physical exercise. The idea behind the exercise was to exhaust the body to the point that the nervous system would be "reset." I don't know this family personally, but my former boss thought what I was going through was similar and relayed this example to me. The teenager recovered and as of last year had no recurrences after several years.

You might also check out the work of Dr. Lissa Rankin, author of Mind over Medicine. She has countless stories of people who have healed themselves by changing their attitudes and beliefs. Even cancer! Also, Louise Hay, who recovered from cancer without chemo or surgery. I'm not so sure I wouldn't have surgery to remove cancer from my body, but these are just examples of how important the mind is in our health. You have the power within you Miffybunny! It probably won't happen overnight, but you can win!

Best regards, Mandi

 

Hi Mandi,
Thank you so much for all the info.!! I actually watched Dr. Lissa Rankin on PBS the other night. She's very engaging. I can't even express how much your and the others replies mean to me!
Rita

 

Miffybunny, Steve and the others are giving you the best advice.
You have to believe your pain is TMS, and 100 percent, or you won't heal,
and as he says, RSD is TMS.

 

Oh my goodness, I just awoke from a nap to catch up from a rough night of those bizarre above- mentioned pains, and rolled over to see the post by miffybunny about RSD. My eyes went right to it. The mention of it is so rare. My hope for recovery is like a tightrope walk of hope first, and then discouragement. Trouble is, I keep "looking to symptoms." Within the last weeks, two orthopedists said that if it was RSD I had no hope from the medical world at all.
2 3/4 years ago upon my diagnosis, I was later told that same news( with a big friendly smile) from a rheumatologist. A TMS -listed doctor declined to see me to merely confirm that I had TMS. I So wanted that to be the case! When he said I was too far gone and that no Dr. would take my case, I fell apart as though I had been punched since my life is non-existent. "Herbie" helped me a great deal with my reaction. I seem to be so fragile. I am waiting for Dr. Schubiner's book to arrive to begin his program. I have been working on Brady and Sarno since June, journaling, etc.
This forum is the only place that I have found hope.
My wonderful family doctor says that the more fitting name in my case is Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome , CRPS, rather than RSD because I don't have the discoloration and swelling. But it did quickly centralize, even though it was localized at first after doing a simple toe-lift exercise.
They day I was given hope was when I stumbled on Dr. Sarno's books and Scott Brady's lecture saying that RSD was AOS ( His term) my last hope is that it is TMS. On an RSD forum, I read of a woman from the UK who was healed of it after reading Sarno.
I pretty much know my issues and personality traits. I would encourage miffybunny to limit Internet searching. I have found that symptoms increase the more one finds out about RSD/CRPS. I have read over 150 research papers and it hasn't done me a bit of good. Dr. Sarno's instructions say to forget any diagnosis you have been given as you start the program.
Children seem to recover more easily and I wonder if that is because they are oblivious to the dire predictions of doom about the ailment?

 

Hi Walt, yes you are all right. I think the websites, books and Dr's who treat RSD (with nerve blocks, ketamine infusions, spinal cord stimulators etc etc.) perpetuate illness and fear and doubt. I guess it becomes an "iatrogenic" situation. Not sure if I spelled that right...There's something about experts in TMS and people who have conquered TMS confirming TMS , that vanquishes any lingering doubt. When I try to explain this to anyone, their eyes glaze over so I've learned to keep it to myself and go about my life. Thanks again! It's amazing how this knowledge is so powerful.

Hi Lavender, yes the paucity of info. was making it difficult for me not to have doubt. The case on this website re: RSD is nebulous at best. I do wish there was a more accurate representation (neuropathy, vasculapthy, color changes etc.) Having said that, I noticed the same thing re children who go into remission. I suspect their brains are more neuroplastic and they believe they will get better unlike adults who research and question. I avoid the neurotalk messageboards like the plague now. RSD was a huge fear of mine and it's ironic that it manifested. At the end of the day, this condition does originate in the brain. Dr. Schubiner told me it "ups the ante" but it's still TMS. I believe I will get better and I hope and pray for you the same!!

 

Oh, I forgot to mention, I have tried calmare therapy, nerve blocks and ketamine. They didn't help at all and the more I tried, the more disappointment ensued. The only person who will "fix" me is me!