Day 1

Hi all,

This is my day one post for the SEP. I am growing in my acceptance of this diagnosis. I read the mindbody prescription and definitely found myself matching the description of those in the book who are likely to suffer from TMS.

My pain seems to be from tendonitis that I feel is the result of a cancer treatment I had at 18. Surgery, radiation, and chemo, in my mind, are what have prevented my body from healing. I've gotten an MRI, seen two physical therapists, tried resting for weeks, tried stretches and exercises found online, cleaned up my diet (which was already pretty great - plenty of fruits and veggies), cut out alcohol, dry needling and acupuncture (granted only once, so maybe I need to try it longer) - nothing seems to help. With definite abnormalities from my treatment, it is easy to justify that there is something causing pain... but the biggest inconsistency is that I am now 29. I first had tendonitis pain in 2016, around 5 years after my treatment and then it went away for three years. In 2019 it happened again and went away. More recently it happened in the fall of 2021 and it has now been 6 months. Typing and exercising can sometimes be difficult. Why where the first years after treatment pain free? Why was I able to heal for 10 years post treatment and now I can not? Sure my body may heal slower as I age, but its had plenty of time and rest - this points to a mind body disorder.

I'm not completely sold on John Sarno's description of how the mind restricts blood flow to cause pain, but what is really resonating with me is Alan gordon's description of how the body can remember pain and how these neurological pathways interpret normal sensation as painful ones. The somatic tracking is helping and everyday I am reinforcing the discovery of inconsistencies in the pain, which point to a mind body disorder. Why is the pain in my lateral elbow one day, then in my wrist, the medial elbow, then lower bicep, then fingers and hand (right now as I type)? Perhaps this pain movement is because these are simply sensations that are being interpreted incorrectly. I've also been practicing the cognitive soothing he describes and at the very least thing this is positive for mental health.

I hope to keep you all posted and to be writing a final success story in the coming weeks / months.

Hang in there!

 

Hello and welcome . . .

Yes, as you wrote, these are definitely signs that your brain is causing the pain. This is great that you have already noticed this. One other thing you will want to explore as you move through the program is trying to remember what stressors might have triggered the pain in the past.

Again, this is great that you have already recognized this. Inconsistencies are the best evidence of mind-body pain. It sounds like you are on the right track. I recommend writing down any such evidence you find so that if you later have doubts, you can return to your list for some reassurance. Keep up the good work!