| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| amygreen |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 14:54:21
I've been sick for the last 4 years with symptoms no doctor can figure out -- all tests come back normal. I have fatigue, mild dizziness, some anxiety, tight tight muscles which are also weak, (I can walk without problems, but standing still for very long is very difficult), brisk reflexes, and sensitivity to fluorescent lights (make me weak & dizzy), I have seen endless specialists who can't figure it out. I was dx'ed with fibromyalgia probably 15 years ago -- but the rest of the symptoms came 4 yrs ago. I have read Sarno's Healing Back Pain and I know fibro is considered TMS, but what about these other weird symptoms? |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Joy_I_Am |
Posted - 06/28/2011 : 02:42:19
Hello Amy,
I think you will find your 'other weird symptoms' ARE fibromyalgia - if you go on google and type 'sensitivity to lights FM' or 'tight muscles FM' I bet you you will find a match! Because FM is 'Everythingitis'! In other words, it is TMS. I'm not talking through my bahookie here, I was 'diagnosed' with FM years ago, and I am convinced it is just another word for TMS. Indeed, perhaps a better word for it would be 'BuggerOffmyalgia' because if a doctor tells a patient they have FM, they can trot off with a 'diagnosis' and spend the rest of their life haunting health forums and buying expensive supplements... and yes, I've been there too. If you're going to spend your money and time on anything FM-related, Nancy Selfridge's book is a good one.
HillBilly gives some of the most excellent, succinct advice I've ever seen! I'm going to cut and paste it to the little TMS file I keep for when I need a reminder. And the phrase 'a hopeful life' should be written in gold!
I think, when people are brisk about symptoms here, it is not said without sympathy - on the contrary, we've all been where you are, and we know that the symptoms and the pain are real, you are really feeling them. But THEY DON'T MEAN SOMETHING'S WRONG - that's the important bit. Something has gone wrong with your body's messages, certainly, and that needs to be sorted out in exactly the way HillBilly outlines - anxiety can be a real brain-body bomb. The key phrase for me in your post is 'all tests come back normal'. That's because you are normal. 'Clear tests' is a great place to start getting better, not to go searching for more problems.
Good luck, Amy, and hope you're feeling better soon - by looking into TMS, you're already on the path! |
| Hillbilly |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 16:51:19
If you have a cluster of symptoms that are benign, chronic, and don't respond to any conventional treatment, you are likely suffering from a condition referred to variously here and elsewhere as TMS, anxiety, fibromyalgia, stress illness, mindbody syndrome, autonomic overload syndrome, or other names. They are all synonyms. No difference at all, just different mechanisms and theories as to how to treat them.
Here's the good news, which should provide immediate relief: all your symptoms are benign, and you are in no danger whatsoever of the things you fear happening when your symptoms are bad. They are figments of your imagination. Your symptoms are real and horrible, but harmless.
Here's the not-so-good news: the symptoms are a direct reflection of your mood. If you are stressed, your body acts up wildly and often scarily (but remember always harmlessly), and you feel like crap nearly all the time. The antidote is the cure, which is rest, relaxation, and a hopeful life, which isn't sold at Wal-Mart or its competitors. Being constantly upset, angry and anxious are the hallmarks and prime perpetuators of the condition.
If I may suggest just a few things that will be immediately helpful: 1) turn off your TV and stop watching all news programs; 2) after you understand your condition, stay off all forums discussing symptoms and illnesses; you know what you have, so accept the diagnosis as benign and begin to live normally as gradually as you need to manage it. 3) pay no attention whatsoever to economic forecasts; 4) spend all the time you can with other people that inspire you, understand you, and that are kind and dependable. Avoid all judgmental people and anyone competing with the Joneses for the best car, house, or plastic surgeon.
I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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