| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| nporat |
Posted - 11/09/2006 : 13:54:16
Hi All,
I think i was doing well for awhile not symptomatic, I think because I was busy. Now my jaw hurts and I am getting all the yucky Neuro symptoms. I know I do not have MS because doctors have ruled it out and these symptoms come at times when I am stressed. However, I wish I could have someone give me an official TMS diagnosis. Uch, I am just relapsing, I can't go into that dark place of obsessive thinking. Did most of you self diagnose? I am just basing everything on anxiety and that my doctors/tests have ruled out everything. can this all be psychological? I am so scared.
Luv,
Nikki |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MikeJ |
Posted - 11/12/2006 : 23:45:56
I self-diagnosed too, but only after seeing many doctors and specialists who said there was no structural problems and couldn't help. I like questions Suz asked; this is what I think you should be focused on. |
| Stryder |
Posted - 11/12/2006 : 19:18:17
I saw me on the pages of HBP, over and over again. I was a bit weirded out by this as I just could not believe that the good doctor was in my head. It was a sureal beginning.
So that puts my case in the self-DX folder.
Ta Da. -Stryder |
| wrldtrv |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 19:45:43
I dx'd myself. It took a very long time and lots of struggle for me to accept that the neuro and other symptoms I experienced last yr were psychomatic rather than structural. I too suspected MS, had all the expensive tests (twice, four yrs apart) and nothing. Eventually, the symptoms went away completely as I'm sure they will for you too.
You're so right that when you are in the midst of the battle with yourself it seems dark and scary, but trust that YOU WILL get better! For me, probably the most helpful thing was this board. This and doing the reading and journaling. |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 10:44:43
For anxiety, I really like the book Women and Anxiety by Helen DeRosis. It's very informative, practical, and very consistent with TMS as far as I can tell, right down to her belief that anger plays a big role in anxiety.
I read it first when I was just discovering TMS and found it really helpful, and I'm rereading it now and finding it's a great way to review and deal with the TMS issues through the mechanism of anxiety.
--
Wherever you go, there you are. |
| Dave |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 09:09:13
Official diagnosis is overrated. If you "see yourself" in the book, Dr. Sarno will likely diagnose it as TMS. His examination focuses very little on the physical and mostly on the psychological.
Seems that you already know exactly what is going on but you are fighting acceptance. Carefully examine what is going on in your life, especially what might have changed since the new symptoms started. It is likely you are avoiding something... |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 08:48:08
If you've been tested and nothing structural has been found wrong then you probably have TMS. DX'ing today, with all the scanning and lab tests is pretty accurate. If you are still not sure, then go ahead and get re-tested until you are reassured there's nothing physicaly wrong with you.
With all the time and money involved you might as well seek out a TMS doctor, (which are few and far between), and make the pilgrimage to be examined by one.
I have seen two TMS doctors, trained by Dr. Sarno, to DX my right hip. They both said it was NOT TMS and recommended hip-replacemnt sooner than later. |
| HilaryN |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 02:03:17
I self-diagnosed, too. I can sympathise with you wanting an "official" diagnosis. I would have loved one too, because it was a while before I had any noticeable improvement.
But I'm glad to say I've now recovered as well.
Littlebird, it's great to hear of your progress.
Hilary N |
| n/a |
Posted - 11/10/2006 : 01:52:41
Hi Nikki
Yes, I self-diagnosed after having every test and scan available showed nothing significant. Like you, I really wanted someone to officially diagnose TMS, but that couldn't happen because there was no-one anywhere near where I live.
But I did recover anyway. It took a long time with many relapses along the way.
Anxiety you can't control is horrible! Sometimes I look back to the time I was so very scared and realise that I've come so far - it's a good feeling.
One book that really helped me with anxiety is Rick Carson's 'Taming Your Gremlin' It's about anxiety, not TMS, but I found that as the anxiety decreased so did my physical symptoms. I love Carson's amusing style - it really helped me to lighten up about everything. I know quite a few people who post here have found it helpful as well.
He has his own website:
http://www.tamingyourgremlin.com
There are good reviews on Amazon as well.
Best wishes
Anne |
| Suz |
Posted - 11/09/2006 : 14:59:41
Nikki,
The fear perpetuates it. That TMS monster has you licked! Just ignore it. The jaw - well, let's think rationally. When you think about it, it is absolutely ridiculous for anything to be wrong with your jaw. I don't know how old you are but it sounds like you have been given a clean bill of health by all doctors. You have no choice but to realize that this is your brain trying to distract you.
What is really going on in your life?
What are you not facing right now?
Think about your life - not your pain. The pain is absolutely ridiculous. Now - your life - things might not be ridiculous. what is going on with relationships, work, money issues etc etc etc. Your brain is trying to keep you from thinking about those things.
Your jaw - you have got to laugh! |
| Littlebird |
Posted - 11/09/2006 : 14:29:33
Hi Nikki,
Yes, it can really be psychological! I've always known my numerous sx (symptoms) were somehow triggered by severe stress and emotional pain/frustration. I haven't seen any TMS doctor, but I have been given diagnoses by my non-TMS docs of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Interstitial Cystitis, and have had many other types of sx, including neurological stuff. Initially I was told that the neuro sx could be MS, but testing didn't show anything.
Since I learned about TMS a couple of months ago, I have been able to overcome most of the neuro stuff. I don't have nerve pain, parasthesias, numbness, or weakness. My head has stopped shaking back and forth. I'm not having as much vertigo as before. I have weaned off of the Neurontin that I took to help control neuro sx. When I had tried to cut back the Neurontin prior to learning of TMS, because I was tired of the side effects the med caused, the neuro sx got much worse again, but now they are gone, even without the med. I'm still having some of my other sx, like general pain and fatigue, but not the neuro stuff. I'm confident that as I progress with the TMS work I'll overcome everything.
Hope you'll find lots of encouragement on the forum to help you through this setback. Keep fighting the fear! |
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