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pianoshrnk
USA
14 Posts |
 Posted - 09/22/2008 : 10:49:56
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| Hello friends- this forum gave me comfort and hope a couple of years ago- well here I am again! I suffered from classic signs of tms/fibromyalgia about 13 years ago. Along with the tms/fibromyalgia came incredible anxiety. I discovered Dr. Sarno, stopped going to all of the doctors (you wouldn't believe how many there were!), started exercising faith and positive thoughts, walked and biked, you all know the routine- ha! And it worked! For nearly 10 years! During the last three years I have had a lot of stress in my life, and have had intermittent symptoms of anxiety and aches- the most disturbing being "sore, burning eyes". I wrote to this forum- was greatly comforted by the fact others had experienced eye symptoms as part of tms- and I have been relieved for periods of time during the last three years. I KNOW tms will try to get "us" somewhere else when we get one symptom under control. Now I have pressure headaches with my eye symptoms and sometimes my vision is affected. This is weird but it's like I can see but I really cant right? It is so hard to explain. My vision is not really blurred and I can see things but it really feels like I cant see things clearly. It's like a film over my eyes and I want to rub it to make it go away. (I did have my eyes completely checked out when I first got all of these eye symptoms and they were fine- I have another appointment in a couple of weeks) I do have other tms kinds of aches and pains and classic signs of anxiety- the eye and head stuff is just really freaking me out. Just wondering if anyone else has had these kinds of symptoms????? Thank you all for sharing all of your concerns and success stories. It does indeed help. |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2008 : 12:58:37
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Yes, I remember at Dr. Sarno's lecture there was a guy with dry eye and it was diagnosed as TMS. He was having a difficult time with it.
I would ask is there something going on you don't want to look at or see? Something bothersome? My suggestion (this will shock the regulars--NOT!) is JOURNALING about what's going on right now. . .
AH! Just realized this applies to me! This morning I had excess wetness in my right eye. A bit in the way when putting on makeup (smudges), and I used a cotton swab to dab the outside corner to get some of the wetness away. Wondering why I was having this, I connected it with realizing that today I had to deal with someone whom I don't particularly care for (I'm examing the "why" of that); so I figure the eye issue was because I did not want to see this person or deal with them. It's over now, they're gone, and the eye is not teary anymore. Funky! I will be journaling about my attitude toward this person (I can't avoid them) tonight when I get home, and get myself an attitude adjustment!  |
Edited by - mizlorinj on 09/22/2008 13:01:06 |
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Elorac
United Kingdom
41 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2008 : 13:02:21
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Hi, I haven't had the sore eyes, but I think I know what you mean about the feeling of you can see, but you can't see. It is hard to describe as you say. I have also had anxiety as a TMS symptom, and I think the vision thing might be related to the anxiety.
When I have physical TMS symptoms I am now finding it relatively easy to remind myself immediately that it's TMS and make it go away, or stop it getting any worse. But when I first started doing the TMS work about a month ago, I found that if I started to get the anxiety again, that was harder to deal with than a physical pain/symptom, and I think it was because when you're feeling anxious it's hard to think clearly. After a bit of practise I'm finding it's getting easier, and if I feel anxious I just start to tell myself, parrot fashion, "it's only TMS, the anxiety is a TMS symptom". I think the repetition definitely helps it to sink in to your unconscious mind. I remind myself of that when I'm not feeling anxious, and even when I am feeling anxious keep saying it over and again in my mind, even if there are worrying thoughts there as well, I try to ignore them and keep saying my mantra about it being TMS.
I've just read your description again about how you can see, but not see, and it definitely sounds like what I have occasionally experienced. My eyes have always been fine on eye tests, and it's not something that has ever worried me. If it is a TMS symptom then the more you notice it and are concerned about it, it is more likeley to continue.Since I've been doing the TMS work, I've had the symptom imperative in various forms, some of which have been bizarre, there will probably be other people on here who have experienced this vision thing.
Hope you soon get to grips with things again. |
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skizzik
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2008 : 13:22:30
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Yup! You just described a chronic experience of mine that I had in magical '03.
Magical because that was the year I discovered Sarno HBP and felt so good while reading it my back pain melted away in a few mos. I did'nt realice what was happening to me, I thought his treatment was psycho mumbo jumbo, but to feel better mentally when I was in pain I read his structural stuff and eventually made a correlation between having good days and reading his stuff. He simply took away the fear and I forgot I had a back problem. Of course I relapsed big time and am trying to regain that fearlessness I developed without realizing it in '03. Thats my dilema, how to get control of something you got by not trying to get control of it before?
Ok, so what about the eyes? I recall after reading HPB for the first time in a year I was so relieved to be reading herniated discs were no big deal that I immediately felt a huge weight off of me. I actually went to the book store and bought a book on poker since texas holdem became the rage.
I was able to do something in my spare time that did'nt involve stretching, excercises, feeling sorry for myself, or searching for the perfect surgery......read!
I still read Sarno daily. But could now read novels again, the sports page ...etc
Then I realized something was amiss with my eyes that wouldnt go away. And I recall telling my wife that exact phrase "it's like I can see, but I cant". Cant explain till you experience it.
I eventually went to see an eye doctor and the only box to check for this symptom was blurred vision. But I was'nt blurred, but I couldn't see right. I explained all this to the lady doing the eye exam before I saw the doc and kept asking if stress played a role, and she just came up with other reasons like strain, dry eyes ...etc
I tested better than 20/20 and did the computer thingy where they check with laser or whatever for cataracts and glaucoma, all well.
I recall feeling relieved, but I was still under great stress at the time. I called back a few times to re-ask if my eyes really checked out ok. At some point I realized weeks or mos later that my eyes did'nt bother me anymore.
I also had basically the same experience w/ testes pain around the same time. My boss even inquired if I was ok because I was going to the doc so much.
Hope my experience soothes you a bit.
Oh, yeah, I suffered from migraines around that time too. Ha, no wonders the back pain was able to slip out the back door then. |
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pianoshrnk
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2008 : 18:37:33
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Thank you skizzak, elorac, and mizlorinj - wow- I think we need to create a tv show with those names! haha I always appreciate hearing about everyones' experiences. It's funny- even though I have gone through periods of time when I don't have these symptoms (so my brain should send the signal that these are "temporary") - right?) every time I get in one of those "vicous cycles'- in my case sore, burning eyes and blurry vision stuff - I start doing the"this is never going to get better- I've got some horrible condition - I can't live like this- I'm scared" . I'm going through the "Sarno" motions now- still exercising- trying to get out with my friends- doing the mantras "this is temporary- these are tms symptoms- " so I'm hoping to get going in the right direction sometime soon! THANK YOU for taking the time to share- positive vibes and prayers to each of you. And if anyone else has had sore or burning eyes and affected vision as part of TMS PLEASE let me know!
Peace. |
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debbette
44 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2008 : 19:14:35
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Anxiety was the first TMS symptom that I sought help for about 8 years ago. It was so bad that I went to a cognative therapist who's practice specialized in anxiety and agoraphobia. I saw him for 6 months and he helped me immensely. It's embarrassing to admit that I couldn't figure out WHY I had this horrible anxiety (which by the way, completely convinced me that I going crazy and would surely end up in a mental institution - seriously). Did I happen to mention that my birthmother came into my life at that time?....HELLO! Anyway, my point is, with the help of my therapist, I was able to see what was really bothering me. My clever mind still likes to use anxiety to distract me but I'm pretty quick to catch it now.
Funny you mentioned eyes. I've seen a couple of Drs lately about my current symptoms (tingling feet) and they both asked if I've had trouble with my vision. I don't but fully expect to any day now since I was so terrified when they asked!
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Jena
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2008 : 22:10:50
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| i suffer from really bad anxiety as well. Do you ever have stabbing pain in your back or chest? sometimes stomach? Im the one constantly worrying about enlarged lymph nodes and lymphoma. I had a ct scan 2 months ago do enlarged nodes that were not enlarged in the chest grow that big in 2 months? I dont know if i am having TMS symptoms or this is serious. I have to admit I forget what TMS symptoms can be sometimes |
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johnaccardi
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2008 : 11:14:50
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| Yes, I had dry eyes. They burned all the time, I couldn't wear contacts. I had this film-like symptom you speak of. I couldn't see clearly. It was all TMS...it's all gone now. |
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pianoshrnk
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2008 : 17:58:00
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Johnaccardi- I love you! I have been driving myself nuts with this eye stuff. There is nothing like hearing someone sharing a success story about the very symptoms one is obsessing about and most afraid of! Thank you!! I have overcome bouts of fibromyalgia (for lack of a better word- I HATE that term), anxiety, and even this eye pain- but here I am freaking out again! Debbette- thank you for your words too- isn't that the truth- the power of suggestion- sometimes doctors just make things worse with their words if you know what I mean!(I've had tingling feet before- long before these eye symptoms- nothing wrong with my vision when I had tingling feet)
Jena- anxiety is terrifying, I know. Not many websites, people or even counselors address the PHYSICAL symptoms of anxiety. Here is a partial list of symptoms I found on the Linden anxiety method website- I actually think it is rather comforting to know so many others have experienced these things and have conquered their anxiety and with that conquest, the physical symptoms WILL fade. In the meantime- don't stop exercising- pray, meditate- go out with friends, get involved with a cause- listen to Sarno and all of the other wonderful people on this forum. Okie dokie- this list is long.....sorry
The following list of symptoms includes the most common ones reported by actual anxiety sufferers.
Sometimes it feels as if your chest will not expand to accommodate the air your body needs, other times it feels as if someone is pushing a pillow into your face.
Racing heart, slow heart beat, palpitations
Chest pain - Caused by muscle tension, chest pains can make you feel very scared. The initial reaction of anyone with anxiety who gets pains in their chest is that they are dying of a heart attack. This is not true. Heart pain is very different to this pain and very often does not start in the chest.
Lump in throat & difficulty swallowing
Skin losing colour (blanching)
Sweating
Shaking or shivering (Visibly or internally)
Neck and shoulder pain, numbness in face or head - The blood vessels and nerves, which supply the face and head, originate in the neck and shoulders. Many of these nerves and blood vessels are routed across the head to the face. When the body is under stress these areas of the body are usually the first to become tense. Facial numbness can be very disturbing but is usually nothing to worry about and is usually the result of this tension.
Rapid gastric emptying
Indigestion, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea
Sexual Dysfunction, impotency, or failure to achieve or maintain an erection, effects many men for many reasons, sometimes there is a physical reason for this but more often than not there is a psychological element.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection
Skin rashes
Weakness in arms & tingling in the hands or feet. Light exercise is very helpful in reversing these sensations. THEY DO NOT MEAN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A STROKE OR ANY OTHER NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION!
Electric shock feeling anywhere in the body
Dry mouth
Insomnia and nightmares
Fear of insanity or losing control
Depression - Anxiety has many features of depression and can mimic it quite strongly.
'Flu'-like symptoms - Influenza causes the body to release anti-bodies into the blood stream to attack the virus. This combination of anti-bodies and infection makes the body feel weak, sweaty and painful. Anxiety can have a similar effect, weakening the muscles, making you clammy and achy. Believe it or not the more you do physically the better this will become.
Distorted vision
Distorted hearing
Hormone problems - Anxiety can affect various systems of the body, one of which is the endocrine system. This system is responsible for balancing the glands, which secrete hormones in the body. Although these glands secrete the hormones needed by the body, they do not control the levels of these chemicals, this is done by the brain. Disturbed messages in the brain and nervous system can cause slight irregularities in the secretion of these chemicals. When anxiety levels return to normal so will the hormone levels. There are few examples where these hormones cause serious problems and if they do your doctor can correct them.
Headaches & feelings of having a tight band around head. tension in the neck and shoulders can cause immense discomfort, migraine and numbness. The feeling of having a tight band around your head is caused by muscular tension in the sheath of muscles covering the skull. Restricted blood vessels and nerves within this tissue can cause very severe symptoms including pain in the eyes, face and teeth.
Sore eyes - Reduced lubrication in the eyes when body fluids are diverted elsewhere during anxiety causes the eyes to feel sore, dry and painful.
Agorophobia
Creeping or pins and needles sensations in the skin
Increased sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell
Hyperactivity and feelings of aggression
Pain in the face or jaw that resembles a toothache
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Curiosity18
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2008 : 18:39:49
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pianoshrnk-
I have also had eye symptoms similar to yours,it lasts for several days , then goes away. Sometimes it's accompanied by my lower lid twitching a little. I have also been checked out, and now just attribute it to TMS. (It does usually only show up during stressful times). I generally try not to worry about it. Also I have found that rubbing my palms together until they're warm, then placing them over my eyes really helps to relax and clear them
Thanks so much for the list! Since I've been struggling with genito-urinary and hormonal(peri-menopause) symptoms, as well as anxiety, it really helps to put it more in a TMS perspective. I will check out the Linden website.
Take care-
Curiosity
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anxiety and tms!
