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Chrysalis
USA
12 Posts |
 Posted - 04/05/2009 : 19:04:42
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Hi all,
I am new to this forum and to TMS. Well not really, I suppose I have had it most of my life but I just found out about it a couple of days ago. I bought Mind Body Prescription yesterday and have started reading it. Do you think that joint pain in the hands can be TMS? I have had pain in both thumbs for a couple of years and about three weeks ago started having pain in the base joint of my right index finger. I'm a 36 year old female. I don't have any of the stiffness, swelling or fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Just pain. I haven't injured my hands. When the thumb pain started a couple of years ago I thought it was due to a medication that I was taking that is known to cause joint pain. I do have an appointment to see a rheumatologist in May but I really don't want to go because I've had horrible experiences with doctors in the past...misdiagnoses, incorrect test results, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
I have had a lot of problems with anxiety and panic attacks for almost 25 years. I have asthma and allergies. I've been a hypochondriac since I was probably 12. In the last few years I've thought I had diabetes (I don't) and ulnar nerve entrapment (it seems to be a pinched nerve due to my scoliosis and poor posture). Now I have this joint pain and I'm totally convinced that I have rheumatoid arthritis even though logically I know I really don't have all those symptoms. I DID have a major health problem for several years that resulted in two botched surgeries and me almost dying, that was almost four years ago, and it's made my hypochondria and anxiety so much worse.
My hobbies are drawing and photography. I'm TERRIFIED of somehow losing the use of my hands and not being able to do these things any more.
Since I started reading about TMS and comparing it to my situation, I've suddenly developed pretty bad bladder pain (another anxiety symptom from the past, I've done literally nothing that could cause a bladder infection) and a swollen lymph node--I mean this is all in the last 48 hours, it's so strange, it's like I'm on to the TMS now and it's throwing anything it can out there to capture my attention. I've been reading this forum since yesterday and so much of what I read hear sounds just like me, it really is amazing.
So, sorry for writing a novel here  Anyhow, does anyone think that joint pain like mine could be TMS? I could use some encouraging words. Thank you. |
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scd1833
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2009 : 20:27:10
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Yes! you are a "textbook" case.
I had thumb joint pain for years, a long time ago, I know now it was tms. you are doing great, you have it on the run and it's trying to hide and distract you.
all the symptoms you mention are tms equivalents. keep reading and try journaling too.
good work. |
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Chrysalis
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 12:29:23
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| Thanks for the encouraging words! It's great to hear that someone else beat this type of pain too. |
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cfhunter
119 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 19:56:24
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I totally understand the joint pain...I have so many symptoms right now it's almost stupid. I was reading "The Divided Mind" which should be called my BIBLE last night and literally turned the page to a section on elbow pain and how common it is to be TMS...well I have had severe elbow pain for over 4 months... (I don't play tennis or golf) and after reading that this morning it was 50% less than last night.
I am so pissed at my body for falling for all of this stuff again over nad over...and it keeps moving around and around....and my joints are SO sore and I have no arthritis or anything.
So not to jump on your post or anything..but I DO understand. p.s. my thumb hurt for three weeks andwent away finally.
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Chrysalis
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 20:54:59
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No, I really appreciate any comments. Thank you!
I am so new to this, I am constantly struggling all day to remind myself that it's psychological, not physical. So hard! |
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pandamonium
United Kingdom
202 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 01:47:15
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Hi Chrysalis,
I've never had joint pain so I cannot comment on that however one thing you wrote stood out for me:
"When the thumb pain started a couple of years ago I thought it was due to a medication that I was taking that is known to cause joint pain"
Again, expectations play a huge part in TMS!
Best of luck, |
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Chrysalis
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 09:03:20
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Hi Pandamonium,
At the time I was taking that medication I didn't know that it had joint pain as a side effect--I find out after the joint pain started. However I am wondering if it could have initially been caused by the medication but my fixation on it has made it linger all this time? |
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carbar
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 13:22:46
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Yes, exactly. Once you get the diagnosis, your brain sticks to it. I had joint pain through both arms for 7 years, calling it RSI: a chronic condition that does not improve, and then reading Sarno helped me heal from it completely.
It's definitely a process. Do not be discouraged if your symptoms shift around or do not get better right away. It was scary and sadding for me to realize that my subconscious was responsible for all the pain I was feeling. There's definitely a lot of emotion there, so the brain is still accustomed to stifling that into symptoms.
This site is a great resource for encouragement! That's why I still come back... |
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Can joint pain be TMS?
