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avik
128 Posts |
 Posted - 11/26/2013 : 16:21:50
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Just to preface: 38 year old male, have experienced virtually every single TMS equivalent over the past 12 years, ALL chronically.
Can happily say I beat it all (including the dreaded fibromyalgia diagnosis) BUT, one thing has eluded me for 12 years...
I have Chronic Swollen Parotid Glands (the glands under your ear, right next to your jaw joint). They go up and down at will, and when they swell, its incredibly painful.
Ive had every test known to man, had one exploratory surgery, diet changes and on and on...and NOTHING (ive seen over 30 specialists including the worlds leading parotid gland surgeon). Drs tell me I am healthy as a horse.
I think this is TMS. I don't know what else could possibly convince me, but I am honestly not 100% of the way there yet. So, what to do now?
What I did in the past (journalling and then just ignoring) is not working on this.
Id like to admit one thing: my jaw-line has always been my favorite feature. When these glands swell, they completely hide that feature. Is my brain messing with me somehow with the one vanity-related/physical attribute about myself that I really like?
Just throwing that out there....would love to hear your thoughts/advice.
Thanks!
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2013 : 16:37:26
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quote:
Originally posted by avik
I have Chronic Swollen Parotid Glands ...Ive had every test known to man, ...(ive seen over 30 specialists including the worlds leading parotid gland surgeon).
Why would you seek the help of 30 specialists for a common symptom that in most cases is not indicative of a serious illness? |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2013 : 19:48:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Peregrinus
quote:
Originally posted by avik
I have Chronic Swollen Parotid Glands ...Ive had every test known to man, ...(ive seen over 30 specialists including the worlds leading parotid gland surgeon).
Why would you seek the help of 30 specialists for a common symptom that in most cases is not indicative of a serious illness?
Im not sure where you get your information from but-
Swollen parotid glands are anything BUT common.
Second, swollen parotids can be indicative of a MYRIAD of diseases and infections, including auto-immune and rare bacterial problems.
I would think anyone that had horrible facial swelling on/off for a ten year period of time would seek the help of multiple professionals and would continue to do so until a cause was found. |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2013 : 20:34:22
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Avik:
I apologize for extrapolating my own experience. While in high school, "swollen glands" (inflammation of the parotids) was a common complaint of female students. I recall that the revelation of this condition was used to stress the serious nature of their illness. I don't recall any of my female schoolmates passing away. I also recall suffering from this problem myself although I never revealed it to my mother who was a nurse.
I assume that after you consulted the first dozen specialists you were reassured that your problem was benign and so why did you need another 18 opinions? If I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with you as a complete stranger how long would it be before you would start revealing your medical problems?
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njoy
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2013 : 01:15:36
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quote:
d like to admit one thing: my jaw-line has always been my favorite feature. When these glands swell, they completely hide that feature. Is my brain messing with me somehow with the one vanity-related/physical attribute about myself that I really like?
Oh yes, yes, yes! You wanted a response and that's mine. Not sure why I think that but I really do. Suppose it's just so tms-sy. So like it. Dang it's little hide, anyway.
I also have lots of equivalents and a history of beating them all but along comes another one. Have pretty much decided that this is my life and I'd have to find a whole new path and purpose if tms suddenly left me.
As it is, I have a lovely outer family (you guys), a fun new inner family (my "parts" aka sub-personalities) and a way to help both myself and the world through all the great tms tools we learn on the forums. Really couldn't ask for much more than that!
Sorry about your face, though. That's truly awful. But we have to remember that TMS symptoms are not out to hurt us. They are being protective. Have you tried asking the swelling what it is trying to do for you? Might not answer right away but if you are patient it also just might tell you something useful.
Best of luck, avik.
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2013 : 17:41:18
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Hi Avik,
We chatted a couple of times last year about back and neck issues as well as stretching. How are you doing with those issues, have they gone away?
Can’t help you with this one sorry, but I hope you are doing well.
As a skinny 65 old Englishman I don’t have any favorite features, well maybe one, it’s my windsurfer! 
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Charlie Horse on neck for 20 years, is almost gone.
Books:
Healing Back Pain
Unlearn your Pain
The Great Pain Deception |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2013 : 19:26:33
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Peregrinus-
No apology necessary; I appreciate your posts.
That said, i think you might be mixing up the swelling of the glands in the neck (which is quite common) with those of the Parotids (not common). IN fact, in my life, I dont know of one person who's ever had swollen porotids.
As for the 30 opinions-this is over a 12 year period. There are so many obscure things that can cause parotid swelling and I couldnt run through all of them in one fell swoop (expense, lack of patience, etc) so I would "re-address" the issue every couple of years, restarting the process.
As for your last question; you would never hear about them. Maybe a couple of years back when I was at my peak of TMS (fibromyalgia) but now, I am more likely to discuss my physical achievements (I am a weight lifter and fighter), than my problems.
njoy-
Thank you for your thoughts.
Andy-
Thanks for checking in.
Happy to say I finally beat that neck issue (along with everything else, other than this gland issue).
It came down to consistently ignoring the pain. Thats it.
After a while it just gave up.
That one took about 15 years to figure out... |
Edited by - avik on 11/27/2013 19:27:26 |
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2013 : 06:38:09
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quote:
Originally posted by avik
As for your last question; you would never hear about them. Maybe a couple of years back when I was at my peak of TMS (fibromyalgia) but now, I am more likely to discuss my physical achievements (I am a weight lifter and fighter), than my problems.
Avik:
The reason I asked that squirrelly question in the first place was that I was curious as to the situation surrounding your struggle with "fibro myalgia". I've observed that individuals with this condition invariably adopt an "invalid identity". Their FM becomes what they are. Their original psychological conflicts fade because they are too ill to think about them. This may be why FM is so intractable.
Others here have mentioned that there are no FM success stories. Perhaps you can provide one. |
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MatthewNJ
USA
691 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2013 : 09:58:14
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Avi,
The first thing that popped into my head, was "what don't you want to face"
Maybe that will help.
Good luck. We have emailed on this topic before. Feel free to email me again
Matthew
Ferretsx3@comcast.net
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Less activated, more regulated and more resilient. |
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njoy
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 23:06:36
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In response to Peregrinus: I had a huge FM success story by reading Dr. Sarno's books. I had very, very painful FM and thought, "Oh right, this is TMS" and it vanished completely, not a twinge for 6 months. Since then it sometimes returns, never as bad as it once was, and I know it's TMS.
I usually take an ibuprofen and go to bed with a good mystery novel. Then, in the next few days, I take it easy. For me, FM is a sign that I am pushing myself way too hard. Time to give "me" a break and a rest.
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Currently on about IFS (Internal Family Systems). More info here: http://personal-growth-programs.com/learn-about-ifs/introduction-to-internal-family-systems-therapy/
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Proud member of tmshelp.com since 2005.
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Peregrinus
250 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2013 : 06:43:24
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quote:
Originally posted by njoy
I had a huge FM success story
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NJOY:
Congratulations! What made you think you had FM? Do you think FM is a distinct disease? How does FM differ from everyday TMS?
All the best. |
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Could use everyone's input on this one:
