Derek S. Can pain this severe be TMS?

This question was submitted via our Ask a TMS Therapist program. To submit your question, click here.

Question

I have recently been diagnosed with TMS which manifests in my ankles, knees and legs. I have some arthritis in my right knee. Over the past few days I have been getting excruciating pains in my right knee - in the front, in the back of my knee, down both the left and right front leg from the knee to the ankle. I have never had pain like this before; it is so intense and excruciating that it causes me to utter a sound, like a scream. Can this be TMS?

 

Answer

Thanks for your question, maxinealb.

The short answer to your question is "Yes."

TMS can cause almost any symptom in any part of your body. It can feel so profoundly painful that it puts you in a state of fear and anxiety. The pain can be excruciating and extremely convincing.

Since you have already gotten a diagnosis of TMS from a medical practitioner, I'm sure that you have started to alter your relationship with your pain (reframing the pain by thinking psychologically, being kinder to yourself, self-soothing, etc.).

This new, more intense pain sounds like it could be your mind's attempt to win you back and get you thinking structurally again. It's a phenomenon called "extinction burst" that is addressed in this thread: http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/overcoming-relapses.4904/

If this is an extinction burst, the intensity of the pain will be temporary if you make the assertive choice to not indulge in the fear. The following thread includes a fantastic discussion about the importance of fear in perpetuating symptoms: http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/tried-everything-im-desperate.5459/

I think that if you persist in your attempts to control the fear and worry around your symptoms, they will
retreat and you will be well on your way to a full recovery.

Best of luck!
-Derek

---

Any advice or information provided here does not and is not intended to be and should not be taken to constitute specific professional or psychological advice given to any group or individual. This general advice is provided with the guidance that any person who believes that they may be suffering from any medical, psychological, or mindbody condition should seek professional advice from a qualified, registered/licensed physician and/or psychotherapist who has the opportunity to meet with the patient, take a history, possibly examine the patient, review medical and/or mental health records, and provide specific advice and/or treatment based on their experience diagnosing and treating that condition or range of conditions. No general advice provided here should be taken to replace or in any way contradict advice provided by a qualified, registered/licensed physician and/or psychotherapist who has the opportunity to meet with the patient, take a history, possibly examine the patient, review medical and/or mental health records, and provide specific advice and/or treatment based on their experience diagnosing and treating that condition or range of conditions.

The general advice and information provided in this format is for informational purposes only and cannot serve as a way to screen for, identify, or diagnose depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions. If you feel you may be suffering from any of these conditions please contact a licensed mental health practitioner for an in-person consultation.

Questions may be edited for brevity and/or readability.

 

Hello, maxinealb.

I couldn't give you any better advice than Derek did.
Our subconscious is sneaky in how it gives us pain.
It's to keep us from bringing to the surface repressed emotions
that may have begin in childhood, causing anger that builds into rage.

If you haven't yet, I suggest you begin the free Structured Education Program
you will find in one of the subforums here. It has helped me and many others
to practice TMS healing techniques.

 

You will also find this link helpful. It's a short course in TMS from Herbie
who often replies to TMS questions.

http://tmswiki.org/forum/threads/what-to-know-to-heal-from-pain-pt-1.5482/

 

Not only can it be TMS, but you were diagnosed with TMS.

Plus, the more painful it is the more likely that it is TMS.

Also, remember, Dr. Sarno's statement in HBP about TMS, “… the most painful thing I know of in clinical medicine, which is ironic because it is completely harmless.”

 

this is pretty amazing but his critics will pounce on statements like these. Pain is such a subjective experience. Interestingly what is reinforcing my own belief that my own pain may be TMS induced is a similar experience of utterly unbearable pain where I began banging my fists off the table in frustration whilst moaning in agony. Today I ran a mile with barely an indication of pain.
so strange and currently feel like I'm waking up my old self. I saw a Pain specialist in March this year who told me I need to ''get over it'' and learn to manage my pain for the rest of my life.
so glad to have found Dr Sarno