Dr. Clarke Food sensitivities and TMS

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Question

For the past 35 years I have had severe food sensitivities. I have been tested for every G.I. problem imaginable, but nothing shows up. My symptoms are neurological, such as headaches, rest less legs, and burning in the buttocks, kidney pain and insomnia. There is no diarrhea or indigestion.
Right now the only foods I am able to eat without any problems is fish and green leafy vegetables. This problem controls my life and for the past year I have been rapidly losing weight. I am only able to take sublingual supplements. There is a nutritionist who works with me who has been a great help with enzymes.

I have read Dr. Sarno's book but am unable to determine if I have TMS.

My childhood and early adulthood was extremely traumatic and there are a lot of unresolved issues, fear and anxiety. How do I determine if my problem is TMS?

 

Answer

It would be most unusual to have a food sensitivity manifest with neurologic symptoms and not also with diarrhea due to the body attempting to rid itself of the offending food. Many people with PPD(TMS) react to their symptoms by thinking about what they ate recently and blaming that. Before long their diets are highly restricted.
The 35 year duration of the symptoms makes it unlikely that something other than PPD (TMS) is going on but the weight loss is a concern (especially if this is a new development) so I hope when you write you have been evaluated "for every GI problem imaginable" that this was done by a physician who looked for celiac disease (gluten sensitivity) and adrenal insufficiency among other possibilities.
Assuming you have had a thorough evaluation by a physician (including for the weight loss) then it strikes me that PPD (TMS) is high on the list of possible causes of your symptoms. The only way to confirm this is to cure (or at least substantially relieve) the symptoms by uncovering and treating the underlying psychosocial issues, which in your case likely center around the long-term consequences of traumatic early years which includes fear and anxiety. Here you may benefit from reading books that go into more psychological depth than Dr Sarno's works (such as those at www.stressillness.com, www.unlearnyourpain.com and www.pathwaystopainrelief.com) and/or from working with a therapist who is experienced in these issues. My best wishes for a rapid and full recovery.

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