Derek S. Help with multiple symptoms

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

Question

Hi im new to all of this and really need some suggestions,i apologise for the long post also
Ive been getting pelvic and lower back pain sometimes upper including piraformis pain and body twitches and numbness and spasms for 3 months, this includes urine frequency and urgency.
The pelvic pain started first and was very acute which then led to the rest of the above.
Next is a little brief of my life:
Im 29 yrs of age have had history pf anxiety ocd and depersonalisation body symptons include tinnitus which has been chronic for many years,eye floaters, slight tmj all of which i attributed to the anxiety.
Now since the pelvic pain i have researched online pudendal nerve damage,( got extremly scared) too many horror stories. Anyway ive seen a physio and chiro who have mentioned my spine and pelvis are tilted and i have some overactive muscles in pelvic floor, ive been cleared for stds hiv. Also. My question is , would my tilted pelvis and spine be classed as "structural" issue?All of my symptoms historically and now keep leading me to think its all tmj but i havent had any ct or mri to rule out possible ms or neurological illness, the muscle spasms and body numbess could essentially all be tmj also . I dont know where to begin in this process of elimination. Its only been 3 months but im keen to seek guidance on when to pursue tmj approach.
Sorry for the long message! Xxx

 

Answer

Thanks for your question, Anisha.

It definitely sounds like you have a history of TMS that has taken multiple forms. It's impossible for me to say with any certainty whether or not these new symptoms are due to TMS or something structural. My understanding is that a tilted pelvis should not cause you to have such symptoms as this issue is rather common and typically asymptomatic. That said, I would recommend that you go through the medical imaging necessary to truly rule out any serious pathology. If possible, do this with doctors who are familiar with a mind/body approach or, at least a doctor who is conservative with her interventions and treats the whole person rather than just treating the "pathology." There is a list of TMS doctors here on the Wiki that should be a good place to start.

All of your symptoms could certainly be caused by TMS but it is vital that you have more serious causes ruled out before committing yourself fully to a TMS approach to recovery.

-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.

 

Thanks derek, ive seen many physios and chiros and they have stated that my tilted pelvis shouldnt be causing this much discomfort, im not sure what else to rule out, do most people see neurologists also before committing to the approach?

 

I have had weird sensations in the past and still do, so for myself, I thought it was prudent to see a neurologist to rule things out. It does give peace of mind to a certain extent. I think if those results come back negative you can accept TMS more easily.

 

Nhs are awful at referring to neurologists, i'll have to beg

 

I also have pelvic tilt and pelvic pain but I never even thought it could be the problem. In my opinion when TMS strikes your muscles start shortening and go into the spasm. This is usually about psoas muscle and when it shortens your pelvis starts to tilt. So, in order to fix that your muscles must relax and they are probably in spasm because of TMS. Don't know if this is the correct theory but that's how I explained it to myself

 

This makes sense to me, thank you

 

Hey, thanks for your response,theyve preety much ruled out anything serious
Ive called Georgie , she's told me to read either sarnos or her book, see how i get on and call her if i need additional support☺️

 

Thanks forest! Youve been very helpful xxx

 

Hi forest, im doing good,better than when i last posted. Thanks for asking ☺️
Im treating it like tms for sure. I've been meditating, journalling when i feel like it and just ignoring the symptoms. Ive been more open with my feelings and emotions and already i can feel my personality actually changing. ( no more people pleasing, putting pressure on myself, learning to say no etc)
Im more aware of my body( ive been practising mindfullness everyday when i can)and its reduced the fear of the sensations drastically. Somedays i just dont care what ever is going on down there( pelvic area) and other days i feel sad. But im feeling watever emotions need to be felt which is the way forward i guess.
At this point i feel good. The pain shifts nearly every other day which validates tms for me.
Ive had wrist pain left hand , foot pain, neck pain. Never had these before. The pain itself in my pelvic area keeps changing, i feel like different muscles are being targeted week by week.
Im still educating myself on ways to relax and read success stories whenever i feel i need to for that extra reassurance.
other than that im all good ☺️☺️ Thanks for checking up xx

 

I often wonder if there is anybody who has gone to chiropractor/osteopath and who hasn't been told that they have a twisted/tilted pelvis and/or leg length discrepancy. It really is a crock of a diagnosis.

 

Chiro and osteopath are all crocks

 

Yeah, pretty much agree. I think some of them are helpful for acute injuries but the whole 'sign up for 10 sessions' hard sell really grates. I had a huge nocebo planted by an osteopath years ago when I was given the 'unstable SI joint' spiel and told I would end up in wheelchair...there was of course nothing wrong whatsoever with my SI joint.

Oh, as an aside I have downloaded the CureStress app you mentioned in the other thread...it is pretty good.

 

Great I find is voice very soothing and god he makes sense...does he not?

 

you explaned it perfectly,that's how mine TMS symptoms started, worrying all the time,being anxious stressed about future,and i'ts really tightened,i feel it :

 

as you follow ?