1. Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Our TMS drop-in chat is tomorrow (Saturday) from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern (***NOTE*** now on US Daylight Time). It's a great way to get quick and interactive peer support, with Steve2 as your host. Look for the red Chat flag on top of the menu bar!

Alex B. Could this be tms

Discussion in 'Ask a TMS Therapist' started by Guest, Aug 18, 2016.

  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

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

    Question
    Hi, I have been experiencing a pain in my side and chest/abdomen that doctors keep brushing off and telling me its nothing. The pain moves from the tight side of my ribcage, along the bra line down to my hip. Its inconsistent in exact location and intensity and I cant link it to any specific action, movement or position. Sometimes the pain spreads to the front of the ribcage right where bottom of the two ribs meet iin the upper abdomen (they thought it was an ulcer or hiatal hernia at one point). I had an endoscopy, MRI enterography, and abdominal MRI and tons of blood tests. All showed nothing but minor gastritis in the esophagus and minor hypermegaly in the liver and a positive ANA which the doctor wrote off as a false positive. Now they are sending me to a neurologist because the doctor says its most likely neuropathy or some nerve problem. I have read all of Dr Sarno's books and started Alan Gordons recovery program to see if it helps. I haven't seen improvement but I think it may be because even though intellectually I believe I have TMS/MBS I don't see my symptoms in anyone else's stories which might make me doubt that it could actually be TMS rather than something more serious. Do you think my description of pains and symptoms sound like they could be TMS?
     
  2. Alex Bloom LCSW

    Alex Bloom LCSW TMS Therapist

    Answer
    Hi there, thanks for posting,

    What you are describing could certainly be a manifestation of TMS. Negative tests and assessments, migrating locations and the advice of your doctors all indicate that it's a strong possibility. Try not to get too worried if you don't see an exact match of your symptoms here as the expression of TMS symptoms can vary hugely between individuals. I've had several clients that expressed concern about not seeing symptoms that matched their own and I always remind them that physical sensations all manifest in the brain, and so basically any physical experience or sensation can be reproduced there by the unconscious.

    Remember that you must try to be patient and give yourself time before you expect drastic changes. While it is true that some people experience dramatic changes when they first explore the concepts of TMS/MBS, for many many people this is not the case and it takes time ad diligence to change their relationship with pain and themselves before they begin to see significant changes.


    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.

     
  3. Rachel72

    Rachel72 New Member

    It is a strong possibility that it is TMS, but have the neuro tests done, if for nothing else, to tell you that there is nothing "wrong" with your body. Just to give you an example of the power the mind has over the body....I was suffering from pain in my left breast, chest wall, armpit, shoulder and side for a few months. Prior to the onset of the pain, I had scheduled my annual GYN visit and realized that I had forgotten to have my mammogram after the previous visit. Subconsciously, and eventually consciously, I was worried that bc I missed a mammogram, there may be something wrong, and the pain crept in. It disappeared a few days after getting my recent mammogram results back that indicated no signs of concern.
     

Share This Page