Stuck in DAY 1.

2 months ago I woke up with this strange pain on my left foot. I didn't know when, where or how i injured myself. I had not been in any vigorous physical activities prior to that day. The pain got worse day after day. Then another strange thing happened, I began feeling pain also on my left hand. Sometimes the pain was on the centre of the palm, sometimes it was my thumb, and later it spread to the forearm. I freaked out and went to see our family Doc. He said it might be an early carpal tunnel syndrome (my left hand) and a minor sprained ankle (left foot). He sent me home with some cortisone steroid pills and vitamin Bs for my nerves.
By now I have gone to see neurologist, rheumatologist, physiotherapist, sports therapists who could not find anything seriously wrong with my hands and feet (yes now the pain have spread to both feet and hands). I have been having trouble finishing work on time because of the hand pain. And recently I have this round itchy bumps on my forearms. My dermatologist said they're atopic dermatitis ; might be an allergic reaction to cat's fleas. (I have had cats for nearly 17 years now and they have fleas like...all the time). I had never been allergic to cats fleas!

I have been reading about TMS a lot lately and been suspecting that my pains and skin problem have been caused by emotional factors. I do fit the TMS personality. I have been under a lot of stress lately. I have been in DAY 1 now for 2 days, but still wondering whether I still need to book an appointment with an Orthopedist. The pain has gotten me confused and scared. Not sure what to do now.

 

The doctors you've seen found nothing structurally wrong with you so I believe it must be TMS.

The fact that the pain moves around also is typical of TMS.

Don't be confused or scared. Just try to control the stress you're under. Think about what is
causing the stress and think of ways of reducing it or dealing with it.

What to to now? Practice positive thinking, breathe deeply, think about things or people that
make you happy.

 

Dear Walt

Thank you for your kind response. It's very uplifting. I guess what I find really hard is not to focus on physical symptoms when they are so real and painful, even though I have already told myself it's because of the stress.
I have moved on to Day 2 now and have started journaling. I also noticed that my skin problem is starting to heal. So that's encouraging. I hope I find it easier as I progress.

 

You will find it a lot easier as you progress, of course there will be those days in which you take two steps back but don't let that set you back ok, just move forward and nothing will stop you from success.
Bless You