Burning pain

Hi for the last two years I have experienced horrific burning pain.
This started as a small patch on the back of my left shoulder in 2014. It then preceded to go across my shoulders down my back and radiate onto my arms. Then came the sensitivity to clothing, or anything brushing against it.
But it hasn't stopped there it's gone on to be felt all over my body tingling burning itching stinging and aching.
I had an extensive MRI, clear,so many blood tests, all clear. Five neurologists all say stress and anxiety not neurological. I've had a skin biopsy to test for Small Fibre Neuropathy again clear. I've seen a neuropsychiatrist he said somatic symptoms of underlying stress and anxiety.
It's a lonely isolated place that I am living in very fearful for the future. I am on meds that help just about. But have to fight against the awful side effects. Please please just want this gone. I suspect TMS. Please can anyone advise me how to get out of this hole that I'm in. No one I know has heard of anything like it. I have had no accident to bring this on, it came out of the blue. I have always been anxious a worrier and have a lot of suppressed emotion. I have been bullied throughout my life and just had to get on with it. Maybe this is my body saying no more. I'm so scared what is going to happen next. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

Hi, 0208Mad. You have definitely come to the right place. This TMS community knows all about MindBody pain. Your post indicates that you are a "perfect storm" for TMS by being an anxious and worry person. Maybe it's just the times we are living in, maybe it's from your nature.

You have been medically checked out and even neurologists say your symptoms are caused by emotional stress and anxiety. Many of us have the same issues.

I strongly suggest you start the Structured Educational Program, free in the subforum of this web site. It helped me when I journaled and discovered repressed emotions going back to my boyhood.

Don't be scared of what might happen next. If you take the SEProgram, I am confident that what will happen next is you will be free of all pain, stress, and anxiety. It will come from learning more about yourself and
what makes you happy and well or what gives you pain.

 

Sweetness, the first and most important step of all is to be kind to yourself. You have finally reached the point and the place where true and deep healing can happen. This will sound ridiculous but tms is a blessing because it liberates us from all the bullshit that we have invested in. Our authentic selves emerge and we finally have the courage to live fully from the heart. This exquisite boon is there for you. For now, it is enough to relax into this haven for there are many good and wise people here, who have been where you are now and have come through it.

Let yourself be at peace tonight.

With love,

Plum x

 

Thank you so much I will definetly follow your advise. I finally feel I WILL get better. Thanks again I am so grateful xxx

 

You'll be ok. Promise me you'll go gently this evening. Do something you enjoy. A long hot bath, an early night, dancing to 80's rock, a glass of wine, some utterly junk tv...that's my night sorted...but really spend some time on being you. Hugs my dear xxx

 

Thank you so much once again for your kindness. Yes I'm going to watch some TV now and relax with a hot water bottle. I'm going to start the program tomorrow and I'll keep you updated as to how I'm doing. Once again a huge Thank You. After being so desperately lonely, I now feel I've turned a huge corner and it feels great

 

The third book that changed my life is actually titled "When The Body Says No". It's by Dr. Gabor Mate, MD, who is a supremely passionate and compassionate doctor who describes the many incredibly varied ways in which our bodies do say no.

If you start reading the posts on our Success Stories subforum (which I highly recommend) you will be amazed at how many different symptoms people have had - and which they have recovered from. Burning sensations are not necessarily typical, but they are definitely on the list. This is because your brain creates all physical sensations - and it can do so whether there is a physiological need for them or not.

The first book that changed my life was, of course, by Dr. Sarno, (his last book, The Divided Mind) which is when I found this community - that was more than five years ago. The second book, which I highly recommend for anyone suffering from fear and anxiety, is "Hope and Help For Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.

You're definitely in the right place, mad - and we're pulling for you, so keep us posted!

~Jan

 

Stress and anxiety are synonymous for TMS. Clothing sensitivity, unexplainable tingling, burning, itching, stinging, and aching are all symptoms that TMS sufferers have noted here. Given all the specialists that have cleared you structurally, I will go out on a limb and say it's highly likely TMS--but I'm a tennis player and not a white-coat--get out your racquet.

 

It sounds like you were very fortunate to find a doctor familiar with and willing to diagnose psychosomatic symptoms. Most would hang some physical diagnosis on you. And prescribe one of their favorite default drugs like Neurontin.

 

Hey lovely you, there's a whole bunch of us around that corner so you'll be anything but lonely on your healing journey. The program is fabulous, as are the many resources on this site, and good souls are evergreen in their wisdom and support. Don't be shy about posting as you work through the program because then it's easy for people to help you through the tricky moments.

Plum x

 

I just wanted to say that burning pain is my main symptom and it is in the top of my butt and my low back. I also had it on my legs and arms but that has faded. Now the butt pain is in a waxing/waning stage. Weekends are usually great and of course Mondays seem to be the worst. I just accept that it's anxiety and go on with my activities. If it's particularly annoying I'll give myself permission to have a nap or a hot bath. I'm also learning to say NO. A lot more often and not feel bad about it. I hope it helps you to know I have this same symptom. I hope it gets better for you.

 

Thank you so so much for your post. It means so much to know that I'm not the only one. It's been so very lonely these last two years and there were many times I felt like not going on. But now, I'm feeling hopeful and dare I say it excited that I will have happy times again. A big big thank you for taking the time to share your experience with these dreadful symptoms. Please, if you have time stay in touch. Thank you xxx

 

Hello. I have the same thing (on my legs and arms, soo sensitive to clothing). I wanted to ask you, whether you managed to heal from this symptom? Thank you.

 

Same symptoms, full body. Learning and practicing indifference for us anxious types is both the hardest thing and for me the most important. Not out of the woods yet but significant improvement and not being afraid of symptoms is unbelievablely different than before....success is not linear either. Not getting upset when symptoms come back after progress is key and may take some practice. You have it in you. I didn't think I did but this community and a mind body therapist helped me realize I do. Learning all these skills is very different than truly knowing these skills. Gove yourself time. Good luck!

 

Thank you for aswering. So indifference was/is the key for you? I am having a really hard time to be indifferent as I feel it with every move, even when I am still, when I get dressed, when I sit on sofa, etc. But I need to practise it more and not panic, it is hard but it is soo powerful. How long did it take you to see some improwement? And how did you manage clothing sensitivity? Thank you!

 

I've been practicing for a few months. I'm not symptom free yet but suffering much less. I had to be ok with being uncomfortable.....something I was terrible at before all this started. Thats why somatic tracking is so powerful in my opinion in that it helps to slowly take the suffering (amd panic) out of the sensations. If you're like me you are paying attention to every sensation....which essentially prolongs this whole process.

 

Yes that is soo hard. Every single movement is uncomfortable for me. That so hard to be ok with but I guess that's the only way out. Do you use somatic tracking also during the day e.g.when you get dresses etc.? Sorry for having too much questions but I am desperate rn.

 

Don't forget slow belly breathing and validating your feelings.