Has anyone applied TMS concepts to Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (Or could BFS be TMS)? I have been twitching, cramping, shaking (internal tremor feeling), and generally buzzing up a storm lately. EMG was clear and I was told that this is a benign syndrome of unknown cause....really had my Dr. freaked out! (and me too). I haven't really seen a lot of neurological complaints posted here, but wondered if anyone has overcome a similar experience, or would know if this these symptoms could be TMS .
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Benign Fasciculation Syndrome and TMS
- Thread starter Joe Boast
- Start date
Hi Joe! It's a TMS equivalent or simply, nervous system overload. I've had twitching, cramping, shaking, buzzing, pins and needles, you name it. Benign, yes, but it's your body giving you a warning that you need to make changes. Don't believe the BFS followers who say it can't be reversed! Most doctors won't even diagnose BFS, it's just a made up name for a syndrome that has no organic cause. Since you've ruled out the nerve disease with an EMG, you can move forward with the TMS healing.
SteveO talks about these symptoms in his book, The Great Pain Deception.
SteveO talks about these symptoms in his book, The Great Pain Deception.
Pandagirl,
Thank you very much for responding. My neuro was an ALS specialist (I didn't seek out an ALS specialist, he was referred to me by the President of the hospital as his best neuro) and took one look and said there is nothing neuro-muscular here. He did the EMG as a precaution, but said such vague symptoms are not usually serious conditions, because the serious diseases begin localized - corresponding to a specific part of the brain. All good news - but I felt that it left me a bit directionless on how to tackle this issue.
He concluded that it was benign and would probably go away in a couple of months. The doctor still wants to do a precautionary MRI as well, and said that he isn't concerned, but feels that it is his due diligence. The bottom line is that I believe that something must have caused the hyper-excitability - my gut tells me that the cause is probably incrementally rising prolonged stress.
After stumbling across Dr. Sarno, I have been proceeding as it is a mind-body solution.
Have you fully recovered? If so, what was the time-frame for you? Can you exercise all out?
The BFS followers seem dreadfully anxious - I would also suspect that once people recover, they probably won't keep posting, so there is a dearth of recovery stories.
Thanks again. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my inquiry.
Thank you very much for responding. My neuro was an ALS specialist (I didn't seek out an ALS specialist, he was referred to me by the President of the hospital as his best neuro) and took one look and said there is nothing neuro-muscular here. He did the EMG as a precaution, but said such vague symptoms are not usually serious conditions, because the serious diseases begin localized - corresponding to a specific part of the brain. All good news - but I felt that it left me a bit directionless on how to tackle this issue.
He concluded that it was benign and would probably go away in a couple of months. The doctor still wants to do a precautionary MRI as well, and said that he isn't concerned, but feels that it is his due diligence. The bottom line is that I believe that something must have caused the hyper-excitability - my gut tells me that the cause is probably incrementally rising prolonged stress.
After stumbling across Dr. Sarno, I have been proceeding as it is a mind-body solution.
Have you fully recovered? If so, what was the time-frame for you? Can you exercise all out?
The BFS followers seem dreadfully anxious - I would also suspect that once people recover, they probably won't keep posting, so there is a dearth of recovery stories.
Thanks again. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my inquiry.
Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)
Beloved Grand Eagle
Joe, I'm not a doctor so I don't say don't see one, but if my doctor said I should get an MRI
I'd say okay, but later. After I gave TMS a real good try.
My dentist said I needed six new fillings. I said I'd wait until I got a toothache.
That was eight years ago and I haven't had even one toothache.
I'd say okay, but later. After I gave TMS a real good try.
My dentist said I needed six new fillings. I said I'd wait until I got a toothache.
That was eight years ago and I haven't had even one toothache.
Forest
Beloved Grand Eagle
That sounds 100% like TMS to me. I've actually had a lot of facial tics and twitches in other areas of my body. Completely harmless and TMS. Further, the fact that it is benign (safe) means that you are safe to try the TMS approach, and safety is always the highest priority.
Dr. Sarno explains that TMS can affect three tissue types: muscle, tendon, and nerve. In The Divided Mind he explains that it now appears that nerve involvement appears to be more common than muscle. This appears to be one of those conditions.
Dr. Sarno explains that TMS can affect three tissue types: muscle, tendon, and nerve. In The Divided Mind he explains that it now appears that nerve involvement appears to be more common than muscle. This appears to be one of those conditions.
Lily Rose
Beloved Grand Eagle
Ahhhhh .. this is so good to know. Facial spasms are very common for me. I make sure I am getting plenty of calcium, magnesium, D and potassium. That all said, I still get the darned things. Muscle spasms all over the body, randomly. I make my husband stare at the spot, and very often it will stop. 'Nuff said, right?
Inner tremors, though. I didn't know what that was. Very strange sensations when it happens.
Nerves. Yes. Nerves. Oh the nerves.
Our magnificent bodies just trying to protect us.
^_^
Inner tremors, though. I didn't know what that was. Very strange sensations when it happens.
Nerves. Yes. Nerves. Oh the nerves.
Our magnificent bodies just trying to protect us.
^_^
Hi! Basically just agreeing with everyone above, but I actually started getting twitches all over my body (including in my neck muscles which was a weird experience) after learning of TMS and having reduced some of my initial symptoms. Further proof it's TMS or something like it!
Very encouraging.
Even before the Doctors had ruled our a serious neurological disorder, I had the inclination that the stress/anxiety angle (hence emotional undercurrents) was the key.
I feel fortunate to have come across Dr. Sarno's ideas; I have read a bit about both CBT, and psychoanalytical ideologies while in school, but both seemed somewhat incomplete to me. I believe that they respectively lack either the elucidation of the initial emotional pattern development, or the action required to heal. I really like the structure of this site - specifically the combination of theory and practice outlined in the structured program; it feels like the old feelings are addressed, patterns become exposed, and cognition adjusts.
Hopefully, with a bit of focus, things will work out! It is also refreshing to hear of the numerous successes.
Thanks to everyone who commented.
Even before the Doctors had ruled our a serious neurological disorder, I had the inclination that the stress/anxiety angle (hence emotional undercurrents) was the key.
I feel fortunate to have come across Dr. Sarno's ideas; I have read a bit about both CBT, and psychoanalytical ideologies while in school, but both seemed somewhat incomplete to me. I believe that they respectively lack either the elucidation of the initial emotional pattern development, or the action required to heal. I really like the structure of this site - specifically the combination of theory and practice outlined in the structured program; it feels like the old feelings are addressed, patterns become exposed, and cognition adjusts.
Hopefully, with a bit of focus, things will work out! It is also refreshing to hear of the numerous successes.
Thanks to everyone who commented.
I think BFS is an equivalement. I was living with BFS for several months and the tremors would be all over my body. It was so annoying but I just learned to accept them and live with them. Then one day, they were just gone......looking back, it was probably replaced by a TMS equivalent.
Jennie
Jennie
Steve Ozanich
TMS Consultant
Yes, BFS is normally TMS.People write quite regularly asking about it. I remember asking my physical therapist if they would ever go away, and he said, "I dunno??" They do if you can pull out of flight/fight/freeze mode. Calm the SNS.
I enjoy hearing people try to spell it though. I get, "Steve is faticulationitis TMS?" Or, "Is are fasticulatories TMS?" "How about fasculationitis?"
It's really tough to write medical stuff out, quite tedious,in what are called lexical phrases. The word that was maddening to type out thousands of times was ~~~> consciousness.
Steve
I enjoy hearing people try to spell it though. I get, "Steve is faticulationitis TMS?" Or, "Is are fasticulatories TMS?" "How about fasculationitis?"
It's really tough to write medical stuff out, quite tedious,in what are called lexical phrases. The word that was maddening to type out thousands of times was ~~~> consciousness.
Steve
Pingman
Well known member
Hey Joe - My Dr. has chalked up my twitching, pins and needles, tingling to anxiety and stress. My trigger was a scare that I might have MS after seeing it was a cause for un unrelated urinary issue I was having. The BFS style sensation began shortly after. It started as simple tingling in my left leg and soreness but as I started to freak out I began to get facial tingling, arm tingling, back tingling, and now really sore foot soles. My GP was the chief resident of our largest hospital and assured me I was perfectly fine so I am going with that for now.
Some things have calmed down now that I am applying the TMS steps. My leg is better, not 100%. My back tingling has settled. My brain has decided to move my oain to my feet which is so terrible since I have to feel that daily, hourly.
One thing I learned was how much repressed stress I have. If anything I have evaluated how I was living and have identified areas to change. Between work, home life and my health anxiety I have messed up my nervous system as well. It takes some time but you will get back on track.
Some things have calmed down now that I am applying the TMS steps. My leg is better, not 100%. My back tingling has settled. My brain has decided to move my oain to my feet which is so terrible since I have to feel that daily, hourly.
One thing I learned was how much repressed stress I have. If anything I have evaluated how I was living and have identified areas to change. Between work, home life and my health anxiety I have messed up my nervous system as well. It takes some time but you will get back on track.
Pingman,
I was going through a very stressful period as well. I was working way too many hours and was just about to sign up for an upper level accounting course required to finish my designation. One Friday after playing squash and lifting weights, I had the worst quad cramp (I have had cramps for the last few years). I felt the twitching in my calves the next day and gradually the anxiety just took off! Things spiraled from there once the doctors got involved. The cramps cause me a lot of fear. Fear is what I have been trying to focus on.
I have been following the Structured program for 17 days now. Mixed results though. I am calmer, but still struggle at times.
I suspect that I have a lot of repressed emotions too. Some days are so tiring. Thanks for the support. Keep me posted on how you are doing. I am glad that you are feeling a bit better.
I was going through a very stressful period as well. I was working way too many hours and was just about to sign up for an upper level accounting course required to finish my designation. One Friday after playing squash and lifting weights, I had the worst quad cramp (I have had cramps for the last few years). I felt the twitching in my calves the next day and gradually the anxiety just took off! Things spiraled from there once the doctors got involved. The cramps cause me a lot of fear. Fear is what I have been trying to focus on.
I have been following the Structured program for 17 days now. Mixed results though. I am calmer, but still struggle at times.
I suspect that I have a lot of repressed emotions too. Some days are so tiring. Thanks for the support. Keep me posted on how you are doing. I am glad that you are feeling a bit better.
Steve,
How do you calm the SNS? I have been meditating (Emmett Miller's guided imagery- I really like it) and having hot baths to reduce anxiety and tension and change my overall thoughts. I have also been journaling as recommended in the Structured program. Is this what you mean?
How do you calm the SNS? I have been meditating (Emmett Miller's guided imagery- I really like it) and having hot baths to reduce anxiety and tension and change my overall thoughts. I have also been journaling as recommended in the Structured program. Is this what you mean?
Pingman
Well known member
Joe - I think fear might be my big issue as well. Pandagirl had very similar sensations from health anxiety and she too said fear was a big part of her healing, addressing her fear.
I too have repressed feelings but for me I think the constant fear of being sick is keeping my tension high causing my tension to put stress on my nerves on my leg and arm. For some piece of mind I am going to a neurologist today just to explain my feelings and see what he says. For me, I think it is a step I need to totally heal and put my fear aside. I'll keep you posted.
I too have repressed feelings but for me I think the constant fear of being sick is keeping my tension high causing my tension to put stress on my nerves on my leg and arm. For some piece of mind I am going to a neurologist today just to explain my feelings and see what he says. For me, I think it is a step I need to totally heal and put my fear aside. I'll keep you posted.
Chuck
Peer Supporter
This reminds me of a blog post Howard Schubiner wrote a while back called Can Tics be Contagious. It focuses more on the Tourette’s outbreak that happened in a New York high school a couple of years ago, but really does show the power our minds have in creating neurological symptoms.
My twitching and other neuro junk has decreased about 90% in the last 90 days. Repairing your nervous system is like trying to do roadwork on a busy highway. We use our nervous system 24/7 so it never gets a day off for complete rest. It's very slow and that can be discouraging and cause doubt at first. I once had a therapist tell me that if my tingling didn't go away after 5 minutes of deep breathing an relaxation, then it wasn't anxiety causing the issue. Uh...bologna! My GP told me that anxiety could make things worse, but couldn't cause physical symptoms. I got a new doctor.
After testing for MS and other autoimmune diseases, this is what my neurologist prescribed...
After testing for MS and other autoimmune diseases, this is what my neurologist prescribed...
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Aromatherapy (known to affect your brain)
- Join a mom's support group
- Hire a babysitter and learn to have fun again
Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)
Beloved Grand Eagle
Pandagirl, your neurologist has given you TMS healing advice, whether he/she knows it or not.
I don't know much about aromatherapy but I do know I feel good when I smell
something good coming from the oven, like a cake or turkey.
The best is "Learn to have fun again."
When I was having a kitchen wall knocked down a few years ago to make way for a
large "country" kitchen, my friend in charge of the job handed me a sledge hammer and
said I should think of something or some person and then bash in the wall.
I thought of my former boss and did a number on that wall. It felt great.
I learned to have fun doing that. Probably not exactly what your neurologist had in mind,
but it worked.
I don't know much about aromatherapy but I do know I feel good when I smell
something good coming from the oven, like a cake or turkey.
The best is "Learn to have fun again."
When I was having a kitchen wall knocked down a few years ago to make way for a
large "country" kitchen, my friend in charge of the job handed me a sledge hammer and
said I should think of something or some person and then bash in the wall.
I thought of my former boss and did a number on that wall. It felt great.
I learned to have fun doing that. Probably not exactly what your neurologist had in mind,
but it worked.
Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)
Beloved Grand Eagle
i meant the B films,. Sorry. I have the B films up to Bi.
Pingman,
I can really feel the tension in my neck. In the initial testing the neuro said that my intermittent blurred vision is probably anxiety related and that MS blurred vision is different - I also heard the same from the Autoimmune specialist. That made me focus on tension and ultimately TMS. I can feel it throughout my body and I too think that the tension is stressing my nervous system. Let me know what your doc says.
I can really feel the tension in my neck. In the initial testing the neuro said that my intermittent blurred vision is probably anxiety related and that MS blurred vision is different - I also heard the same from the Autoimmune specialist. That made me focus on tension and ultimately TMS. I can feel it throughout my body and I too think that the tension is stressing my nervous system. Let me know what your doc says.