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Burning skin

T

Thibaut33

New Member
Hello,

I'm a 42-year-old Frenchman, sorry for my sometimes imperfect English.

For years I've suffered from various pains, and it was only a few days ago, thanks to a professor, that I realized I was suffering from a nervous system issue, and not Lyme disease, which I'd suspected for the past five years.

It really started in 2018 following a breakup and a difficult period at work.

A month later, my entire pelvis and pelvic floor would experience intense, intermittent pain.

For months, it was very difficult.

In 2020, I had another episode of this pain. It was very difficult for two months, then it subsided, and then came the main symptom that has been ruining my life since 2021: burning sensations all over my body except my head, which come and go in waves.

At that time, I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, which I'm increasingly unsure about.

For four years I tried antibiotic and natural treatments. The problem was, they all drastically increased the burning sensation in my body.

I couldn't tolerate more than a few days of treatment.

In early 2025, I developed chronic lower back pain.

Months and months of misery and hell followed, but on the other hand, the burning sensation stopped for 10 months. This had happened before, as I had episodes every month.

A biopsy test for small fiber neuropathy was negative in 2023.

So, after 10 months of lower back pain, I tried neuropathic medications such as gabapentin, Lyrica, Laroxyl, Seroplex, and Xanax.

They caused a significant flare-up of the burning sensation in my body.

When the burning sensation returned, my back pain subsided.

For the past three months, I've been trying different medications every month, which have only aggravated and significantly worsened my body burning sensation.

Regarding my lower back and pelvic pain, I'm convinced I can find solutions here and through various therapies.

I've even seen many positive testimonials.

But concerning the generalized body burning, I've never seen any results, and I've certainly not noticed any reactions to different medications.

I don't know what to think... Do you have any advice?

The doctors haven't found anything.

Thanks
 
Thibaut33 said:
Hello,

I'm a 42-year-old Frenchman, sorry for my sometimes imperfect English.

For years I've suffered from various pains, and it was only a few days ago, thanks to a professor, that I realized I was suffering from a nervous system issue, and not Lyme disease, which I'd suspected for the past five years.

It really started in 2018 following a breakup and a difficult period at work.

A month later, my entire pelvis and pelvic floor would experience intense, intermittent pain.

For months, it was very difficult.

In 2020, I had another episode of this pain. It was very difficult for two months, then it subsided, and then came the main symptom that has been ruining my life since 2021: burning sensations all over my body except my head, which come and go in waves.

At that time, I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, which I'm increasingly unsure about.

For four years I tried antibiotic and natural treatments. The problem was, they all drastically increased the burning sensation in my body.

I couldn't tolerate more than a few days of treatment.

In early 2025, I developed chronic lower back pain.

Months and months of misery and hell followed, but on the other hand, the burning sensation stopped for 10 months. This had happened before, as I had episodes every month.

A biopsy test for small fiber neuropathy was negative in 2023.

So, after 10 months of lower back pain, I tried neuropathic medications such as gabapentin, Lyrica, Laroxyl, Seroplex, and Xanax.

They caused a significant flare-up of the burning sensation in my body.

When the burning sensation returned, my back pain subsided.

For the past three months, I've been trying different medications every month, which have only aggravated and significantly worsened my body burning sensation.

Regarding my lower back and pelvic pain, I'm convinced I can find solutions here and through various therapies.

I've even seen many positive testimonials.

But concerning the generalized body burning, I've never seen any results, and I've certainly not noticed any reactions to different medications.

I don't know what to think... Do you have any advice?

The doctors haven't found anything.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sounds highly likely to be TMS! Chronic Lyme disease is on very shaky ground scientifically. I would dive head first into this work - starting with reading some seminal TMS books (I would start with The Mindbody Prescription by Dr Sarno and The Way Out by Alan Gordon - they should have French versions). I'd then start the Structural Program here :)
 
Hello,
Thank you for your reply.

I've finished reading Gordon's book and have started Dan Buglio's.

It is indeed very insightful.

Regarding Lyme disease, I realize I wasted five years of my life on false beliefs.

I'm still piecing together the puzzle. I've discovered part of the main biological process behind all this pain.

It seems my terrified brain, stuck in a state of constant alert for years, is producing glutamate non-stop, which in turn triggers adrenaline surges.

Unfortunately, for the past three months, I've been unknowingly taking a series of antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Without realizing it, they've completely disrupted my GABA, which, if I understand correctly, is the only thing that inhibits this glutamate.

My symptoms have worsened significantly, especially the generalized burning sensations all over my body.

Unable to tolerate any medication that affects the brain, I'm going to a pain clinic to try and break this ongoing crisis that's been going on for three months.

We'll be discussing ketamine injections and RTMS sessions, the machine that stimulates the brain.

If I understand correctly, these are the only two methods that can help my brain return to the level it was at three months ago before the medication.

At the same time, I could start working on my brain and implement a protocol like the one presented here.

Have any of you had ketamine injections or RTMS sessions?

I've been reading testimonials for days, and I've never seen people react so strongly to medications that significantly increase their symptoms. Am I the only one experiencing this?

Thank you
 
Thibaut33 said:
Hello,
Thank you for your reply.

I've finished reading Gordon's book and have started Dan Buglio's.

It is indeed very insightful.

Regarding Lyme disease, I realize I wasted five years of my life on false beliefs.

I'm still piecing together the puzzle. I've discovered part of the main biological process behind all this pain.

It seems my terrified brain, stuck in a state of constant alert for years, is producing glutamate non-stop, which in turn triggers adrenaline surges.

Unfortunately, for the past three months, I've been unknowingly taking a series of antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Without realizing it, they've completely disrupted my GABA, which, if I understand correctly, is the only thing that inhibits this glutamate.

My symptoms have worsened significantly, especially the generalized burning sensations all over my body.

Unable to tolerate any medication that affects the brain, I'm going to a pain clinic to try and break this ongoing crisis that's been going on for three months.

We'll be discussing ketamine injections and RTMS sessions, the machine that stimulates the brain.

If I understand correctly, these are the only two methods that can help my brain return to the level it was at three months ago before the medication.

At the same time, I could start working on my brain and implement a protocol like the one presented here.

Have any of you had ketamine injections or RTMS sessions?

I've been reading testimonials for days, and I've never seen people react so strongly to medications that significantly increase their symptoms. Am I the only one experiencing this?

Thank you
Click to expand...


Try not to worry about what you have or haven't done up to this point.
Fresh clean slate.
Forget about the medications that you took. Forget about the medications that you could try.
For now, you are going to set all of that aside.
Instead look INSIDE and seek out the hidden anger. The emotion that has been tucked down. Your TMS brain thinks it's safer to give you burning pain then to let you find those emotions that as a good boy you aren't supposed to have. But you are the one in charge not your TMS brain. You can dig in. You can get a paper and pen and write, "Who am I angry at?" You are the one that can write, unfiltered, the answer to that question. Where nobody but you will see it. You can find it and experience it and yell (in writing) about it and let it all out.

Try it and see how it goes.
 
Hello,

Thank you for your responses.

I recently had my first coaching session, which lasted an hour and a half.

I spent quite a bit of time summarizing my entire life since childhood, as well as my life since the onset of my pain and my entire medical history.

We then discussed TMS, and I answered a questionnaire he gave me to gain a deeper understanding of my case.

After that questionnaire, there was no doubt in his mind that I was dealing with a TMS.. I agree with that.

At our next session in 10 days, I’ll be given a personalized treatment plan.

For the past 3 months, following trials of neuro medications for chronic lower back pain, this has significantly reignited the generalized body burning sensations that I thought had disappeared, having receded to make way for the lower back pain.

For three months now, I’ve been experiencing waves of generalized body burning, constant for 5–6 days and ranging from 8 to 10. Then I get 2–3 days of respite at 5–6 or less—days when I can think about other things, be more active, and enjoy the moment.

During my last respite, I tried a few exercises like somatic mapping, starting with neutral zones and then moving on to zones at a 5-6 level.

I also wrote a whole list of phrases that I repeat to myself several times a day.

A breathing routine.

During a respite, I have fewer physical sensations and therefore much less anxiety. No trouble doing these exercises.

In a constant 8–10 wave lasting 5–6 days like now, I’m completely lost.

For the first two days, I did my best to stick with these few tools. But by the third day, I slipped back into my anxious patterns—that need to go searching, to look up testimonials, to chat with ChatGPT about the whys and wherefores. I’m convinced it’s TMS—I’m not going to convince myself I have a new illness—but I especially need reassurance about TMS during these moments.

Do you have any tools or a routine you could recommend for these long, constant waves of body burning that last 5–6 days?

Thank you
 
Last edited:
I might take some heat for this but I think the problem is that even as you view it as TMS you are still viewing it as a medical condition. You (and perhaps your TMS coach) are using words like diagnosis and a treatment plan. That is telling yourself that you are sick, as if if TMS is some kind of disease.
Here's the thing, TMS is the human condition, not a sickness. When we look at it as a sickness we allow our body to continue causing us pain and discomfort. You can say to yourself, "I have TMS! That's why I have all these pains. That's why my skin is burning. I have a bad case of TMS." And guess what, you will keep having those pains, because, you've given yourself permission to have them. Like the alcoholic who says, "alcoholism is disease" I can't help it that I want that drink and can't stop myself from having it. Why so many people that describe themselves as having alcoholism are forever falling off the wagon and having to start over with "days sober" rather than choosing not to drink anymore, ever again.

With TMS, you aren't sick, you don't have a disease. You are human. Your body is doing a very human thing of protecting you. I don't think you should be waiting 10 days for a "treatment plan." There is a workbook on here you can use to start digging in or you can do so yourself with paper and pen. You can read the Sarno books and learn more about how the human brain functions and how it protects you from painful emotions by giving you painful physical feelings instead. Some things you can do to get to the hidden anger and take away the need for your body to distract you with pain.

Bonne chance!
 
Booble said:
I might take some heat for this but I think the problem is that even as you view it as TMS you are still viewing it as a medical condition. You (and perhaps your TMS coach) are using words like diagnosis and a treatment plan. That is telling yourself that you are sick, as if if TMS is some kind of disease.
Click to expand...
No heat from me, Booble, my friend, as I agree with you 100%.

Thibaut33 said:
Do you have any tools or a routine you could recommend for these long, constant waves of body burning that last 5–6 days?
Click to expand...
Yes. Stop watching the calendar, stop counting the days, and stop obsessively monitoring your symptoms. Just STOP IT!

It's counter-productive, and it is a Distraction designed to keep your brain stuck in fight-and-flight. Keep that word in mind: DISTRACTION.

Your posts don't indicate that you know anything about Dr John Sarno and his basic theory. His work is the reason this forum exists. He was in practice many years ago, and he was retired by the time neuroscience was making amazing discoveries about the mindbody connection. This means that a few of his ideas are a bit out of date, but his essential theory about the mechanism of Distraction is still extremely valid to many of us who have recovered thanks to our understanding of it.

https://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/John_Sarno,_MD

I recommend his last book, The Divided Mind, cowritten in 2006 with six other medical and mental health professionals. If it's not available in French, read his 1999 book The Mindbody Prescription.
 
Booble said:
I might take some heat for this but I think the problem is that even as you view it as TMS you are still viewing it as a medical condition. You (and perhaps your TMS coach) are using words like diagnosis and a treatment plan. That is telling yourself that you are sick, as if if TMS is some kind of disease.
Here's the thing, TMS is the human condition, not a sickness. When we look at it as a sickness we allow our body to continue causing us pain and discomfort. You can say to yourself, "I have TMS! That's why I have all these pains. That's why my skin is burning. I have a bad case of TMS." And guess what, you will keep having those pains, because, you've given yourself permission to have them. Like the alcoholic who says, "alcoholism is disease" I can't help it that I want that drink and can't stop myself from having it. Why so many people that describe themselves as having alcoholism are forever falling off the wagon and having to start over with "days sober" rather than choosing not to drink anymore, ever again.

With TMS, you aren't sick, you don't have a disease. You are human. Your body is doing a very human thing of protecting you. I don't think you should be waiting 10 days for a "treatment plan." There is a workbook on here you can use to start digging in or you can do so yourself with paper and pen. You can read the Sarno books and learn more about how the human brain functions and how it protects you from painful emotions by giving you painful physical feelings instead. Some things you can do to get to the hidden anger and take away the need for your body to distract you with pain.

Bonne chance!
Click to expand...

Agreed too :)
 
Thank you for your responses.

First of all, I apologize for my rough English—sometimes I need to use a translator, but it doesn’t always capture exactly what I mean.

I’ve only been exploring the world of TMS for about a month, so I haven’t quite mastered the right terminology and expressions yet.

Booble, you’re right—I do use medical terminology when I talk about diagnoses and other terms commonly found in conventional medicine.

Of course, these are the kinds of things I need to change to make progress.

That’s not the case with the therapist I see; he uses the right words and knows TMS very well.

Jana, I understand that Sarno is the pioneer, the forerunner of all this.

I haven’t read his books yet, but I’m going to get started.

I’ve read Gordon and Buglio.

When you’ve been conditioned to think of chronic Lyme for years, it’s not easy to switch overnight.

But I’m learning every day.

Counting the days of flare-ups is obviously one of my biggest flaws.

And I make it a priority. When I ask for advice during my very severe episodes of body burning, it’s because I’ve realized, for example, that somatic tracking isn’t practiced at such an intensity.
 
@Thibaut33
I have body burning, and a host of other very strange sensations that have greatly subsided as I’ve worked on the state of my nervous system. A foundational book for understanding the hyper-aroused nervous system is Hope and Help for Your Nerves, by Claire Weekes. Replace the symptoms described with your own as you read the book. She talks a lot about letting time pass and not being frightened by the symptoms as a method of healing. And that definitely works. But there are other ways, too. Like eliminating as much pressure as you can from your daily life, including unrealistic goals, focus on the news and worldwide crisis, self criticism, and any other ongoing daily stressors. You have to quiet yourself down. And then you can really catapult the process with simple techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve and other somatic practices that tell your primitive brain you are safe. As I’ve done all this, the burning and a bunch of my other symptoms are slowly ebbing away. This in and of itself is reassuring that yes, despite how weird this all is—it’s nerves. There are so many people I’ve read about on this forum and elsewhere who have had similar stories. Don’t let the weirdness fool you, scare you or trick you. The human mind-body can get pretty drastic when it’s had enough. It will shut you down. It will demand change.
 
"Hi, how are you? I've read many stories with symptoms similar to yours, and what they basically said was: ignore the symptoms, don't give them any emotion, and move on with your day. This can work for many people, I don't doubt it, but when you have pain at the level you're telling me about, I completely understand that it's hard to apply because I myself have a level seven or eight symptom.

That's why people find their recovery in different ways, but in the end, it all comes down to one single thing: lowering the fear. You don't have to be a perfect Zen monk when dealing with such intense pain; no one can. Just do the best you can to tolerate it with calmness. For this, I suggest you try somatic tracking. Many people have recovered using this without even knowing what it was called: instead of avoiding the pain, they focus on it to observe it neutrally.

That neutrality sends a direct message to your brain that you are safe. It's not a magic overnight cure, but with consistency, the brain realizes it no longer needs to send pain. That's what pain reprocessing is all about: understanding that your body is perfectly healthy and that it's just your brain triggering a false alarm because it's scared. I also recommend doing diaphragmatic breathing and anything else that signals to your brain that you are safe."
 
Thibaut33 said:
Jana, I understand that Sarno is the pioneer, the forerunner of all this.

I haven’t read his books yet, but I’m going to get started.
Click to expand...

I think that's wise - you're right in that somatic tracking isn't applicable at the higher levels of pain. The more emotional aspect likely needs to be recognised, which is what Dr Sarno will explain :)
 
Thibaut33 said:
Thank you for your responses.
When I ask for advice during my very severe episodes of body burning, it’s because I’ve realized, for example, that somatic tracking isn’t practiced at such an intensity.
Click to expand...
I had this burning skin sensation for a year, which was the worst of my symptoms. Those fire ants crawling under my skin every minute of my life made me suicidal at some point. This is why my advice to those who are experiencing this level of pain is to take painkillers so you can regain some function of your brain. But you should practice somatic tracking even when your pain is at its worst. Painkillers are not a solution, but somatic tracking is. If you can combine somatic tracking with meditation, you will see results sooner. Meditation calms down the nervous system much better than any medications. I credit meditation with my successful recovery from chronic pain. Here are my thoughts on meditation that may be helpful to you: https://defeatcrps.com/2026/04/26/on-meditation/ (On Meditation - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome : Your Path To Healing). You have a steep hill to climb, but if you focus on the small steps towards the top and not worry about how far the top of the hill is, you will eventually succeed.
 
"Hi, I would really appreciate it if you could tell me how you practiced somatic tracking. I mean in your day-to-day life: did you do it at any time, and for how long? They say it’s not recommended for high levels of pain—not because it doesn't work, but because many people find it hard to stay calm with that level of intensity. It can be counterproductive because you might end up reinforcing the behavior instead of weakening it; but if you do it right, even with severe pain, it does work. I hope you can get back to me."



TG957 said:
Tuve esta sensación de ardor en la piel durante un año, que fue el peor de mis síntomas. Esas hormigas de fuego arrastrándose bajo mi piel cada minuto de mi vida me hicieron pensar en el suicidio en algún momento. Por eso mi consejo para quienes experimentan este nivel de dolor es que tomen analgésicos para que puedan recuperar algo de función cerebral. Pero deberían practicar el seguimiento somático incluso cuando el dolor sea más intenso. Los analgésicos no son una solución, pero el seguimiento somático sí. Si pueden combinar el seguimiento somático con la meditación, verán resultados antes. La meditación calma el sistema nervioso mucho mejor que cualquier medicamento. Le atribuyo a la meditación mi exitosa recuperación del dolor crónico. Aquí están mis reflexiones sobre la meditación que pueden serles útiles: https://defeatcrps.com/2026/04/26/on-meditation/ (Sobre la meditación - Síndrome de dolor regional complejo: Tu camino hacia la curación) . Tienes una cuesta empinada que subir, pero si te concentras en los pequeños pasos hacia la cima y no te preocupas por lo lejos que está la cima, finalmente lo lograrás.
Click to expand...
 
Hello,

Thank you for your replies.

I’ve taken note of the meditation advice.

This weekend, I had the chance to read Dr. Sarno’s latest book.

I find the whole theory and explanations around neuroplastic pain brilliant.

However, I’m having a bit more difficulty with the concept of rage that he talks about so much and with the program that follows from it.

I get the impression that current coaches and therapists have moved somewhat away from all of that.

My understanding is that everyone agrees on neuroplastic pain, but I also get the impression that the tools and approaches have evolved quite a lot.

I imagine it will be up to me, with the help of my therapist, to find the approaches that suit me best.

The goal being to calm my nervous system’s alarm response.

Speaking of alarms, my nervous system played some tricks on me this weekend.

For a little over three months now, my main symptom has been body-wide burning sensations.

My lower back pain has been mostly absent as long as I strictly respect my avoidances, the main one being lifting my daughter.

Seeing that my brain seemed occupied with the burning sensations, and having gained both mobility and confidence in my lower back, this weekend I did what felt like a kind of test. On top of that, I did it at the beginning of a period where the burning sensations were easing.

My 19-month-old daughter woke up from her nap and, hearing her, I thought: why not go and take her out of her crib?

After a few positive thoughts, without being particularly worried, I went into her room and picked her up.

No pain. I congratulated myself for doing it.

Five minutes later, the alarm went off. I went from 0 to 6.

I breathed, calmed myself, reminded myself that nothing serious was happening, that it was my brain and that this was only temporary.

I wasn’t especially worried or anxious.

Unfortunately, despite staying on that course, it has now been three days and the alarm has been screaming louder and louder each day.

At the same time, the burning sensations have remained stable and are decreasing.

If I needed proof that this is neuroplastic pain, I feel like I have it right in front of me.

I understand that the tools are not meant to reduce the pain directly, and what I did wasn’t done for that purpose.

However, I notice that what I did didn’t prevent or limit the escalation of the pain.

Maybe I simply did too much and my brain interpreted that positive experience as a threat.

I find it difficult to find the right balance.

I hope the coach will be able to give me some guidance on this.
 
Thibaut33 said:
Hello,

Thank you for your replies.

I’ve taken note of the meditation advice.

This weekend, I had the chance to read Dr. Sarno’s latest book.

I find the whole theory and explanations around neuroplastic pain brilliant.

However, I’m having a bit more difficulty with the concept of rage that he talks about so much and with the program that follows from it.

I get the impression that current coaches and therapists have moved somewhat away from all of that.

My understanding is that everyone agrees on neuroplastic pain, but I also get the impression that the tools and approaches have evolved quite a lot.

I imagine it will be up to me, with the help of my therapist, to find the approaches that suit me best.

The goal being to calm my nervous system’s alarm response.

Speaking of alarms, my nervous system played some tricks on me this weekend.

For a little over three months now, my main symptom has been body-wide burning sensations.

My lower back pain has been mostly absent as long as I strictly respect my avoidances, the main one being lifting my daughter.

Seeing that my brain seemed occupied with the burning sensations, and having gained both mobility and confidence in my lower back, this weekend I did what felt like a kind of test. On top of that, I did it at the beginning of a period where the burning sensations were easing.

My 19-month-old daughter woke up from her nap and, hearing her, I thought: why not go and take her out of her crib?

After a few positive thoughts, without being particularly worried, I went into her room and picked her up.

No pain. I congratulated myself for doing it.

Five minutes later, the alarm went off. I went from 0 to 6.

I breathed, calmed myself, reminded myself that nothing serious was happening, that it was my brain and that this was only temporary.

I wasn’t especially worried or anxious.

Unfortunately, despite staying on that course, it has now been three days and the alarm has been screaming louder and louder each day.

At the same time, the burning sensations have remained stable and are decreasing.

If I needed proof that this is neuroplastic pain, I feel like I have it right in front of me.

I understand that the tools are not meant to reduce the pain directly, and what I did wasn’t done for that purpose.

However, I notice that what I did didn’t prevent or limit the escalation of the pain.

Maybe I simply did too much and my brain interpreted that positive experience as a threat.

I find it difficult to find the right balance.

I hope the coach will be able to give me some guidance on this.
Click to expand...

It would take a long time to answer all your questions in a single post. I wrote a book on my recovery in which I answer all of your questions, and more. I think it can be helpful to you. https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Verdict-Defeated-Chronic-Pain-ebook/dp/B0834Q46SM. I cover concepts like extinction burst and plateau, go over the evolution of Sarno's theory, and a few other things that could benefit you in your healing.
 
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