Can TMS intensify when you’re onto it?

Hi folks,

I’m just wondering, can TMS symptoms intensify when you’re onto it? As discussed, mine aren’t pain but things related to protracted SSRI withdrawal, nerve stuff, head stuff, feeling tingles in limbs and feet, somatic fixated fear etc.

So I have been listening to Dr Sarno’s books on Audible over the past 2-3 days and actually my symptoms were lessening at first - but today I had a massive sudden wave at work, slight blurred vision in one eye, felt like I was on a boat when walking so I didn’t think I was walking straight, lightheadedness, heart palpitations which all led to a sudden panic attack because I thought it was a medical event.

I went to the Emergency Room, and they said my symptoms were psychosomatic or functional. That was even scarier to hear because I was hoping for a cause and cure.

But then I realised that these symptoms completely distracted me from almost everything. And I wonder, can TMS fight back and create worse symptoms at first when you start to learn about it?

(The only other reason I could think of was that I started personal training with exercise yesterday afternoon and that it destabilised my nervous system)

Thank you.

 

Yes. In fact , there have been few episodes where it does NOT do that.
I am in a similar process right now and the days where I don't read and write as much, stay centered, I have been getting other weird symptoms.....teeth that have been root canaled hurting, unbearable itching where there is no rash or bite, pain moving to the other side.

Each day I have been looking at scarier and scarier stuff and apparently my unconscious 5 year old is NOT digging it.

 

I am on day 3 of the Sarno audiobook. My main issue is lower back pain. All of a sudden my pain has moved to my upper shoulders and arm. How can this be?

 

Because it's main aim is to keep you distracted. Being afraid is a good distraction. Immediately after my back pain went away, my knee gave out...But I had been warned by Reading Sarno's "Healing Back Pain" so I literally laughed out loud and the knee pain went away in a couple of days...if I hadn't been well warned I would have been scared and frustrated.
All of these symptoms are to keep our attention strongly focused on the body. I have been having pain. First it moved to the other side....I have been doing the work, and now I woke up with the most insatiable ITCH in the world...but when I went to the bathroom certain I must have a spider bite, or worse....Nothing?
My teeth started hurting again. Obviously something is going on in my unconscious where it isn't going to give up so easy...but each morning I wake up and go back to reading, writing and listening to the SEP and Other TMS halp stuff here on the website. Patience, determination and do the daily reminders.

peace

 

The one good thing about your TMS acting out is it’s telling you you’re making some headway. You’re rattling its cage.

 

Wow, I can’t believe it fooled me. It’s hard for me because I have the competing narrative that I have neurological damage from SSRI withdrawal (which Gustav talks about), the catastrophic wave of horrible symptoms I had which sent me to the hospital was consistent with the SSRI protracted withdrawal belief that exercise can cause a “Wave” the next day.

Is it possible that the TMS knows this, so it was a convenient time to create the symptoms to distract me from emotion (which I know I have HEAPS - my beloved mother is who was my rock, passed away from a horrific illness last year and I haven’t processed it, I miss my Mum it was so cruel) - so just like Dr Sarno says the TMS will fool you by creating symptoms consistent with an injury (like fake tennis elbow after tennis)

 

Thank you, that’s really reassuring, I’m just constantly listening to two of Dr Sarno’s ebooks on repeat on Audible (divided mind and healing back pain). Could you recommend some more good TMS books please?

 

Thank you, yeah I definitely see the pattern in your symptoms now. Thank you for sharing, much appreciated.

 

Which audiobook are you on?

 

I took those for a few years during my divorce. Then when I realized that my Doc wasn't ever gonna sanction me coming off of them, I just tapered of...zero lasting effect.

I would imagine THAT has a LOT to do with your symptoms. Abandonment. Dependency. Nurturing energy gone. Not something you can just intellectually process, especially if you were close.

 

Hi, Try these:

—The Meaning of Truth by Nicole Sachs (She also has a great podcast, just search her name)

—The Mindbody Syndrome, by Kevin Martillo

—Hope and Help for Your Nerves, Claire Weekes

All three of these books are SUPER helpful. Inspiring and comforting.

 

Hi The audiobook is Healing back pain 3.5 hrs long so listening in short bites

 

@Dothermo and all:
Check out this thread which brings in thinking from Alan Gordon and Dr. Schubiner on the concept of "extinction bursts."
Also, there are some excellent suggestion above.

In this thread, there's a long post from @Duggit that is worth taking some time with and breaking down for yourself. There are several parts in there that are fabulous for people like me who needed this kind of explanation to get better and let go of symptoms. If you're that kind of person, I think you'll get a lot out of this.

https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/does-tms-get-worse-before-it-gets-better.21806/ (Does TMS get worse before it gets better?)