Could hunger be TMS symptom?

Kiara

Kiara

Well known member
I've noticed that I've started experiencing severe hunger recently, especially when I feel stressed. Could this be a TMS symptom? It seems rather odd but I don't have any other explanation for it. I do seem to have unstable blood sugar due to chronic fatigue.

Has anyone else experienced this?? I went to the GP and they are checking my blood sugars, but I was just curious to hear other perspectives.
 
This is a good question. Hunger is a natural impulse, like going to the bathroom, thirst, or sex. It's not a TMS equivalent, but of course the brain can fixate on anything and exacerbate it. I know people who get extreme dry mouth and thirst whenever they get anxious, or stressed. They can't get enough liquids.

The fixation arises when the need to alleviate anxiety arises. But the brain doesn't cause hunger. Although you could argue that if you removed your brain that you wouldn't be hungry any more. The only way to prove it is to ask for volunteers.

But there are other impulses from the shadow. An impulse is a sudden urge. The shadow eruption can cause a sudden urge to do anything wild, like grab someone, kill, jump, yell, cheat, etc. Anything.
 
Yes, hunger is a TMS symptom.
Just two examples... Princess Diana had anorexia from her troubled marriage which triggered memories of her parents' sivorce
when she was a young girl. Barbra Steisand is very nervous before performing in public. Her limo is stocked like a snack shop
so she can eat even in her car.

When I feel edgy, I eat some pretzels or make a bowl of popcorn. I think we all feel more relaxed after eating, especially a big meal.
That's how we feel after a Thanksgiving dinner. It's nap time!
 
I agree. Hunger is often a diversion from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, many stressed people are known to overeat. The perception of hunger can vary from real physical symptoms in the stomach to specific or general cravings. I had a time of being constantly hungry and feeling anxious or insecure when going out without some snacks, but this has passed when I connected to my body and its energy levels and needs through meditation. I also know for a fact that blood sugar levels respond to stress - mine were always normal but one morning I got upset at a long queue at the blood collection center and came out quite high (I repeated the test later and it was normal).
 
Thanks for sharing everyone! I do think there may be a connection with the blood sugar issue, as that has been a problem for me for quite a while.

I know that's very common for people with CFS, so they often have to avoid eating sugar and refined carbs. I also did a quick Google search and found a number of other people with CFS who mention dealing with extreme hunger.

Anyway, regardless of the exact cause of it, the hunger is certainly exacerbated by stress and tension.
 
In the morning if I get hungry before lunch and am waiting to eat lunch, sometimes I do a meditation and my hunger reduces drastically. So yes, I see that hunger is effected by mood or disposition. I think doing a meditation on an empty stomach is the best time to do a mediation anyway.
 
I'm really into pistachios; keeping a gallon jar of maraschino cherries on the night table keeps me feeling secure. Brussels sprouts are good if you're trying to keep healthy. My personalized license plate says "SUBLIMATE".
 
When I feel hunger pangs between meals, I like to snack on nuts, especially walnuts and almonds. Fresh, not in
cans or jars. No salt. Pistachios are also healthy snacks.

Maraschino cherries go great with Manhattans, but I haven't had that delicious cocktail in years.

I should keep some carrots handy, too.
 
I haven't quit figured it all out yet, but I know I started overeating at the same time that I became depressed, which then turned into tms. I've resolved the depression, for the most part, and am working on my tms, but the overeating remains. Plus, for me, all three symptoms are linked to repressed emotions about the same issue. So in my case there is definitely some kind of link.

Great question, by the way. I've often wondered about that myself.
 
Thanks for sharing that Blake! I've also noticed that the hunger is much more severe at night, which seems to be a common problem (based on what I have read online). I'm pleased that the hunger seems to dissipate when my stress levels go down, but it can get quite extreme and make it hard to sleep at times.
 
Laudisco said:
I've noticed that I've started experiencing severe hunger recently, especially when I feel stressed. Could this be a TMS symptom? It seems rather odd but I don't have any other explanation for it. I do seem to have unstable blood sugar due to chronic fatigue.

Has anyone else experienced this?? I went to the GP and they are checking my blood sugars, but I was just curious to hear other perspectives.
Click to expand...

Laudisco

I meds make me very hungry…you mentioned you take lyrica tat made me gain 10 pounds..just a thought
 
I haven't gotten to read the other responses, but wanted to let you know I feel the urge to eat something sometimes when I'm struggling with anxiety. Food can be comforting whether you're dealing with pain or anxiety. I do have low blood sugar at times, but it doesn't cause the same reaction. When low blood sugar happens, I'll eat something with protein and feel better.
 
Thanks again for all the responses. Yes, it could be related to the meds, although I have been on Lyrica for nearly two years and I have not put on weight (or only a couple of kilos at the most) during that time. However, it's good to be aware that the medications could be contributing to the hunger.

I also relate to the issue with anxiety. I find that when I am very tired and/or stressed, the hunger seems to be exacerbated. It's particularly annoying as it seems to wake me up early in the morning, and makes it hard to get back to sleep.
 
Laudisco said:
Thanks again for all the responses. Yes, it could be related to the meds, although I have been on Lyrica for nearly two years and I have not put on weight (or only a couple of kilos at the most) during that time. However, it's good to be aware that the medications could be contributing to the hunger.

I also relate to the issue with anxiety. I find that when I am very tired and/or stressed, the hunger seems to be exacerbated. It's particularly annoying as it seems to wake me up early in the morning, and makes it hard to get back to sleep.
Click to expand...

We have common issues regarding hunger….and when pain escalates so does hunger interesting how the mind does this.
 
hi all, l recently decided to treat everything about food, eating, fear of hunger, weight etc. as tms. Years ago l was watching a family tv show with my daughter and a young boy in the series had a beloved horse die. I said we need to pause the show, I'm hungry, I need to eat. My daughter pointed out that I had just finished eating! Soon after the same thing happened again. Hmmm.....I started paying attention. Real hunger with growling does not feel different to me than emotional hunger. It is different than when I just want a cookie, that isn't in my stomache, this is. I didn't know about tms equivelents before though, now I do. We shall see!!
 
That's good to know Lizzy! I know that emotions and stress can certainly trigger my hunger pangs...
 
Lizzy said:
Years ago l was watching a family tv show with my daughter and a young boy in the series had a beloved horse die. I said we need to pause the show, I'm hungry, I need to eat.
Click to expand...

I can so relate to this! Apparently our primitive brains can't tell the difference from a TV programme and real life. I could reach for food whatever the circumstance but grief is the worst. One day last week I was intending to have a fast day (from the 5/2 diet). That idea went straight out the window when I found out a family member was gravely ill.
 
Ok, here is an observation about eating. Yesterday I went with my husband to the memorial for our daughter's boyfriend's father. Today we were talking about it and I felt pain in my upper thigh. I grabbed a box of crackers and was mindlessly eating when I noticed the pain was gone. Just thinking about being presenf is hard, let alone actually being present, lol.
 
I've come to realise it's most likely related to blood sugar issues, as I've started to have mild hypoglycaemic episodes. However, it does seem like these episodes are triggered by stress - and I have read this is common. Also, most people with CFS has problems with blood sugar.

I am still trying to figure out how to manage it, as it's a frustrating symptom!
 
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