Could this really be TMS…? Abdominal/Flank pain/Nutcracker Syndrome

[unknownnicole]

So about 2.5 weeks ago, I got this shooting pain down my right side abdomen that stayed in my right lower abdomen. After a few days it got worse and I was sent to the emergency in case it was my appendix. The pain has now moved around to my right flank.

Long story short - My blood tests, ultrasound and CT scan were all normal. Except for finding something rare called Nutcracker Syndrome on my left kidney, but my doctor is adamant it isn’t referred pain to my right because it doesn’t normally present that way and that she thinks it’s an incidental finding.

Well, I left being told maybe my pain was muscular and to see an Osteo. You know how it goes. I’ve done TMS work for 6ish years now with great success, but this is a hard one to wrap my head around. Especially when it feels so much like an issue deeper with an organ. But it just feels like Deja vu. “Everything is normal, good luck.”

So I guess I’m here to see anyone’s opinion. I know Dr Sarno said TMS pain could present in any way but this is just such a new one to me.

 

[Cactusflower]

What could be stressing you right now?
Why not do another set of Dr. Sarno’s three columns (I’m assuming you have done something like this in the past since you mentioned TMS “work”) - then examine your columns. Journal with them if you like.
Do some meditation or whatever it is you do to calm your nervous system. Just engaging in this usually makes me notice that I’m a bit wound up.
I think it’s fine to consider this might all be TMS and to be curious and explore that possibility and see if you get changes.

 

[Diana-M]

I got this shooting pain down my right side abdomen that stayed in my right lower abdomen. After a few days it got worse and I was sent to the emergency in case it was my appendix. The pain has now moved around to my right flank.

For what it’s worth— I’ve had TMS on and off for years, but the current round of symptoms I have started with something like what you were describing. And because it was so bizarre, it really spiraled me into a panic, which probably made things much worse. I’ve noticed on the forum more and more people are coming in with just very strange body-wide unusual symptoms for TMS. Personally, I think it’s a reflection of the level of adrenaline we all have going on right now from the pandemic and the escalated Stressful lifestyles we are all living. Dr. Sarno was always saying that there really is no limit to what TMS can do. I think it would help all of us if we actually believed him on that one! I have wasted a lot of time because I got so scared by my bizarre symptoms. But now I know that it’s TMS.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I’ve noticed on the forum more and more people are coming in with just very strange body-wide unusual symptoms for TMS.

This is also my perception - it's really noticeable.

I think it’s a reflection of the level of adrenaline we all have going on right now from the pandemic and the escalated Stressful lifestyles we are all living.

1000% agree with this! TBH, I don't understand why it's not blindingly obvious to everyone. I guess that's where mindfulness (and the majority lack of mindfulness) comes in.

Dr. Sarno was always saying that there really is no limit to what TMS can do. I think it would help all of us if we actually believed him on that one!

Amen.

I have wasted a lot of time because I got so scared by my bizarre symptoms.

@unknownnicole, looking back at your posting history, I think is also describing you perfectly. If you could figure out how to recognize and reject a ridiculous symptom literally within minutes from when it appears, instead of starting the pain-fear-obsession-what-if cycle, I want to tell you from personal experience that it will go away. I've done this more times than I can count over the years for all kinds of sudden stabbing pains and spasms and jolts. I've had sudden pains in multiple different locations and all sides that had me limping or unable to use my hand or lift my arm or bend an elbow and I literally laugh and tell my brain "nice try" and I give it a little time-out to think about the error of its ways, and then I get on with what I was doing. Deep breathing and mindfulness and curiosity are also on the list of tools, as @Cactusflower reminds you.

 

[unknownnicole]

Thank you everyone for the advice and tips!

I’m definitely the type to really latch onto new symptoms and get afraid of them at first. I think this one was particularly tricky though.

It is also VERY interesting I got random abdo pain about 6 weeks after my husband had it and had something actually on his scan and needed antibiotics (that he is now all better from). I was very anxious during that time, it makes sense my brain could latch onto something like this.

 

[Diana-M]

I was very anxious during that time, it makes sense my brain could latch onto something like this.

Absolutely!