Extremely Stiff Muscles

[Andre]

Hi, my question in short is whether really stiff muscles and often painful muscles can be a TMS symptom variant? I rarely see the stiff muscles mentioned as a main symptom.

When I was 16 and again at 21 I had short (3-4 weeks) but very intense muscle stiffness with severe pain. Then at 27 after some extremely stressful years my muscles tensed up (literally overnight) and for 10 years I have not been able to get them to relax. This was accompanied by extreme pain for many years which only begun to settle after I discovered Dr. Sarno's work around 5 years ago. I now have to withdraw from the clonazepam I was prescribed and my muscles are tensing up and I am quite fearful (my muscles never relaxed on clonazepam but the pain settled). I undertook psychotherapy for a number of years however the change was minimal. I have had every test under the sun (all normal) and I seem to switch between feeling anxious/apprehensive to muscle pain. Interestingly, if a greater stress enters my life the attention given to the physical symptoms reduces. Also, I never manage to do the 'homework/journaling' for any extended period of time.

Thanks, any help (and positive advice on clonazepam withdrawl) would be greatly appreciated. Andre.

 

[Livvygurl]

Welcome Andre!

I know what you mean I have chronic stiff muscles too. I am working on releasing the stiffness and pain through journaling about my past and present stressors. While journaling experiencing the full Feeling is where the benefit comes into play. After I journal about something really intense like childhood feelings I sometimes get over whelmed by the emotion. It just shows how powerful our repressed emotions are, I have been looking into ways to cool down which has included meditation, and some of Louise Hay's audiobooks! This work on the self is a real challenge, facing the self – the greatest journey.

Hope this helps,

Livvy ~