It started about a year ago. I graduated from a rigorous college program, and about a week after graduation I developed pain in both my wrists and forearms. I initially attributed it to a repetitive strain injury, as it first came on while I was using the computer intensely (playing a game). I wore arm braces suggested by the doctor, but they did little to resolve the pain. I tried to forget about the pain and do different workouts in the gym, and the pain gradually subsided. About six months after the onset of the arm pain, I developed debilitating pain in my chest near my sternum and surrounding rib cartilage. I would wake up fine, but it would get excruciatingly bad by the end of the day, to the point where the only thing I looked forward to was getting to go to sleep. That persisted for a month or so before regressing again. I still get occasional pain in my wrists and chest, but not as badly as when the pain first appeared, and the pain is not typically chronic as it used to be. About a month or so after the chest pain improved, I developed great pain in my knees. I thought the pain was caused from injury, as I had been rigorously twisting for a long time when the pain came on. I went to the doctor and he couldn't detect any ligament damage. My knees still trouble me quite a bit. When I wake up, they feel very tight like they're inflamed, but I don't notice any swelling. Sometimes I get jolts of pain (pins and needles type) around my kneecap when I'm walking or sitting. The pain seems to be much worse when wearing pants that rub against my kneecap for some reason. It's strange because I'm not limited at all in my range of motion, and I seem to be able to run and jump without any additional difficulty. I can't stand for long periods, as my knees feel weak and unstable after standing long, especially at night. After rest, physical therapy, massage, yoga, and pilates, my knees seem to feel about the same as when the pain first came on.
Recently, I discovered Dr. Sarno's Healing Back Pain and read it swiftly. What struck me the most was his notes of people developing TMS on vacation or on the weekend. My pain troubles arose immediately after graduation from a strenuous college program in which I had to work and study constantly. I didn't get a lot of sleep during my time in college. Looking back, it was highly stressful, but I managed to handle it well at the time. When I graduated, I got a typical 8 to 5 job which was much less stressful by comparison.
I am the type to bury my anger. I try to be nice to everyone, and it bothers me when people don't like me. I apologize a lot just to diffuse situations. I guess my top priority is appeasing people and avoiding making enemies. I never had any sort of therapy or psychoanalysis. Maybe I have repressed feelings of anger or anxiety, but they would be buried so deep that I'm not aware of them.
I've developed depression because of the pain, the lack of hope that things will improve, and the feeling that my body is betraying me so early in life. Joint popping has been getting steadily worse for me. All of my joints seem to pop loudly when I move them. I can't flex my ankles without them popping. One ankle pops whenever I walk, and has for quite a while. I have tremors that cause my hands to shake. I have noticeable tension in many parts of my body, and I've been using a foam roller to try to work out muscle knots. I get mild muscle spasms frequently. My hamstrings are tight all of the time and interfere with a normal gait.
Has anyone here experienced similar symptoms? Do you think these are typical of TMS? Any help is greatly appreciated. My quality of life has dropped drastically, and it's hard to find joy in anything. It feels like I'm living in a nightmare.
Thank you for reading.
Recently, I discovered Dr. Sarno's Healing Back Pain and read it swiftly. What struck me the most was his notes of people developing TMS on vacation or on the weekend. My pain troubles arose immediately after graduation from a strenuous college program in which I had to work and study constantly. I didn't get a lot of sleep during my time in college. Looking back, it was highly stressful, but I managed to handle it well at the time. When I graduated, I got a typical 8 to 5 job which was much less stressful by comparison.
I am the type to bury my anger. I try to be nice to everyone, and it bothers me when people don't like me. I apologize a lot just to diffuse situations. I guess my top priority is appeasing people and avoiding making enemies. I never had any sort of therapy or psychoanalysis. Maybe I have repressed feelings of anger or anxiety, but they would be buried so deep that I'm not aware of them.
I've developed depression because of the pain, the lack of hope that things will improve, and the feeling that my body is betraying me so early in life. Joint popping has been getting steadily worse for me. All of my joints seem to pop loudly when I move them. I can't flex my ankles without them popping. One ankle pops whenever I walk, and has for quite a while. I have tremors that cause my hands to shake. I have noticeable tension in many parts of my body, and I've been using a foam roller to try to work out muscle knots. I get mild muscle spasms frequently. My hamstrings are tight all of the time and interfere with a normal gait.
Has anyone here experienced similar symptoms? Do you think these are typical of TMS? Any help is greatly appreciated. My quality of life has dropped drastically, and it's hard to find joy in anything. It feels like I'm living in a nightmare.
Thank you for reading.
