My story begins -Pelvic sensations

[Ovid]

Hi All,

My first post. I’m Andrew & thanks for allowing me to join.

Another night of lying here wide awake not being able to sleep

I’m new to the world of TMS (like two months)
I’ve manage to read/listen/ watch enough material to climb down the rabbit hole and feel rather overwhelmed of what I should be doing and where to start.

History;
I suppose I’m still on the TMS fence due to how I feel this started a few months back (injury vs TMS)- I went to a Pelvic Floor PT (world renowned) for a muscle that had locked up and was causing me alot of discomfort sitting. After that I started with burning, tingling, pain, pinchy sensations in the perenium which caused me to freak out! Then pain went into the back & scrotum and I can’t sit for long without discomfort & burning (think sexy doughnut pillow). Also feels super sensitive around the Pudendal nerve. Also been booked off work for three weeks. So I’m like wtf has this PT guy done! Now I feel like a basket case as I’m constantly emotional & the fear and thoughts overwhelm me. Drs gave me Pregabalin, Codeine & Diazepam. Currently seen a urologist & waiting an MRI….more fear & stress
Waiting for the Dr to open this morning so I can get some anti depressants as I’m in a bad place mentally …like “oh that roof is pretty high” nice!

So while some part of me thinks the PT damaged me the other part of me says this is due to TMS as the background running up to all this is like a TMS advert

TMS retreat ….right this way This muscle issue happened after a VERY stressful experience in August where I had a bad reaction to some steroid cream that I got on holiday from a pharmacist which I applied to the genital area for some rash … literally felt like I was on fire and ended up at numerous dermatologists & Drs as I’d envisioned permanent damage to the skin & going on Reddit drove up stress x 100000. I think I deleted like a 160 pics off my phone after this issue …OCD

Due to all this I couldn’t fly to very big family reunion.
Along with that there have been family health issues that have weighed heavily on me mentally. I also lost out on a house purchase last year which was heartbreaking.

All in all 2025 has been the worst experience ever.

So … where to now ‍
Currently reading Alan Gordon’s book & Dr Howard
Schubiner’s book. Watching Dan’s Pain Free You videos & anything else that pops up..

I suppose my question is where do I start & how do I apply any of this. How did you get started & find your way to being healed?

Id say fear is my main issue! Fear of the unknown, fear of symptoms, fear of fear, crazy thoughts all the time!!!

thanks for your time

 

[BloodMoon]

Welcome, Andrew,

I had pudendal nerve neuralgia-like symptoms. (I'm female and mine started after using an electrical kegel exercise appliance to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles as I was advised to do by a medical doctor.) The pain was severe and lasted many months (at least 18 months) because I went down the rabbit hole of thinking I'd permanently damaged myself, but eventually and gradually the pain and other sensations went away when I stopped thinking like that.

My advice would be to start calming down your fearful brain and nervous system by keeping your plan of action as simple and straightforward as possible, so my suggestion is to commit to just doing Tanner Murtagh's 3-steps totally free 30 day program on YouTube (it's powerful work and wonderfully calming and soothing) https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threa...chronic-pain-other-symptoms-on-youtube.33091/

 

[Ovid]

Hi BloodMoon,

Thank you so much for your reply & positive story. I’m literally a ball of nerves atm. This has mentally taken such a huge toll on me.

I will start Tanners course today.

thanks again!

Andrew

 

[cafe_bustelo]

@Ovid I too had what I thought was a pelvic injury and similar “PN”-like symptoms; all kinds of crazy shifting nervy sensations. I’m very much still recovering but as of committing fully to the mind-body approach a few weeks ago I’m starting to see improvement, and the fear is slowly losing its grip.

I would also suggest adding one of John Sarno’s books to your pile of reading material if you haven’t already. I think others have elaborated on his work really well but something about the way he lays things out I found very reassuring, maybe more so than some of the other books I read. That’s not to say they aren’t also totally worth reading, but just to say that in my opinion everything Sarno wrote still holds up even if others refer to it as dated now.

 

[Ovid]

Hi cafe_bustelo, thanks for the reply!

I’ve listened to two of his books on Spotify & bought his film along with watching his video lecture he gave. I too find his work amazing. I will look to add The Mind Body Prescription to the booklist.

Thanks again,

Andrew

 

[Ellen]

So … where to now ‍
Currently reading Alan Gordon’s book & Dr Howard
Schubiner’s book.

Since you have Dr. Schubiner's book, why not start his daily program? It's the one I used and I was successful with it. Just do it every day. Supplement with some reading and videos, but don't spend too much time daily. You need time for the effects to percolate through your psyche.

 

[Ovid]

Hi Ellen,

Thank you for your message!
I really love his book & videos. I’ve been listening to his mindfulness & somatic tracking audio clips each day but haven’t started the full work book as yet due to info overload. As noted I’m currently trying to get my nerves system calmed down as it’s been a rollercoaster of note the last few months.

Trying to get back to living as normal a life as possible but it’s been very difficult! I now have lower back pain which came out of nowhere!

The oddest thing happened today when I went to the beach with my kids to play with my sons metal detector …my pelvic pain almost disappeared …the first time in over two months. Lower back pain however was making it very uncomfortable!
It didn’t last very long but so strange!!

such strong emotions in play atm.

Best,

Andrew

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Hi @Ovid /Andrew. If you're encountering resistance (disguised by your TMS brain as "overwhelm") about starting Dr Schubiner's workbook, our free Structured Educational Program actually follows a similar methodology, with links to many of his original articles, and writing exercises which are very similar to the ones in his workbook (not surprising, as they are commonly-known exercises for emotional self-examination). The good news is that our program does this in 42 easy-to-accomplish "Days". It is totally acceptable to do a few days a week. In fact, my biggest recommendation for doing the SEP is that it's much better to take it slowly than to rush through it, because doing the program faster will definitely NOT result in faster recovery. Think of it as a long-term project. Letting go of the desperate need to recover now is a vital prerequisite for establishing what will become a tool kit of new lifelong habits.

We're here to support that journey!

 

[Ovid]

Hi Jan,

Thank you so much! I will definitely take a look.
I’ve come to realise there is no timeline on this journey so will enjoy the ride.

thank you for support, it will definitely be needed!

 

[Ovid]

Happy New Year All,

Been a roller coaster of week with emotions & sensations going up & down.

Today, after six months I decided to try some graded exposure and get back to the gym to lift some weights… sitting on the benches & lifting weights ️‍
I’m not broken!!
Sensations are all over the place but I feel so good and proud for doing that. Onwards & upwards..,.

 

[Ovid]

Am I achieving anything in getting angry to the point of absolute rage towards my brain?

I literally lost my sh*t & told my brain to shut the f%^k up!! I’m sick & tired of it constantly feeding in thoughts of fear & other constant nonsense about my symptoms & imagining bad things happening.

The brain can bring it as I just don’t give a f*^^k anymore. Stupid brain!!

 

[Ovid]

I’m still on the same page…is my nerve compressed or is this TMS….
The constant worry & thoughts relating to what if the nerve is compressed.

What are your thoughts on compressed nerves and TMS?

 

[cafe_bustelo]

I’m still on the same page…is my nerve compressed or is this TMS….
The constant worry & thoughts relating to what if the nerve is compressed.

What are your thoughts on compressed nerves and TMS?

Read the Great Pain Deception. If you truly had a pinched nerve it would cause total loss of function and feeling. Anything else (tingling etc) is TMS/neuroplastic symptoms caused by tension/tight muscles.

 

[Ovid]

Thanks for the quick reply. I’ve just added the book to my list.

 

[Sid Hartha]

I've had this and got over it. And for me the pain was so bad I felt like I was going to pass out. The thing that helped me the most initially was to seek out success stories, I find those very reassuring. I found lots of them and that gave me the hope that this was all just TMS. In particular there was a Nicole Sachs podcast with people that suffered with chronic pelvic pain. There are also lots on this site. Then I just applied the principles. Every time I had pelvic pain I thought about my emotional problems. I talked to my brain telling it I know what you are doing and I won't fall for it. I eventually began to ridicule and laugh at the pain knowing it was harmless and it is just trying to protect and distract me. I actively sought out painful situations like extended sitting to show my brain I was not concerned.

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

Hi All,

My first post. I’m Andrew & thanks for allowing me to join.

Another night of lying here wide awake not being able to sleep

I’m new to the world of TMS (like two months)
I’ve manage to read/listen/ watch enough material to climb down the rabbit hole and feel rather overwhelmed of what I should be doing and where to start.

History;
I suppose I’m still on the TMS fence due to how I feel this started a few months back (injury vs TMS)- I went to a Pelvic Floor PT (world renowned) for a muscle that had locked up and was causing me alot of discomfort sitting. After that I started with burning, tingling, pain, pinchy sensations in the perenium which caused me to freak out! Then pain went into the back & scrotum and I can’t sit for long without discomfort & burning (think sexy doughnut pillow). Also feels super sensitive around the Pudendal nerve. Also been booked off work for three weeks. So I’m like wtf has this PT guy done! Now I feel like a basket case as I’m constantly emotional & the fear and thoughts overwhelm me. Drs gave me Pregabalin, Codeine & Diazepam. Currently seen a urologist & waiting an MRI….more fear & stress
Waiting for the Dr to open this morning so I can get some anti depressants as I’m in a bad place mentally …like “oh that roof is pretty high” nice!

So while some part of me thinks the PT damaged me the other part of me says this is due to TMS as the background running up to all this is like a TMS advert

TMS retreat ….right this way This muscle issue happened after a VERY stressful experience in August where I had a bad reaction to some steroid cream that I got on holiday from a pharmacist which I applied to the genital area for some rash … literally felt like I was on fire and ended up at numerous dermatologists & Drs as I’d envisioned permanent damage to the skin & going on Reddit drove up stress x 100000. I think I deleted like a 160 pics off my phone after this issue …OCD

Due to all this I couldn’t fly to very big family reunion.
Along with that there have been family health issues that have weighed heavily on me mentally. I also lost out on a house purchase last year which was heartbreaking.

All in all 2025 has been the worst experience ever.

So … where to now ‍
Currently reading Alan Gordon’s book & Dr Howard
Schubiner’s book. Watching Dan’s Pain Free You videos & anything else that pops up..

I suppose my question is where do I start & how do I apply any of this. How did you get started & find your way to being healed?

Id say fear is my main issue! Fear of the unknown, fear of symptoms, fear of fear, crazy thoughts all the time!!!

thanks for your time

Hi Andrew,

I had pelvic symptoms also and flirted with the idea of it being pudendal nerve related (spoiler, it wasn't). Beyond the emotional work (which is great and necessary) I would start by focusing on my TMS belief and the evidence.

We have been so conditioned (and part of it is biological granted) to believe that pain = body damage, that often logic gets lost in the fear (I completely understand and I did the exact same thing). Assuming that the pelvic floor PT simply worked on you and the muscle you said, I highly doubt he caused you damage. Firstly, how much damage could he have done through what I assume was massage? Secondly, I'm not sure a world renowned PT would be getting away with such malpractice even if he was capable of such damage through massage (which I doubt is possible).

That coupled with the onset being in a very stressful period, all signs point to TMS (without me being able to give you a guarantee).

Relating back to what I said about us being conditioned to think pain = damage, a corollary to that is we are supposed to freak out if we think there is something wrong with our bodies (so we get it fixed - it's survival). The reason I say that is you are a human being, so you can do regulation exercises and that's great, but nothing will calm you down more and reduce fear than genuinely believing (as best you can and this grows over time) that there is nothing structurally wrong with you. People often try with all their might to regulate themselves and react better to the pain, but they still have massive doubts over the TMS diagnosis. That's like just telling someone to be calm in a lion cage. It's a lot harder than just removing the lion or getting out of the cage (in this case, remove the threat of it being physical through evidence and logic, assuming it is there).

What I will do also is link a great chat on here about pudendal neuralgia. https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/pudendal-neuralgia.12928/

I'm paraphrasing too, but the experts agree (citing A Diagnostic Guide for PPD - which Dr Schubiner is an author) that unless there's been a surgery, a pelvic injury specifically, childbirth or a tumour/infection - pudendal neuralgia is highly likely to be TMS. Nerves are bloody resilient and as this shows, unless there's a specific trauma then pelvic pain gets wrongly blamed on pudendal neuralgia a lot. I thought I had PN and am working with early success right now with a guy who has been diagnosed with it (but the evidence suggests it is TMS).

You are in the right place

 

[Ovid]

Thanks Adam & Sid , very insightful & appreciate the input & link.
I’ve actually just started with a TMS coach who’s confirmed TMS through an in depth assessment.

I’m seeing a pelvic PT & TCM acupuncturist to help calm the nervous system as it’s out of whack.

Have been rather overwhelmed with all the TMS stuff out there so thought a coach would be the best option to calm the spin.

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

Thanks Adam & Sid , very insightful & appreciate the input & link.
I’ve actually just started with a TMS coach who’s confirmed TMS through an in depth assessment.

I’m seeing a pelvic PT & TCM acupuncturist to help calm the nervous system as it’s out of whack.

Have been rather overwhelmed with all the TMS stuff out there so thought a coach would be the best option to calm the spin.

Great! That confirmation from the coach should do wonders, and it will seep in over time too

 

[Ovid]

Ive spent a lot of time reading books, watching YouTube, chatting to people etc. I think that only gets you so far. Knowledge is good but I found I was over doing things which added stress and anxiety. Firstly you have to 100% know it’s TMS. That takes time to accept at the core.
Regarding coaches I have used Michael Hodge - got his 3 month course. I also hired Jim from the pain PT.
I still have a pelvic PT & use a traditional Chinese acupuncturist to help stay calm.I have a psychologist like John Sarno mentioned as well. I also joined a Buddhist temple to learn to meditate - mindfulness is key.
I also really enjoy watching this channel & particularly this video .. there is a longer version as well.


I am not where I want to be yet as I find anxiety likes to follow me. I’m tapering my meds at present & finding the monkey mind playing with me….fear is always about. Accept the NOW. Hard but once we let go of past & future we begin to live.
This is key and what two people who recovered said to me… live life normally & do not try & fix it.
Live like nothing is wrong. Exercise, do whatever you like to do. The fear will fade & you will stop thinking about symptoms. I have stoppped thinking about mine by 85%. Now I find thoughts have shifted to my meds & not on my symptoms.


This course has also helped a lot to stay calm.
Remember this is all stress that’s caused symptoms. Rid the stress & fear and you heel.

Recovery is inevitable!

if anyone can help with input on coming off meds , particularly Pregabalin please reach out to me. Thank you