New to this site. I have read Alan's book and currently reading Tamara's. For the last 2 years I have been into practicing mindfulness meditation and felt like I was in the calmest place I was in for years. Last Feb I had a very simple procedure with a nerve block performed on my right great toe. 2 days after, I developed excruciating pain, redness, swelling. 11 months later after 2 surgeries for what they thought was osteomyelitis, 8 months worth of anti-biotics, a saphenous venous ablation, finally a CRPS diagnosis in July, 40 hyperbaric treatment sessions, failed Sanexas and InterX treatments (neuromodulation), I'm in the worst condition yet. I'm a Firefighter/Paramedic who has stepped away from line duty to work an education/office job (for the time being) Every day is survival mode. I have pain in my foot and up my leg. Since the neuromodulation therapies, I have profound burning (sunburn) feeling through most of my body, especially at night. I have issues sleeping and digesting, my HR is erratic through the day, and I get super hot, then cold. I am normally a very active person and usually spend a lot of time in the gym. Now I'm down to walking short distances and stretching as even 15 min of yoga flares my entire body. Most of the literature I read about CRPS talks about terrible pain which I've had, but now my worst symptoms are the neurologic issues. I do practice some of the Mind/Body techniques, still meditate, and do somatic tracking. That tends to help the pain in my foot but my nervous system symptoms have gotten completely out of control. Anyone else have this type of presentation
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Diana-M
Beloved Grand Eagle
@Lhotse
Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear of your difficulties and pain. Yes, many of us have nervous systems totally out of control. Most of us, in fact. I have CRPS-like symptoms too. Over the past year the burning has greatly subsided as I am doing all in my power to soothe my nervous system. Other strange cramping sensations have subsided, too. Tamara’s book is a big inspiration to me.
Have you read anything by Claire Weekes? Hope and Help for Your Nerves is such a lifesaving book. It really lays out the issues of a disregulated nervous system and what to do about it. We swear by it here.
All TMS (CRPS included) is treated the same way. Explore repressed emotions (via John Sarno’s teachings. Try one of his books: The MindBody Prescription or The Divided Mind); and soothe the nervous system.
This forum offers two free highly recommended classes. The Structured Educational Program, and The Pain Recovery Program. Together, they give a great foundation for the TMS journey. Stick around here for support and tons of insight. Healing is possible. People prove it here every day. Hope you can feel some relief soon!
Diana, Thank you so much for the reply and input. I have been really working with different modalities to calm my system including cranio-sacral therapy, acupuncture, meditation, somatic tracking, etc. I will look into those other resources. Much appreciated!
Diana-M
Beloved Grand Eagle
That’s great! It all adds up.
Bonnard
Well known member
Hi @Lhotse,
Check out the post by @Cactusflower in this thread:
https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/sciatica-pain.28142/#post-146075
It covers that ever-important piece about taking the focus off the physical symptoms in a clear/succinct way:
This video interview with Tamara might be a nice supplement to reading her book:
Reading a book by Dr. Sarno is always a good suggestion, and there's a free program on this site.
Sorry for what you're going through. While it's completely life-altering (for now), there are so many folks with stories like this on this site--many have found a way out. Learn about TMS, look at what's going on in your life.
And, put a time limit on the effort to find someone who had exactly the symptoms you have. It can be a cruel trap that keeps us stuck.
Wishing you well--there's a great community here, and so much help!
Check out the post by @Cactusflower in this thread:
https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/sciatica-pain.28142/#post-146075
It covers that ever-important piece about taking the focus off the physical symptoms in a clear/succinct way:
This video interview with Tamara might be a nice supplement to reading her book:
Reading a book by Dr. Sarno is always a good suggestion, and there's a free program on this site.
Sorry for what you're going through. While it's completely life-altering (for now), there are so many folks with stories like this on this site--many have found a way out. Learn about TMS, look at what's going on in your life.
And, put a time limit on the effort to find someone who had exactly the symptoms you have. It can be a cruel trap that keeps us stuck.
Wishing you well--there's a great community here, and so much help!
Filipe2025
Peer Supporter
Loose your fear, loose your pain. Shift your attention to other things that you love doing. The pain will go away, I can promise you that.
Once you feel safe, you will recover.
Theses labels, RSD, fibromialgia, crps, neuropathic pain, etc, these names are the thing that make us stuck in fear, when it's all the same, it's TMS. It's all due to us being scared.
That's why I hate convencional medicine, they know the truth but they want to keep us in fear, it's more profitable.
A success story
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Thank you for all the responses. I've been perusing around the forums. Can the TMS method work for autonomic dysfunction symptoms? I do have pain, but my most debilitating symptoms are extreme muscle fatigue and lethargy and full body flares from minor exertion. I've gone from doing multiple hour workouts prior to CRPS to walking, stretching, or yoga even causing severe flares and muscle weakness.
Cactusflower
Beloved Grand Eagle
First of all, sorry you are going through this. Second of all, I can say that I completely relate. I have been a firefighter for 13 years. After spraining my ankle last year, I developed burning nerve pain in my ankle. I continued to push through and eventually was told I needed surgery. Got surgery in January and it crashed my nervous system. I had autonomic issues, heart problems, GI issues, severe burning pain all over.
I was prescribed Cymbalta and Gabapentin and was told my a neurologist that my PTSD and mental health problems were manifesting as physical symptoms. I was furious at first because I couldn’t admit it could be psychological.
But after reading Sarno, Schubiner, Weekes etc. I finally conceded that it could be psychological. I tried to do an admin job like you but it was still just daily survival.
I decided to take a leave of absence and focus on my Jiu-Jitsu school I own on the side. I went from barely being able to walk around the block to now being able to roll 5-10 times a day and lift multiple times a week. I still have some sensory issues but I’m hoping those will go away.
I think growing up in an abusive home and being a firefighter really took its toll on me. I’ve always had some baseline anxiety but I think I’ve been in fight or flight for years.
I now get adequate rest, meditate 45 minutes a day, journal regularly and feel my emotions. I am a completely different person than a year ago and I think in time I’ll be fully healed. I will say this, I don’t think I’ll ever be a firefighter again. I value my happiness and health so much more now.
TG957
Beloved Grand Eagle
I am so sorry that this happened to you! But CRPS is reversible!
You are doing all the right things, but it takes a long time to recover. I am not clear about your neurologic issues. If you are referring to fatigue and erratic heart rate, those are symptoms of severe anxiety. It is not surprising at all, considering the highly stressful nature of your job. Be persistent and patient!
Make sure your meditation sessions are at least 1 hour long each and are done daily. In my book, which you are already reading, I describe the method that I developed by trial and error. From my book, you already know most of what I know about CRPS, but this website has additional information: www.defeatcrps.com. There are references to additional resources that you may find helpful. There is one success story that you may find very relevant. Kay had severe heart palpitations and was able to get rid of them in several months of meditation. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly on this forum or through the website.
Best of luck!
Tamara