New to TMS...is pain variable or consistent or does it matter?

B

backhand

Peer Supporter
One of the common giveaways of TMS seems to be that the pain can be variable, almost implying that there can be occasions when there is no pain or perhaps absent certain triggers, the pain is quite a bit less.

How common is it that the pain has been there consistently all the time for an extended period of time, assuming no obvious, outright structural issues? E.g., back pain that can really flare when needing to bend forward but is still there all the time otherwise.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi backhand,

What you describe is common with TMS. I would suggest that the pain can come in all flavors, intensities, timing, but that what makes it TMS is the chronic nature of it. That and that there is no real systemic or structural explanation (and if there is, get another opinion).

And, backhand, Welcome here.

Andy
 
backhand said:
One of the common giveaways of TMS seems to be that the pain can be variable, almost implying that there can be occasions when there is no pain or perhaps absent certain triggers, the pain is quite a bit less.

How common is it that the pain has been there consistently all the time for an extended period of time, assuming no obvious, outright structural issues? E.g., back pain that can really flare when needing to bend forward but is still there all the time otherwise.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Even with constant pain, you may notice there are times when it is worse or better...waxing and waning. With structural pain (such as a broken bone) it doesn't do that.
 
I have constant pain for the last few years, it does not go away but some days, hours it changes in intensity. The low back muscles feels strained all the time, sometimes in top of buttocks, MRI and bone scan is normal but so hard to grasp TMS. All started after a trauma experience, all is good now but seems like my body stayed in the fight-flight mode.
 
Sorry to hear about your constant pain and your trauma experience. Little consolation in dealing with the moment to moment pain, but at least you seem to know of a specific experience that could have been the catalyst. It seems so many TMS patients have to try to dig and dig to look at countless possible experiences or patterns of behavior from childhood and/or decades following childhood as part of their journey.

I wish you well.
 
And should have added that I didn't mean to imply that it's always necessary or even helpful to "dig and dig to look at countless possible experiences or patterns of behavior..." I'm learning that ~effort can be the enemy/exploring the ideas of safety and fear through somatic tracking and other tools seem to be effective. As I've said I am new to this, so how to balance so much of this journey seems tricky right now.
 
No problem, I understand. One day, I believe in TMS and when the pain is at it’s worse, I doubt TMS. It’s a vicious cycle, Miffybunny always has really good advise, I read her post and all makes so much sense but when pain persists, it’s so easy to get discouraged and anxiety sets in. I live in Toronto, Canada and can’t find a TMS Doctor.
 
miffybunny said:
Even with constant pain, you may notice there are times when it is worse or better...waxing and waning. With structural pain (such as a broken bone) it doesn't do that.
Click to expand...
I was just wondering if you could look at my two recent post or if you could answer a question on this post. Does structural pain remain consistent all day? Like does it not get worse with activities like tms sometimes does? I aggravated my shoulder last night and today i tried to workout but pain persisted however later in the day when lying down and general kitchen duties my pain was worse but now as i type this hardly any pain at all. So if i did injure it last night would my pain be fairly consistent through out today?
 
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