Symptom imperative - back pain.

[Everly]

Hello, everyone!

So, for the last couple weeks my TMS (fibromyalgia body aches and dizziness) have eased up significantly due to some changes I made in my TMS work, which was completely amazing and I was feeling good, trying no to get too excited but in the back of my mind feeling that the pain is truly fading. Until couple days ago I started to have lower back pain (never really had it before) which is craaazy painful, especially on movement, on second days morning I literally couldn't get out of bed, couldnt move without stabbing pain, it hurts all day today without moving as well, cant sit, cant stand etc... It has to be symptom imperative. But its so much worse than my symptoms. So I am hoping for extinction burst. Anyways, Im looking for some encouragement, because the pain is intense and feels structural (unlike my original burning pain in limbs, which never got worse on movement, so was clearly TMS) I now realize why most people have trouble believing in TMS if this is their main symptom...

 

[Lou]

Hi Elena,

I can sympathize with how you are feeling. I am fairly new to this idea of TMS but I am positive that I have it. My main issue is with back pain. Sitting, standing and pretty much every other position is painful for me and has been for 15 years now.

I am certainly not an expert at this but it seems to me you are definitely experiencing the symptom imperative - when the symptoms change or move to another area of your body. I have had a bit of this myself - new symptoms have appeared as I continue to journal. I know it can be discouraging but I keep telling myself that it is actually a good sign.

One of my favourite quotes is from Winston Churchill : "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." I hope you will be able to work through this fairly quickly. Have a great day!