Alex B. Widespread symptoms

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Question

I need help with a condition that started 13 years ago its widespread burning pain that started on the back of my neck and forearms and then spread dramatically one night to my face legs shoulders etc.Before that I was dealing with chronic tension head aches probably brought about by the death of my father.At the time of the start of the burning pain I was immense stress as I was unemployed and dealing with 2 years of daily headaches.I have always been a worrier and had a unhappy childhood. I see myself as a people pleaser and find it hard to let go of emotional hurts.I have had multiple blood tests MRI on my brain and neck with a small bulge at c4 and c5 with no impingement on the nerves.Everything else came back negative.I have seen chiropractors ,herbalists.etc had a ketamine infusion hospital seen pschologist, pain specialists, neurologists. There conclusion central sensitisation but no cure.Wanting to believe that its TMS but have no tms doctors in australia that can confirm diagnosis.
I also have pain that moves around and my skin is extremely sensative and times feels ants crawling over me. Currently taking opiode pain patch for the constant pain but with no mobility problems. I would appreciate any help and also do you think this tms?

 

[Alex Bloom LCSW]

Answer

Hi Thanks for the question,

Based on what you are describing as far as the context of you pain (grief, loss, intense stress) it certainly seems as though there is a possibility that you are dealing with TMS. I have certainly seen clients whose symptoms manifest as headaches, burning skin and tension. The fact that you have been able to rule out a wide array of potential causes is also a strong indicator that you could be dealing with TMS, as well as the lack of response that your pain seems to have to conventional treatments.

Receiving a TMS diagnosis is an important part of fully embracing the cause of you pain so that you can begin to reframe it's meaning and function. That being said, you can still take a look at the factors that are affecting your stress and how you treat yourself and begin to try to address them either on your own, through the robust support here on the forums and through reading about TMS and how people have dealt with it. Therapy is also an option. If you find yourself unable to address the fear and the pain keeps feeling very structural, getting in touch with a TMS physician remotely could be an option as well.

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