Physical Symptoms

[girlsolo]

Hi I just joined a few days ago. I am cycling through different moods, perceptions and terrible physical symptoms. Some of these include odd disturbing sensations in my brain/head and sensations in my bdy also. I know that trauma has taken over my body but it seems to be hitting high levels. And I am not sure what to do. I phone my psychs office she is off till Monday i can see her boss but i have trust issues and have worked with my own psych for many years. I really don't know what is happening but I know that the arguments ive had with my psych (arguing it is something else wrong like MS) is proving to turn out wrong. Can anyone relate to going through physical "stuff" that is very scary and unpleasant and hw you cope? Thanks

 

[Sqweak]

I can, I've had a hard time with aches and pains due to lack of sleep. Light-headedness and palpitations. Some I find it helps I tell myself it's going to be okay and it's not going to last long. I also find that meditation and just getting out of the house for a split second helps when I have a weird sensation that's driving me crazy and I can't get ride of it.

 

[ronin47]

The physical symptoms of PTSD are largely a result of internalized and accumulated stress and tension. Stomach cramps, grinding teeth, tension headaches, and feverish sensations are all some physical symptoms I've experienced. The best remedy is exercise. Look into mabye going your local gym or even just doing some push ups and sit ups.

 

[mamachick]

I have been there-knowing something is physically wrong.
I was only thirty. Was about 6 years out of an abusive marraige, had remarried, just had my second child and life was very good. Low stress and little drama. I resented being told that it was stress related. Had been in an accident months before. I had no energy and neck pain, headaches, very weak legs, etc. Lots of stuff. T said I had symptoms of ptsd. Didnt really believe. I now know that a very small percentage develop symptoms years or even decades after any trauma.

Over the next year, they discovered I had an active case of Epstein Barr syndrome, 2 herniated discs with stenosis, cfids, fibroyalgia, they thought I had ms too, but only one spot so I do not.
Knowing what I know now, I really believe fibroyagia and cfid is related to ptsd. Stress wears on the body and the pain is very real. These illnesses are very real as well. They are diagnosed by ruling out other stuff though. I got better but all has now returned with further trauma.

I know its not much help but you are not alone. Try to take good care of yourself (nutrition, movement, sleep, fun-humor-laughter, etc). I found pacing myself was a key to recovery as well. May wax and wane. I have the greatest empathy for those who must work through all of this. Its difficult, but some are approved for disability-it can relieve the financial stress if work is too much.

 

[Strwbry33]

I can 100% relate to the debilitating, depressing and all too real physical problems that accompany my illness. I can totally relate to Sqweak's lightheadedness, the aches and pains, and most of all-the sleep problems. The lack of sleep is attributed to many things. Many nights I am afraid to sleep because I KNOW I will have a nightmare and I just don't feel like dealing with it...becasue it is scary and I never feel rested anyway. Any sleep medication tends to make the dreams worse, so I stay awake. SOmetimes for like 48 hours- until I am absolutely exhausted and can just pass out. It sux.

 

[Jacquie]

I shake. A lot. And I just doesnt stop. I also get heartburn if something really throws me out, and I am getting headaches (normally dont get headaches) and tightness in the chest and tingly legs and shoulders so tight you could use them as a drum.

My vision is also not good for some reason.

And my hair is turning white. Not grey. White.

Weird.

 

[Incendiu]

headache, I have a problem with light, sunlight...flashing lights at concerts,theaters, even if it's in movies ore on television...my eyes can twitch. I also shake...but I have learned how to control it and most of the time nobody know but me. I'm also out of balance... I can fall ore begin to fall without any reason...But most of all my vision is the physical problem... I have nothing wrong with my eyes in that way that I would need glasses but they have their own life sometimes and lose it sharpness. And I "cry" allot...tears just come and don't stop.. I guess it have something to do with the daylight those days. It always happen at day and often when I am outside.

 

[Nase]

Can anyone relate to going through physical "stuff" that is very scary and unpleasant and hw you cope? Thanks

Just reading all of the other contributing comments helped me cope. I am at this moment just coming out of an "attack" and felt alone in my physical symptoms, so I will add my list. Hope it helps. I had symptoms of a stroke and ended up in the hospital. Migraines, couldn't talk, speach slowed, couldn't read, tingling and numbness then pain in arms, legs going out on me, weakness and fatigue. Constant heart palpitations and labored breathing, and just last night an intense burning sensation in my blood stream. I could actually feel (what I believe to be adrenaline) the "fire" pumping out of my heart and into my extremities. It was crazy. Sensitive to light, blinking, peripheral images, loud or chaotic noises, even just the setting of mail on the counter. So thankful to have found the "others". So thankful.

 

[Incendiu]

I

Just reading all of the other contributing comments helped me cope. I am at this moment just coming out of an "attack" and felt alone in my physical symptoms, so I will add my list. Hope it helps. I had symptoms of a stroke and ended up in the hospital. Migraines, couldn't talk, speach slowed, couldn't read, tingling and numbness then pain in arms, legs going out on me, weakness and fatigue. Constant heart palpitations and labored breathing, and just last night an intense burning sensation in my blood stream. I could actually feel (what I believe to be adrenaline) the "fire" pumping out of my heart and into my extremities. It was crazy. Sensitive to light, blinking, peripheral images, loud or chaotic noises, even just the setting of mail on the counter. So thankful to have found the "others". So thankful.

Intense, I have problems with sounds that is normal high ore belove...I constantly get irritadet at sounds that nobody else hear if they not realy know what to listen after...for me they are loud...pounding and so clear . I guess it have to do that I alway are on my watch and have been that for so many years that it have become natural. Loud sounds I have come to appreciate as they feel safe to me.

And I can never relaxe in my neck and shoulders...even I feel relaxed in al parts of my body I m not.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hi There, I can definitely relate. I do have brain lesions though, but they werent definite on the diagnosis and then I lost health insurance. I do have colitis though; they just aren't sure what kind. I've noticed since being out of the traumatic situation and being in therapy that 95% of my symptoms have decreased. I saw how my body responded while going through my story with the therapist last session. I paid attention to it. I don't like to discredit having a medical problem still as different things can trigger a response in our bodies, but I just wanted to tell you that I can relate and you're definitely not alone. When I'm not having a real flare of my medical problems, I definitely go through symptoms and weird sensations in my body from the trauma. I'm aware of it now. One thing that helps is paying attention to it. My therapist taught me to rub that little hollow space where your rib cages meet in the center of your chest. She says it gets the adrenals going. It does calm me down at times when I rub it for a few minutes and just focus on breathing patterns. I also try to do a couple of things each day to make myself feel good such as taking a shower, getting dressed and doing my hair even if I don't have anywhere to go that day. Also, doing some activity that I enjoy such as reading a book, listening to some inspiring music, writing in my journal, etc.

Hang in there!

 

[OKRADLAK]

Extreme sensory issues. Light, sound, odor, touch. and even food issues. If someone is using even a little bleach, I get sick. I can't stand odors. I block off light and black out windows. I wear wear plugs if I ever leave the house. It was so bad, they considered autism as a potential DX.

Also have akathisia which is the need to move all the time. Extreme need to move and pace and etc........And pain in legs if I don't move. lots of pain. That was good because I used to run marathons, but my feet hurt badly now with parethesias.

And if they take blood, I faint, vaso vagal.

Also have arrythmias, transient blood issue and a host of troubles that makes every day a royal nightmare.

They are so clustered and weird that they are now screening me and monitoring for neurodegenerative disorder which I hear are related to PTSD. I am trying hard to avoid that.

The good parts are that I am strong, I like to work out when I can, my brain is sensitive to others' pain and people say I listen deeply. That is from the trauma. Also, the sensitivities make it so that if I choose to hug someone it is a deeply felt hug. So the sense issues can be good, too, but they also are painful.

 

[violetclouds]

my brain is sensitive to others' pain and people say I listen deeply. That is from the trauma. Also, the sensitivities make it so that if I choose to hug someone it is a deeply felt hug. So the sense issues can be good, too, but they also are painful.

It's kind of awesome that there is something 'good' that you can see as coming out of your trauma! I hope to someday be able to pull something like that out of mine.