Trauma - pain - fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Trauma - pain - fibromyalgia

does-the-NHS-work profile image

I have read, numerous connections relating to trauma and pain, including some very specialist results from professional medics life research into fibromyalgia and the individuals they have treated, with a connection to trauma and fibromyalgia.

This trauma may have resulted from any number of reasons, such as divorce, serious accident or childhood events, please view this video it contains studies, evidence and a clear connection with individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

And more importantly PAIN.

youtu.be/LcVglzuTH1A

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does-the-NHS-work
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15 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Well, my experience certainly supports this theory. Instinctively when I was diagnosed with cancer and latterly Giant Cell Arteritis (Fibro came much earlier) I started counselling/psychotherapy. Originally I thought it was just to survive the experience but actually it was in order to survive my life. Early trauma that was built on by successive ‘bad luck’ and being let down by those who should have helped me had become dyed in. A successful career and active life hid the fact that my strings were being pulled by a very unhappy child within. The lightbulb really came on when I read The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk who says the same things as the speaker here but also flies into some depth about recovery. Most of my recovery has occurred in the last 5 years and I have found a huge relief in pain. It does seem that people feel that the intense symptoms are somehow devalued by having a psychological beginning but one has to remember that that powerful influence has a physical effect. It can also be easier in a horrible sort of way to deal with it as purely physical because it is easier to cope with than facing the past that may necessitate some painful reflection when one is already feeling rubbish.

does-the-NHS-work profile image
does-the-NHS-work in reply toSnazzyD

Lovely account of reality, I cannot agree more, your story kind of mirrors mine like a twin!Successful life no issue than bang PAIN what's this all about?

The mental health or psychological health has carried too bigger a stigma for me to ever have considered help there, (much to my down fall).

I am grateful to forums like this for talking about issues connected with our common symptoms, I kind of think we individually pick our way through the posts to find our answers and Yes, me too, I have just found it. After years of GP appointments with sadly a lack of knowledge on their part (no criticism, they try their best) I am currently receiving a combination of therapies that are extremely helpful.

Thank you for your post it is very refreshing to hear, I also appreciate that evidence has now uncovered what we now know, hopefully our followers will enjoy a more fruitful pain free life.

Elaine200756 profile image
Elaine200756 in reply toSnazzyD

Hi Snazzy, I'm reading that book. Haven't finished it but it seems very good 🤗

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD in reply toElaine200756

In a similar vein you could also look up Nicole Sachs who does podcasts about chronic pain (she had it in spades) and a method she used to help process trauma. By trauma it needn’t be anything horrendous. I think we do have a habit of assuming others have suffered with worse, thus diminishing what we are carrying around.

Elaine200756 profile image
Elaine200756 in reply toSnazzyD

Aww, thank you Snazzy, I will check her out 🤗

does-the-NHS-work profile image
does-the-NHS-work in reply toSnazzyD

Yes, I agree, I liken it to the statement that your problem is your problem, may only be half as bad as yours, but its my problem! That's what matters. I was in total denial to be honest, I suppose a coping mechanism in reality.

thanks for sharing.

Elaine200756 profile image
Elaine200756

Hi there, I belong to a Fibromyalgia peer support group and all of us had either childhood trauma or bereavement, which would seem to bear out what you are saying.

I've been having trauma therapy as I have PTSD. I asked my therapist if the pain would go once I completed my therapy. She didn't really know but she thought it if it didn't go then I will be in a better place to manage it

does-the-NHS-work profile image
does-the-NHS-work in reply toElaine200756

You are like a light bulb to me and I am sure others here too, The awakening or journey of discovery was like a eureka moment - I just could not believe I was hiding such memories or for a better explanation so badly to conscious event now, due to subconscious events in my past, I am just reading the book by john Sarno "Healing back Pain" whilst he has identified TMS = Tension Myositis Syndrome for me I still needed to identify the trigger.

I had hypnosis and a little psychotherapy recently and as if hey presto, well, I don't mind sharing with us sufferers only if it helps, but the childhood memories were revealed in detail, this helped, a few howling moments which I coped with and evolved a little more afterwards, which is as I understand are regular, now they have subsided (i appreciate this may not be for everybody) my trauma was as I now know is classed as Interpersonal trauma – threats to survival, threats to sensitive self.

I agree with your therapist and like all the individuals here on the forum, somethings work different for some than others, personally, I do feel 100% for me the trauma led to damaging my nervous system, tension and pain. just got to repair it now.

Thanks for sharing.

Elaine200756 profile image
Elaine200756 in reply todoes-the-NHS-work

You're welcome, I wish you all the best for your journey of healing and discovery

Terpau profile image
Terpau in reply todoes-the-NHS-work

Completely agree that fibro is caused as a result of trauma in my daughters case and that her nervous system is damaged and this causes her body tension and pain. What are you finding helpful in healing?

Fibrofog profile image
Fibrofog

Well I nearly died 2 years ago thanks to the shunt in my head, and also I have had a lot of operations thanks to the shunt. So I think all that trauma caused this. Which even the consultant who diagnosed me, said this. So I believe its true, but it also can be just random as well.

does-the-NHS-work profile image
does-the-NHS-work in reply toFibrofog

Interesting guy to read is Dr Sarno, he has a few books that I found extremely beneficial.

Elizahl profile image
Elizahl

Mine is a result of trauma too first a difficult pregqnancybwhereni nearly died. Then I was fitted with the coil due to excessive bleeding and I reacted badly to it and lost the power in my legs and arms after they refused to take it out I left it in front April to October when I was admitted to hospital by ambulance they did every test possible and all came back clear so I was told it was a rare side effect of the coil still they gynae team refused to see me to remove it and I had to do it myself. I took it out the night I got home from the hospital and I could walk the next day bit never got full strength back and have since been diagnosed with fibromyalgia due to the trauma on my body.

LordGodAlmighty profile image
LordGodAlmighty

It's been set up by successive governments to fail. Theresa May was the biggest culprit since her husband was already running the prisons and security, private hospitals are next, we have plenty already.

Mystique23 profile image
Mystique23

Very interesting video. When I was first diagnosed, my OT at the time said that I had been through trauma all my married life due to my husband at the time developing epilepsy out the blue and me ending up as his sole carer with 2 young children. I was like yeah but that was like several years ago, she replied so you coped at the time and now when you can let down your guards and relax about it because uts done your body says right now you need to listen to me because you need support. She said it was my body's way of asking for help. Then just recently did some trauma training at work for my job with disabled kids and some of it really hit home,just like this video did, and I now realise I am a cumulative victim of trauma from childhood onwards. I'm currently reviewing CBT due to the stress caused by being a carer to 3 people in my family and dealing with my children's mental health issues. Generally been talking about those issues but maybe I really need to go back and deeper to my past traumas, and deal with those, maybe that would help. This year my pain has just gotten worse and worse and just keeps increasing despite me trying obvious things like diet lifestyle,sleep etc. Maybe my traumas need dealing with. I'll have to mention it to my counsellor next week. Certainly made me think that's for sure. As I'd have never considered my life as anything but life and some stressful situations. Who knew.

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