Out of the Storm

Anyone experience physical ailments more so now than ever? Seems like when I get really stressed my gallbladder gets sore and my stomach gets all out of sorts. I only eat one meal a day and I'm sure that plays with my sugar but I have been doing that for so long it's pretty normal for me. The headaches...oh my gosh, so many. The nausea and sometimes vomiting can be bad too.

Then there's the aches, especially in my back. My back muscles are rock hard and you can feel the knots in the muscle, so I've been told. Went to a chiropractor and they do massage but it was so painful I couldn't stand it.

Plus weight gain, and I haven't really changed my diet, but I have been less active. At work it was hit the floor running and it didn't stop until you got off work.

Anyone else experience any of this?

My cptsd ex had a whole laundry list of ailments.  Number 1 was the migraines triggered by stress, mostly from work.  She tried so much to alleviate those headaches.  I asked her to go to a migraine specialist.  She would not.  For 20 years, Her dentist suggested she get braces as that might be a contributing factor, but again no.

She also has hypoglycemia, and that affected her lifestyle in a major way.  Suggested she consult w a nutritionist, but no.

She never trusted anyone else to help her w her issues.

Yes, I definitely have some physical symptoms due to my CPTSD. My t explained to me that they are psychosomatic which apparently means that the symptoms are real but they don't originate in a physical disorder (when in doubt about any new symptoms, I'm advised to always check with my GP first to exclude any physical illnesses). It often manifests itself in the 'weakest link' of my body at the time (headaches, tummy/bowel problems....).

What works for me (tested, failed, tried again....) is a mixture of routine, eating habits that agree with me and exercising to help losen up my muscles. Exercising has an added bonus of serving as a flight response when needed (yay for that!) and keeping my weight under control.

Apart from that, I've mainly tried to change my attititude towards these kind of symptoms: "They might feel dangerous but they are not."; "I've done everything I can to help change the severity of the symptoms, I accept that I cannot avoid them altogether and that they will go away again."

(For me, the nausea for example is usually a sign that it's been too long since I've last eaten and a quick snack like a banana can prevent it from turning into something nastier. It took some time to figure that one out, as you can imagine...  :bigwink:)

But everyone is different so you'll probably have to learn to be more accurate in understanding how your body and mind interact and what triggers what in your case... It's really quite a journey CPTSD is making us take, isn't it?  :stars:

I agree, CPTSD really does take one on quite the somatic symptom adventure.  For me, it is IBS (which only surfaced in the past year) and lifelong fun of psoriasis, which is an immunodisorder which is made much worse by stress.  Due to the number if triggers I have weathered lately, both conditions are in full swing.
I agree that exercise is a huge help in battling both the physical and emotional ills I experience.  I look better and feel better thanks to my running habit.  As a "flight" type, it suits me very well.  Others may find that swimming, weight lifting, or walking would be more to their liking.  Also, remembering that emotions pass through me and can't hurt me is a constant in my battle to remain balanced.

I feel you with the knots in your back. It's awful. I've been able to beat them because I practice aikido, which requires relaxation. Something like aikido, yoga, or tai chi might help with those. I've found that aikido also helps me stay more connected to my body, so I realize when I'm tensing and can stop.

Try to work out what your body is telling you. Easier said, than done, but certainly worth it.

:hug:

These are some good suggestions. I'm sorry everyone has to go through this but it is somewhat comforting to know I'm not alone with this.
<<It's really quite a journey CPTSD is making us take, isn't it?  :stars:  >>
Yes, Keepfighting it surely is. I wonder if this some kind of Karma come back from something in a past life. I try to be a good person and help others, try to be honest, so why this bombshell, why now? Why can't I get over this on me own?

I can see correlations with cptsd and every health issue I've had (other than broken bones, I suppose).

Asthma--oh yeah, big time and EF's trigger that too. No medical measures can truly deal with the inner turmoil where the lungs and airways seem to contract along with the mood.

Bad knees--I noticed it early on, tried different things, and it kept recurring...I just felt so loaded down, so heavy I guess is the way to say it; like I was unsupported, reflecting the inner loneliness that's characterized too much of my life.

Glaucoma--sure, there are other factors with that, but it felt like I truly didn't want to see the visions which float through with the EFs. Now sure, there are weak eyes and then there are psychosomatic aspects and I was slow to realize the connection but feel it was there all along, this wanting to "freeze", as it's called, and not see.

General and frequent flat out numbness--the whole body just feels let down, pressed down, too banged up to want to feel, where relaxation (useful for the asthma anyway) and rest is all I want anymore--get me outta here is what my body says when this hits (often). So maybe there's one caveat--being addicted to relaxation is a better direction than some other addictions that come to mind (but which hurt the body in other ways).

I know I've had a constant mind flow related to disappointment--the pattern was set early on, and the resiliency of youth couldn't overcome it. I could never shake the heavy disappointment of just being in such a cruel world.  And then I'd turn on myself for not being able to do more and that whole inner critic not-so-merry-go-round would whirl me right back into deep depression. And it leaked over into the actual physical ailments I've touched on. The body anguish reflected the inner angst all along.

Im so super glad i found this thread.
And also sad.

Lately, i have been having physical problems.
I have always had a sore muscles in my back, knots etc. sore shoulders, but lately i have had stomach issues (constiation, dire), usually caused by anxiety and stress.
I have a few times, had a pain in my side - my left hand side near my left rib and in the middle of my waste at the side.
Not sure if this is the gall bladder.

After a week trying to suppress my constant rage and therapy session today, the pain is here again, as well as having to ...offload via the back passage more often, and the way this is happening is not normal.
Im not sure if it happens more when ive had bread twice that day ie. for breakfast, then lunch...i need to take note of the pattern.

Not sure if i quality for IBs. This happens more after stress.
I also have strange itchy red spots on my legs, and I'm not sure if this is due to holding anger in and suppressing it.
I also have had dry patches on the tops of my arms and get spots there and on my shoulders often. I also had what looks like a rash on the tops of my arms.

I get headaches when disassociated, usually the second day after being stressed. I know this is normal and that its the blood flow going back into my head after my head muscles being so tense.

Does any of this sound familiar?
All of these symptoms apart from the back ache i have never had until recently, since i was re traumatised back in march this year.
Do you guys think this sounds most likely trauma related?

My mum had to have her gall bladder out as it was causing her pain, and she had traumatic childhood too.
It makes me so sad that her pain could have been a bodily symptom of trauma, as she was angry at home nearly all of the time, and I am angry a lot of the time, now i understand how she must of felt, only she never tried dealing with hers.

Opinons would be welcome

ps. just did some research.
Anyone here experiencing complaints, i encourage you to get it checked out if you havent already.
I think i have acute gastritis. Maybe not the gall bladder. Someone (cant remember her name) said her gall bladder hurts...i thought it was this with me- might be- but i think i need to get some tests done, or see the doc at least and see what they think. I would hate for you to not too, its dangerous if not treated.

I too thought for sure it was my gallbladder and all the test came back negative, well, they found my gallbladder empties at 80% but that would cause the nausea and pain that I was having. They never did find out what was wrong but greasy food will cause it to flare up. Keep looking into it.

A lot of the symptoms - headaches, sore, knotted muscles, nausea & diarrhea, rashes, tender/painful spots on the body are associated with fibromyalgia or Lupus.  Fatigue is a factor though, as is mental fog and sensitivity to light, noise and temperature changes  so don't know if that applies.  All symptoms flare more when under stress.  Just google neuro immune disorder - there's lots of info avail.

Thankyou so much Kizzie!!  :thumbup:

Oh my yes !
And yes have got worse

Headaches since a child and now chronic sinus with migraine
Pressure - tension headache
Yes very tight muscles esp in shoulders
Fatigue
Stomach issues

It all drives me mad !

Hey, here is some good news from my world.  I have been prescribed Enbrel, an injectable biological compound, and my psoriasis is nearly gone in less than two months.  In addition, the IBS is ever so much better.  Not a coincidence, methinks.

Im sorry you suffer too Boatsetsailrose

I hope you go for massages etc to try  and receive some of the pressure, although thats not the total cure.

Jdog, have you changed your name back?

That is so great and I'm glad to hear it!
My dad has always had psoriasis and nothing has ever worked for him.
;)

Hi yes I do - meditation helps me and shiatsu - more exercise I know is a good answer but I lack motivation to get up and go with it :) maybe I will :)

The headaches are the worst - I wonder what life is like headache free
I do steaming which helps

It seems a lot of our symptoms are regarding stress .. I read somewhere the physical is common for suffers of cptsd -
I know for me I can get stressed and overwhelmed very quickly

lately:
can't eat without pain
muscles feel tight all the time
headaches, nausea, lightheaded
pulse races when i lie down and i feel like i can't breathe and my chest is tight
gained weight although might be just eating crap and having no energy to exercise
joints hurt
skin problems maybe from eating foods that cause this

part of this may be worsening tardive dyskinesia that is mild in general
partly might be just a spiralling downward of things that happen when you don't take care of yourself. 

Quote Trace:

QuoteMy back muscles are rock hard and you can feel the knots in the muscle

Everyday, this is one I deal with.  I do not know how to relax and my husband has told me many times that I was extremely tight in the neck and shoulders and that he could feel the knots in my back.  I guess I just got used to it because I have never been able to be really relaxed since about age 8 and it only got worse the older I got.  I was so tensed up a while back, I was about to jump out of my skin.  My husband gave me a very hard aggressive massage of the shoulders and back to release the tension, it felt great.  Until the next morning....  Thought I was having a heart attack only to find out it was something called  Costochondritis which is related to symptoms of constant stress and anxiety.  The pain in my chest seemed like it was getting better, but now it is flaring up again and is sore on the breastbone to the touch or to breath.

I also experience numbness, tingling, and lightheadness.  Headaches, Anxiety and Panic Attacks (daily - is constant), and joint pain in the knees and arms.  I have suffered from stomach issues all of my life, since I arrived on earth.  I have had diagnosis of IBS but the last gastroenterologist I saw told me that IBS is what a doctor tells you when they can't figure out what your symptoms are a result of. Mine stomach issues were a result of being stressed and hypervigilant as a child.  I had to take a medication called Modine (no longer available for a few decades) and it was found later that it actually killed nerve endings in you intestines.  So over time, it actually caused more problems.  The doc told me that I needed to start exercising to help movement and to help me relax.  This was several years ago.  It worked for awhile but as a workaholic, I finally became so consumed with work that I was doing neither. I  experience all of the things that no one wants to hear about on a regular basis.  It is embarrassing and I deal with it the best I can. 

That is the extent of any physical symptoms I experience as a result of the CPTSD.  I too, now realize that I am not alone.  Thank you listening and for sharing your own experiences.  It is not fair that we have to go thru this things but I guess if we try to look at the positive side of things (which is really hard to do most of the time), our struggles make us stronger people in the end. 

MaryAnn  :hug:

Indigo-

No name change, just hadn't been active for a bit.  Yes, getting relief from psoriasis is a huge help both physically and emotionally.

Anxiety disorders come with all kinds of fun side effects, muscle tension soreness, stomach issues loss of appetite from said stomach issues, A friend once described it like having your insides dosed with acid, pretty accurate to my experience when I get over stressed, the flood of adrenaline is very physical, sleepness hair trigger fuel when your hyper alert. and not to mention the fog of derealization and depersonalization from having your brain stuck in a gear thats good for fighting rabid polar bears and not much else. loss of access to memery so you forget stuff get lost even... yep so much happens...

I was recently told I have a murmur and when I looked it up it said something about hypercatecholamine state.

"  People with mitral valve prolapse seem somehow to be wired differently. Their autonomic response can be much more volatile and unstable, as if set on hair-trigger, so that normal stresses and surprises set off an exaggerated response, flooding their systems with stress hormones called the catecholamines. In fact, there may not be a specific stressor–autonomic fluxes may occur unpredictably like internal weather changes. In some ways this could be defined as a catecholamine disorder. The principal catecholamines are epinephrine and adrenaline. People with mitral valve prolapse are intermittently and unpredictably awash in their own catecholamines. This leaves them alternately innervated and exhausted–"wired but tired" is a common feeling. - See more at: http://drhoffman.com/article/mitral-valve-prolapse-3/#sthash.ZDV6qf2Z.dpuf"

I don't know what this means.  I just read it last week.  Makes me wonder about all this.

In some aspects anxiety disorders are more like diabetes then mental disorders, anxiety is a natural response without it you wouldent get anything done, throw out the garbage, finish a paper... but prolonged periods of stress can make the thermostat all broken. So little things have your body set to fight rabid polar bears and *... VERY physical. So even after you start to get your emotional baggage in check a perfectly normal stress can have your body going overboard. This is something I think that escapes most professionals.. im not over reacting my physicality is in the same way diabetics have control over blood sugar...  :pissed: this get back to normalish given enough time but that aspect alone I hear makes so many people really feel like they are going nutz.

Thank u - I do alternative therapies -
Pain killers of varying levels- salt irrigation - daily steaming
Sprays
Meditation
Yoga
I mean gee what more can a women do !
Been in constant and intermittent pain now for 3 yrs -
Referral to a consultant soon :)
Either that or give my head over to science

BSR-

Your attitude is wonderful, and I am so very sorry for your constant pain.  I hope the upcoming consult provides new and helpful information.

Meanwhile, know that you have support here.

Thank you indigo yes I do and shiatsu which is excellent-
Off to the gym now ( I don't go a lot ) but when I do I love the stress relief it provides :)

I recently developed a breathing problem that I think was correlated with the anxiety I experienced while on a medication but now I've been off the medication for awhile and the breathing problem stuck.

It is brought on heavily by my anxiety and yesterday I was at my Honors Society meeting and I was in a lot of fear because the environment was  very loving and family like, and I was triggered into what had happened with my family which caused a panic attack and for me to not be able to breathe.

I ended up at the doctors and unable to participate in school and other normal activities today because I got a chest injury from the episode.

I think CPTSD definitely correlates with physical problems. I used to have IBS, but my diet change helped that (more fiber, fruits, veggies, digestive enzymes). And I used to just get sick all the time because I.didn't know how to care for myself after all the abuse.

Fortunately many of my health issues have gotten better with a healthy diet, probiotics, and more that have helped my immune system. But unfortunately I have recently attained this breathing problem and I think it's 100% correlated with the stress of CPTSD, anxiety, emotional flashbacks that lead to panic attacks, depression.

Thanks everyone for this discussion. It's nice to write about what's going on.

Definitely, somatic symptoms. If not for the severe chronic diarrhea, migraines, widespread pain, sleep disturbance and overwhelming fatigue, I would never have gotten to the proper diagnoses of prolonged PTSD/GAD w/depression. November 2014 to March 2015 I saw 7+ doctors and finally took FMLA leave from work. My employer required me to apply for disability and it was in a psych evaluation for SSDI that I received my initial introduction to my MI. I had been running on self-will and full blast push-through-it mode that I had burned out my coping skills. So all of my anxiety began shutting down my system. I even had slightly elevated liver enzymes and the mystery weight gain. I'm doing much better now that I have begun absolute self-care and therapy. EMDR to begin after developing a trauma history. Thanks for allowing me a place to discuss these things without dealing with the fear of the deer-in-the-headlights look I get from friends. Peace

Neck pain from keeping tension in the upper body and from being hunched over all the time. Hunched over because I feel ashamed all the time.

I've fallen a couple of times recently, which has been very painful. It's hard to get things done, and then I start criticizing myself. All of this has caused a PTSD relapse, and I generally feel awful. I know this pain will clear up. Any suggestions to help me through this grim period?

Thanks!

As I've mentioned in another thread, I get constant headaches/migraines/some sort of head pain which I'm hoping to get checked at the doctors as soon as possible, as well as various aches and pains around my neck and shoulders. Also random chest pains? Agh, I have a lot that I have to get checked!

I've had asthma since I was a kid, and during high school, it would tend to flare up when I was stressed, making panic attacks challenging :~/

I also remember back in school I would come down with a high fever once a month or so for no discernible (physical) reason, but now I'm sure it had something to do with anxiety...

Menstruation talk below, may be TMI!
My periods tend to be irregular and heavy, and I get even more emotionally unstable during them, and around a day or so before and after. I also get painful cramps and more headaches.
Menstruation talk over!

I usually tend to let these pass though, since being raised to stay stoic means I now have a warped sense of pain sensitivity. I'm slowly working my way into actually talking about my various pains and stuff, but it's an uphill climb sometimes! Can't help but feel like I'm just faking it/looking for attention :~(

Add me to the list of those who have physical complaints likely related to the CPTSD.

Most of mine are related to physical pain. Aches and pains in muscles and joints, often settling in old injuries and/or injuries that 'should be' healed by now; taking 'too long' to heal from injuries; messed up periods (irregular, too heavy, too light), related cramping, joint aches and pains (even my gums hurt when I have PMS); and even an 'allergic' reaction that turned out to not be an actual allergy (though which is still a real reaction - likely related to some yet-to-surface childhood memory - looking forward to uncovering that landline...not!).

I have talked to I don't know how many doctors. I have gotten tests that have come back negative. I have gone to naturopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists, and read countless books and credible online sources with no results and no help. I cannot count how many times a healthcare professional has patted me on the head and told me 'it's stress' and even once, 'you're a hypochondriac'  (the last being quite ironic as I am usually am in deep denial about the extent of my injuries/illnesses when I do fall physically ill and/or injured).

UGH!

Only recently have I been finding some relief. A few years ago I had a 'real' physical medical issue (I argue adamantly that psycho-somatic problems are 'real' too), the treatment of which led to the uncovering of fragments of memories of CSA. Yadda, yadda, yadda, the therapist I had at the time fired me because she was unable to help with the fallout and unable to admit to her limitations.

Now, I have a new (working with him ~1 year) therapist who practises Sensory Motor Psychotherapy. SMP focuses on feeling your feelings, but emotional but most importantly the sensations in your body, good or bad, or neutral. The idea is that the body stores memory that the mind might not remember. Often in situations where 'freeze' response was the only option (the person being unable physically and/or psychologically unable to choose 'fight' or 'flight') the defensive energy is stored in the body rather than being released as it would have been through fighting back and/or running away. In feeling the bodily sensations and acting out what the body needs to do in response releases the energy that was stored at the initial time of trauma.
(e.g. I have at an appointment acted out hitting someone who was attacking me).

I am finding that this SMP therapy method has been very helpful for me. I am not only getting 'unstuck' in several areas of my life where I had been stalled and stagnating, I am also living with considerably less physical pain.

My thinking is that, for me, the pain has been my body's 'red flag', signalling to me that there was/is trauma stored in it. The pain says 'pay attention, healing is needed'. Unfortunately, while the pain itself is physical the source was emotional/psychological.

Unfortunately too, doctors seem poorly trained in this area. I had a brief discussion about this topic recently with my GP. He agreed that the topic is not covered in their medschool classes. It really ought to be.

Finally, Bessel Van Der Kolk touches on this topic in his book The Body Keeps the Score. This book takes some reading but is a great resource for people with trauma. I would caution, however, that he does give some graphic details about abuses suffered and witnessed by his clients but also give NO trigger warnings. Read but read with caution...

I was sent to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I thought this just concerned the muscle and joint pain but OMG it's so much more. So I started seeing him and he put me on all the medicines to try, at different times of course. But I was in such a mental fog I couldn't tell if they were helping or not and it just wasn't worth going to the office for. I get knots in my back muscles so bad it pulls me out of alignment. My left shoulder was about 2 inches higher than my right shoulder. I didn't realize it until my GP made me stand up and look at my posture from behind. Anyway.....seems like Fibro over laps some symptoms of CPTSD. Must be hard to figure all this out for the doctors.

Hi Trace, I'm happy to see you 'back' (from never gone  ;) ). You had me puzzled for a while with the other 'nick'.

I want to take the opportunity to say there's a thread on Fibromyalgia in this section. Have you seen it?

:hug:

In the last year, I have developed both shingles and cellulitis, at 24, on top of a lung infection I had for nearly four months. My therapist says it is most likely due to the years of constant stress wearing down my immune system.

Cold feet, the literal kind. Feels especially weird/annoying when I have a head that feels warm from adrenaline yet my feet feel like bricks of ice. One time my body relaxed somehow and my feet returned to normal temperature, felt surprisingly nice.

Fellow shingles sufferer mcq  :hug:   I'm still on meds for nerve damage.  I had it at my lowest point emotionally so stress relating to trauma can really play havoc with our immune system.

The somatic issues are surfacing this week in a bit more pronounced way for me.  My always tight neck is clenched like its inside of a vice grip, my tinnitus is extra loud today, and the stomach feels like someone is driving a nail through it.

During meditation, I remembered that today would have been Dad's birthday.  I did some "forgiveness" work towards myself - forgiving myself for not understanding how ill he was physically and emotionally (because how can a kid understand that?) and just letting myself accept that I feel kinda crappy right now.  I thought I had taken a big leap forward in accepting my past and moving into the present, but I guess it happens in fits and starts.
Meanwhile, the body does its own little thing.

Sigh

 :hug: JDog, the body really does keeps track doesn't it?  I hope things settle soon  :hug:

Thank you, Kizzie.  I am addressing the issues and starting to feel better.  The forgiveness today is for abandoning myself long ago and in the recent past also.  Letting someone abuse me as a substitute father figure then, and allowing myself to think I am not enough as an adult.  It's a long and vicious cycle but one that I am beginning to address and sort out.

 :thumbup: and  :hug:

Hello guys,

I know this thread was written a while ago, but i would really like some advice, or opinions, on what course of action i should take, if possible...if know one knows, thats ok too of course..

T said to me that it sounds like i have adrenal fatigue.
she talked about cortisol levels being too high.
I have looked around the internet, and i think that adrenal problems are effecting the rest of my body.
that might be why i have  a sore stomach too.

I watched a vid, and the guy said, that the stressors need to be aliviated from your life,
then sleep will improve-
(and sleep improves a lot of these complaints),
then- when thats sorted-
you can begin taking vitamins that you are lacking and you can begin repairing the adrenal glands.
This all sounds good to me (if its true)
The stressors - triggers, flashbacks, relationship issues, -
i will be working on in therapy- so it might take a while
I know that flashbacks wont completely stop (they might lessen in intensity and frequency),
so stress of that sort might never be totally alleviated,
and it will take a long time till all the stress is out of my life while I'm working in therapy on such things,

Tonight i sat down and thought about looking at things i can do to help the adrenal glands whilst I'm undergoing this long therapeutic process, because i have been totally depleted of energy and have surprisingly been feeling a little low.

There is so much conflicting info on line,
I dont know if i also have too much cortisol,
so i dont want to take anything vitamin wise, because i dont want to mess anything up and try to self medicate when i dont know what I'm doing.

I feel like i need to see a professional, and for them to just tell me what tests i need (hormone levels and to see what organs are effected in the body),
and what is wrong.
but i dont know who to see, where to go,
and apparently normal doctors dont look at the underlying problem, and dont acknowledge that adrenal fatigue actually exists (according to the net).
I went for blood test because of menstrual problems, but nothing was found.
i have read too, that traditional tests wont detect cortisol problems...

Im thinking about seeing a natural doctor in my area, but dont know which one to go to.
I feel completely confused and lost and as though i have to figure all this out on my own- a lot of trial and error, and i feel a bit despairing and angry with the world and the medical system.
I dont trust that anyone will be able to help me and (could be an EF) but again- its down to me and i dont know how to help me.

I am worried that i wont know what to ask for, that i wont know what sorts of tests i need to ask for, and what if they dont evaluate properly?

i have no support in place as in, someone who knows about this who can help me.
So i was wondering, if anyone has any ideas about what i should do?
I would really appreciate any of you taking the time to read this as its a little lengthy...

Thanks a lot

HI Indigo, so sorry to hear you have been struggling  :hug:  So many of us are dealing with fatigue and other related health issues but don't know what to do or where to go or what to believe, and yet we know clearly our bodies have reacted to all the stress and fear and a toxic amount of hormones and chemicals that comes with that.   

Mainstream medicine will hopefully get to the point where all GPs learn about issues like adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and so on and have the relevant tests to diagnose, but that will only come when they have the clinical research which takes time.  That said, if you have a GP you feel comfortable with perhaps try explaining what you're feeling and what's at the bottom of it.  Your GP may actually be knowledgeable, mine knew about CPTSD so she was able to help me in the way I needed.

It does seem like naturopaths are often ahead of the curve in terms of health issues like adrenal fatigue so it may be helpful to give one a try.  If you're not sure which one to choose you can go to one of the rating sites and pick one from the reviews.  You could also ask your T if s/he knows of someone (GP and/or naturopath), since s/he brought it up. 

It's so hard struggling to get answers when the physical effects of long-term trauma are only beginning to be recognized I know as I'm sure many here do as well.  I wish you well and hope you are able to find some informed care   :hug:   

Hi Indigo, how tough and rough the times are for you at the moment.  :hug:

Quote from: Indigo on March 24, 2016, 12:55:53 AM
Hello guys,

I know this thread was written a while ago, but i would really like some advice, or opinions, on what course of action i should take, if possible...if know one knows, thats ok too of course..

T said to me that it sounds like i have adrenal fatigue.
she talked about cortisol levels being too high.
I have looked around the internet, and i think that adrenal problems are effecting the rest of my body.
[...]
There is so much conflicting info on line,
I dont know if i also have too much cortisol,
so i dont want to take anything vitamin wise, because i dont want to mess anything up and try to self medicate when i dont know what I'm doing.

Obviously I cannot give you any qualified advise. I'm not an MD nor a T. I'm as much a layman in this as 'the next guy in the street'.

I did a quick google-scan on "adrenal fatigue" and found, much like you have, that 'regular medicine' has it's doubts on the whole concept of it. On the other hand there is a 'wealth' of other resources who claim it's very real.
Who's right? I don't know. Personally I tend to be drawn more towards 'science based' approaches, and in these three articles a couple of sources for 'fatigue' are suggested that can be tested for in 'regular' medicine.
Perhaps it is worthwhile to check out these possible physical causes first?
The articles also make clear that 'fatigue' is quite common, f.e. in depression.

Adrenal Fatigue: Is It Real? (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/adrenal-fatigue-is-it-real)
Adrenal Fatigue: Does It Exist? What Is Adrenal Insufficiency? (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245810.php)
And then there is of-course the wikipedia entry with some additional sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenal_fatigue

Quite a few of the 'alternative medicine' sites on adrenal fatigue seem to be, to my suspicious mind that might well be slightly paranoid, poster-sites for the sale of very expensive 'supplements'.

In my personal opinion, I think the first step to take is to talk to your GP. Perhaps (s)he could refer you to an endocrinologist? That seems to me the scientific field that could actually be able to see if there is a physical cause for your 'adrenal fatigue'.

One 'alternative' website that does not seem to focus that much on 'supplements' (although it has it's portion of exotic herbs at the very end of the article) is The Real Deal on Adrenal Fatigue (http://robbwolf.com/2012/04/09/real-deal-adrenal-fatigue/)

I hope and wish that your therapy will alleviate most of the stressors from both past and present. In my honest but layman opinion that's the best bet in ridding yourself of your fatigue.

:hug:  and take care.

Hi Kizzie,

Thank you so much for your reply, i really appreciate you taking the time.
Sorry my replies are late - havent been able to respond right away because of issues / circumstances, but that doesnt mean i dont appreciate your responses.

I really do hope that modern medicene will learn about these issues.
I do wonder if they already do, but are in line with pharmaceutical companies and would rather dish out drugs.

Thats so great that your GP knew about Cptsd. The doc i saw about going on the therapy list before i went private, was a lot better than the other Gps i have seen, so he might be able to help. I just really hate going to the docs, maybe i will talk to T first about it.
Thank you so much for your advice Kizzie.

Im wondering if these physical effects of trauma have always been there in the body, only i havent noticed them before, and I'm sure many others havent either.  It seems they have come about since september, during the beginning of prolonged flashbacks, which seemed to come out of know where after starting therapy, although i did have some before.
Maybe symptoms have to be really noticeable, in order for them to be noticed, if you are not tuned in to the body...

Hope you are well too Kizzie,
:hug:   

Hey Dutch Uncle, / *next guy on the street!*
haha, just joking, you seem to know more about this than most, from your post.

Thank you so much for your reply too, and all the links! I will definitely check them out.
I cant believe you googled it and everything, it was so great of you to send them. FYI, i wouldnt say you were a layman!  ;)
And thank you for validating that time has been tough lately.
Its hard for me to take myself seriously, or to give myself a break...and your post reminded me of this. So yes, -thanks.

It is so confusing, because i dont know what came first, the fatigue, or the depression. I have always had both.

Thanks for saying about seeing an endocrinologist.
It would be good to see if there are any physical causes first. T ages ago said to go to the doctor so at least i could know weather there was something physically wrong at least, but i didnt go.

I always think that websites etc. are trying to sell supplements. They probably are.

I do definitely think that therapy is the best way to get rid of the fatigue. This guy on a vid i watched on adrenal fatigue said that stressors need to be removed from life in order for the fatigue to go away...which makes sense to me...
I still think this, but i have been feeling so extremely weak and fatigued for more than a week following a domestic trigger and other triggers before that, that i wanted to know if there was anything i could do about this fatigue problem whilst undergoing therapy....
i do think there is a definite problem physically, my body isn't happy about being highly stressed and the fatigue is lasting longer and longer each time, and i havent had an appetite for like, a week, so i havent been eating, but i do think that therapy will be the biggest help for all of this.
Thanks so much Dutch. Take care of yourself,
:hug: 

For just over a year I have been loosing the feeling in my legs. After every test known to man or beast nothing physical has been found. PTSD realated? beginning to think so.

Hi Talisien and welcome to Out Of The Storm.  :hug:

At the moment I'm working through my dissociation. It's all quite new to me, and thus I'm by no means an expert and I also do not experience loosing feelings in my limbs, but as far as I'm beginning to understand dissociation, one way of manifesting this phenomena can be by feelings of disconnect to body parts.

I thought I'd share, as you tell that "After every test known to man or beast nothing physical has been found." the source might well not be physical but indeed cPTSD related, as dissociation is quite common among us. Even though by no means it's a given, as far as I know.

Interesting! For some reason I assumed that dissociation was an emotional/mental thing and didn't relate to the physical body but it does make sense. It is the weirdest and most frightening experience.

Thanks for sharing with me. I am very new to these concepts in relation to myself so all information is welcome.  :thumbup:

Indigo some things that helped with my adrenal fatigue is eliminating caffeine and alcohol completely. These only increase cortisol which a under emotional stress the body has plenty of already without adding the physical stress. Other things that can reduce physical stress are some dietary changes like eating for nutrition rather than canned, boxed and junk. Reduced my processed foods. Bananas, winter squash and sweet potatoes helped me for calming benefits.

Also reducing emotional stress has helped. Getting my boundaries in order and learning to speak up some, baby steps at first, I mean baby, little peeps of a whisper in the beginning. At the very least walking away from the drama and chaos, reducing time spent with high stress people. Making time for self care and self nurturing has helped. Curling up in a blanket if and when I need to and resting when needed.

Focused deep breathing to lower the heart rate has helped as well. Various tools, instruction and possible meditation if you google it I'm sure. I have a phone app that counts breathing until I got the hang of doing it on my own.

If can handle it physically any activity your doctor approves, walking in a calm setting. There is a walking meditation practice that helps ground and center also.

Those two things produce cortisol, physical stress and emotional stress.

Sending a :hug: for extra measure.

Good point about the triggers going both directions- causing pain and being started up by pain.  I have tinnitus which has been worsening and am headed to the audiologist tomorrow.  I do meditation and email my therapist regularly on these sorts of topics.  I just today made the connection that one reason tinnitus makes me scared is a distant memory of being hit and that causing my ears to ring.  So, now I can work on disconnecting my old memory from this new, age-related condition.  It's not going to be a piece of cake to accomplish, but knowledge is power.

I am new to this but here goes, seeing as this thread really pertains to me right now....
Diagnosed with PTSD 8 years ago from domestic violence, (10 years, 3 relationships, each worse than the last), kidnapping, childhood trauma and childhood sexual abuse. 9 treatment centers in 3 countries and only NOW and I being diagnosed with CPTSD. After being wrongly diagnosed and medicated for bi-bolar, then borderline personality disorder. 2 forced hospitalizations in mental facilities where my rights were taken away (shocked and appalled that America can do this so easily, being British, that would NEVER have happened there. WISH I could go back but I'd never be allowed to take my children. Hate feeling stuck here - really doesn't help with the no control piece)!  Medicated since 13, tried every medication known to man and nothing was very effective. Nearly died 2 years ago from the seizures coming off it all, mostly the 8mg of Xanax which I was told I may never come off fully, (again, shocked and appalled America - I had no idea this was a near lethal dose, nor that I shouldn't have been on it for anywhere near as long as I was. We think we can trust medical professionals....guess again).
It is 2 years since I 'came out of the storm' thanks to a great therapist and SE (somatic experiencing-Peter Levine-changed my life), and am now also in an extremely healing relationship, after years of making myself be single and figuring out how to break my constantly repeating cycles. However it seems as if my body is only now letting loose the 10 years of abuse (including a broken back) on me now. In the last 18 months I have had pneumonia twice, mumps, mononucleosis, constant IBS and 3 kidney infections that needed hospitalization. I developed very bad allergies which I have never had before and was also diagnosed with fybromyalgia (a drug company made up disease in my opinion and through endless research, to give a name to chronic fatigue and somatic symptoms due to stress. I certainly don't need another label. As an aside I am deeply concerned with the mass overmedication and flippant overuse and over diagnosis of serious medical and mental illnesses I found in every 'therapeutic' environment in the America, which is why in the end I sought treatment in South Africa. The Meadows in Arizona had me on 9 medications at one point. I now take nothing but supplements as medical marijuana has done what hundreds of different medications couldn't, and is FAR less dangerous. I feel very angry at the clinics which suggested this is only an illegal and addictive drug. I have been an alcoholic as a coping mechanism and am aware that anything can be used as such, but demonizing of such a harmless substance that can't kill, whereas prescription drugs kill someone from misuse every 20 seconds in America, is just ridiculous to me, and prevents many people from getting better by instilling shame where there needn't be any. I know big pharma funds America and controls our government but seriously??!! I STRONGLY recommend seeking treatment outside of the USA). My medical bills are through the roof, especially as my insurance tried to drop me out of the blue leaving me holding $10,000 of medical bills, and no Dr, naturopath or therapist can give me real answers. I am almost at the point where I am completely non-functioning, which after everything I worked so hard to get through, seems a bit karmically unfair! As I write this it is my ninth week of being unable to work, exercise or do much of anything else as on top of it all I have developed mysterious allergic reactions which give me chronic hives over my whole body, and an intermittent fever of 102. Initially the reactions came and went over a period of 6 weeks, on for 3 days, off for 4, but now it is constant and only controlled by  a combo of allegra, zantac and singulair that my new allergist put me on. I have been on 4 courses of antibiotics in 2 months and steroids for 7 weeks, all of which is I'm sure not helping my mood, especially the dreadful steroids, which I just tapered off. Blood and skin testing hasn't given an answer to the source of the allergy and now there's talk of it being purely stress related. I am facing an out of pocket $700 allergy test and really I've just had enough. I recently developed the second bout of pneumonia as my immune system was just so depleted that a cold my sons had turned into pneumonia in me.
My emotionally abusive and absent father died last year, after which I got the first bout of pneumonia (coincidence that in Eastern medicine grief is experienced in the lungs), and now my equally emotionally abusive half brother is suing my dead father in vengeance over the will and holding my whole family hostage over it. His behavior, and abusive way of interacting with me and the rest of my family is so reminiscent of my abusive partners that it incredibly frustratingly (as I seemed to have no control over it whatsoever), kicked me straight back into my PTSD as I had it at the time of my past abusive relationships. I now find myself slipping back into old behaviors that I have worked SO hard to move on from as they are nothing but self defeating, and this scares me. Is it possible that all these physical symptoms are my body's way of 'coming out of the numbness' for lack of a better way of putting it, after I have really worked my * off on the emotional piece? It has been suggested that my body wasn't 'allowed' to feel while I was dealing with so much situational stress/violence, and that only now is it 'waking up'. In which case, has anyone else experienced this and how long can I expect it to last? I can't take much more!
Other little aside, my son just turned 12, and the year of my greatest trauma(s) was 13. I have also heard from my therapist that parents with CPTSD will very often kick back into the emotional age of their greatest trauma starting the year before their child turns that age. When I turned 13 I lost my mother, was sexually assaulted for the first time and was then told "not to tell anyone it will ruin your reputation" and sent to British boarding school where I began to really unravel. Has anyone else heard of this? I was beginning to feel like I was going crazy until I talked with my therapist and she suggested this. I literally find myself acting like the most unmanageable teenager at times and seem to have very little control over my rage and fear, and it's damaging my relationships. I just don't know how much more I can take and of course no one around me except for my therapist has any real comprehension of what this feels like so I think I just appear a bit crazy and unreasonable. Help!

warm welcome flower girl and I'm so very sorry you've been through such terrible trauma. What you've been through is truly heartbreaking and I'm glad you're on a healing and peaceful path. To answer your question, yes it's common that at the point of trauma you get stuck in that emotional stage of development. I hope you find the community here supportive and the website resources beneficial for your continued journey to peace.

I've experienced quite a few of the issues mentioned in this thread, like IBS, GERD, back and neck issues, and nerve issues/numbness in my feet and legs. For a while now I've been dealing with something that would seem to be unconnected to C-PTSD: rotator cuff tears. These are most often seen in athletes or people who do strenuous repetitive work, like factory workers. I'm about the furthest thing in the world from an athlete, and my whole working life took place in an office. The only thing I could come up with connected to shoulders is the almost constant tension I carry in my entire body. My shoulders are always held in tension, ready to duck a blow, and I think that draws the rotator cuff tight across the joint, where movement causes fraying of its fibers. I'll have to bring that up to my GP if I can ever make myself go in to the clinic again.

Hello guys.
Its like the blinders are comming off lately - with a lot of things.
Been experiencing unpleasant physical symptoms a lot lately and they have not stopped.
This is a little embarrassing ... but i wrote on here before about how i dont feel i quality for IBS.
But I'm not sure now..just reading up online, and all the symptoms ive never gotten checked out have happened and are happening at the moment.
Just because times are difficult right now...doesnt mean it may by IBS does it?

Can IBS symptoms flare up during difficult times? Even if you are eating right?
I know i may have Adrenal Fatigue and that that can mess up the gut....
but i dont know if i should get tested for IBS.
I have and still am in a lot of physical discomfort. I dont want them to put me on meds...but i dont know what to do about the physical discomfort I'm experiencing and i would like some relief as it has been going on for ages and seems super exaggerated at this time.
Thanks.

I haven't read all the responses, but I saw a few and I'm so glad that I'm not alone with muscle tightness. I have extremely tense muscles (pretty bad, where they don't/can't relax without chemical help). It also seems to get worse if I've been triggered recently.

I found stretching, heating pads, and massage helps (but isn't a cure). If I deal with my emotions, which is really hard to even feel sometimes, I find that the muscle tension isn't as great. Also, I'm in CA and I have a recommendation for medical marijuana which helps with muscle tension and relaxation—and incidentally, feeling emotions.

I hope this helps someone.

i do believe i've been as messed up physically as emotionally with all this.  although i feel for every single one of you who have posted about physical ailments, it really is good to know that, 1), i'm not the only one with this crap (sometimes literally!  lol!) going on, and 2), that i haven't been making this up, that this, is, indeed, a product of the chronic stress and psychological abuse that comes from narc abuse.  i believe i've had 4 npd relationships as an adult - 2 husbands, a therapist, and my oldest daughter.  one ex-hub is no longer a threat, and i even got an apology out of him!  but, the other 3, well, there's no telling which was worse or how.  they were coming at me at the same time from 3 different psychological places.  and, as my body began breaking down, i eventually realized that i was on my own.  (i've instigated no contact with all of them, and did report the therapist to our state board).

i've been working on healing my physical being for about 15 years.  so much of what i've read on this discussion speaks to me.  the allergies that came from out of nowhere.  the glaucoma.  ibs.  tension in the muscles, literally not being able to relax, not knowing how!  dancing legs syndrome that kept me from being able to sleep well for 20 years.  (i have been on meds to help me sleep for another 20 years.  without help, i'm not able to sleep).  respiratory problems (copd).  increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  constant fatigue - i also believe that i experience adrenal fatigue.  a compromised immune system.  and, an unhealthy inflammation response that triggers a lot of symptoms, such as allergies, joint pain, psoriasis, hair falling out, muscle weakness.  aaagh!!!

i've done so much research on the internet, learning about the results of prolonged, chronic stress, and all these illnesses are simply symptoms.  it was the stress of being part of those npd's lives that caused it, that is the main problem.  so, i've been working at not only reducing the stress (i ran away from home, moved to a different country - but, again, that brought it's own set of stressors, such as different language, culture, environment, etc.) but at getting my body back on track.  i'm pushing 70, so time is playing its own part in all this.  still, massage therapy has helped my physical body so much, but it's only been in the past few weeks that i could even stand 20 min. of being worked on!  in years past, even getting a leg massage with a pedicure sent me into tears of pain.  i went to a healer for a couple of months who believed in leg massage, and i cried and blubbered every week!  what it told me was that i had stored a lot of tears inside me, which is why i kept going back.  i did this for 10 weeks.  it was horrible, but i believe it was beneficial at the same time.

now i have  a massage therapist who uses pressure point massage, and that has released an awful lot of stored emotions that i'd been holding.  in the beginning, i cried thru the entire 15 or 20 min. that i could stand to let her work on me - the pain got to be unbearable!  it's been about 4 months of this, and it's finally getting better.  but, dang, it's quite the process to go through.  still, i knew it's what i needed for me - i had to go thru all that pain because i'd been holding onto it for so many years and it was making me sick.

i'm still working at this, but i'm seeing progress.  no more allergy meds.  the inflammation attacks (which i saw someone refer to as 'stress flu' because it feels like the symptoms just before getting the flu - watery, scratchy eyes, general malaise, my skin would get hot, and i would feel miserable) are fewer and farther between.  my muscles are feeling a bit looser in general and the knots are being broken up, i'm beginning to sleep a bit better (even with the meds, sleep was still not very good, not enough hours, not entirely restful).  i'm better able to recognize the signs (like swelling ankles) when i'm becoming too stressed, and know to take a break or slow down. 

what i've been doing, i'm not necessarily recommending anyone else do.  i think everyone has to find what works for them.  i've gotten pretty aggressive with attacking this whole thing.  i've just gotten so sick of being sick!!!  but, for everyone suffering because of c-ptsd, narc abuse, and all the rest, my heart is with you.  i hope you can find a process that works for you to help alleviate your pain, your ailments, your worries and concerns.  this is all personal, and what works for one will not necessarily work for another.  but, i want to thank you all for sharing your stories.  it's difficult to find a doc who will look at these illnesses as stress-related - they're usually about pushing pills at us, telling us to go home, and then we're back in a few months trying to deal with the side effects of the pills and we're feeling worse off! 

i've looked a lot into vitamin therapy, and am using that now, as well as eating better, stopped smoking and drinking.  i do believe that part of my job is to give my body the best possible foundation and accompanying help so that it can get on with the business of healing itself.  some things, like my glaucoma, well, that may be permanent.  i don't know.  much of the rest of it i have faith can be diminished to a manageable degree.  still working on it.  here's to the rest of you!  keep up the good work, don't lose faith, we can heal!

 

Thanks for sharing and many good wishes to you, as well.

Samnagic7, That was so interesting to read!

Do you think that you will get yourself tested for Adrenal Fatigue?
Its so validating to know that all of the symptoms you listed, i have nearly all of them.

A lot of us run away from our narcs.
And did you know that re locating and doing it also with out help...or going to a different country - new language etc. is super stressful on the adrenals?
Re locating is one of lifes major stressors.
I hope you dont mind...but here is a link on Adrenal fatigue, the symptoms. Its in-depth and mentions re location (which is how i know this).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iERqD2XrUk

I really want to go to a healer too.
Im not sure the release of trauma from doing therapy is enough- ive heard that its not always enough and that focusing on the body as well as the mind is most helpful.

Thank you for sharing your experience of what you tried, how it was for you, and weather or not it worked.

It sounds to me, that recognising the physical signs of stress is being more in tune with your body and not as much in your mind. I know with disassociation, you just dont feel bodily sensations and you do not feel emotions in your body as they are happening, you are too much up in your head ignoring your body that is attached.  At least that is my experience. 

i've looked a lot into vitamin therapy, and am using that now, as well as eating better, stopped smoking and drinking.
Good for you, that is so great! I will be there one day, when I'm ready.
  i do believe that part of my job is to give my body the best possible foundation and accompanying help so that it can get on with the business of healing itself. 
Umm, yes, i like that. That makes a lot of sense. How can the body properly heal itself if you are giving it chemicals and harmful things.

i found the the physical pain, the ibs symptoms (if it is that)..the stomach issues, whatever you want to call it...it is validation to me that something is wrong...that I'm not doing ok, that the stress has gotten too much.
I want to fix it. I want to feel better and more free in my body. Relaxed.
Another part of me needs my body to reach its limit, the most it can handle. If i crash, then i know i have to fix it. For now, whilst i want to be better, its validating my stress to me.
I dont get it, because, like if i have an injury, i feel i can protect myself - from the world.
Its like i have an injured sore body, and its injured inside too.
Its like my inner child is here with me. And i need to protect her. I know i need to connect with there properly on a consistent basis, then maybe i wouldnt rely on this hurt to tell me whats going on.
It could be an aching to be looked after. Maybe because i was ignored when i was ill. Acnowlefged if they found out...(i learned never to tell) but then left to my own devices.

I dont know what this part of me is, or why its there.
Maybe part  of me is still in denial, whilst the other wants the validation and has received it due to noticing pain etc in my body. Maybe i just want someone to notice and to help me.
Im not talking about adrenal crashes which i already have.
i mean, when my body stops working all together, or i crash big time.
maybe thats already happened. last time it happened, i knew it was serious and would only increase with each crash.
Being where i am, i havent been able to crash. i have been slowly crashing but maybe my body etc is still highly stressed.
Im wondering what they body does when there is no break from stress.
how can it keep going? maybe that is why the ibs like symptoms are increasing.

Anybody have any ideas what i mean?

I wish you lots of luck with your recovery journey Sanmagic7

IBS from stress? Definitely for me, I could feel my intestines constrict and my stomach aches terrible if I'm around updm and she's in a 'mood' - seething rage about to blow.

Rotator cuff? I can see that too because if the shoulder is tight the whole mechanics is off and every time you lift your arm if the mechanics is off the tendons hit the roof of the bone structure.

Sanmagic, hope the massage is helping. It's worked for me in the past too releasing issues and emotions. I had one healer type massage therapist who knew exactly what my emotional issues were the first time I met her just based on where the tension was and what organs and energy flow she felt were affected.

hey, butterfly,

yes, the massage does help.  i kind of go back and forth between deep pressure point work for release and relaxing massage.  10 yrs. ago i couldn't stand 10 minutes of being massaged, even on my legs for a pedicure.  now i can stand a full body massage and actually enjoy it! 

that is so cool that your m. therapist knew all that about you.  mine isn't quite that tuned in, but by hook and crook, we're making progress on the release of emotions.  i actually had to explain it to her, but she gets it now.  little by little, step by step  . . .

Quote from: Indigochild on September 01, 2015, 09:23:22 PM
Im so super glad i found this thread.
And also sad.

Lately, i have been having physical problems.
I have always had a sore muscles in my back, knots etc. sore shoulders, but lately i have had stomach issues (constiation, dire), usually caused by anxiety and stress.
I have a few times, had a pain in my side - my left hand side near my left rib and in the middle of my waste at the side.
Not sure if this is the gall bladder.

After a week trying to suppress my constant rage and therapy session today, the pain is here again, as well as having to ...offload via the back passage more often, and the way this is happening is not normal.
Im not sure if it happens more when ive had bread twice that day ie. for breakfast, then lunch...i need to take note of the pattern.

Not sure if i quality for IBs. This happens more after stress.
I also have strange itchy red spots on my legs, and I'm not sure if this is due to holding anger in and suppressing it.
I also have had dry patches on the tops of my arms and get spots there and on my shoulders often. I also had what looks like a rash on the tops of my arms.

I get headaches when disassociated, usually the second day after being stressed. I know this is normal and that its the blood flow going back into my head after my head muscles being so tense.

Does any of this sound familiar?
All of these symptoms apart from the back ache i have never had until recently, since i was re traumatised back in march this year.
Do you guys think this sounds most likely trauma related?

My mum had to have her gall bladder out as it was causing her pain, and she had traumatic childhood too.
It makes me so sad that her pain could have been a bodily symptom of trauma, as she was angry at home nearly all of the time, and I am angry a lot of the time, now i understand how she must of felt, only she never tried dealing with hers.

Opinons would be welcome

Have you ever been tested for celiac disease? I have it and had similar symptoms although I know those symptoms can sometimes be psychosomatic too. When you wrote that it was worse after eating bread I figured I'd mention celiac as a possibility and some people (myself included) get rashes with it too. I didn't get diagnosed until my 40's but I think I've had it since my teens.

Hey Blossoming, thank you so much...
Sorry to hear you have been struggling.

Im not sure its to do with eating bread...
when i came to the refuge i had spots on my legs i think...could be a stress reaction...but i don't get them much. So not sure that they were . Reading my post back it sounds so gross!
i think its more ibs symptoms...not sure why i thought it was worse after eating bread...
not sure what triggers the stomach pain.

Thank you. When I'm feeling braver, i may go to the doctor.  :hug:

Oh thanks Sienna, I didn't realize it was you! Well I have not been struggling with the digestive issues or rashes for about 4 years now but when I read the symptoms you listed it sounded a lot like my experience. I'm glad you are doing better.

Perhaps some of these physical problems have been discussed earlier in this thread.

I deal with what I am sure is adrenal fatigue; periodic spells of fatigue that have left me wiped out, like I have mono.  I have a chronic bladder disorder, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder).  I deal with back pain and tight muscles as well.  Part of the back pain came from a stint in court reporting school where I sat wrong while writing on my machine. 

I use a CPAP for sleep apnea.  And because I'm obese :-( I am at risk for diabetes.  I've been told to walk, but I've also developed pain on the top of my feet, in the middle, and how can I walk when it hurts my feet to walk? 

Mentally, I have depression and I suspect I have OCD (obsessive thoughts without compulsive actions) and I wouldn't be surprised if I also have anxiety.  Boy, am I a mess.

Alliematt,

QuotePerhaps some of these physical problems have been discussed earlier in this thread.

Its ok  :)

QuoteI deal with what I am sure is adrenal fatigue; periodic spells of fatigue that have left me wiped out, like I have mono.  I have a chronic bladder disorder, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder).  I deal with back pain and tight muscles as well.  Part of the back pain came from a stint in court reporting school where I sat wrong while writing on my machine. 

Sorry you are struggling. Its awful, but reading that others have these issues too, does help me to feel not so silly for being so fatigued all the time etc.

Are you wanting to get some proper help for your issues? Have you seen anyone about your inability to walk?
:hug:

Quote from: Sienna on October 21, 2016, 04:29:24 PM
Alliematt,

QuotePerhaps some of these physical problems have been discussed earlier in this thread.

Its ok  :)

QuoteI deal with what I am sure is adrenal fatigue; periodic spells of fatigue that have left me wiped out, like I have mono.  I have a chronic bladder disorder, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder).  I deal with back pain and tight muscles as well.  Part of the back pain came from a stint in court reporting school where I sat wrong while writing on my machine. 

Sorry you are struggling. Its awful, but reading that others have these issues too, does help me to feel not so silly for being so fatigued all the time etc.

Are you wanting to get some proper help for your issues? Have you seen anyone about your inability to walk?
:hug:

Well, let's see . . . I just turned 53, and I have been dealing with the adrenal stuff and the cystitis for half my life.  The IC, I've pretty much lived with; it doesn't give me that much of a problem and I see a urologist regularly.  The back problem, I've had chiropractic treatment for for several years.  The CPAP?  I use that nightly. 

The biggest problem I have is the adrenal stuff.  I have seen multiple doctors for that, my thyroid's been tested over and over and I'm currently on thyroid meds.  For a couple of years, I treated with some alternative doctors who ended up putting me on over twenty supplements as well as some prescription meds.  I couldn't afford to keep treating with them. 

My back was aggravated by a car wreck a couple of years ago.  (No other injuries.)  My auto insurance had been paying for my chiro treatment, but benefits are now exhausted, and I now have to decide whether or not to keep going or stop treatment.  It seems that, with so much of the chronic stuff, insurance doesn't cover it and the doctors who DO treat it charge an arm, leg, and DNA sample. 

Throw in the mental issues and a kid with autism, and there are days I just feel like crawling into bed and not waking up.

Alliematt-

You have a lot to cope with, and my heart goes out to you.  I'm glad you have found this safe place to write and receive support from others who share at least some of your issues and concerns.

Keep writing and know that you are not alone.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at age 15. Since being diagnosed I have gotten much better with a lot of symptoms.  I am at least able to keep a job, walk, exercise sometimes, and do everyday things that most people are able to do...most days. I am off all pain medications now too (I used to be on Tramadol for a couple years.) But I still feel like CPTSD affects my body in sooo many ways. The main reason a lot of those symptoms have gotten better for me is because I've changed my diet (cut out gluten and dairy and generally just try to eat healthier.) Even when I take care of myself as well as I possibly can, I still am in pain or just don't feel right. I KNOW a lot of my physical problems have stemmed from the stress I've dealt with that's related to my CPTSD.

When I'm in an extremely stressful situation, like a fight with my husband or something just as stressful, my whole body is in a ton of pain afterwards. The change in my entire body is so drastic after I've had to deal with any kind of stress, including EF. Sometimes I feel like I can be setback for an entire day after going through a stressful situation. It's horrible. The connection between your mind and body is undeniable. Plus, I feel like my body is constantly tense. My shoulders are usually hunched up as if I'm on guard just in case someone attacks me. I try to pay attention to my body and relax my shoulders, but it's really difficult to constantly remind myself to do this.

It's enough having to deal with all the psychological damage that comes along with CPTSD, but it's so much worse also having to deal with physical symptoms that have resulted from having this disorder  :'(

Moose410-

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this level of pain.  As you said, the mind/body connection is undeniable.  You have  forum, which I hope is a source of hope and comfort as your healing continues.

May this day find you doing better.

Quote from: Jdog on October 31, 2016, 11:40:14 AM
Moose410-

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this level of pain.  As you said, the mind/body connection is undeniable.  You have  forum, which I hope is a source of hope and comfort as your healing continues.

May this day find you doing better.

Thank you  :) It is comforting to know that there are other people out there dealing with the same problems I'm dealing with. And it has given me some hope that things can get better.

Good- hope is so important!

I have a fairly long history ( about 17 years) of cholesterol levels being on the high side. My GP tends to downplay it whereas in inpatient treatment docs have tended to create a bit of fuss. My GP actually knows me and understands a lot about me; he's especially good at understanding the psychological-physical connection. He was the first person to realise that the number of physical symptoms I had 18-19 years ago were psychological in origin. They were definitely there, they were not imagined, but they were very much connected to my emotional state at that time. They jumped around a lot and were getting steadily worse, until I started counselling.

In the past few years I've been putting on weight, whereas I used to be a bit underweight. Last time my GP did a blood check, I said in advance that I was worried about my cholesterol levels having gone through the roof because I have particularly unhealthy eating spells atm. When the results came back in July, I was really surprised that my iron levels (traditionally on the low side) were fine and even more amazing, so were my cholesterol levels! So they had actually improved. Today I mentioned my amazement to my GP about the cholesterol. In his opinion that too is affected by my emotional health (which is presumably why he has been downplaying the high levels for a number of years) and now that I'm getting steadily more stable and I'm processing far more past stuff i.e. traumatisations, the cholesterol levels are going down.

So here is a doctor who believes in the physical-psyche connection although many probably don't.

You are indeed fortunate to have such a doctor in your corner, Blueberry.  It is comforting to know that such physicians are out there.

I have a very very ill body, it's very far gone. I was born with a genetic predisposition for some bone/joint problems but then it was all accelerated. The constant abuse caused it to come to life really young and really hard. My genetics probably had nothing to do with trauma but pressuring my body till it collapsed did.

I used to feel puzzled and wonder about all this heap of unrelated hardships but now I see that the trauma was the trigger for everything else. It's sad but clear.

So I think, from experience, that trauma can definitely worsen preexisting health problems and cause new ones. In general it's also known to weaken your immune system, to potentially dump stress hormones into your blood stream indefinitely, to change the pathways of the brain.

So yeah... sigh.

 :grouphug: to everyone.

Has anyone found that illness arrives afterthe trauma? When I was still in contact with my father I was physically okay while I was ignoring the past abuse and pretending that things were normal, it was when I became aware of narcissistic abuse and realising the truth of the situation that things started becoming a toll on my body. Towards the end of our contact I developed IBS which flares up when I'm stressed, but thankfully not so often now that we don't have contact. 6 months ago a blood test came back saying that my thyroid was borderline and since then I've started to get more and more tired and irritable about the fact that I wantto do so much but just don't have the energy.  :fallingbricks: I'm having another blood test soon to see if there's been any change in my levels, plus a blood sugar test. I'm almost hopeful that the tests will shown that things are worse so that I can get medication and start to feel better. I think there is a definite link between emotional and physical health and I feel angry that it got that bad.  :'(

Another physical ailment:

i've had this one quite a long time. It comes and goes. Urinary incontinence.

Often when I take a step forwards in my healing or even just in my ideas, urinary incontinence gets bad. It's not a muscular problem, that' s all been checked. It's more as if there's just too much and my body can't contain that any more. So lots of breakthroughs over past few days. Then last night in the middle of the night.... Great. Not.

As I said, I've had the problem quite a while but not forever. It started a few years into my intensive healing work.

I have the same problem Blueberry. Although, I haven't checked it out, but I am fairly certain it's muscular.
Although for me it's just a little bit here and there throughout the day. I don't feel it though, but it's there.

It sucks. It really does. So I know what you mean by

Quote from: Blueberry on April 05, 2018, 03:52:59 PM
Great. Not.

You're brave for sharing!  :hug:, if it's okay?

 :hug: is great Sceal. As usual helps to know I'm not the only one.

Mine really is a psychological thing. In the daytime I can even hold it back to a certain extent by talking to the ICs just to give myself enough time to rush to the toilet. It's definitely helpful to talk to them on the way and then praise "Great!  :cheer: we / you made it!". Or if I /we don't make it, then "it's OK, that happens sometimes. We'll just clear the mess up together, do some laundry."

I'm fairly certain mine is trauma related.
Sounds like you have a great attitude towards it though. And also very forgiving towards your self. That's really good! :cheer: wonderful to hear! :)

Thanks! But as usual it took me quite a while to get to this forgiving state! Always a process.

Mine is presumably trauma-related as well. Especially since talking to the ICs is so helpful. Just one IC might not be a trauma thing. Some people refer to their creativity, playfulness etc as an IC, but once you have quite a few ICs that you're juggling in daily life, I imagine you're likely to have some sort of trauma problem. Just my layperson view of course.

Well, I had a few disabilties I was born with, but cPTSD makes it worse. Sensory processing disorder already makes my senses oversensitive, and trauma just makes this extra painful. I'm kinda delayed with fine motor movements, and I've lost the ability to write or even grasp things when really stressed .

It's gotten a lot better though after months of weekly treatments. I last longer in overstimulating environments, and if I can't write, I have a tablet to type with everywhere though.  Especially useful when fine motor control for my voice err. . . while a lot less common decides to bail on me. Noise cancelling headphones too. :whistling:

An old one of my physical ailments returned today: really sore throat and inside of mouth. I used to get it all the time when I said, wrote or even thought something that FOO had forbidden me from saying. During the time I was 'breaking down' until I finally broke down completely, I had this pain all the time. So things are 'much improved' in that it's only occasional. But still, pain is pain. I also know in my case that no painkillers or anything else like heat treatment worked against the pain. The ailments cleared up and moved somewhere else. No, the pain is really a message from my psyche to me. atm I'm expressing stuff to FOO though not sending yet.

The good news is: I don't have arthritis in my knees! X-ray today at orthopedic doc's brought that surprising information.

otoh, what do I have? What is causing intermittent pain so bad I occasionally need crutches? CPTSD imho! (The gift that keeps on giving... :thumbdown:  ) Probably armouring, also probably my wonky feet, the diagnosis in English seems to be splayfoot, also called 'flat feet' in lay terms though not quite accurate. It's getting worse, both feet are splaying out more and more. Today I got a new prescription for orthopedic insoles. imho they don't do very much, maybe they slow the process down a bit, but that's all. I've been getting prescriptions for them and wearing them for decades. At least the orthop. didn't say: "Do more exercise and lose weight" because that would have been triggering and very difficult to accomplish w/o dropping back in some other facet of healing.

I'm glad you don't have knee arthritis, Blueberry.

I agree with your conclusion that CPTSD is playing a part. I have various physical issues that I can clearly link to CPTSD now I know more about the physical manifestations.

I would also agree with your conclusion that your feet are playing a part. Any problem with foot or hip mechanics tends to play out with knee pain even if there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the mechanics of the knee, because all the forces of locomotion pass through the knee, which is quite a small and fragile joint given what it has to do. If you are able to tolerate a physiotherapist appointment I wonder whether that might be beneficial in terms of getting some targeted exercises for your legs that might strengthen the muscles that support the knees. Such exercises have helped my husband enormously and he has horrendous arthritis. I know you don't but the only thing that really supports an angry knee is good musculature around it. There are plenty of exercises that are not hideously taxing and can be done at home in burst when you have time/inclination. No equipment needed other than, perhaps, some rubber resistance bands which are cheap and easy to source. Even a bit of foot massage (such as rolling a ball under your feet) could be helpful. I am a great fan of physiotherapists - I think they are unsung heroes in many cases.

Thanks NK :hug:

Physical exercise or shall we say regular physical movement is very difficult for me, also very exhausting so presumably triggering. In fact writing and thinking regular physical movement is less triggering than phys.ex. which is why I wrote out the second terminology. So even the terminology is a problem - the actual activity is far worse as is trying to do any regularly.

I just found a good explanation of splayfoot by googling, which was helpful in explaining the affect on my whole foot including the heel which has got worse in the last year or two.

Actually I had a physio appt for tomorrow but it got cancelled so have to wait another 2 weeks for the next one. I'm getting better at remembering to run my feet over a spiky massage ball and at least mobilising my toes. When I was inpatient, I was doing leg-strengthening exercises regularly and maybe I'll manage to get back to that. Not that it's connected, but just this week I've managed to start going to church again, which certainly inspires me to sing - a good thing! Maybe leg-strengthening exercises will come back soon too ;) I'm also beginning to listen to music again and to move my body to it, following my body's impulses. May not strengthen per se, but it does reduce the armouring a bit. I also read just today that taping actually helps, it did when I was inpatient too, so time to order a roll of tape for my feet and knees.

I agree on your opinion on physiotherapists, the good ones I have had over the years knew so much about the interconnection of well everything and could feel what was going on w/o me having to explain and 'prove' etc. More recently, they obviously understand the armouring as well and nod when I mention cptsd.

I'm going to lock this topic as we reached page 6 and normally and start a Part 2 after page 5.