Somatoform Disorders

I have recently been diagnosed with Somatoform Pain Disorder, and I take Effexor 75mg twice a day for my depression and anxiety. When I first noticed something was wrong, it was on Christmas eve a year ago when I was involved in a very stressful situation and my lower back started to hurt, Not so bad at the time because I was just thinking it was my kidney stones ( I have had kidney stones for a couple years now). The pain stopped hurting eventually, but the next day it came back worse and I could not take it anymore so I went to the ER and they just gave me something for pain. I was fine for about two weeks and made an appointment with my Urologist to check out my kidneys and try to find the reason for my pain. Just a couple days after that the pain came back and didn't go away..so back to the ER I went.

I called my Urologist the next day and he wanted me to come down and take some X-Rays of my kidneys and also a CAT scan, The tests showed that I some kidney stones in both my right and left kidney, So my Urologist offered that I should have the surgery lithotripsy, where they send shock waves directly to the kidney stone and it breaks it up. I decided to have the surgery. It went well but a week later the pain came back and I was confused because I thought the Lithotripsy had worked. So continuous trips to the ER and Doctors appointments over four months had left me feeling like there was no hope, That I would be in pain for the rest of my life. I had two surgerys, Multiple X-Rays, CAT scans, and a MRI. The doctor I was going to at the time had told me he thought it was just a Psychological problem, But I didn't want to believe him because I thought he was saying I was crazy, It made me so frustrated because the pain was really there and everyone thought I was faking it. I eventually just stopped going to the doctors and the ER because I was tired of people saying I'm probably addicted to the pain medication and/or I'm faking the pain when I knew it was really there. It had interfered with my social life and my personal life.

The end of the Summer I was desperate for answers, I wanted to find out why I was having the horrible pain and I wanted to fix it. I decided to take the whole Psychological idea and go to a Psychologist. I found the one who I thought would be best and made an appointment. I was very nervous to go but I'm glad I did, at first he just asked basic information about me, and then he asked why I decided to come. I told him about all the struggles I have been having with my pain, and how one of the doctors strongly thought it was psychological but I didn't want to agree because I knew I wasn't faking it. He then explained to me that most of the time it doesn't mean you're crazy, but it just is depression and anxiety causing it and that's why all the test I have done showed up fine. He recommended that I try taking the Anti-depressant Medicine Effexor and come back and talk to him again after a month and a half. I went to my primary doctor and told him what my psychologist recommended. My doctor prescribed Effexor for me and also told me to come back in a month and a half. The Effexor took a while to actually show some changes (of course) but once it fully worked my pain went away. I went back to my Psychologist a month after and told him the results of how I felt, and how my pain had decreased. He then told me that he was pretty sure I had Somatoform Pain Disorder from the symptoms I had and the situation I was in when the pain started. It has been six months since I have been on the Effexor and diagnosed with Somatoform, The first couple months of being on it were a little rocky. I had the lower back pain once in a while when I was stressed out about something, but now I have not had the pain since and I am grateful, I might have panic attacks everyone once in a while but other than that I'm glad I went to my psychologist.

I just want to talk to different people who have Somatoform, and hear their stories so I know I'm not the only one out there with Somatoform!

Anxiety and depression can cause a whole host of physical symptoms! I have had countless complaints from anxiety. Pain has fortunately not been one of them, but just about everything else has...and everyone is different.
I am sorry that you have suffered with this, but I'm glad that you are on the right track to treat it now! I hope that you continue to find relief.
Welome to H.W.! I'm sure that you will find not only great information here, but caring support as well. Stick around and post anytime
Take care,
Scaredy Cat

redheadlady

Good to hear you like your therapist and that you are feeling better. Your in my prayers to keep moving in the right direction.

Keep talking with us.

Kindly,

Kitt

Red head lady: I have chronic pain also for about 10 yrs now and take many medications. I finally went to a "shrink" sorry, a year ago and they put me on an antidepressant, I was not able to completety cut off meds but decresed them sooo much. It was explained to me the same way that when you are stressed your pain is triggered and vice a versa. Thanks for the information and Good luck

CRohns DX
Pelvic Floor Tention
Interstitioal Cyctitis
Pelvic Adhesions

Severe Scoliosis
Depression/anxiety