ellaclaire33
New Member
My husband (who I believe also suffers from TMS and has found great relief just learning about it) recently did a telehealth appointment for a sinus infection. Watching him on the video call made me super nervous. He was so bad at explaining his symptoms, I thought there was no way the doctor would take him seriously and prescribe him what he needed. Much to my surprise, the doctor prescribed him everything he could have possibly needed all at once: steroids for the pain, allergy meds, an antibiotic. Meanwhile, I’m thinking: if I had said the same things, I’d probably be told it’s all in my head and I should come back in a month if I still had any issues.
This experience perfectly highlights the paradox of TMS for me. On one hand I’m reluctant to ever visit a doctor for anything, because I know I will likely be dismissed and told I am fine, regardless of my symptoms. An extreme example: I once had my period (heavy flow) for a month straight, went to a doctor and was told to wait a month and come back if it was still happening! This experience has led me away from the medical establishment to places like this. Paradoxically, if doctors did take me seriously, I might still be getting incessant treatment for chronic pain, IBS, endometriosis, migraines etc. and never have been compelled to explore. As soon as I learned about TMS, I was all ears. I needed very little convincing, as I had already lost faith in allopathic approaches to chronic illness. Meanwhile my husband took years to consider a TMS diagnosis because doctors actually listen to him.
I really hope that someday more doctors start actually listening to women. I’ve noticed even a lot of female doctors dismiss our concerns. But for now I’m so glad I haven’t been taken seriously. If I had I might never have found the actual solution for my problems!
This experience perfectly highlights the paradox of TMS for me. On one hand I’m reluctant to ever visit a doctor for anything, because I know I will likely be dismissed and told I am fine, regardless of my symptoms. An extreme example: I once had my period (heavy flow) for a month straight, went to a doctor and was told to wait a month and come back if it was still happening! This experience has led me away from the medical establishment to places like this. Paradoxically, if doctors did take me seriously, I might still be getting incessant treatment for chronic pain, IBS, endometriosis, migraines etc. and never have been compelled to explore. As soon as I learned about TMS, I was all ears. I needed very little convincing, as I had already lost faith in allopathic approaches to chronic illness. Meanwhile my husband took years to consider a TMS diagnosis because doctors actually listen to him.
I really hope that someday more doctors start actually listening to women. I’ve noticed even a lot of female doctors dismiss our concerns. But for now I’m so glad I haven’t been taken seriously. If I had I might never have found the actual solution for my problems!