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My Success Story - 3 years later!

Discussion in 'Success Stories Subforum' started by Miriam G. Bongiovanni, Apr 14, 2019.

  1. Miriam G. Bongiovanni

    Miriam G. Bongiovanni Peer Supporter

    Three years ago, I started experiencing chronic shoulder pain, and had to stop pursuing my favourite hobby - rock climbing. The more I tried to heal it (through physiotherapy and rest initially), the worse it got. I had a costly MRI which revealed something called a HAGL lesion - a ligament in my shoulder was torn permanently and the only way to mend it was through surgery.

    I hated the idea of surgery but booked it anyway, even though the Professor said he couldn't promise that it would eliminate my pain. A few days before surgery, I woke up with a terrible pain in my left buttock and leg. Soon enough the pain spread to my right leg and buttock and I was diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome (even though the pain also spread to my shins and thighs). I had steroid injections and got very little relief. I cancelled the shoulder surgery because I decided to deal with my legs first. A month or so later, I also developed nerve pain in my arms and elbows, as well as visible muscle weakness in one of my hands. A nerve 'Specialist' told me to forget all about Sports, which led me to become severely depressed.

    In short, I was a total mess - at 28 years old, I could barely walk without intense pain, I couldn't use my right shoulder properly and I also stopped working because it hurt to type. All the things I used to enjoy - climbing, hiking, writing - all snatched away from me because of the pain! In secret, I started to search about euthanasia because I had no intention of continuing to live such a miserable life. And then, by accident, as I googled my symptoms, hoping for an answer, the answer came - I discovered the TMS wiki and this Forum.

    Some things I read started to make sense to me and I decided to give it a shot. I followed the Structured Educational Program religiously, sought help from the Forum and read some of Sarno's books. I recovered within 4 weeks, and on the 6th week, I got back into Rock Climbing, reaching my previous level a few months later. This means that with my shoulder ligament still 'torn', I was pulling myself up overhangs and doing all sorts of movements with my body, and I am still doing all of these things today. For me it's nothing short of miraculous.

    Fast forward 3 years later - I haven't had one painful day in my life, neither have I been sick (fingers crossed - I don't even get colds anymore!) Other chronic problems, like my Alopecia Areata, have also disappeared. And so I kept studying TMS and also delved into Neuroscience to expand my knowledge further. I've had some setbacks along the way - struggles with career, relationship problems, negative thinking - but my knowledge of the mind and body has always helped me bounce back, but now I know that life events and stressors don't have to cause me pain, and techniques like self-care and mindfulness have also helped me bounce back mentally.
    I am now studying to become a Certified Life Coach and Mindbody Practitioner, with the hope of specialising in TMS Coaching but also on dealing with chronic stress. I am still amazed at how little the world knows about this fascinating subject, and I am determined to spread the word!

    And, one other thing if you like my story: At the moment (mod edit: April 2019) I am offering free Coaching sessions as part of my studies, so if you need a little extra help with healing, I'm more than willing to help - it's totally free, I would just need your feedback in return. Help me learn how to help others ;-)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 20, 2019
  2. Ellen

    Ellen Beloved Grand Eagle

    Thank you so much for sharing your success story. It will be sure to inspire many others. And good luck with your coaching career. I'm sure many will benefit from your experience.
     
  3. JanAtheCPA

    JanAtheCPA Beloved Grand Eagle

    Welcome to your first post from your new persona as a TMS coach, Miriam!

    Miriam reached out to me when she was planning this transition, because she wanted to be sure she was respectful our forum, and not use it simply as a marketing platform. Many members know her as @Adventureseeker. She joined the forum almost three years ago, and achieved the level of Peer Supporter.

    I am happy to welcome another member-coach to the TMS Wiki community, because our members are the ones who already know what we are about. I know there are many members who are seeking, or who need, one-on-one help. And, Miriam, feel free to give us a link your website, and add it to your User Profile!

    ~Jan

    PS - Miriam is in Malta, which makes her a time-appropriate resource for our European members :)
     
  4. Baseball65

    Baseball65 Beloved Grand Eagle

    Awesome!
     
  5. grapefruit

    grapefruit Peer Supporter

    Awesome story! Like you say, what we can do now, after healing, feels nothing short of miraculous, and I feel like sometimes the missing link in people who are unable to heal is the inability to believe in miracles. How could someone pull themselves up onto rocks above them with a permanently torn shoulder, and without pain? And yet you have done it, defying all the science we know, because that "science" is not science at all - it's actually one giant misconception about how the body works. It's a big leap of faith to the other side, but it's the side of truth.
     
    JanAtheCPA likes this.
  6. Andy Bayliss

    Andy Bayliss TMS Coach & Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hi Miriam,

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I love that other symptoms have dropped away also, over time. It is like the nervous system activation, and fears, and conditioning all fall away. A miracle!

    Thanks for offering help, and thanks for becoming a Life Coach. Dr. Schubiner said it best: "We need an army of people out there doing this work; physicians can't do it all!" I am wishing you the greatest satisfaction and success.

    Best to You!

    Andy B
     
    HattieNC and birdsetfree like this.
  7. JanAtheCPA

    JanAtheCPA Beloved Grand Eagle

    I recently reminded someone who was losing hope, that we read about miracles here, experienced by our community, every day! The miracle is indeed the ability to change our minds, and thereby change our experience. And often it takes help.
     
    HattieNC likes this.
  8. LindenSwole

    LindenSwole Peer Supporter

    Would love to interview you on my podcast! Email me at eddy@themindandfitnesspodcast.com if you’d be willing to share your story
     
    HattieNC and JanAtheCPA like this.
  9. Boston Redsox

    Boston Redsox Well Known Member

    I will take you up on that
     
    Gusto likes this.
  10. Saman

    Saman Newcomer

    Amazing story, what a turn around from some one who was thinking about euthanasia to now living such an amazing pain free life...you are a true inspiration.
     
  11. Jamie987

    Jamie987 New Member

    Hi Miriam, hope you're well.

    This story has really inspired me as I am struggling with chronic pain in both my shoulders. Reading that you can now do what you love (rock climbing) without any pain is amazing- especially considering some of the positions this requires.

    I know this post was a few months ago, but if you are still offering some help I'd be very interested! I live in the UK

    thanks
     
  12. Miriam G. Bongiovanni

    Miriam G. Bongiovanni Peer Supporter

    Hey Jamie,

    Thanks for reading my story, glad it's inspired you :) Having pain in both shoulders is a strong indication that it's TMS, so that's one of the things to remind yourself about. Once you get better from TMS there are no limits. Since the body is not damaged, you can practise any sport, as long as you are not scared of pain anymore.

    I've started charging for the coaching since I've completed my diploma now. Have a look at my website https://www.painoutsidethebox.com/ (PainOutsideTheBox) and if you're interested in coaching, email me because I intend to offer a discounted price in the beginning.
     
    JanAtheCPA likes this.
  13. Jamie987

    Jamie987 New Member

    I will check that out! Fear of a physical injury is probably the biggest thing holding me back now, as shoulder problems are so common in weightlifters.

    I'd be more than happy to pay for coaching
     
  14. Pratik Rao

    Pratik Rao New Member

    This is amazing ! Really inspirational ! Like you, I to was a sport buff, a national level basket player, trekker, powerlifter and cyclist before Pudendal nerve entrapment took over my life. I would be really interested to attend your coaching program !
     
  15. josh2223

    josh2223 Newcomer

    Great looking site Miriam. I like you hate the idea of surgery. Your story is definitely inspiring and let's me know I can recovery from the pain I'm experiencing and return to an active lifestyle. Thanks for sharing.
     

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