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 ;-)
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 ;-)
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