Elena

I was first diagnosed with TMS in 2004. I had been in a car accident and had suffered a whiplash injury. Shortly after the accident, the perfectionist in me decided I was perfectly well enough to go back to work and use a stationary bike. After all, I had hurt my upper body, not my legs. I was pushing myself to the limit when I felt some strange pains in my legs. I stopped, went home, and felt even stranger pains in my legs as I rested on my couch. I felt like I must have really done it this time, really hurt myself. This pain along with intermittent neck and back pain from the whiplash injury continued for months. I went to a physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, neurologist, surgeons, etc. Then, after reading about Dr. Sarno in one of Dr. Andrew Weil's books, I decided to read Healing Back Pain. As many comment, I saw my perfectionistic, goodist personality on every single page. I realized how hard I was on myself and how much rage I must have pent up inside. I found a TMS doctor in my area and made an appointment. I remember crying immediately as I found out I indeed had TMS. Finally, someone knew what was really wrong with me! I finally had an answer. I felt like I had been searching for so long. Journaling really seemed to help and I soon became virtually pain free and a lot less worried about the pain when I did feel twinges. For many years, I've almost forgotten about my TMS. This I found out recently was a mistake. Recently, I've been experiencing new symptoms, which I know are also TMS related. I have begun journaling again and I know I will be pain free again soon. I have realized that this diagnosis is forever. We must never stop remembering or doing the daily work to help relieve our inner tension. Otherwise, it will threaten to boil over again and the brain will create new symptoms.