The only time I got a little relief from fibro-myalgia (FM) was when I took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and that was pretty much all the time. Yet in spite of taking ibuprofen, I was always in pain. I rarely slept, as the pain was so intense it would keep me up all night. I also worried about what the ibuprofen would do to my stomach.
One time over dinner with friends, with tears in my eyes I was emboldened enough to tell them about my condition. As to be expected my friends were very sympathetic but at a loss as to what to reply. After all FM is like a slow death sentence.
But lo and behold the next day I received an email from one of my friends telling me about Third Space Medical and how they had helped her with a debilitating pain she'd suffered as a result of an accident. I kindly thanked my friend for her suggestion and promised to give them a call.
That was a Monday. I went in on Thursday and I was seen by Dr. Jonathan immediately. He took the time to listen to me, and followed up with a thorough evaluation of my condition. For some reason, I trusted Dr. Hartman when he promised to do everything in his power to get me up and moving again.
The following week I started therapy at the TSM clinic in Ridgewood Ave. I would see Lisa the PA for muscle relaxants containing all natural drugs. After which I would follow with chiropractic manipulation by Dr. Jon, and thirdly with physical therapy in the adjacent room.
Wow, this clinic offered everything I needed to get better and all departments within walking steps of one another. I was mostly impressed with the kind and friendly staff who did their best to make every patient feel special. Not only do they treat you as part of their family, they always do so with a kind word and a smile on their face.
It's been two months that I've been going to TSM and I can't say enough good things about this place and their highly professional staff. I recommend this place to anyone suffering from any type of pain. In my case TSM was Godsend--I had altogether given up and resigned myself to whatever years I had left on earth in pain and misery. I cried in silence whenever I thought about my 'death sentence'. But thank God the staff at TSM gave me a new lease on life.
Thirty-three-year-old Dr. Jon explained that FM is basically pain which doctors haven't been able to identify its source. Pain can stem from any number of things: celiac from gluten foods, glucose intolerance, long-term injury that hasn't been treated properly (or not treated at all), and/or a host of other triggers. TSM's aim is to get to the root of your pain through the use of all-natural muscle relaxants and up-to-the-minute chiropractic care, in conjunction with highly trained physical therapists who work closely with their patients to attain optimal health.
I feel 75 percent better than when I first came to TSM. I'm experiencing much less pain, much more mobility and flexibility, and about a 50 percent increase in energy levels. But more importantly, I don't see my condition as a death sentence anymore. I have renewed hope that with the right diet, continued exercise, and positive outlook, I can achieve a long and healthy life.
