My experience with chronic pain started in 2006 when I had nerve entrapment surgery behind my right knee. I was told I would be back to normal in two weeks, yet three months later, the swelling and pain had not subsided, and my leg was purple. My surgeon told me that sometimes our system gets stuck in ‘fight or flight’ and that’s a ‘bad thing’, so I needed to touch my leg more as it healed. He also put me on Lyrica. After three months he sent me to a pain specialist and washed his hands of me. That is when I found out the ‘bad thing’ was RSD.
I was given a good prognosis as I was diagnosed early, however, three nerve blocks did nothing. One day, I sat in horror as I felt the pain transfer to my left leg, then burn up through every nerve in my body and arms until it reached my face and head. I could not walk as it felt like my feet were being cut by glass. In two minutes the pain had gone full body and I started the sickening journey of multiple medications and infusions until I had an SCS implanted eighteen months later.
Even with an SCS, l have flares which remind me that RSD and fibromyalgia are ever present in my life. I am so very fortunate to be able to work and continue to live a wonderful life, but I suffer from doctors dismissing me when I have other medical symptoms because I am a pain patient, and I have also been told I am just being a hysterical woman who needed to get other interests in life.
I continue to look for options, as I know one day I will be pain free. I have tried many western and alternative therapies, and the more I continue along my journey, the more I see how past trauma and our emotions can become intertwined in our bodies. I have been gifted with meeting the most amazing teachers and healers, who I trust to lead me to a place of remission.
In the meantime, I decided to see my pain as a ‘wake-up call’ in life. My pain experience has truly helped me to value the present moment, to value those around me, and my life has become so much richer. I feel very blessed.