This is my story
My name is Sonia and I am almost 37 years young. I live in Hampshire with my 10 year old son.
I have had back problems on and off since 1995, after slipping a disc. Over the past three years the pain and symptoms have got worse; resulting in chronic back and leg pain, degenerative bone disease, nerve damage in my lower back and legs, and spondylitus (this is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine). I tried a caudel epidural and facet joint injections but got no relief.
The pain in my lower back is constant but the level fluctuates. At the best it’s niggling, at the worst I can’t even lift the kettle without pain. For me, having such problems means I cannot walk far with severe pain; or my leg giving out, and can only drive short distances; therefore I am at home most of the time. Thank God for social networking— which I have found invaluable.
From as early as I can remember, my parents say about 12 months old, I have RLS had (restless leg syndrome) and PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder).RLS and the PLMD cause bad sleep patterns, insomnia and pain. The sensations in my legs at times are unbearable—moving my feet and legs helps ease the symptoms but not completely.
I have had various tests for this over the years and tried many different medications but have had no luck.
Since I was told, about 2 years ago, that time that my `back is beyond surgery and I just had to learn to live with it`, I have been taking Prozac for depression. I was previously lead to believe that I would have surgery which involved fusing my spine, scary thought but I was willing to do it if it meant I had my health back.
I am now waiting for an appointment at the Pain Clinic, which I really do hope helps in one way or another. To have 2 good days a week would be a great start.
Sonia is now doing a degree with Open University in Social Sciences
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