Slipped discs in neck and mid spine
HI My name is Alexandra and I am originally from England. I was always very active, had an amazing job in the City and was married (currently going through a divorce) 8 weeks ago I started Insanity classes and then lifted some crazily heavy garden furniture. Net result was radiating pain down my arm and neck pain. I had intermittent neck pain for 6 years (but totally normal although in hindsight I probably had a bulging disc) Anyway I had an MRI and found a prolapsed disc at C7&8, large bulging disc at C5&6, annular tears, more degenerative change at C2&3 (cranial MRI pending) and an otonoid peg that had moved. Shortly after this, Ehlers Danlos type II and type III were diagnosed. I had tissue weakness all these years but as I also have polyovarian syndrome and high testosterone levels this was "masking" it and saving me in a way. I went through IVF, the levels got lowered, I was probably weaker and all this damage happened as I was being stupid lifting crazy things! Needless to say I was devastated. I had JUST given up my job to start a family and had been working hard and commuting 4 hours a day, sold my property in England to buy a beautiful home. When my husband found out about my syndrome and future problems he disappeared off the scene and now we are getting a divorce just 2 months later as we don't have the same goals anymore. He told me "i am 36, no job, medical issues, and a badly scarred face (I have some small acne scarring from the past) God bless you ever finding anyone now." He never dealt well with stress and was almost angry I was not this healthy girl anymore. On top of this I have to fight my green card status (on the cusp of 2 years) once the divorce is final. I was always the positive girl, laughing with lots of friends but I have had a really hard time dealing with how my life has changed in the space of 8 weeks. I am so sad and cry and feel devastated most days. I don't know what quite what I am looking for other than some people with similar health issues who might understand how scary it is to deal with pain everyday and future outlook. Someone who can relate to me as I look "normal" but inside I am in pain. I go to the gym 3 times a week still, steam room, massage and do everything I can to help myself stay healthy but my pain is always there and the one person I had hoped would love me no matter what couldn't deal with it all. To meet someone now when you have chronic pain is not going to happen but maybe I could make some good friends and be happy again in my future.....
Shared experience, not medical advice.