Hello, my name is Michaela (Mika), and I am living with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), a rare incurable disease, and one of the most painful and debilitating chronic pain conditions known in the medical field. I am only 29 years old and already the quality of life someone my age is extremely diminished. I cannot do normal things such as sit in a chair, stand/walk unless necessary, go for leisurely walks, ride a bike, swim, drive other when absolutely necessary, go out with people or even dates with my partner, among many other normal activities most people even older than me can do. Despite not being able to walk without extreme difficulty, I still manage to take care of my two dogs all on my own, even though the pain it causes me is unimaginable. They are my babies and I will do anything for them.

I permanently wear a boot and walk on crutches since I cannot tolerate putting weight on my foot nor bending of any kind. I have to spend all of my time in bed with my left leg elevated, except when necessary; such as walking and taking of my dogs, feeding myself, going to my doctors, grocery shopping, and other necessities. I am even unable to use my computer anymore as a past time due to not being able to sit at my desk. I don't have much hope for my life at this point due to being so limited in life as to what I can do and the burden I am facing. I am very terrified, if I am being honest. And I feel like a burden to those around me, especially since I suffer from mental health illnesses.

CRPS progressively worsens over time, slowly breaking down the affected areas of the disease, and severely limiting mobility and my quality of life.

I developed CRPS after a serious fall down the stairs in June 2025 when taking my dogs for a walk, and heartbreakingly, it likely spread further following a miscarriage surgery the very next day. It is possible I also have it in my kidneys from the many kidney stones I have passed over the years starting at age 21, but doctors are unable to officially confirm CRPS in any of my organs due to the nature of the disease. It can only be diagnosed via visualization (discoloration of skin, hair loss, nail growth changes, swelling) and symptoms. There is no test of any kind for it.

This condition causes constant, extremely severe nerve pain by sending false pain signals from the initial injury to the brain through the sympathetic nervous system, even when the injury itself has healed; which originally thought to just be an ankle sprain diagnosed by an emergency room a few days later after I noticed my injury was worsening. The pain is relentless, overwhelming, and life-altering. Not only does it cause pain, but tingling, a feeling of ants crawling and biting, numbness, and dead weight at the worst times of numbness.

As CRPS progresses, it spreads throughout the body, something that has already begun for me by spreading further throughout my leg. It also mimics the pain to other limbs, further debilitating me. The same pain I feel in my bad leg, I feel in my good leg when it does mimic. Recently I have also started developing nerve pain and numbness/tingling in my hands. Over time in the later stages of this disease, it is likely to lead to bone deterioration (osteoporosis), muscle atrophy, permanent joint displacement, and the loss of mobility on my own, due to my affected limb. It is very possible my left foot could be permanently displaced in an unnatural angle without proper treatment and care.

Every single day it feels like my foot, ankle and leg are being crushed by a hammer with bones being shattered, knives relentlessly stabbing me, being electrocuted by a power socket nonstop, or my leg feels like it is on constant fire. I cannot even have anything touch the skin of my foot or leg without it instigating said pains. Because of this, wearing my boot just to be capable of standing and walking is a double-edged sword for me. Even clothing and blankets can be a trigger. CRPS also causes severe swelling of my foot, ankle, and leg. Especially when my leg is vertical for even short periods of time such as 10 minutes. My doctor is 30-50 minutes away depending on traffic, so by the time I arrive, it takes every bit of willpower I have to take the steps to their office and sit while waiting and in my appointment. In addition, I have a permanent lump of dead tissue on my leg from where my leg broke my fall on the edge of a step, which the permanent swelling seems to be gradually spreading.

Because of the severity of my condition, I am currently unable to work or earn income from working my job. I have luckily been on short term disability since August but is coming to an end as of February 2026. This has resulted in overwhelming medical bills, along with normal expenses such as rent, food, insurance, and basic living costs. I am now facing the very real risk of homelessness, along with my two dogs, who are my only source of comfort, especially being alone.

In addition, I am struggling to afford the ongoing medical treatments needed to slow the progression of CRPS and manage daily pain. I am currently facing two possible major surgeries, a spinal disc infusion and a spinal nerve stimulator implant. The implant is the only true treatment for managing CRPS, which I desperately need to have done but is currently unaffordable for me. It involves two surgeries, a trial surgery and then the implant itself. I also might be looking at spinal disc infusion surgeries due to several compressed discs.

My pain medications I have to pay for out of pocket monthly, any imaging I need is now mostly paid out of pocket, costing me hundreds of dollars alone for that, and I see doctors almost every week. Just my medical costs alone are around $500-$600 monthly. My medications are around $80 monthly, imaging costs close to $300, my doctors I see at least 3-4 times a month cost $50 every visit and am currently trying to pay off an $800 procedure I had done back in December. Not to mention $300 in monthly necessary bills.

Without help, my disease, and my situation, will continue to worsen. I am truly facing losing my ongoing treatment and a place to live. I have never been so scared in my entire life before. I hardly sleep anymore due to the constant worry and panic attacks I suffer from what may happen to not only me, but my babies (dogs) as well. Not to mention the psychical pian I suffer constantly.

I am humbly asking for your support.

Any donation, no matter the amount, even $1 or $5, will help me cover medical care, housing, and basic necessities. So far, all donations received have only gone to covering my medical expenses, which I am truly grateful for and has made a huge positive impact for me.

If you are unable to donate for whatever reasons, please consider sharing this campaign. It truly makes a difference to me by just sharing this and having the outreach to others; sharing means the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story, for your kindness, and for helping me continue this fight. I appreciate any kind of support given, whether it be financial or sharing my story.

I wish nothing but the best for everyone in the world and for no one to suffer in any sort of way<3

Area of Impact on Stairs. Photo taken 2 months later

Joint Stiffness Comparison of Trying to Move Foot Inward - 5 months later

Discoloration of Left Leg - 5 Months Later

Permanent Lump and Swelling from Impact -5 Months later

Joint Stiffness Comparison of Lack of Movement; Trying to Bend Foot Forward - 5 months later