Main fundraiser photo

Fight The Fire For Meagan

Donation protected
After many sleepless nights, doctor’s appointments, x-rays, painful tests, and blood work, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome). CRPS is a condition that is associated with the imbalance and malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Medically speaking, it is the most painful disease known to man – rating higher than both childbirth and amputation on the McGill Pain Index.


Many people, including myself, who have CRPS describe it as feeling like they are literally being burned alive. Not medically speaking - my immune and nervous system sort of shut down during surgery and then rewired incorrectly. It mistranslates nerve signals from the affected area to be received as extreme and insurmountable pain, while also undermining the patient’s immune system. CRPS is also known as “the Suicide Disorder” due to the high number of those diagnosed that complete suicide due to the chronic severe pain, and loss of function. CRPS obviously leads to depression, anxiety and PTSD.


September 2019 I broke my back cooking. Yes, you read that correctly, COOKING!!! Still baffling to this day. October 29, 2019 I had a 360 fusion. I was told I would be back up and running within 3 months. Instead I woke up from surgery with an intense burning sensation in my hip. (I describe this as - imagine you’ve have two metal poles in a fire pit for hours, they are red because they are so hot…you grab those irons and hold on to them. Never letting them go. That’s what CRPS feels like). The doctors told us the pain was “because I grew half an inch due to the spacer” “Don’t worry about it, it will stop hurting eventually.” Sometimes CRPS can go into remission if caught within the first year. Months turned into a year and 16 months after the first burning sensation, I was diagnosed with CRPS by 3 different medical professionals. CRPS can also spread, but not in everyone. Unfortunately I am one of those already unfortunate people that got even more unfortunate news. I now have CRPS in my left hip, left leg, left calf, left foot, right calf, right foot, right hand, left hand, left wrist and face/eyes. I have undergone 33 different surgeries and procedures since being diagnosed with CRPS. I’ve spent the last 2 years trying every therapy available to combat CRPS, but unfortunately nothing has made a difference in my pain and function (and frankly It’s too expensive).


CRPS can effect anywhere in your body including organs. I’ve had 2 surgeries due to this and lost an organ already.







I have struggled to maintain hope. BUT one thing that makes me happy is makeup (which is why I created a YouTube channel. I needed something for my mental health) hopefully it will help other people going through CRPS. Check it out



Each January I have to shell out $4,000 for my out of pocket max and because some of my nerve medicines aren’t covered by insurance - I have to pay it up front all at once. Hopefully after treatment I won’t have to stay on the medicine (they are so bad for my overall health). Speaking of overall health - it is slowly deteriorating. Some of my hormones have completely depleted including TSH (pituitary gland).


CRPS also causes other effects. I’ve developed Myoclonus, dysesthesia, muscle spasms, extreme charlie horses, allodynia, atrophy and more.



However, we have found a treatment that has good success in putting CRPS into permanent remission. The Spero Clinic, a holistic medical treatment center in Arkansas led by well-known Quantum Neurology Nerve Rehabilitation specialist Dr. Katinka van der Merwe. Dr. Katinka has treated patients from all around the world with her effective 12 Week Neurologic Rehabilitation program. Unfortunately, The Spero Clinic does not accept the majority of insurances and is extremely expensive! Running roughly 4-6k a week (treatment, living expenses, etc.). It is suggested to get this treatment done as soon as possible for it to successfully put this horrible disease into remission and get me back to my normal life. They suggest starting a Gofund me because most people don’t have that much money just sitting around.

I have 3 beautiful children and a very supportive husband. They have all been so amazing and helpful these past 2 years! Before CRPS I was incredibly athletic. I worked out almost 7 days a week, hardcore. It was my therapy. I loved hiking, beaches, dancing and being with family. (Unfortunately CRPS has made me bed ridden many days so I don’t get to spend as much time with my family and it makes me incredibly sad - which leads to even more depression).







I thank you for taking the time to even read this let alone donate any money. You have no idea how appreciative I am. We greatly appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.

Organizer

Meagan Alford
Organizer
Royse City, TX

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.