Fighting for Freedom from Chronic Pain

Pain compilation (BBC News interview included)

 

Hello, my name is Hannah Wood and I am 25 years old. I have been diagnosed with Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) which causes me to be in constant pain. I was a normal, healthy child. I started my periods at age 10 and, because of this, I knew what to expect by the time I was 12. But one day, when I was 12 and on my period, I had a very different type of pain. The GP thought it could be my appendix so I had to go to hospital. I was kept in for the weekend and my appendix although normal was removed. I awoke in excruciating pain as if I was being constantly stabbed with shards of glass in the appendix area. 13 years down the line and the debilitating pain has reduced my quality of life to practically nothing. If it weren't for my assistance dog I would not have had the will to live. Euthanasia is never far from my mind but I know I must try and persevere for my dog's sake. To date I am on opiates and have been for 10 years. I have tried various treatment options including nerve blocks, nerve ablation, steroid injections and even spinal cord stimulators. All of these treatment options (except the stimulators) have helped but, unfortunately, nowhere near enough- therefore, our final option is surgery (e.g. neurectomy or to free up the offending nerve/s and scar tissue). We have found a few surgeons who can provide the necessary surgery; however, as they are overseas, they are working privately, meaning we need to fund the treatment ourselves.Due to my pain, I cannot work, so the only income I have is in the form of government benefits (ESA and PIP)- which I have been using to fund anything medical-related (e.g. appointments/treatment, mobility aids, etc). Because of this, I simply cannot afford my surgery without some help- which brings me to gofundme. Any help in donations would be gratefully received. I'm desperate to get a life back. Before the appendicectomy, my whole life lay ahead of me, and I saw a future. I no longer see any future now. I'd given up all hope of a cure until I started reading online about how some other ACNES sufferers had had success from surgery- including one young woman who was treated by Dr Tim Tollestrup in Nevada, USA. My aim was to go out to Nevada to see Dr Tim Tollestrup and get the required surgery. Unfortunately, the amount we were quoted was so much that with flights, accommodation etc, we would have needed over £25,000. Fortunately, in December 2022, we found a doctor (Dr Marc Sheltinga) who specialises in ACNES and is a surgeon. I quickly got in contact with Dr Scheltinga, who is based at Maxima MC in Eindhoven, and before I knew it, my Dad & I were flying over for a consultation on the 4th January 2023. Dr Scheltinga examined me and gave me a trigger point anaesthetic injection (something that is used to help diagnose ACNES). He was/is confident that I am suffering with nerve entrapment and offered to do the necessary surgery (a neurectomy). The date for the surgery, the surgery I’ve needed for 13 years, is booked for the 24th February 2023. The surgery is estimated to cost around €4000- I have written a break down of the costs in the updates section.

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