2. Arachnoiditis
3. Interviews

Charlotte's interview

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How did all start?

I has an operation for a microdiscetomy and I had to have revision surgery and I caught a spinal infection discitis and I was diagnosed shortly After

Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?

I do have the diagnosis I was diagnosed around 6 months after my spinal infection

For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?

I have a spinal cord stimulator and it has been the best pain relief up to now I take medication which also helps

What has been the most useful thing for you so far?

My spinal cord stimulator helps with 85% of my leg pain from nerve damage

What have been your biggest difficulties?

My life completely changed after I was diagnosed I find that I can’t physically do everyday things without burning pain in my back I hate I can’t do physical things with my children

How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?

My family are great and understand completely but I lost a lot of friends as they thought I would want help from them and they didn’t want to help me

What things have you stopped doing?

Most physical activities I can’t even walk my dogs anymore Even housework is painful

What do you think about the future?

I don’t like to think how I will end up

So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?

When I was in my teens to 20s when everything was fun and I had no pain I could do anything I wanted

What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?

Working would be great and I would do more physical activities with my kids

If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?

Not very happy because of daily pain

Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?

Take each day as it comes and don’t beat yourself up in you can’t achieve everything you used to

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