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Gran's constant pain is eased by doctor's helpSaturday 6 July 2013
From UK newspaper the Grimsby Telegraph:
Gran's constant pain is eased by doctor's help A GREAT-grandmother who says she had "suicidal thoughts" because of chronic pain has praised her doctor for giving her a "new lease of life". Patricia Stevens, 60, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia three years ago – a condition characterised by widespread pain and profound fatigue. Research suggests that fibromyalgia develops after a trauma, such as an accident, viral infection or childbirth. Patricia was working as a healthcare assistant 18 years ago when a patient fell on her leg. Ever since, she has had chronic pain, which would spread around her body. Even after numerous operations and treatment on her leg, the pain continued without an official diagnosis. It got to such a point that Patricia visited her doctor and asked seriously to have her legs "amputated". She said: "I was at the end of my tether. The pain was constant and I wanted it to end. "I said at my worst point that I would chop my legs off myself – I was not joking either. "I visited Dr Rakesh Pathak, at the Raj Medical Centre, where we went through my medical history and pin-pointed where the pain was around my body. "Afterwards I was finally given a reason for my suffering and diagnosed with fibromyalgia. "I had never heard about this before but I am the type of person who goes away and does research before getting worried." There is no cure for the condition. It is a life-long illness which medics are still conducting researching into. Patricia is now on medication, including morphine, and has also turned to acupuncture, a complementary therapy which she receives at St Hugh's Hospital, in Peaks Lane, Grimsby. She said: "I feel like I have been given a new lease of life thanks to Dr Pathak. "Not only has he helped me physically to cope but emotionally, too. "I am able to manage my pain now and I no longer want to chop my legs off. "The acupuncture also helps relieve the pain. I would suggest it to others as extra therapy." Patricia, a mum-of-three, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother to one, now wants to raise more awareness about the condition as she feels people know very little about it. She said: "More needs to be done because so many people will have fibromyalgia but not officially diagnosed. "The condition is hard to recognise because there is no specific test and the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses. "I want people to realise there is light at the end of the tunnel and things can get better no matter how bad the pain is. "I thought I could not cope but I am now back at work as a health care scientist assistant, in the medical physics department at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital." Patricia wants to set up a local awareness group in the near future. Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for details as soon as they are available. ON THE WEB: For more information about fibromyalgia, visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
The above, with comments, originally appeared here.
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