Young woman seeks help for chronic pain condition

Mairead Keen suffers from a severe chronic pain condition that hinders her daily life.

Chronic pain limits future for young woman seeking relief

Mairead Keen, a 22-year-old woman living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), shares her struggles with managing debilitating pain for eight years. Diagnosed following a viral infection at age 14, Mairead feels that her future has been stolen by this condition, experiencing constant agony described as "walking on glass." Initially, she received substantial support from the NHS, including therapies and psychiatric care. However, upon reaching adulthood, much of that support vanished. Her mother, Marie Keen, lamented the lack of available resources for chronic pain sufferers in Scotland. Now, Mairead is fundraising for an alternative treatment called Calmare Therapy, which the NHS has not approved due to doubts about its efficacy. She hopes this therapy, widely available in other countries, may restore her ability to lead a normal life, including the chance to build a family and career.

Mairead's experience reflects a broader issue facing many individuals with chronic pain conditions. The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare often strips away necessary support systems, leaving patients to navigate their struggles alone. The lack of NHS acceptance for emerging therapies, like Calmare Therapy, demonstrates a gap in healthcare innovation where patients seek options not offered within their national health services. This situation raises important questions about how we care for chronic pain patients and the adequacy of existing healthcare frameworks to address their needs.

Highlights

The future of chronic pain management still hangs in the balance as voices like Mairead's demand change.