.
Originally graduated in applied social sciences and art. Then worked in admin’ and customer services for 7 years.
During which time CRPS developed at age 24, starting in the right knee and quickly spreading through both legs. IBS developed within weeks of injury.
Later retrained in psychology for a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society, whilst also shifting from crutches to wheelchair, but forced to give up work owing to the pain in my legs. Other autonomic issues cropped up including temperature dysregulation and a tendency towards low blood-sugar.
Finally diagnosed with CRPS at age 30.
With physio’ ‘pacing’ of daily activity, eventually managed 6 hours/week volunteer work as an advocate for a handful of weeks until moving home. The effects of moving to a different county set the health going downhill again and the baseline wouldn’t improve.
Continued into post-grad’ study, but stopped partway owing to severe CRPS pain flare.
Determined personal physio’ programme improved matters until the ANS decided to get extra silly and create even more health problems. Neuro’ downslide for a couple of years before it got full-on with a trigger at age 34, respiratory issues and more. The CRPS had spread through main body to shoulders and neck, and random external triggers set off other autonomic issues along the way.
Despite this, the study got underway once more to complete the masters degree in research. The clock was ticking and I had only one year remaining to complete the final module. So it was either try or give up. I decided to try. (June 2013 update: the results are in… it’s a pass :-D ).
The author continues to spin various plates to also be…
• A health blogger and online advocate
• A contact in the informal global network of CRPS and Dysautonomia patients.
• A supporter of open access to research and the sharing of useful information.
• An administrator in two onlineCRPS support groups.
• A student of both Yang (open hand, sword) and Sun styles of Tai Chi. (Dec 2017: ahem, not at the moment. Coccyx damage has had me out of Tai Chi physio for a year <sobs quietly>)
• And proponent of physio’ ‘pacing’ to reduce amplification of ANS pain signals.
• As well as being a fan of silliness as a personal aspect of pain management! ;-)
(One day it would be nice to bring the art back into play, too)!
xx
Elle and the Auto Gnome 