Despite the significant chronic pain Sydney has been facing, she continues to push forward with hope and resilience. Recently, she was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which is known to cause some of the worst pain a person can endure. A sphenopalatine trigeminal nerve block was recommended to help manage her pain, but still, no relief has been found.
Her jaw has been causing increasing pressure on her neck and spine, which has worsened the scoliosis in her back by 11.6 degrees over the past year. This constant pain has become a daily battle. Sydney has appointments almost every day of the week, yet no pain relief option has had any lasting results. To make matters more difficult, her much-needed upcoming surgery has been delayed again, now likely postponed until November. It’s tough knowing that relief is further away than expected, especially as her pain and symptoms worsen each day.
In addition to the jaw issues, Sydney has been undergoing PRF therapy for the past five months to stabilize her knee, hoping to avoid surgery there as well. The treatment hasn’t been easy, but she loves the place she gets the PRF done and has met some of the most kindest people. while the pain can be overwhelming, she has learned to focus on the positives through these challenges.
Though she may be missing out on the things she loves, she still continues to show up, fight to get better and she is determined to heal. No one should have to go through what Sydney faces every day, yet she does it with such strength and grace. Even with constant pain and ongoing challenges, she tries to find the positives and handles it all better than most could imagine.
“Having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is really hard, but it’s helped me learn how strong I can be. Even when things are really rough, I keep going and find ways to stay positive.”
