#47 Chronic Pain: a personal story

<p>In this special bite-sized episode, recorded live at the <b>Pain Science in Motion Congress </b>in Brussels, we sit down with Anneleen, a 30-year-old lab scientist who shares her personal testimonial as a chronic pain patient. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of 12, Anneleen offers a profound, firsthand perspective on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and the turning points that helped her regain her mobility and life.</p><p><br></p><p>Anneleen’s symptoms began at an early age, involving severe fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog. Guided by her mother's own experience with fibromyalgia, Anneleen was evaluated through questionnaires and diagnosed at just 12 years old.</p><p>Her early interventions were heavily medicalized and highly restrictive:</p><p><br></p><p><b>Intravenous Treatments</b><b>Intravenous</b>: She regularly received magnesium intravenously, which left her feeling highly fatigued and foggy.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Activity Restriction</b>: Her general practitioner advised her not to walk or bike more than 4 kilometers, and she was granted exemptions from various school classes.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Pharmaceuticals</b>: She received extensive pharmaceutical care, which ultimately steered her further into an inactive and sedentary lifestyle.</p><p><br></p><p>At age 21, Anneleen experienced a drastic turning point when she found a multidisciplinary center for pain education. After enduring a difficult period involving severe side effects from prescribed medication—including extreme fatigue, weight loss, and depression—she chose to stop the medication and pivot her approach in collaboration with her care team.</p><p><br></p><p>Instead, she focused on holistic understanding and gradual re-engagement:</p><p><br></p><p><b>Understanding the Alarm System</b>: She learned about the mechanisms of pain and nociception, realizing that her nervous system's alarm system was constantly on edge and giving false signals.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Intuitive Movement</b>: She began incorporating activities like walking, cycling, and Yin yoga into her daily life, moving intuitively without having strict physical goals in mind.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Reframing Pain</b>: She learned how to validate the pain she was feeling, while simultaneously understanding that experiencing pain does not necessarily mean the body is being damaged.</p><p><br></p><p>Anneleen highlights the importance of having a support system that recognizes the small, gradual victori