Cauda Equina Syndrome
“Imagine jumping from a helicopter and landing on a telegraph pole with a pineapple strapped to the top – that’s the simplest way to describe the pain of Cauda Equina Syndrome” says Claire Thornber, Founder of Cauda Equina Champions Charity.
C
laire was just 39 years old when Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) was introduced into her life for the first time. All it took was one turn in bed whilst sleeping in September 2010, and the sudden sharp pain that ran up Claire’s back told her – something was not right. The following day Claire hobbled into A&E and was sent away and told to get some bed rest for having a ‘bad back’. Claire says: “Luckily I wasn’t the sort of person to take anyone’s advice, and always follow the beat of my
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own drum. It was starting to affect how I lived my day to day life and things such as – queuing in a supermarket, cleaning my home or the offices I was hired to clean was just impossible”. Claire did her own research and the results showed symptoms of CES but was quickly alerted to red flags that can leave you with permanent disability if not treated as soon as possible. These red flags include bladder issues, irregular bowel movements, severe back pain, leg weakness and numbness, saddle numbness, and sex related problems. This is just the beginning of Claire’s story… Claire has since received a diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and has set up her very own charity – Cauda Equina Champions Charity which has helped hundreds of people around the world. The mission is to spread further awareness
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