Please take my pain away. I have Degenerative Disc Disease

Hi! For those who doesn’t know my story, here goes....

I kept this as a secret since 2017 because I wanted to live a normal life even though I am in pain everyday.

I have a condition called Degenerative Disc Disease and was diagnosed last 2017. It is the breaking down of the discs in my spine column or what we call “laman sa gitna ng mga buto sa spine”. The last time we went to the doctor there were 2 discs that were deteriorating. It’s been a year since I’ve been to the doctor so I don’t know how many discs are affected.

It all started when I was having chronic back pain when I was in college. I was a part of a dance crew at my school and thought that the back pains may have been because of the trainings. I was always spending my free time in massage places almost everyday. I thought it was nothing. I thought it was normal since I’ve been doing some extreme movements from the trainings.

But no, it was a symptom. Later on when I went back home, I still felt the pain in my back and started feeling tired everyday even though I’m not doing the usual things that I do. I started to feel tingly on my legs and sometimes I can’t get up from my bed.

And now, it is worse than ever. I can’t go back to my doctor because of the pandemic and also because we lost a lot of money for my meds and my grandparents’ meds. My grandfather had stroke last 2015 and my grandmother has diabetes.

The doctor didn’t recommend the operation since I’m too young for it and the operation has a high risk of paralyzation. I’m too young to be paralyzed, I’m only 22 years old.

And just so you know, Degenerative Disc Disease can’t be cured as of now. It can be fixed by operation but it would still deteriorate in a matter of time.

I’m asking people to donate even the smallest amount, it would help us. I’d also like to give awareness and have you check if you have chronic back pains. Please don’t ignore it if you’re having it most of the time. Go to the doctor and have it checked.

Again, I’m sorry for those people who are close to me for not telling this. I wanted to feel normal and I really don’t want to be pitied. I’m sorry if you felt that I should’ve told you this. I was having a hard time with this and most of the time, I was depressed. Imagine that you were an active person before and now I can’t even do chores at home.

Finally, My secret’s out.

Again, If you have these symptoms, please have it checked immediately.

And again, a small donation will be a big help.

Thank you for taking your time reading this. I hope everyone is well and safe.

Please help me share this.