DI in the News: I Suffer From The Most Painful Condition Known To Medicine — And My Life Is A Nightmare
How can you go from throwing a football in the spring of 2002 to having the most painful condition known to medicine, with your life forever changed? Alex Hankin Hart ended up with a fractured finger, sprained wrist, and damaged rotator cuff. After being in a cast and having it removed, she went to wash her hands, and the next thing she knew, everything went black. She had passed out from the pain of washing her hands.
She was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a poorly understood form of pain that is severe, chronic, and debilitating. Although most cases are triggered by an injury, the resulting pain is much more severe and long-lasting than normal. CRPS makes her skin feel like it’s on fire on the inside yet freezing cold on the outside. Though CRPS typically affects the body part or region that was injured, hers has progressed to encompass her entire body.
An estimated 200,000 Americans are struggling with this condition, which the McGill Pain Index lists as the most painful condition known to medicine. It is considered more painful than fibromyalgia or giving birth — even more painful than amputating a finger without anesthesia.
There is no cure for CRPS. Even worse, doctors can’t seem to agree on what causes it.
From her FB: I’m amazed I was able to go from being at this point in my life to being able to hold down a part-time job where I walk the equivalent of 1.5mi/day without a cane.
Yes, I’m still in pain but ketamine infusions every 6 weeks and remembering to do at least some of the stuff I learned at Cleveland Clinic have been literal life savers. Last year was a “good year” because we “only” paid $10,000 out of pocket for my medical appointments, prescriptions and one round of ketamine infusions. I spent an additional $5,200 on medical cannabis.
Imagine not being able to work for over 20 years or even having to work part-time. It’s a disability that isn’t visible. This does not show up on an X-Ray or MRI, it is not easy to prove. She ‘only’ had to spend $10,000 out of pocket for her medical appointments. How much of her savings do you think she has used? CRPS makes working nearly impossible.
Disability insurance should be a part of every working person’s budget. You never know what life will bring or how long a disability might last. Protect your income!
