I consider myself one of the unfortunate ones. By the age of 41, I have endured not one, not two, but at least three (possibly more) chronic pain conditions. Unfortunately, I am not alone. Chronic pain is widespread, with the CDC reporting that 20.9%—over 50 million American adults—suffered from a chronic pain condition in 2021.¹ Among these, 6.9% experienced pain so severe it substantially restricted their daily lives. For me, every pain condition has deeply impacted my ability to work, stay active, and cherish moments with loved ones.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months. It can be continuous or intermittent. While recovery is possible, many endure lifelong pain after its onset. Chronic pain can arise from injuries, underlying health conditions, or even chronic stress. My own experiences show just how diverse and complex chronic pain can be, with each condition requiring a unique, patient-specific approach to treatment—fueling my passion for pain research.
My Journey Through Pain
1. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
During graduate school, I was studying the structure of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)—work unrelated to pain research. One day, a minor bicycle accident left me with a small elbow fracture and tissue damage. Though the acute pain resolved, scar tissue caused cubital tunnel syndrome (also known as tennis elbow), a chronic pain condition where the ulnar nerve becomes compressed.² This led to intense, continuous pain radiating from my elbow to my ring and pinky fingers for months.
Despite trying pain medications and physical therapy, relief only came temporarily through acute pain generated by a hot heat pad. This counterintuitive method aligns with the gate-control theory proposed by Melzack and Wall in 1965, which suggests acute pain can “close the gate” on chronic pain circuits.³ Eventually, I underwent an ulnar nerve transposition surgery to move the nerve to a less compressed location.
2. Latent Tetany
In my thirties, during a postdoc studying lipid and cell wall nano-domains in Candida albicans (a fungal organism causing yeast infections), I began experiencing severe pain throughout my body and profound muscle weakness. At one point, I needed a cane or walker, which was humbling for someone so young and previously active.
Misdiagnoses stretched over five years before latent tetany—a neuromuscular condition causing heightened excitability of sensory and motor neurons⁴—was correctly identified. During this time, the condition completely halted my research career, forcing me to leave my postdoc position and focus solely on managing my health.
Before my diagnosis, gabapentin—a drug known to reduce neuronal excitability—helped manage the pain. Once diagnosed, I learned my condition stemmed from severe Vitamin D deficiency and low magnesium levels, which I corrected with supplements. These interventions helped me recover, and by 2023, I returned to the lab as a research scientist under Dr. Sascha Alles, studying the molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms of pain.
3. Rhabdomyolysis
On my 41st birthday, February 22, 2024, I survived carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. After passing out on a Thursday night, I miraculously woke up alive on Saturday. The incident caused severe neurological effects and rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving rapid muscle breakdown.⁵ My symptoms included intense muscle pain, extreme stiffness, and temporary paralysis in my legs. Due to kidney damage from the rhabdomyolysis, I could only take Tylenol for pain management, as NSAIDs like ibuprofen are processed through the kidneys.
While most people recover from rhabdomyolysis within weeks, it took me six months to regain muscle strength and mobility fully. Thankfully, physical therapy and minimal interventions were sufficient for recovery.
Moving Forward with Purpose
My experiences with chronic pain—especially the years of suffering from latent tetany—deeply affected my ability to work as a scientist. However, these challenges also ignited a passion for pain research. Over the past two years, I’ve experienced the most productive period of my professional career, publishing two papers and progressing several others through various stages of prepublication. For more information about the chronic pain conditions I’ve discussed and the gate-control theory, please refer to the sources cited in this piece.
My hope is that my work will help others reclaim their lives, enabling them to work, play, and connect with loved ones without pain holding them back. Chronic pain conditions are as diverse as the people who endure them, each with unique underlying mechanisms. Understanding these pathways will lead to targeted, patient-specific therapies.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have recovered and to channel my experiences into meaningful pain research. Chronic pain is a challenge that touches millions of lives, and I am committed to helping find solutions that bring relief to those in need.
References
- Rikard SM. Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 20];72. Available from: CDC Report
- Chauhan M, Anand P, Das JM. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 21]. Available from: PubMed
- Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain Mechanisms: A New Theory. Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science; 1965 Nov 19;150(3699):971–979.
- Tetany: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment | Osmosis [Internet]. [cited 2024 Dec 21]. Available from: Osmosis
- Torres PA, Helmstetter JA, Kaye AM, Kaye AD. Rhabdomyolysis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Ochsner J. 2015;15(1):58–69. PMCID: PMC4365849
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