The father of a woman battling 'suicide disease' which left her bedridden and in agony has told how joining
The father of a woman battling 'suicide disease' which left her bedridden and in agony has told how joining TikTok has given her 'sense of purpose' and helped her stay connected to the world during the pandemic. Amy Pohl, now 28, a former primary school teacher of Rugby, Warwickshire, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in January 2018. It's often dubbed suicide disease because of how many sufferers take their lives - something Amy came close to three years ago - due to the pain, which is described as being as intense as childbirth but for 24 hours a day. Doctors are unsure what caused Amy's condition, though her family claim she developed it in her left arm following an infection in her hand from a routine cannula in December 2017. She has spent her life in specialist care and rehabilitation facilities ever since, and when Covid-19 hit it created a 'physical and psychological barrier' between her and her family. But after joining Amy Pohl, now 28, a former primary school teacher of Rugby, Warwickshire, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in January 2018 Amy has spent her life in specialist care and rehabilitation facilities ever since. But after joining TikTok 'for a joke' to pass the time, her inspiring videos that capture her fight with CRPS, FND and her physical rehabilitation story have seen her amass one million followers Speaking to FEMAIL, Amy's father David Pohl said the social media app has been a 'lifesaver' for his daughter throughout the pandemic. 'It has given her a platform where she can share her story and continue to educate people about the life-changing conditions that she has experienced over recent years,' he explained. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 2 Next Boohoo boss insists its clothing brands are 'not throwaway'... Mother, 30, reveals how 'blocked milk duct' she discovered... Cancer patient told she'd never eat or speak properly again... Share this article Share 'Amy now has a sense of purpose, a reason to continue. Her days of teaching in the classroom are over, but she can communicate now to the world via TikTok. 'She gained verification status - the blue tick - shortly after Christmas this year and hit a million followers yesterday. I have no doubt in my mind that she will gain many more millions in the future too.' Amy has a first class honours degree and had secured her dream job, but began to feel run down in November 2017 and was diagnosed with adult croup - an infection that affects the windpipe, airways and voice box, most likely contracted from working in close proximity with children. Amy is pictured before the ordeal with her parents Jo and David, and grandparents Sandra and John Collins. The family believes her problems may have started from the failed cannula attempt Speaking to FEMAIL, Amy's father David Pohl said the social media app has been a 'lifesaver' for his daughter throughout the pandemic Amy was diagnosed with CRPS - persistent severe and debilitating pain triggered by an injury. Around the same time she was also diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) - a common and disabling set of neurological symptoms, such as tremor and cognitive problems After antibiotics failed to clear the infection up, she was admitted to hospital for more tests. She later suffered a near-fatal reaction to her medication and was rushed to intensive care. Around a week later, Amy developed an infection after a failed cannula insertion, which caused her hand and wrist to swell up. She then needed surgery under general anesthetic to drain the abscess. By January 2018 the pain in her arm - which she described as like being 'stabbed by a hundred shards of burning glass' - meant she was back in hospital and on an IV drip. Amy was diagnosed with CRPS - persistent severe and debilitating pain triggered by an injury - a few weeks later. CRPS' exact prevalence is unclear, however, a study claimed up to one in 3,800 people in the UK develop the condition each year. Although relieved to have a diagnosis, Amy's mental health spiralled. Around the same time she was also diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) - a common and disabling set of neurological symptoms, such as tremor and cognitive problems. Miss Pohl (pictured before with her father) is keen to raise awareness of chronic pain disorders Amy Pohl (left) developed 'suicide disease' after an alleged failed cannula insertion left her in excruciating pain. She is pictured right with her mother Jo, father Dave and dog Bessler 'I was falling over and had brain fog, but I was putting it down to the pain in my arm and didn't want to worry anyone,' she said. 'I fell down the stairs. I was telling my legs to move but it was like they weren't listening. Now I can't feel my legs or use them at all. 'You can develop FND as a result of chronic pain. Your brain fails to send the correct messages to other parts of your body.' Amy became more and more depressed, longing for her old life. 'I couldn't do anything for myself,' she said. 'I couldn't go outside because even a slight breeze touching my arm caused excruciating pain. Amy became more and more depressed, longing for her old life. 'I couldn't do anything for myself,' she said. Her infected hand following the cannula fail is shown right 'I couldn't sleep, I was managing about three hours a night. I'd also developed post-traumatic stress syndrome and experienced flashbacks.' Amy was so desperate she even asked for her arm to be amputated, but was warned this carried a risk of the pain spreading to other limbs. Her mother Jo was also having chemo and radiotherapy during this time, after being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma (a blood cancer), so Amy was 'very low' and in May 2018 she planned to take her own life.