‘My daughter has suicide disease

Amelia was diagnosed in 2017 after ‘screaming in pain’ (Image: Natalie Taylor) A mother has opened up about her daughter’s devastating diagnosis that left her “suffering” and “in pain” for hours everyday. Amelia Martin, who was 17 at the time of her diagnosis, had just finished her first year completing her A Levels when she suddenly fell to the floor “screaming in pain”. Mum Natalie Taylor rushed her daughter to the doctors where he initially diagnosed her with an infection in her toes and sent her for blood tests. But three days later, Amelia was rushed to A&E after “passing out” from the pain. After five weeks in hospital and numerous tests, Amelia was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and allodynia. During this time, Amelia lost the use of her legs and arms and felt a burning sensation whenever doctors touched her skin. CRPS is nickname the ‘suicide disease’ due to the psychological problems it can cause sufferers. Amelia is unable to walk on her feet and has to use her ‘hands and knees’ (Image: Natalie Taylor) Natalie said her daughter suffers from ‘suicidal thoughts’ (Image: Natalie Taylor) Speaking to Express.co.uk, Amelia’s mum Natalie said: “Before her diagnosis in 2017, I had taken her shopping to get some new school clothes in August and she had been complaining that her clothes were burning her skin. Her hair had also got thin and started falling out but I thought it was her hair straighteners causing problems. While we were shopping, she fell on the floor saying she’s got pins and needles but she wasn’t in serious pain and laughed it off. “A few days later, she then presented with a bruise on her inner thigh that was huge and then another bruise presented in the same position on her opposite leg. I was getting quite concerned and booked a doctors appointment. “She was due to go back to school and she’s quite a robust girl so she thought she would be fine. But I got a call from her grandmother in distress telling me Amelia’s crying her eyes out and screaming that her big toes were burning her. She said the pain was unbearable and when I looked at them, the formation of the redness looked like I had put them in burning water. “Since her diagnosis, we have exhausted everything we can. She’s been to pain management specialists here, she’s now allergic to water and has a long list of other conditions spiralling from CRPS. The list goes on. No one can tell us why this has happened. She’s been on so many different medications and we’ve paid privately for trials but nothing has been effective.” Amelia has ‘exhausted all options’ for treatment (Image: Natalie Taylor) Amelia, now 23, is still living at home under the care of her mum who says she needs help with all her day to day activities. The student had planned on travelling the world after completing her studies but has resorted to spending all day at home in bed. The 23-year-old is also unable to walk on her feet, and has to move around using her hands and knees. Natalie added: “Amelia’s life was all planned out. In her head, she would’ve been travelling the world and living life to the full. She was doing her driving lessons and was really interested in going into the media industry. “She feels like she’s lost her whole life. She needs help getting ready in the morning and at night. We prepare all her food and help her with personal care. She wants to be independent and wants her life back and the hardest thing is watching her turn into a shadow of herself. Her friends gave up on her and she’s lonely – it’s a lonely existence. “She’s the kindest, sweetest natured girl you could ever meet. She doesn’t have anyone. She exists in four walls. Her anxiety is so bad. Seeing your child in so much pain, screaming asking you to take away the pain is horrific. Amelia has suicidal thoughts as a result of this condition.” Amelia has not been able to complete her A Levels (Image: Natalie Taylor) Natalie is now fundraising for for Amelia to travel to the US to attend a private clinic for treatment after “exhausting all options” in the UK. She said: “She’s suffering everyday. This is severe pain. You feel like you’re being tortured everyday. As a mum, I’ve fought for six years to find a treatment that works but we’ve exhausted all options. “The world was her oyster and now she feels like she’s lost her whole life.” You can donate to the fundraiser here. The Samaritans can be reached round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org.uk or by visiting www.samaritans.org