In this episode of the Tell Her podcast, the host shares a deeply personal story of health struggles, spanning multiple misdiagnoses and significant chronic pain. She details her three-year journey battling symptoms that were initially dismissed as fibromyalgia and sciatica, but ultimately diagnosed as cauda equina syndrome. The narrative underscores the importance of self-advocacy in the healthcare system, spotlighting both the positive and negative interactions with healthcare professionals. The host concludes by expressing gratitude for the healthcare workers who eventually provided effective care, and emphasizes the importance of not comparing one's struggles with others, highlighting that everyone's experience matters. Despite the adversity, her story ends on a hopeful note as she recovers and returns to a fulfilling life.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:58 Personal Health Journey Begins

01:59 Struggles with the NHS

04:13 Misdiagnosis and Persistent Pain

05:20 A Year of Chronic Pain

07:47 Severe Symptoms and Hospital Visits

26:55 Pancreatitis Diagnosis

34:07 Fighting for Proper Diagnosis

40:14 The Worst Pain Experience

44:31 The Ambulance Crew Arrives

45:27 Struggling to Get Help

47:30 Desperate for Pain Relief

01:01:22 The Physio's Urgent Advice

01:02:53 Hospital and Surgery

01:12:56 Reflecting on the Journey

01:17:45 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

ABOUT YOUR HOST — SHARNI KNIGHTON

I’m Sharni Knighton, the creator and host of Tell Her. I was inspired to start this podcast after meeting so many extraordinary ordinary women through my hair loss and wig clinic. I wanted to give these women a space to share their stories and help them realize that what they see as “ordinary” is truly extraordinary.

As an educator, I also train stylists in the hair loss industry around the world — and I’m passionate about showing them who these incredible women are. I believe you should only step into this work if you’re ready to truly help and connect with the women you serve.

✨ Connect with my work:

• Hair Loss & Wig Clinic → www.sharniknighton.co.uk
• Training Academy → www.sharniknightonacademy.com
• IntelliMESH Product Line → www.intellimesh.co.uk

✨ Follow on social:

• TikTok → @sharniknighton
• Podcast TikTok → @tell.her.podcast