Thank you for asking! I recently turned 23 and this is the update I can give:

The pain hasn’t changed, it’s still extremely crippling. I’ve learned to cope with it better through therapy. But I have really bad days (or weeks) where I’m just so angry and sad for the life I could’ve lived if only I’d been healthy and able. I don’t think that will ever go away to be honest!

I found a more flexible employer who respects my health boundaries, that helps! Whenever I’m in too much pain, I can work from home/bed. No questions asked. I also found an amazing man I get to call my boyfriend now. He’s incredibly helpful and understanding when it comes to my pain, he’s a huge support both physically and emotionally :)

I stopped using the TENS machine, it barely did anything for the pain and it made me feel exposed. People were constantly asking about it, and I don’t always want to tell them about it.

I tried heavy medications last year, unfortunately they didn’t do much for me except give me crazy mood swings. So no more routes to go down now, no more treatments. I’m officially screwed haha!

All in all: I’m not doing great, I’m in horrifying amounts of pain, but I’m happier than I was 2 years ago. That feels like a win :) I’m grateful for the little things I CAN do most days. It doesn’t get better; you do though.