Centre for Complex Pain – Testimonials

I was referred at 10 years old after struggling with relentless migraines, cramps, and unexplained pain. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I endured daily pain that made life unbearable. I couldn’t sleep, focus in school, or spend time with friends, and my mental health suffered. After many failed treatments, I was skeptical and believed I would live in pain forever.

The Complex Pain Unit changed my life. Today, my pain is almost entirely gone, apart from occasional flare-ups, and I’m proud to be a graduate of the program. The caring staff taught me pain management techniques that helped me return to school, reconnect socially, and regain control of my life.

Now, I live fully, attending classes, enjoying social activities, and sleeping peacefully. To the team: thank you for giving me the tools to reclaim my life. I am forever grateful.

It first started with a sudden intense lower abdominal pain that was limiting my quality of life. After multiple ER visits, I was taken over by the chronic pain clinic to investigate furthermore and to help me manage my pain. It was up and down for almost a year with no perfect cure but I had a team that was behind me and who were giving me support. At the end of 2020, I received a new GI diagnostic that was limiting me from eating solid food. At that point things were going downhill, I felt alone, scared and stressed and my mental health got really affected too. I then had to be hospitalized for two months in a psych ward but I knew that my physical state needed to be looked over. After I went back home with a little bit of relief mentally, I started to fight back again and was now better able to cope with my general conditions.

Several years passed, multiple visits to the ER and 3 surgeries added on along the way. I had to do homeschool for a few months, with no friends, no activities, no work, just me and my family. Again, a new diagnostic for my GI issues; but throughout all of that, I never lost hope that we would find a way to help me. That said, I’m now at the point where I don’t have to rely on the pain centre for support but I still need to find some cure for all of my GI issues which take up more space in my life right now. By the time you read this I will have undergone a new surgery in hope for a cure or a new quality of life.

I want to thank Dr. Ingelmo and his team (Rebecca, Nathalie and fellows), Dr. Poenaru, Dr. Sant’Anna and all of the nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and teachers that have helped me move along and keep on going. My journey is not over but I am resilient and hopeful that there is light at the end of this story. – Sarah (Teen)

They were helpful and they have the best lasagna 😊 Everyone is so nice, I felt so much better. Now I can play soccer and I can wakeboard and I have a much better sleep. They helped me make my own toolbox so that when I’m in pain I know what to do.

Nathan (Teen)