March 19, (THEWILL) – Nigerian comedienne, Chioma Omeruah, aka Chigul, has opened up about her battle with herniated disc, a spinal cord-related condition.
A herniated disc in the spine is a condition during which a nucleus pulposus is displaced from intervertebral space, usually caused by excessive strain or trauma to the spine.
It can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm or leg.
Speaking about her ordeal with Chude Jideonwo, on WithChude podcast, the humour merchant recalled how she could not bathe or clean herself during the period.
She also revealed that she was also asked to use antibiotics for six months and injections for weeks after her spine became infected.
She added that she endured so much pain that at some point, she thought she was going to die.
“I am like let me not exist. Why am I still alive?
“I have battled a slipped disc situation. In America, they call them herniated discs. I had that for a long time. For years. When I was in America, I was going to have surgery or thought about it, my mother was like ‘there’s no need now. Just do physio.’ So I left it alone,” she said.
“I started going through the same problem when I got to Nigeria. It was now and then. And of course, my weight, maybe, was not helping. But I know slim people who have the same thing.
“Later, I had to do a procedure. And then I got an infection in my spine from the procedure.
“I didn’t know I had an infection. I had to travel right after the procedure. I was still in so much pain that I had to be in a wheelchair. A couple of months later, I got diagnosed with an infection.
“So I ended up being on antibiotics for six months, one month was an injection every day because it was an intravenous (IV).
“And because it was a ‘nerve’ situation, everything was hurting me. Breathing, coughing, sneezing, and moving were hurting. I had my assistant, who lived with me in Abuja, move back here because I needed someone to bathe me. I couldn’t wipe myself after bathing. I couldn’t wear clothes. Slept in a chair for six months.
“I started sleeping back on my bed in February of last year.
“Literally, I was just in absolute agony. Going to the doctor always required my mental preparedness and it made me anxious.
“I couldn’t explain it. I thought of dying. I am like let me not exist. Why am I still alive?” she stated.
The comedienne said although she may not have fully recovered her condition has greatly improved.
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