From sick – to tyred

STRUCK down with chronic pain and having up to six seizures a day, Mo Barnes’ life was one of misery.

But now, she looks forward to waking up in the mornings after swapping life at a snail’s pace to flipping 105kg tyres, boxing and weightlifting.

Mo’s nightmare started 10 years ago before being later diagnosed with fibromyalgia – a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

In agony and plagued with fatigue, Mo found it difficult to get off the sofa, walking was a problem and the seizures made her life hell.

The 59-year-old was eventually diagnosed with non-epileptic attack disorder and struggled to see any signs of progress.

She teamed up with specialist body-worker Adam Foster, who has put Mo through her paces through his strict programme design, and it’s worked wonders.

Mo, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: “I was told I had fibromyalgia around five years ago and suffered from terrible pain and fatigue, but I’m sure I had been suffering from it five years before that, so I had 10 years of hell. Then, last November, I was diagnosed with non-epileptic attack disorder.

“I was taking medication for the fibromyalgia and when the seizures started I just thought I needed to do something about it.

“I started seeing Adam and it has totally transformed my life, I am now off the medication and I have gone from having five to six seizures every day to now not having them at all.”

Mo has now returned to work as a customer service adviser.

“I used to walk like an old woman, after 200 yards I was in so much agony and was very slow,” added the mum-of-one.

“I now walk at a normal pace with no pain, I can walk up the stairs, and I’ve stopped the seizures.

“After three weeks of exercise I was flipping huge tyres, boxing and weightlifting. I have my spark back, I’m taking life by the horns and enjoying every minute of it.

“I was a shell of my former self and now that has all changed. I was totally amazed when I went from not being able to do anything to flipping tyres, I feel brilliant and I’ve got my life back.”

Adam, set up his business, called The Fibro Guy, based at The Town Mission in Lower Rudyerd Street, North Shields, North Tyneside.

The 29-year-old, who works with fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, hypermobility and associated syndromes relating to chronic pain and fatigue, was involved in an IED blast when serving in the Army in Afghanistan in 2009.

GPs deemed he had spinal scar tissue, causing him chronic pain. After research, he decided to set up his own training programme.

Adam is now helping others to reduce their discomfort through his movement-based programme.

For more information visit www.thefibroguy.com. Adam also urges anyone who fears they may be experiencing similar symptoms to visit www.fmauk.org.

FROM TIRED TO TYRES, MUM BEATS PAIN WITH EXERCISE