Vimala
Faces of Axial SpA
Vimala is relentless in her pursuit of living well and helping others with chronic conditions.
When every step, every movement, is a battle against debilitating pain. That’s the reality Vimala has faced for many years, a reality shaped by axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), a chronic condition that affects her spine and hips. However, Vimala’s story isn’t one of defeat, but a testament to the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.
For years, Vimala brushed aside the nagging aches and pains. “I started getting pain about 23 years ago, in my neck,” she recalls, “and then jumping forward to 2014, I was on so many painkillers, you name it, I was on it, and depression tablets as well.” The pain in her back had become unbearable, making even the simplest act of walking a monumental challenge.
“I was in and out pain constantly”
Vimala initially dismissed her symptoms, attributing them to her active lifestyle. “I was in and out pain constantly but I’m very much into activity, into gym, into any type of exercise possible. That’s me,” she explains. “And I’m a hard worker, so any pain I got, I would always put down to overdoing it at the gym.”
It was a journey of self-discovery, marked by frustrating dead ends and misdiagnoses. Doctors offered explanations like muscular pain or osteoarthritis, but no conclusive explanation.
“I used to get physio,” she says, then came a pivotal moment during a trip to Sweden, where she found yoga. “I went to Sweden and ended up falling into a yoga practice and I swear to God, I never looked back,” she shares, and goes on to say. “The pain stopped so I started going to a yoga class back in the UK.”
But the real turning point came during a six-month stay in India. “I went to India in August 2017 to a yoga centre to heal my body and to get headspace” Vimala explains. It was there, suffering after some gruelling training, that she finally sought medical help at a local hospital. An X-ray revealed that she needed further investigation.
Back in the UK, armed with these X-rays, Vimala finally found a GP who listened. “My GP phoned me about five days later and said, thinking about your X-rays, I think you should see a rheumatologist and eventually I got my diagnosis,”.
The diagnosis of axial SpA brought clarity, but also new challenges. Biologics, while helpful, caused her to contract viruses, leading her to seek alternative solutions. A month in Africa proved transformative. “I needed space, I needed physical space,” she says. “While I was over there, I stopped the biologics, the heat was about 28 degrees initially. I was jumping up and down, I was running, I was a fitness coach over there. I had no pain apart from my osteoarthritis.”
“I wake up and struggle to move. My body is very stiff, and it’s hard to straighten up, bend a leg, or move an arm.”
Today, Vimala manages her condition with a combination of pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication, focusing on a holistic approach that includes diet and exercise. “It’s an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the spine and hips, but it can also inflame other joints like the elbows and ankles,” she explains. “I wake up and struggle to move. My body is very stiff, and it’s hard to straighten up, bend a leg, or move an arm.”
Her symptoms are unpredictable, shifting throughout the day. “The pain travels, sometimes from my hips to my spine, ankles, or elbows. You never know where it will be next,” she says. Diet is a big factor in managing her pain. “I rarely have sugar. I know if I drink alcohol, I’m going to suffer for about five days after,” she shares, emphasising the importance of protein shakes with ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.
Despite the daily struggles, Vimala remains positive. “I’ve become stronger and more determined since my diagnosis,” she reflects. “I take more risks and challenges now than I did before because I know I can overcome them.”
“I’ve always wanted to help people, so that hasn’t changed”
Her experiences have ignited a passion for helping others. “I’ve always wanted to help people, so that hasn’t changed,” she says. “But her own experiences have given her deeper insights into the challenges faced by others with chronic conditions.”
Vimala’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Don’t give up. Do lots of research and experiment with different methods to ease the pain—whether it’s through exercise, diet, or other approaches.” Her story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we can find strength, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
