Latest news with #Mairead
STV News
a day ago
- Health
- STV News
'Chronic pain put my future on hold - I want the chance to take my life back'
A woman says her life has been 'ripped away' after being diagnosed with a rare chronic pain condition. Mairead Keen has lived with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) – a persistent, severe pain condition which is usually caused by injury – for eight years. At the age of 14, she suffered severe headaches, which doctors identified as a viral infection damaging her nerves, disrupting the signals travelling from the brain to the body. The CPRS diagnosis left the then-teenager confused as she had never heard of the incurable condition, which is estimated to affect 26 in 100,000 people. Now aged 22, Mairead feels like she is 'walking on glass' and that her future has been put on hold. 'I had a lot of plans when I was younger for what I wanted to do with my life', Mairead told STV News. 'That has all been ripped away from me. Now I live on painkillers and rarely get to leave the house. 'I only get one or two days every couple of months where the pain is easy to deal with. Other times I'm in bed or on the couch, with a lot of painkillers. 'It feels like a stabbing pain and an intense burning sensation. It started in my feet and my legs, they have always been the main point of pain, but a year after that spread all over my body. 'I am able to walk, but it just feels like I am walking on glass. Supplied The 22-year-old feels like she is 'walking on glass' and that her future has been completely put on hold. 'My stomach even hurts when I eat. It just makes me sad, there is just a lot of sadness.' For the first two years following her diagnosis, Mairead underwent numerous therapies with the help of NHS staff. However, after she started receiving care as an adult, a lot of her support network was taken away. The 22-year-old's mum, Marie Keen, believes there is 'no help out there' for people living with a chronic pain condition. Marie Keen told STV News: 'When Mairead was first diagnosed, she was in paediatric care, she got water therapy, physiotherapy and a psychiatrist. 'As soon as she turned 16, all that was taken away from her. She has never had physio since, and there is no support anymore. 'It feels like there is nothing in Scotland to help people like Mairead. There is just no help out there. 'My daughter is 22, but she feels like an 80-year-old.' Mairead is now raising money to undergo Calmare Therapy in Ireland. The treatment, also known as scrambler therapy, works by replacing pain signals with 'non-pain' information, potentially offering relief for various conditions like nerve pain, cancer pain, and opioid-induced pain. It involves applying electrodes to the skin around the painful area and delivering low-level electrical impulses that are designed to override the pain signals. The NHS has not yet approved it for routine commissioning due to insufficient evidence of its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. But, the leading UK specialist clinic, the London Spine Unit, believe the treatment is an 'efficient and safe alternative for several different types of refractory chronic neuropathic pain, with a very rare possibility of adverse events'. Mairead hopes the therapy, which is available in the US, Australia, Ireland, Germany and Italy, will give her the chance to 'live a normal life'. 'We have tried different things over the last eight years, but nothing has ever worked', she explained. 'I feel like I am currently not living my life properly. We researched scrambler therapy, and it had a success rate between 80% to 90%. 'So I see this as a last chance to get my life back. I want to live a normal life. 'I want to have a family, a home and a job. All these simple things that were taken from me. 'It is a very lonely condition.' Public health minister Jenni Minto said: 'I am determined to improve care and support for people living with chronic regional pain syndrome. Everyone should be able to access the services they need, when and where they need them. 'We continue to work closely with the NHS to improve how services are accessed and delivered for patients, and we are making progress on the issues that people with lived experience of chronic pain have told us matter most to them.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City viewers all cry same thing as Mairead and Dean continue their affair & James' money troubles deepen
RTE Fair City viewers were all left saying the same thing as Mairead and Dean continued their secret affair. On tonight's episode, Emma's concern for James grew as she saw his condition after the assault. Advertisement 2 Mairead and Dean continued their secret affair Credit: RTE 2 Emma's concern for James grew tonight Credit: RTE Mairead and Dean grew closer, but she felt the pressure when Dean admitted he wouldn't wait forever for her to leave Damien. Ellie cringed when Renee attempted to chastise her for her casual hook-up. And despite Mairead and Holly cautioning Renee not to get involved, she continued to probe. But, when Renee goes too far by buying condoms for Ellie, the pair agree to avoid the topic of Ellie's sex life from now on. Advertisement read more on Fair City RTE viewers raced to social media to share their thoughts on all of tonight's drama. Thomas said: "Dean must be all hands that Mairead's badge fell off." Ciara joked: "The auld passion sent Mairead's badge arseways." Another fan added: "Rennie didn't notice Mairead taking a break with old Deano." Advertisement Most read in News TV Elsewhere on the show, James hid his injuries from the recent attack, but Emma grew concerned at his noticeable immobility. And when Rafferty was short with James, Emma insisted he should go easier on him. A look at tonight's episode of Fair City James confronts Ger for not protecting him from the lender, but Ger made it clear that his problems are far from over. And when Emma discovered that James' debt was more dangerous than she realised, she confronted him, and he reluctantly revealed his bruising. Advertisement But, Emma insisted they would find the money to settle the debt, however Rafferty was incensed and refused to help. Unsure of where to go next and feeling hopeless, Emma turned to Detective Buckley for advice. SHOCK CITY Orla and Dolores struggled to find a replacement manager for the garage. Meanwhile, Doug was reluctant to get involved between Pete and Ray's fight, but continued to doubt his own abilities as the new sales manager. Advertisement And when Doug got flustered on another sale, Ray noticed him struggling and advised him to stop imitating Pete's selling style and be himself. But, Pete began to feel guilty when Dolores and Erica discussed the stress that Doug and the garage are under. So, Dolores set up a meeting to try mend things between Pete and Ray, but neither was ready to compromise. Frustrated by their lack of compromise, Dolores decided it was time for Orla to step up. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City star lifts lid on behind the scenes filming and reveals ‘iconic' character he wants to return
RTE Fair City star George McMahon has revealed what really goes on behind the scenes of the hit soap and revealed who he'd love to see make a comeback. The Irish actor, best known for playing Mondo in 2 George gave fans a glimpse into the filming process on Fair City Credit: Pictures: 2 He revealed the one former cast member he'd love to see back on set He told "That is where our skill comes in as actors, to keep things fresh and make it sound like it is the first time we have said those lines every single time. "That is what we are there for and that is what our training allows for." George also revealed the one former cast member he'd love to see back on set - actress Hilda Fay, who played Tracey McGuigan on the show. READ MORE ON FAIR CITY He said: "She is iconic and I think she is one of the finest actors that Ireland has ever produced. My god, if I got a chance to dance with her on set again, I would absolutely love that." The actor also shared a story line that he would love to see with his character and his on-screen dad Ray. He said: "They need to go to Gaelteacht for some reason and they end up in Tígh Thaidhg's having pints in Ros na Rún. "It is the crossover episode we all need and I am putting it out there. We have to make it happen." most read in the irish sun RTE Fair City viewers were all left saying the same thing after Mairead and Dean rekindled their romance. In A look at tonight's episode of Fair City Mairead returned to work and was determined to manage without any help. When Dean checked in, tensions were raised as Mairead confronted him on his connection with Ger. But Dean denied anything is going on with Ger and admitted that he still cares for Mairead. CITY DRAMA Later, Mairead revealed that she is not happy in her marriage with Damien. And after the pair sleep together, briefly rekindling their connection, they agree to meet again. Elsewhere, when Renee discovered that Holly was looking for a childminder for Milo, she recommended Ellie. Holly agreed to a trial and was impressed with Ellie's rapport with Milo. And afterward, Holly felt it went well despite Renee's over-involvement.
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City viewers all say same thing as Dean and Mairead rekindle romance while James faces serious trouble
RTE Fair City viewers were all left saying the same thing after Mairead and Dean rekindled their romance. On tonight's episode, James faces a serious threat from his money lender, while Ray and Doug thought they could manage the garage alone. 3 James received a threatening message from his moneylender Credit: RTE 3 James and Mairead rekindled their relationship Credit: RTE 3 Viewers were all left with the same opinion on the pair's romance Credit: RTE Mairead returned to work and was determined to manage without any help. When Dean checked in, tensions were raised as Mairead confronted him on his connection with Ger. But Dean denied anything is going on with Ger and admitted that he still cares for Mairead. Later, Mairead revealed that she is not happy in her marriage with Damien. read more o n fair city And after the pair sleep together, briefly rekindling their connection, they agree to meet again. Elsewhere, when Renee discovered that Holly was looking for a childminder for Milo, she recommended Ellie. Holly agreed to a trial and was impressed with Ellie's rapport with Milo. And afterward, Holly felt it went well despite Renee's over-involvement. Most read in News TV RTE Fair City viewers all raced to social media to share their thoughts on tonight's explosive episode. One viewer wrote: "James will be thrown in the back of Dean's van." A look at tonight's episode of Fair City Ross commented: "I really hope Damien catches Dean & Mairead." Another viewer added: "Dean and Mairead getting very risqué. Next thing you know, they'll be at a Coldplay concert." Elsewhere in Carrigstown, James continued to lie about his debt problems, telling Emma and Rafferty that he has things under control. AFFAIR CITY In reality, he was missing out on his loan payments, but Ger signed the lease for her new shop and warned James she wouldn't cover him if he slipped up on his repayments. When James received a threatening message from the moneylender, he tried to act tough, assuming Ger would keep the loan shark off his back. However, to his surprise, James was beaten up when the lender came after him. And Holly was disgusted when she came across James after being assaulted, but assumed he was in bad shape as a result of drinking too much. HARD WORK With Pete gone, Ray insisted he and Doug could manage the garage alone, but Dolores and Erica were doubtful. After a stressful shift, Doug admitted he was struggling with the added pressure of taking over the car sales. In an effort to relieve their pressure, Dolores tried to get Pete to return to the garage, but he refused, claiming he was still frustrated by Ray's controlling ways. Later, Doug urged Pete to come back to work, explaining that things weren't going well without him. But Ray remained stubborn when Dolores proposed a compromise to let Pete run the sales department. Following this, Dolores warned Ray that the current set-up in the garage was not sustainable. A frustrated Dolores told Pete that he has one final week to decide for certain if he will return to the garage.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City viewers work out Mairead's next move as Damien pressures her
RTE Fair City viewers think they've worked out what Mairead's next move will be. Last night Mairead confronted Dean over rumours about him and Ger. 2 Damien wanted Mairead to give a sympathetic statement Credit: RTE 2 Mairead were left fuming with Damien Credit: RTE Dean, feeling hurt and rejected by Mairead, reconnected with Ger. However, it didn't take long for Dean to realise he still has feelings for Mairead and couldn't continue with Ger. Tonight Mairead was unsettled by Damien's request that she gave a sympathetic statement to the judge on behalf of Mark. Upset, she considered reaching out to Dean for comfort but stopped herself. read more on fair city Damien continued to prioritise Elaine's feelings, leaving Mairead feeling sidelined. Renee informed Mairead —incorrectly— that Dean had moved on with Ger, making Mairead feel even more emotionally conflicted. RTE viewers were on Mairead's side in the argument and think she will move onto Dean. Sylvia said: " Mairead is moving into the van #faircity ." read more on the irish sun Ciara wrote: "Sling your hook Damo." Sinead tweeted: "With all due respect Damo, your brother killed, buried and lied about the murder of your sister. Then brought a gun to the memorial and shot your wife. Jail seems appropriate don't you think." A look at tonight's episode of Fair City Pamela remarked: "Damo will be gone for the night, Dean will be round quick as a flash." Elsewhere, Ray struggled with guilt over purchasing faulty electric vehicles, while the others wrongly blamed Pete. Despite opportunities, Ray repeatedly failed to admit the truth. Doug encouraged him to come clean, but Pete shouldered the blame to de-escalate tensions and to avoid Ray finding out any more about his and Doug's past dodgy deals. JAMES AND GER Eventually Ray confessed, but the damage to Pete's reputation remained, which led Pete to resign from the garage. Meanwhile, Ger continued pushing to secure the rental unit in The Marketplace. James tried to handle the pressure of Ger's persistence and the debt hanging over him. With Ger needing to move inventory fast, James tried to use her urgency to his advantage. After rejecting James' rental offer, Ger outmanoeuvred him by leveraging his loan shark threat and negotiating control of the unit on her own terms. Ger won her battle with James and began preparing for her business launch. Emma and Ger decided to work together and hatch a plan to get Renee to back down from her book club choice.
